Inglés para Odontología: Vocabulario y Frases Esenciales

"alveolar bone"

The portion of the jaw bone that directly surrounds and supports the roots of the teeth

"The X-ray revealed significant alveolar bone loss around the lower molars due to advanced periodontitis."

"periodontal ligament"

The connective tissue fibres that anchor the tooth root to the surrounding alveolar bone

"A widened periodontal ligament space on the radiograph suggested early occlusal trauma to that tooth."

"cementoenamel junction"

The anatomical boundary on the tooth where the enamel of the crown meets the cementum of the root

"Gingival recession had exposed several millimetres below the cementoenamel junction on the upper canines."

"furcation"

The area where the roots of a multi-rooted tooth divide from the main trunk

"Probing detected a Class II furcation involvement on the mesial aspect of the upper left first molar."

"interdental papilla"

The triangular-shaped gum tissue that fills the space between two adjacent teeth

"Chronic inflammation had caused blunting of the interdental papilla between the central incisors."

"sulcus"

The shallow groove between the tooth surface and the surrounding gum tissue in a healthy mouth

"A healthy sulcus depth of 1–3 mm was recorded throughout the anterior sextant at the recall appointment."

"amelodentinal junction"

The boundary between the enamel and the underlying dentine within the tooth crown

"The cavity had extended just beyond the amelodentinal junction, so a dentine bonding agent was applied."

"lamina dura"

A thin, dense layer of cortical bone that lines the tooth socket and appears as a white line on radiographs

"Loss of the lamina dura around the apex indicated periapical pathology requiring root canal treatment."

"rubber dam isolation"

A technique using a latex or non-latex sheet to isolate one or more teeth from saliva and the oral environment during treatment

"Rubber dam isolation was placed before commencing the root canal procedure to maintain a sterile field."

"debridement"

The removal of plaque, calculus, and infected tissue from tooth surfaces and the periodontal pocket

"Full-mouth debridement was completed over two appointments using ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments."

"composite resin restoration"

A tooth-coloured filling material bonded directly to the tooth to restore form and function

"The Class II composite resin restoration was placed using an incremental layering technique to minimise shrinkage stress."

"crown lengthening"

A surgical procedure that removes gum tissue and sometimes bone to expose more of the tooth structure

"Crown lengthening was necessary before the definitive crown could be placed, as the margin was subgingival."

"osseointegration"

The process by which a dental implant fuses directly with the surrounding jaw bone over a healing period

"After four months of healing, the implant had achieved full osseointegration and was ready for the abutment."

"pulpotomy"

A procedure that removes only the coronal portion of the dental pulp while preserving the healthy radicular pulp

"A pulpotomy was the preferred option for the carious primary molar to maintain the tooth until natural exfoliation."

"scaling and root planing"

A non-surgical periodontal treatment that removes deposits from root surfaces and smooths the root to encourage reattachment

"After scaling and root planing, the patient was reassessed at six weeks to measure pocket depth reduction."

"apicoectomy"

A surgical procedure to remove the tip of a tooth root and surrounding infected tissue when root canal treatment alone fails

"A persistent periapical lesion that had not resolved after retreatment led to a referral for apicoectomy."

"periapical radiograph"

An X-ray image showing the full length of one or more teeth including the root and surrounding bone

"A periapical radiograph was taken to assess the extent of infection around the apex of the upper lateral incisor."

"probing depth"

The measurement in millimetres from the gingival margin to the base of the periodontal pocket using a calibrated probe

"Probing depths of 6 mm or greater were recorded at several sites, indicating advanced periodontal disease."

"bitewing radiograph"

An X-ray showing the crowns of upper and lower posterior teeth on one film, used primarily to detect interproximal caries

"Bitewing radiographs revealed a mesial cavity on the lower right second premolar that was not visible clinically."

"occlusal analysis"

An assessment of how the upper and lower teeth meet and function together during biting and chewing

"An occlusal analysis using articulating paper identified a premature contact on the newly placed crown."

"vitality testing"

Procedures used to determine whether the dental pulp is alive and responding normally to stimuli

"Vitality testing with a cold spray produced no response in the upper right first premolar, suggesting pulp necrosis."

"caries risk assessment"

A systematic evaluation of factors that increase or decrease a patient's likelihood of developing tooth decay

"The caries risk assessment identified high sugar intake and dry mouth as the primary risk factors for this patient."

"BEWE score"

Basic Erosive Wear Examination — a scoring system used to record and monitor the extent of tooth surface loss from erosion

"A BEWE score of 9 triggered a dietary assessment to identify the source of acid causing tooth wear."

"tooth mobility"

The degree to which a tooth can be displaced from its normal position in the socket when lateral or vertical force is applied

"Grade II tooth mobility was noted on the upper front teeth, consistent with advanced bone loss around those roots."

"informed consent"

A process by which a patient is given clear information about a proposed treatment and voluntarily agrees to proceed

"The dentist obtained informed consent by explaining the procedure, risks, and alternatives before the extraction."

