Dental Glossary: Common Dental Terms Explained in Plain English
This glossary from Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul explains 40 dental terms in plain English, grouped by topic: cosmetic, implant, restorative, orthodontic and everyday gum care. For example, an abutment connects an implant to its crown, and a "laminate" is the term often used in Korea for a porcelain veneer.
Key facts
- An implant has three parts: the fixture (artificial root), the abutment (connector) and the crown.
- In Korea, porcelain veneers are commonly called "laminates."
- Scaling is the professional removal of plaque and tartar; NHIS typically covers it once a year for enrolled adults.
- A sinus lift adds bone in the upper back jaw so an implant can be placed; crestal and window are two approaches.
- Prosthodontics is the dental specialty for restoring and replacing teeth.
- Self-ligating braces hold the wire with a built-in clip instead of elastic ties.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Prosthodontist. Last reviewed September 2026.
Dental visits come with a vocabulary of their own, and it can be hard to ask good questions when you are not sure what a word means — especially in a foreign country. This glossary explains the terms you are most likely to hear or read in your treatment plan at a Seoul clinic, in plain English. Definitions are general and educational; your dentist will explain how each one applies to you.
How should I use this glossary?
Look up words from your estimate or consultation, then ask your dentist anything that is still unclear.
- Find the term in the section that matches your treatment.
- Read the plain-English meaning and follow the link for more detail.
- Write down any questions to bring to your appointment.
- If you need to say a word in Korean, see our Korean dental phrases guide.
What do cosmetic dentistry terms mean?
Cosmetic terms describe treatments that change how teeth look — their color, shape, size or alignment.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Veneer (laminate) | A thin, custom-made shell, usually porcelain, bonded to the front of a tooth to change its shape or color. In Korea veneers are often called "laminates." | LUCINATE veneers |
| Non-prep veneer | A veneer placed with little or no removal of natural tooth enamel. Not every smile is suitable. | — |
| LUCINATE | Lucid Dental's in-house porcelain veneer line, offered as Classic, Premier and THE LUCINATE, plus a One-Day option for suitable cases. | — |
| Composite resin | A tooth-colored filling material that is shaped directly on the tooth and hardened with light. Used for fillings and bonding. | Composite bonding |
| Composite bonding | Adding composite resin to reshape or repair a tooth without a lab-made restoration. | — |
| Whitening (bleaching) | Lightening the natural color of teeth with a peroxide-based gel. It does not change the color of crowns or veneers. | — |
| Gum contouring | Reshaping the gum line to show more tooth or make it more even, often for a "gummy smile." | Gum contouring |
| Shade | The color of a tooth or restoration, matched using a shade guide. | — |
What are the parts of a dental implant?
A dental implant has three main parts: the fixture in the bone, the abutment that connects, and the crown you see.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Implant fixture | The screw-like post, usually titanium, placed in the jawbone to act as an artificial root. | Dental implants |
| Abutment | The connector that joins the implant fixture to the crown. A custom abutment is shaped for your gum and bite. | — |
| Implant crown | The visible tooth attached to the abutment, often made of zirconia. | — |
| Osseointegration | The process by which bone bonds to the implant surface as it heals, usually over a few months. | — |
| Bone graft | Adding bone or bone-substitute material where there is not enough bone to hold an implant. | Bone graft and sinus lift |
| Sinus lift | Raising the sinus floor in the upper back jaw and adding graft material so an implant can be placed. "Crestal" and "window" are two approaches. | — |
| One-Day Implant | Placing an implant and fitting a tooth on the same day when the bone allows it. | — |
| Plasma-activated implant | An implant whose surface is treated with plasma before placement to clean it and help bone attachment. | — |
What do restorative dentistry terms mean?
Restorative terms describe repairing or replacing damaged and missing teeth.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Crown (cap) | A restoration that covers the whole visible part of a shaped tooth or sits on an implant. | — |
| Inlay / onlay | A lab-made filling bonded into (inlay) or over part of (onlay) a tooth — larger than a filling, smaller than a crown. | — |
| Bridge | False teeth anchored to neighboring teeth or implants to fill a gap. | — |
| Denture | A removable replacement for several or all teeth. | — |
| Zirconia | A very strong, tooth-colored ceramic used for crowns and implant crowns. | — |
| Root canal treatment | Removing infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, cleaning the canals and sealing them. | — |
| Pulp | The soft tissue inside a tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. | — |
| Prosthodontics | The dental specialty focused on planning and restoring missing or damaged teeth with crowns, bridges, implants, veneers and dentures. | — |
What do orthodontic terms mean?
