Plain-English definitions of the clinical terms you are most likely to encounter at the dentist. Written and reviewed by the dentists at Advanced Dentistry & Orthodontics.
Also called: implant abutment
An abutment is the connector piece that attaches a dental crown, bridge, or denture to a dental implant post anchored in the jawbone.
After an implant has osseointegrated with the jawbone, the abutment is screwed into the implant post and serves as the foundation for the final restoration. Abutments are typically made of titanium or zirconia and are custom-shaped to support the gum contour around the restoration.
All-on-4 is a full-arch dental restoration technique that replaces all teeth on the upper or lower jaw using just four strategically placed implants supporting a fixed prosthesis.
Developed by Dr. Paulo Malo in the 1990s, All-on-4 uses two straight implants in the front and two angled implants in the back to maximize bone contact without requiring bone grafts in many cases. Patients often receive a temporary fixed bridge the same day as surgery, with the final prosthesis placed after healing.
Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure in which a tooth-colored composite resin is applied and sculpted directly onto a tooth, then hardened with a curing light, to repair chips, close gaps, or improve appearance.
Bonding is typically completed in a single visit and does not require removing significant tooth structure. It is less expensive than veneers but also less durable — bonded composite is prone to staining and chipping over time and usually lasts 5-10 years.
Also called: teeth grinding, teeth clenching
Bruxism is the habitual grinding or clenching of teeth, often occurring unconsciously during sleep, that can cause tooth wear, fractures, jaw pain, and TMJ disorders.
Bruxism is frequently diagnosed when a dentist observes flattened tooth surfaces, enamel loss, or fractured restorations. Treatment typically involves a custom night guard to protect the teeth, and in severe cases, neuromuscular therapy to address the underlying bite imbalance.
Also called: cone beam CT, 3D dental imaging
CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) is a specialized 3D dental imaging technology that produces detailed cross-sectional views of the teeth, jawbone, nerves, and sinuses at a fraction of the radiation of a medical CT scan.
CBCT scans are essential for implant planning, TMJ diagnosis, orthodontic treatment planning, and complex extractions. The 3D volume allows the dentist to measure bone density, identify nerve pathways, and plan implant placement with sub-millimeter precision.
Also called: cap
A dental crown is a custom-made cap, typically porcelain or zirconia, that covers and protects a damaged, decayed, or cosmetically compromised tooth, fully restoring its shape, size, and function.
Crowns are used after root canal treatment, on large fractures, on teeth with extensive decay, and to restore dental implants. Modern crowns can be milled from zirconia blocks using CAD/CAM technology and color-matched precisely to adjacent teeth.
Also called: clear aligners
Invisalign is a clear aligner orthodontic system that uses a series of custom-made, removable plastic trays to gradually straighten teeth without metal brackets or wires.
Each Invisalign aligner is worn for 1-2 weeks before advancing to the next in the series. The aligners are virtually invisible and removable for eating and brushing, making them popular with adults and teens. Treatment typically takes 6-24 months depending on case complexity.
Also called: bad bite, misaligned bite
Malocclusion is a misalignment of the upper and lower teeth when the jaws close, including crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
Untreated malocclusion can contribute to tooth wear, chewing difficulties, speech issues, TMJ disorders, and periodontal problems. Orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners corrects malocclusion by repositioning the teeth into proper alignment.
Occlusion refers to the way the upper and lower teeth come together when the jaws close — essentially, how the bite functions.
A balanced occlusion distributes chewing forces evenly across all teeth and jaw muscles. When occlusion is imbalanced (malocclusion), it can cause tooth wear, muscle fatigue, chronic headaches, and TMJ dysfunction. Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on correcting occlusion to relieve these symptoms.
Osseointegration is the biological process in which a titanium dental implant post fuses with the surrounding jawbone, creating a stable, permanent anchor for a tooth restoration.
Discovered in the 1960s by Swedish researcher Per-Ingvar Brånemark, osseointegration typically takes 3-6 months to complete after implant placement. The success rate exceeds 95% in healthy patients. Once osseointegrated, the implant functions like a natural tooth root and can support crowns, bridges, or full-arch prostheses.
Also called: gum disease, periodontitis
Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and supporting bone structures around the teeth, ranging from mild gingivitis to severe periodontitis that can cause tooth loss.
Early-stage periodontal disease (gingivitis) causes red, swollen, or bleeding gums and is typically reversible with professional cleaning and improved oral hygiene. Advanced periodontitis causes bone loss around the teeth and requires deep scaling and root planing, and in severe cases, surgical intervention.
Also called: dental cleaning, teeth cleaning
A dental prophylaxis is a professional cleaning performed by a dental hygienist to remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains from the teeth and below the gumline.
Routine prophylaxis is recommended every six months for most patients and is a key preventive measure against cavities and periodontal disease. Patients with periodontal concerns may need more frequent cleanings, including scaling and root planing.
A retainer is a custom orthodontic appliance worn after braces or Invisalign treatment to hold the teeth in their new position and prevent them from shifting back.
Retainers come in removable plastic (like a Vivera or Essix retainer) or fixed (a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth). Most patients wear retainers full-time for several months after active treatment, then transition to nighttime-only wear indefinitely. Without consistent retainer use, teeth can relapse to their pre-treatment position.
Also called: temporomandibular joint disorder, jaw joint disorder
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) refers to the jaw joint itself, while TMD (temporomandibular disorder) describes dysfunction or pain involving that joint and the surrounding muscles, often caused by bite imbalance, stress, or trauma.
Common TMD symptoms include jaw clicking or popping, chronic headaches, facial pain, limited jaw movement, and ringing in the ears. Neuromuscular dentistry uses diagnostic imaging, electromyography, and custom orthotics to identify the ideal jaw position and resolve TMD symptoms.
Also called: porcelain veneer, dental laminate
A dental veneer is a thin, custom-made shell of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front surface of a tooth to correct shape, color, size, or alignment issues.
Porcelain veneers typically require removing a small amount of enamel from the front of the tooth and are bonded with strong dental adhesives. They resist staining better than composite veneers and last 10-15 years or longer with good care. Veneers are commonly used in smile makeovers to address discoloration, chips, gaps, or minor crowding.
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