Glossary | ToothAbroad

Abutment

The connector piece that screws into a dental implant and supports a crown, bridge, or denture. Quality matters: cheaper generic abutments don't always seat correctly and can loosen over time.

All-on-4

A full-arch (entire upper or lower set of teeth) restoration supported by 4 implants per arch — angled to maximize bone use. Same-day temporary teeth, final prosthesis 3–4 months later. Trademark of Nobel Biocare; the technique is in public domain.

All-on-6

A full-arch restoration supported by 6 implants per arch instead of 4. It may be discussed for some heavier-bite or full-arch cases, but it requires enough bone and usually costs ~20–30% more. Ask the treating dentist why 4 vs. 6 implants is being proposed in your written plan.

Alveolar bone

The jaw bone that holds your teeth (and implants). When you lose teeth, this bone shrinks (resorbs) over time — that's why same-day implants matter for long-term stability.

Apicoectomy

Surgery that removes the tip (apex) of a tooth's root when a root canal can't be redone. About $700–$1,200 in the US, $250–$400 in Mexico.

Bonding (composite)

Tooth-colored resin applied to repair small chips, gaps, or stains. Cheap, fast, reversible — but stains over time. 5–7 year lifespan vs. 15–20 for porcelain veneers.

Bridge

A fixed prosthesis that replaces 1+ missing teeth by anchoring to neighboring teeth ("abutment teeth"). Implant-supported bridges are now usually preferred over tooth-supported bridges because they don't require grinding healthy teeth.

Bruxism

Teeth grinding or clenching, usually at night. Critical to disclose before veneers or implants — bruxism can crack porcelain and overload implants. Mouthguards are non-negotiable for grinders.

CBCT (Cone Beam CT)

A 3D X-ray scan of the jaw, far more detailed than a panoramic X-ray. It is commonly requested for implant planning because it helps the dentist evaluate bone, nerves, and sinuses. Ask the treating dentist what imaging is needed for your case and get the rationale in writing.

Cédula profesional

Mexican federal license number proving a dentist has completed accredited dental school and is registered with the SEP/DGP. Verifiable online at cedulaprofesional.sep.gob.mx. We require this for any clinic we list.

Cementation (final vs. temporary)

Crowns and bridges are first set with temporary cement to test fit and bite, then re-cemented permanently with a stronger compound at the final visit.

Composite filling

Tooth-colored filling (resin), now the standard for most cavities. Mexico average: $70–$100 per tooth.

Cosmetic dentistry

Dentistry primarily focused on appearance: veneers, whitening, smile design, gum contouring. Not always necessary; a good clinic will tell you when conservative options work.

Crown

A cap that covers a damaged tooth. Materials: PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal, $300–$400 MX), full zirconia ($450–$550 MX), e.max lithium disilicate ($500–$650 MX).

Dental implant

A titanium or zirconia screw placed in the jaw to act as a tooth root. Once integrated (3–6 months), a crown is attached. Brand and documentation matter: ask for the manufacturer, model, warranty terms, and whether replacement parts are accessible long term.

Dental tourism

Traveling abroad for dental care to access lower prices, often combined with leisure travel. Mexico is the #1 destination for US patients.

Endodontist

A dentist with 2+ years of additional specialty training in root canals and pulp diseases. Complex root canals on molars should ideally be done by an endodontist, not a general dentist.

Extraction (simple vs. surgical)

Simple = the tooth is fully erupted and comes out with forceps. Surgical = the tooth is impacted, broken, or requires gum incision. Wisdom tooth removal is usually surgical.

Full-arch

A restoration that replaces an entire upper or lower row of teeth. Options: All-on-4, All-on-6, traditional dentures, implant-supported overdentures.

Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis

Gingivitis = early reversible gum inflammation. Periodontitis = advanced gum disease where bone is being lost. Implants generally cannot be placed in active periodontitis — must be treated first.

Healing cap (cover screw)

A small cap placed on top of a dental implant during osseointegration. Replaced by an abutment when the implant is ready for the crown.