Orthodontic terms describe moving teeth into better positions.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Malocclusion | Teeth or jaws that do not line up properly when you bite. | — |
| Self-ligating braces | Brackets with a built-in clip that holds the wire, instead of elastic ties. Clippy-C is a ceramic self-ligating system. | — |
| Lingual braces | Braces bonded to the back (tongue side) of the teeth so they are hard to see. | — |
| Clear aligners | A series of removable plastic trays that move teeth gradually; Invisalign is one brand. | — |
| Anterior alignment | Limited orthodontic treatment of the front teeth only. | — |
| Retainer | A fixed wire or removable tray worn after orthodontics to stop teeth moving back. | Retainers |
What do gum and everyday dental terms mean?
These are words you may hear at a check-up or cleaning.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Plaque | A sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth daily. | — |
| Tartar (calculus) | Hardened plaque that brushing cannot remove; it is removed by scaling. | — |
| Scaling | Professional removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth, above and just below the gum line. | — |
| Gingiva | The gums. | — |
| Periodontal disease | Infection and inflammation of the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. Early stage is gingivitis; advanced stage is periodontitis. | — |
| Bruxism | Grinding or clenching the teeth, often during sleep. | — |
| Night guard | A custom-fitted appliance worn at night to protect teeth from grinding. | — |
| TMJ | The temporomandibular joint, where the lower jaw meets the skull. "TMJ disorder" describes pain or clicking there. | — |
| Wisdom teeth | The third molars at the very back, which often come in late or become impacted. | — |
| Conscious sedation | Medication that relaxes you while you remain awake and able to respond. | — |
Are veneers and laminates the same thing?
In everyday use, yes. Korean clinics commonly call porcelain veneers "laminates" (라미네이트), so you may see both words on the same estimate.
Both refer to thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth. The American Dental Association's MouthHealthy glossary describes veneers as thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored material designed to cover the front side of teeth.
What is the difference between an implant, a bridge and a denture?
An implant replaces a tooth root in the bone; a bridge anchors a false tooth to its neighbors; a denture is removable.
Which option suits you depends on your bone, the neighboring teeth, your budget and how many teeth are missing. At Lucid Dental, a single implant with custom abutment and zirconia crown is listed at about ₩1,190,000–1,490,000 before any grafting (≈US$850–1,065 at roughly ₩1,400 per US$ — check today's rate). This is a reference "from" price; a consultation and exam are required, and individual results vary.
Where can I learn more?
Trusted public glossaries include the ADA's MouthHealthy site and the UK's Oral Health Foundation. If you are planning treatment in Seoul, our international patients guide explains how visits, pricing and records work.
Book a consultation
Have a term in your treatment plan that is not listed here? Ask in English on WhatsApp or call/text +82-10-8354-2975, and the team will explain it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a filling and an inlay?
A filling is placed and shaped directly in the tooth in one visit. An inlay is made to measure outside the mouth and then bonded in, which suits larger cavities. At Lucid Dental, inlays are listed from ₩300,000 and resin fillings from ₩60,000–150,000.
What does 'impacted' mean for wisdom teeth?
An impacted tooth is blocked from coming in fully, usually by bone, gum or the tooth in front. Impacted wisdom teeth may need surgical removal if they cause problems.
Is a prosthodontist the same as an orthodontist?
No. A prosthodontist restores and replaces teeth with crowns, veneers, implants and dentures. An orthodontist moves teeth with braces or aligners.
What is a temporary crown or veneer?
A short-term restoration that protects the tooth and lets you preview the shape while the final one is being made. It is less strong, so avoid hard or sticky foods.
What does 'occlusion' mean?
Occlusion is the way your upper and lower teeth meet when you bite. Dentists check it so that new veneers, crowns or implants do not overload any tooth.
What is an X-ray 'panorama'?
A panoramic X-ray shows all your teeth and both jaws in one wide image. It is commonly used at first visits and when planning implants or wisdom tooth removal.