DentalDental & implant glossary (A–Z)
Plain-English definitions of the dental and implant terms you will meet when researching treatment in Turkey. Each entry is short and general; your dentist can explain how a term applies to your case.
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026
How to use this glossary. Definitions are general information, not medical advice. Terms such as “Hollywood smile” are marketing labels rather than single procedures.
- Abutment
- The connector piece that sits on top of a dental implant and holds the crown, bridge or denture. It links the implant in the bone to the visible restoration.
- All-on-4
- A full-arch technique that supports a fixed bridge on four implants, often with a same-day temporary. The rear implants are usually angled to use available bone and avoid grafting.
- All-on-6
- A full-arch technique similar to All-on-4 but using six implants per arch, which can spread chewing load differently and may suit certain bone situations.
- Bone graft
- A procedure that adds bone material to the jaw where there is not enough volume to place an implant securely. It adds healing time before implants can be placed.
- Bridge
- A restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by spanning the gap, supported by implants or by the natural teeth on either side.
- CAD/CAM dentistry
- Computer-aided design and manufacturing used to design and mill crowns, veneers and bridges precisely, sometimes allowing same-day restorations.
- Composite veneer
- A tooth-coloured resin applied directly to the front of a tooth to improve appearance. It is usually cheaper and more reversible than porcelain but less durable.
- Crown
- A cap that covers a whole tooth or sits on an implant abutment to restore shape, strength and appearance. Common materials include zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-metal.
- Dental implant
- A small titanium or zirconia post placed in the jaw to replace a tooth root, which then supports a crown, bridge or denture.
- Denture
- A removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue, either partial or full. Dentures are usually the lowest-cost way to replace many teeth.
- Digital smile design
- A planning method that uses photos and software to preview how a cosmetic result might look before treatment begins.
- E-max
- A brand of lithium-disilicate ceramic used for strong, natural-looking veneers and crowns, valued for its translucency.
- Endodontics
- The branch of dentistry dealing with the tooth's inner pulp and root canals, including root canal treatment.
- Guided surgery
- Implant placement using a 3D scan and a custom surgical guide to improve accuracy and predictability, especially in complex cases.
- Hollywood smile
- A cosmetic full-makeover of the visible teeth using veneers or crowns to create an even, bright appearance. It is a marketing term, not a single procedure.
- Immediate loading
- Attaching a fixed temporary restoration to implants on the day of surgery, so the patient leaves with teeth. The permanent restoration follows after healing.
- Implant passport
- Documentation that records the implant brand, model and batch used, so a future dentist can identify and service the components.
- Invisalign
- A brand of clear, removable aligners used to straighten teeth as an alternative to fixed braces.
- JCI
- Joint Commission International, a voluntary international accreditation for healthcare quality and patient safety, more common in large hospitals.
- MegaGen
- A South Korean implant brand used across a range of treatment plans, often positioned in the mid-range.
- Multi-unit abutment
- A connector on top of an implant designed to carry a multi-tooth bridge, used in full-arch cases such as All-on-4 and often with angled implants.
- Nobel Biocare
- A premium implant brand known for the All-on-4 concept and a broad, well-documented implant system.
- Occlusion
- The way the upper and lower teeth meet when biting. Correct occlusion is important for comfort and the longevity of restorations.
- Onlay / inlay
- A custom-made filling that restores part of a tooth's biting surface, used when a simple filling is not enough but a full crown is not needed.
- Osseointegration
- The process by which bone fuses to the surface of an implant, locking it in place. It typically takes about three to six months.
- Osstem
- A widely used mid-range implant brand from South Korea, common in value-oriented treatment plans.
- Panoramic X-ray (OPG)
- A single wide dental X-ray showing the whole jaw, used for initial implant and treatment planning.
- PEEK
- A high-performance polymer sometimes used in dental frameworks and provisional restorations as a metal-free option.
- Periodontics
- The branch of dentistry dealing with the gums and supporting bone, including the treatment of gum disease.
- Porcelain veneer
- A thin ceramic facing bonded to the front of a tooth to improve appearance, more durable and stain-resistant than composite.
- Prosthodontics
- The dental specialty focused on replacing and restoring teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures and implant restorations.
- Pterygoid implant
- A long implant anchored in the pterygoid region at the back of the upper jaw, used to avoid grafting when rear upper bone is limited.
- Root canal treatment
- Removing infected or damaged pulp from inside a tooth, then cleaning and sealing the canals to save the tooth.
- Sinus lift
- A procedure that adds bone below the sinus in the upper jaw to create enough height for implants.
- Straumann
- A premium Swiss implant brand with a large research record, positioned at the higher end of implant pricing.
- Titanium bar overdenture
- A removable full denture that clips onto a titanium bar fixed to implants, combining implant stability with a removable prosthesis.
- Veneer
- A thin facing bonded to the front of a tooth to change its colour, shape or alignment, made of composite or porcelain.
- Zirconia (zirconium)
- A strong, tooth-coloured ceramic used for crowns, bridges and metal-free implants, valued for durability and appearance.
- Zygomatic implant
- A long implant anchored in the cheekbone, used when the upper jaw has severe bone loss and standard implants are not possible. It is a specialist procedure.
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Medical & regulatory note. General information only — not medical advice, diagnosis, or endorsement of any clinic. Dental treatment carries risks and outcomes vary. Consult a qualified dentist and verify a clinic’s registration and accreditation directly before deciding.