Use this guide to gain an understanding of some of the most common dental procedures and dental definitions.

Abutment: A natural tooth or implanted tooth substitute used to support a removable partial denture or bridge work.

Acid Etching: A process that prepares tooth surface for bonding to fillings or sealants by toughening enamel with a weak acid solution.

Alveoloplasty: A surgical procedure that reshapes the jawbone.

Anesthesia: Medication administered to an individual prior to a procedure with the purpose of dulling pain or sedating the individual. Dentists most commonly use local anesthesia to numb the area where the pain is likely to occur without changing the awareness of the individual undergoing the procedure. 

Apicoectomy: A minor surgical procedure that removes the apex, or top, of the root of a tooth.

Band: A metal ring cemented around a tooth as part of orthodontic treatment. Bands can hold various attachments used to assist with tooth movement and alignment.

Basic Cleaning: A routine professional teeth cleaning to remove plaque build-up, tartar, and stains. This is a regularly scheduled preventative treatment for individuals with healthy gum tissue.

Biopsy: The process of removing tissue for histologic evaluation, an important tool in the accurate diagnosis of cancer and other diseases.

Bleaching: A cosmetic procedure that whitens teeth with a bleaching solution.

Bonding: A procedure in which a tooth-colored plastic material is applied with a special light, and ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth to improve a person’s smile. 

Bridge: An appliance that replaces missing teeth by securely attaching an artificial tooth to the natural teeth. This is also known as a fixed partial denture. 

Cement Base: Material sometimes used to replace a missing tooth structure.

Composite: A filling material used to repair teeth. The most common type of filling.

Crown: A cover that is put over a tooth to help restore the tooth’s normal shape, size, and function. These are typically applied when individuals have a cavity too large for filling, a cracked or weakened tooth, or want to conceal a discolored or poorly shaped tooth.

Crown Lengthening: A surgical procedure that recontours gum tissue, and sometimes bone, to expose more of the tooth for a crown.

Dental Prophylaxis: A scaling and polishing procedure used to remove plaque and stains.

Dental Prosthesis: An artificial device that replaces missing teeth.

Debridement: A procedure for removing calculus (tartar) and plaque.

Excision: The surgical removal of bone or tissue.

Extraction: The act of removing a tooth or portions of a tooth.

• Simple Extraction: This type of extraction does not require sectioning of the tooth or any other elaborate procedures for removal.
• Filling: The act of restoring a lost tooth structure using materials such as metal, plastic, alloy, or porcelain.
• Amalgam: A single surface silver filling.
• Composite: A single surface filling made of tooth-colored plastic. Usually performed on a tooth in the front of the mouth.

Fluoride Varnish: A liquid containing fluoride that is painted onto the teeth and hardens. It is used to prevent or reduce the risk of cavities.

Full-Mouth X-Ray: The combination of 14 or more periapical and bitewing films of the back teeth that reveals all of the teeth including the crowns, roots, and alveolar bone.

Gingivectomy: A surgical procedure for removing gingiva (gum tissue) in order to restore gum health.

Gingivoplasty: A surgical procedure for reshaping gingiva (gum tissue). 

Graft: A piece of tissue or alloplastic material placed in contact with tissue in order to repair a deficiency.

Immediate Denture: A prosthesis constructed and placed immediately after the removal of natural teeth.

Implant: A device placed within or on the bone of the jaw or skull to support either a crown, bridge, denture, facial prosthesis, or to act as an orthodontic anchor.

Mouthguard: A removable plastic device worn over teeth and gums to protect from damage during sports.

Nightguard: A removable device worn over teeth at night to protect from damage due to clenching or bruxism.

Operculectomy: A procedure that removes the flap of tissue over an unerupted or partially erupted tooth.

Overdenture: A removable prosthetic device that covers and rests on one or more natural teeth, the roots of natural teeth, and/or dental implants.

Partial Denture: A prosthetic device used to replace missing teeth.

Preventative Dentistry: Procedures and services administered to prevent oral diseases.

Prophylaxis: A dental cleaning that consists of the removal of plaque, stains, and calculus by scaling and polishing.

Pulpectomy: A procedure that removes diseased pulp tissue.

Radiograph: An image produced by projecting radiation. Also called an X-ray.

Reline; A procedure used to resurface the side of a denture that is not in contact with the soft tissue of the mouth to ensure a secure fit.

Removable Partial Denture (Removable Bridge): A prosthetic replacement used to replace missing teeth. This device can be removed by the individual.

Retainer: A removable device worn in the mouth to prevent teeth from shifting. These devices can be fixed or removable.

Root Planing: A procedure performed on tooth roots to remove dentin, bacteria, calculus, and diseased surfaces.

Scaling: The removal of plaque, calculus, and staining from teeth.

Sealants: Plastic resin placed on the biting surfaces of molars in order to prevent bacteria from attacking the enamel.

Suture: A stitch used to repair an incision or wound.

Temporary Removable Denture: An interim prosthesis designed to be used for a limited period of time.

Veneer: Thin coverings placed over the front part of teeth made to look like natural teeth.