"postoperative instructions"

Written or verbal guidance given to a patient explaining what to do and avoid after a dental procedure

"The nurse reviewed the postoperative instructions and advised the patient not to rinse vigorously for 24 hours."

"dry socket"

A painful condition after tooth extraction where the blood clot dissolves or dislodges before healing is complete

""You may experience dry socket if you smoke or drink through a straw — let us know if the pain increases after day three.""

"sensitivity to cold"

A sharp, temporary pain triggered by cold foods or drinks, often indicating exposed dentine or early pulp irritation

""Your sensitivity to cold should settle within two to four weeks as the new filling material hardens and the nerve calms down.""

"treatment plan"

A written proposal outlining all recommended dental procedures, their sequence, and associated costs

"The treatment plan was presented to the patient at the end of the examination, prioritising urgent treatment first."

"oral hygiene instruction"

Personalised guidance on brushing technique, flossing, and interdental cleaning to maintain gum and tooth health

"Oral hygiene instruction was reinforced at every appointment until the patient demonstrated effective plaque removal."

"local anaesthetic block"

An injection technique that numbs a specific nerve to anaesthetise a region of the mouth for dental treatment

""I am going to give you a local anaesthetic block — you will feel a sharp scratch and then your lower jaw will go numb.""

"recall interval"

The recommended time between routine dental examinations, tailored to the individual patient's risk profile

"Given the patient's high caries risk, a three-month recall interval was recommended rather than the standard twelve months."

"vasoconstrictor"

An agent such as adrenaline added to local anaesthetic solutions to prolong duration and reduce bleeding

"A local anaesthetic containing a vasoconstrictor was chosen to improve haemostasis during the surgical extraction."

"glass ionomer cement"

A restorative material that bonds chemically to tooth structure and releases fluoride to help prevent secondary caries

"Glass ionomer cement was placed as a temporary restoration to protect the tooth while awaiting the laboratory crown."

"antibacterial rinse"

A medicated mouthwash, typically containing chlorhexidine, used to reduce bacterial load in the oral cavity

"A 0.2% chlorhexidine antibacterial rinse was prescribed twice daily for two weeks following periodontal surgery."

"calcium hydroxide liner"

A material placed over exposed or near-exposed pulp tissue to stimulate reparative dentine formation and protect the pulp

"A calcium hydroxide liner was applied as a protective base beneath the deep composite restoration."

"dental amalgam"

A durable silver-coloured filling material consisting of mercury alloy, traditionally used in posterior teeth

"The practice had phased out dental amalgam in line with the EU directive reducing mercury use in dentistry."

"impression material"

A substance used to record the shape of teeth and soft tissues in order to fabricate dental prostheses in the laboratory

"Polyvinyl siloxane was the impression material of choice for the implant-level impression due to its dimensional stability."

"eugenol"

A clove-derived compound with analgesic and antibacterial properties used in various dental cements and dressings

"The dry socket dressing contained eugenol, which provided significant pain relief within 24 hours of placement."

"fluoride varnish"

A concentrated fluoride preparation painted onto tooth surfaces to remineralise enamel and prevent caries progression

"Fluoride varnish was applied at the end of the examination as part of the caries prevention programme."

"dental implant"

A titanium post surgically placed into the jaw bone to serve as an artificial tooth root for supporting a crown, bridge, or denture

"The patient was referred to the implant surgeon for placement of a dental implant in the site of the missing lower molar."

"malocclusion"

A misalignment of the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are closed, classified by the relationship of the first molars

"A Class III malocclusion with a reverse overjet was identified during the orthodontic consultation."

"fixed orthodontic appliance"

Braces bonded to the teeth that apply continuous force to move teeth into the desired position over time

"Fixed orthodontic appliances were placed on both arches after extraction of the first premolars to relieve crowding."

"alveolar osteitis"

A painful post-extraction complication in which the blood clot fails to form or is lost before proper healing, commonly called dry socket

"The patient returned three days after the extraction with severe alveolar osteitis and was treated with a medicated dressing."

"full arch rehabilitation"

A comprehensive restorative treatment plan that restores all teeth in one arch using crowns, bridges, or implant-supported prostheses

"Full arch rehabilitation was proposed for the severely worn dentition, combining veneers anteriorly and crowns posteriorly."

"surgical guide"

A custom-made template, usually produced from a CBCT scan, used to direct implant placement to the precise planned position

"A surgical guide was fabricated from the digital treatment plan to ensure accurate implant angulation and depth."

"frenectomy"

A minor surgical procedure to remove or reduce a frenum — the small fold of tissue connecting the lip or tongue to adjacent structures

"A frenectomy was performed to release the tight lingual frenum that was restricting the patient's tongue mobility."

"occlusal splint"

A custom-made hard or soft acrylic device worn over the teeth to protect against bruxism or manage temporomandibular joint disorders

"An occlusal splint was provided as a first-line treatment for the patient's temporomandibular joint pain and nocturnal grinding."