Cosmetic Dentistry & Practice Terms
Aesthetic treatments, anaesthesia options and the specialties behind them — the rest of the dental vocabulary.
10 cosmetic & practice terms, A-Z
- Cosmetic Dentistry — A branch of dental care focused on improving the appearance of teeth, gums, and smile.
- Endodontist — A dental specialist focused on the inside of the tooth and root canal therapy.
- Local Anesthesia — Local anaesthesia is the injection of a numbing medication near a tooth or area of the mouth to block pain during dental procedures while the patient remains fully awake.
- Nitrous Oxide — Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is an inhaled sedative mixed with oxygen and breathed through a small mask to help anxious patients relax during dental treatment.
- Orthodontist — A dental specialist who diagnoses and corrects misaligned teeth and jaws.
- Periodontist — A dental specialist who treats diseases of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
- Sedation — Dental sedation is the use of medication to help patients relax during treatment. It ranges from mild (nitrous oxide), to moderate (oral or IV sedation), to deep sedation and general anaesthesia.
- Smile Design — Smile design is a planned cosmetic dentistry approach that combines facial aesthetics, dental proportions, and digital tools to create a personalised treatment plan for an improved smile.
- Veneer — A veneer is a thin, custom-made shell of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its colour, shape, or alignment.
- Whitening — Tooth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that uses peroxide-based bleaching agents to lighten the colour of natural teeth, available as in-office, take-home, or over-the-counter treatments.
About cosmetic & practice terminology
Cosmetic treatment, sedation choices and specialist referrals are the parts of dentistry patients research hardest.
These definitions cover aesthetic procedures, sedation options and the recognised dental specialties.