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# Dental glossary

A quick, plain-language guide to the dental words you'll hear at the clinic — what each one means and why it matters. Terms link to trusted references and the treatments they relate to.

- **Plaque:** A soft, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. Removed by brushing and flossing; left in place it hardens into tartar and is the main cause of decay and gum disease.
- **Tartar (calculus):** Hardened plaque that has mineralised onto the tooth. It cannot be brushed away and needs a professional scale-and-polish to remove.
- **Cavity (tooth decay):** A hole in the tooth caused by acid from plaque bacteria dissolving the enamel. Caught early it is a simple filling; left alone it can reach the nerve.
- **Enamel:** The hard, white outer layer of the tooth and the most mineralised tissue in the body. It protects the softer dentin beneath but cannot regrow once lost.
- **Dentin:** The sensitive layer just beneath the enamel. When enamel wears thin or gums recede, exposed dentin is what causes sensitivity to hot, cold and sweet.
- **Gingivitis:** Early, reversible gum inflammation caused by plaque. Signs are red, swollen or bleeding gums. Good cleaning usually reverses it before it becomes gum disease.
- **Periodontitis (gum disease):** Advanced gum disease where inflammation reaches the bone supporting the teeth. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and needs prompt treatment.
- **Root canal:** Treatment that removes infected or damaged pulp from inside a tooth, then cleans and seals it — relieving pain and saving a tooth that would otherwise be lost.
- **Crown:** A custom cap that covers a damaged, weak or root-treated tooth to restore its shape and strength. It looks and works like a natural tooth.
- **Veneer:** A thin, custom shell bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its colour or shape — a common part of cosmetic dentistry.
- **Dental implant:** A small titanium post placed in the jaw to replace a missing tooth's root. It fuses with the bone and supports a crown, bridge or denture.
- **Malocclusion:** A misalignment of the teeth or of the way the upper and lower jaws meet — crowding, gaps or a bad bite. It is what orthodontics corrects.
- **Fluoride:** A mineral that strengthens enamel and helps reverse very early decay. Used in toothpaste and as a professional treatment, especially for children.
- **Dental abscess:** A pocket of infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum, usually causing severe pain and swelling. It needs prompt dental care.
- **Zirconia:** A strong, tooth-coloured ceramic used for modern metal-free crowns and bridges. Zirconia restorations are highly durable and blend naturally with the surrounding teeth.
- **Hollywood smile:** A complete smile transformation using a full set of thin veneers across the visible front teeth for a uniformly bright, even smile — planned tooth by tooth so the result still looks natural.

Glossary URL: https://bilal-barake.coredex.solutions/en/glossary