From abscess to zirconia.

A pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection at the root tip of a tooth or in the surrounding gum tissue. Treated with drainage, antibiotics when indicated, and either root canal treatment or extraction.

The connector piece between a dental implant fixture (in the bone) and the crown (on top). Custom abutments allow the crown to emerge from the gum at the right angle for a natural look.

A clear, removable plastic tray that gradually moves teeth — the Invisalign approach. Each aligner is worn ~22 hours a day for 1–2 weeks before stepping to the next.

A silver-coloured filling material made of mercury mixed with silver, tin, and copper. Durable but less aesthetic — largely replaced by composite for visible teeth. Still used in some posterior fillings on medical-insurance plans.

Local anaesthetic (lidocaine or articaine) numbs the tooth and surrounding gum for the duration of a procedure. Sedation dentistry, for anxious patients, is a separate technique involving oral or IV sedatives.

A tooth-coloured resin shaped directly on the tooth to fix chips, close small gaps, or reshape edges. Reversible and cheaper than veneers; lasts 4–8 years.

A procedure to rebuild lost jawbone where an implant is planned. Uses the patient’s own bone, processed donor bone, or synthetic material. Healing time is typically 3–6 months.

A fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth. Two crowns on either side of the gap carry a false tooth in between. Traditional bridges require trimming the adjacent teeth; implants are often a better long-term alternative.

Grinding or clenching teeth, usually at night. Wears enamel, cracks teeth, and causes jaw pain. Treated with a custom night guard and sometimes behavioural or stress management.

Hardened plaque on teeth, removable only by professional scaling. Forms within days if plaque is not brushed off, and feeds gum inflammation.

A hole in the tooth caused by bacterial acid breaking down enamel. Early cavities can sometimes be remineralised with fluoride; larger ones need a filling.

3D X-ray of the teeth and jaws, taken at a fraction of the radiation dose of a medical CT scan. Used for implant planning and complex extractions.

Tooth-coloured filling material. Bonded to the tooth and sculpted in layers. Versatile for fillings, bonding, and some direct veneers.

A cap that covers the entire visible part of a tooth, used when too much tooth is damaged for a filling. Made of porcelain, zirconia, or e.max. Lasts 10–15+ years with care.

Gentle removal of inflamed tissue from the inside of gum pockets, part of periodontal (deep) cleaning.

The layer of tooth beneath the enamel — softer, more yellow, and more sensitive. Cavities that reach dentin tend to grow faster.

The hardest substance in the body and the outermost layer of the tooth. Protects against acid, wear, and temperature. Does not regrow once lost.

The dental specialty dealing with the tooth’s nerve and pulp — root canal treatment, retreatment, and apical surgery.

Removal of a tooth — either simple (with forceps) or surgical (requiring an incision and sometimes bone removal). Wisdom teeth and fractured molars are the most common cases.

A mineral that strengthens enamel and helps reverse early cavities. Oman tap water is low in fluoride, so fluoride toothpaste and occasional in-clinic varnish are important, especially for children.

The earliest stage of gum disease — red, swollen gums that bleed when brushed. Fully reversible with professional cleaning and better home care.

A titanium screw placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. After 3–6 months of healing, an abutment and crown are attached on top.

Lab-made restorations that fit into (inlay) or over (onlay) part of a tooth. Between a large filling and a crown in terms of coverage. Porcelain or gold.

The dental specialty that corrects tooth alignment and bite — with braces, clear aligners, or functional appliances.

Overbite = upper front teeth cover lower ones vertically. Overjet = upper teeth protrude horizontally past the lowers. Treated orthodontically or surgically in severe cases.

Advanced gum disease — infection has spread below the gumline, destroying the bone and ligaments that hold teeth in place. Manageable but not fully reversible.

A sticky film of bacteria and food debris that forms on teeth every few hours. Brushed and flossed off daily; if not, it hardens into calculus.

Professional cleaning: ultrasonic scaling + polishing + fluoride. Recommended every 6 months for healthy patients, every 3–4 months for periodontitis cases.

A device worn after orthodontic treatment to keep teeth in their new position. Can be a removable clear tray (nights) or a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth (fixed).

Removal of the infected nerve and pulp from inside a tooth, followed by cleaning, shaping, and filling the canal. Saves the tooth from extraction.

Deep cleaning procedure for gum pockets: ultrasonic scaling to remove calculus, then root planing to smooth the root surfaces so gum tissue can re-attach.

A thin plastic coating painted into the grooves of molars to block cavity-causing bacteria. Most valuable on children’s first permanent molars.

The use of oral or intravenous sedatives to keep very anxious patients relaxed during treatment. Patient remains conscious but calm. Requires a companion home.

A surgical procedure to add bone between the upper jaw and the sinus, preparing the site for an implant when natural bone is thin.

A thin porcelain or composite shell bonded to the front of a tooth to change its colour, shape, or alignment. Porcelain veneers last 10–15+ years.

Lightening the colour of teeth with hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. In-clinic sessions lift shade 3–8 tabs on the VITA scale; take-home trays work gradually over 1–2 weeks.

A natural sugar substitute that bacteria cannot metabolise into cavity-causing acid. Found in sugar-free gum and mints; chewing after meals helps prevent cavities.

A very strong, metal-free ceramic used for crowns, bridges, and implants. Excellent for posterior teeth where durability matters most.