Dental Tourism Glossary: Treatment Terms Explained

A

Abutment

The small connector that screws into a dental implant and holds the crown, bridge or denture on top. It may be made of titanium, zirconia or a combination.

Read more: The dental implant process

All-on-4

A way of fixing a full arch of replacement teeth on four implants, with the back two usually placed at an angle to make the most of the available bone. Often an option for people who have lost most of their teeth in one jaw.

B

Bone graft

A procedure that adds bone or a bone substitute where the jaw is too thin or too short to hold an implant securely. It can add healing time before implants are placed or loaded.

Bridge

A fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth, held in place by crowns on the neighbouring teeth or by implants.

C

CBCT scan

Cone beam computed tomography: a 3D X-ray of the jaws that shows bone height and width, nerves and sinuses. Most clinics use it to plan implant treatment.

Read more: The dental implant process

Composite bonding

Tooth-coloured resin applied directly to a tooth and shaped by hand to repair chips, close small gaps or change shape. It usually needs little or no removal of enamel.

Crown

A cap that covers the whole visible part of a tooth. Crowns are typically used to protect teeth that are weakened, cracked, heavily filled or root-canal treated, or to sit on top of an implant.

Read more: Veneers vs crowns

D

Dental tourism

Travelling to another country for planned dental treatment, usually because it costs less or is available sooner than at home. Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for patients from the UK and Europe.

Denture

A removable plate of replacement teeth. A full denture replaces all the teeth in one jaw; a partial denture fills gaps between natural teeth.

E

Extraction

Removing a tooth. After an extraction the socket needs time to heal, and dentists usually advise care with eating, rinsing and flying for the first days.

H

Hollywood smile

A popular name for a full smile makeover, usually with veneers or crowns on most of the visible upper and lower teeth to change their colour, shape and alignment.

I

Immediate loading

Fitting fixed temporary teeth on implants on the day of surgery or within a few days, instead of waiting for the implants to fuse with the bone. It suits some cases but not all.

Read more: The dental implant process

Itemised treatment plan

A written plan that lists every procedure, tooth by tooth, with the materials, implant system, number of visits and what is included. It is the best basis for comparing clinics.

L

Lithium disilicate

A strong glass ceramic often used for veneers and front crowns because it looks natural and lets light through like enamel.

Read more: Veneers vs crowns

N

Night guard

A removable plastic guard worn while sleeping to protect teeth, veneers and crowns from grinding or clenching.

O

Osseointegration

The process by which bone grows onto the surface of an implant and holds it firmly. It often takes a few months, which is why implant treatment is usually split into two trips.

Read more: The dental implant process

P

Panoramic X-ray (OPG)

A single flat X-ray that shows all the teeth and both jaws. Clinics often ask for a recent one before giving a provisional treatment plan.

R

Root canal treatment

Removing infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, then cleaning and sealing it. A crown is often recommended afterwards to protect the tooth.

Read more: Veneers vs crowns

S

Sinus lift

A procedure that raises the floor of the sinus above the upper back teeth and adds bone so an implant can be placed there. Dentists usually advise avoiding blowing your nose and flying for a period afterwards.

Smile design

Planning the shape, length and shade of new teeth from photos, scans and sometimes a trial mock-up, so you can see and approve the look before work begins.

T

Temporary teeth

Short-term crowns, bridges or dentures worn while the gums heal, implants fuse with the bone or the final teeth are made.

Z

Zirconia (zirconium) crown

A crown made from a very strong, tooth-coloured ceramic. It is often chosen for back teeth, bridges and implant restorations where strength matters most.

Read more: Veneers vs crowns