IDS / FDI tooth numbering

Most Mexican dentists use the FDI numbering (11–48) instead of US numbering (1–32). Don't worry if your treatment plan says "tooth #16" instead of "tooth #19" — it's a translation, not a different tooth. Always ask for a tooth chart with the diagnosis.

Immediate load

Placing a temporary crown or bridge on an implant the same day as surgery. Possible only when bone density is sufficient. Most All-on-4 cases are immediate load.

Implant brand

The manufacturer of the implant fixture. Straumann, Nobel Biocare, Astra Tech, BioHorizons, 3i, Megagen, Implant Direct, MIS and other named systems may appear in quotes. Ask for the exact brand/model, warranty terms, and replacement-part availability before agreeing to treatment.

Inlay / Onlay

A larger-than-filling restoration custom-made in a lab. Used when a cavity is too big for a filling but the tooth doesn't need a full crown.

Local anesthesia

Numbing only the treatment area — what most dental work uses. Lidocaine is standard. Tell your dentist if you've ever had a reaction.

Malpractice insurance

Insurance that protects you (the patient) if something goes wrong. We always ask clinics if they carry it. Mexican malpractice claims are difficult to litigate from the US — a written warranty is your real protection.

Maryland bridge

A conservative bridge that bonds metal or porcelain wings to the back of neighboring teeth without grinding them. Good for missing front teeth, less durable than full crowns.

Mexican implant brands (e.g. Implant SA)

Several Mexican-manufactured brands exist. Quality is variable. Ask any clinic which brand they use, get the model number, and Google it before agreeing.

Night guard / Occlusal splint

A custom retainer worn at night to protect teeth from grinding. Mandatory after veneers or full-arch restorations if you grind.

Obturation

The filling material placed inside a tooth after the root canal is cleaned. Gutta-percha (a rubber-like material) is the gold standard.

Osseointegration

The process by which bone fuses to a dental implant. Typically 3–6 months. The implant cannot bear chewing forces until this is complete (unless immediate load was planned).

Panoramic X-ray ("pano")

A 2D X-ray of all teeth in one image. Useful for screening but insufficient for implant planning — that's where CBCT comes in.

PFM crown (Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal)

A crown with a metal core covered in porcelain. Strong, but the metal can show as a dark line at the gum over time. Cheaper than zirconia.

Prosthodontist

A dentist with 3 years of additional specialty training in restoring teeth — crowns, bridges, dentures, implants. The right specialist for full-mouth reconstructions.

Provisional / Temporary

A short-term restoration (usually acrylic) placed while the permanent prosthesis is being made. All-on-4 patients leave the clinic with a provisional bridge; the final goes in 3–4 months later.

Resorption (bone resorption)

The natural loss of jawbone after teeth are removed. Why timing matters: the longer you wait to place an implant after extraction, the more bone you lose, and the more likely you'll need a graft.

Root canal

Removing infected pulp from inside a tooth, cleaning the canals, and sealing them. Ideally done by an endodontist for molars. After a root canal, the tooth almost always needs a crown to prevent fracture.

Sedation (oral, IV, general)

Oral = a pill that relaxes you. IV = drugs delivered intravenously, deeper but you're conscious. General = unconscious, requires an anesthesiologist. Most Mexican clinics offer the first two; only a few offer general.

Sinus lift

A surgical procedure to add bone height in the upper jaw, where the sinus floor sits low. Required before placing implants in the back upper jaw if there isn't enough bone. Adds 4–6 months to the timeline.

Smile design

A coordinated set of cosmetic procedures (usually veneers + crowns + whitening) planned around facial proportions. Typically 8–10 units in the visible "smile zone".

Space maintainer

A small device that holds space open after a tooth is extracted, so neighboring teeth don't drift. Mostly used for kids; in adults, immediate implants are preferred.

Sterilization (autoclave)

Steam-pressure sterilization of all reusable instruments at 121°C. The gold standard. When logs are provided, we label them as clinic-submitted or reviewed evidence in our methodology.

Treatment plan

The clinic's written proposal: list of procedures, timeline, cost. Always ask for it in writing, with FDI numbering, before paying any deposit.

Tijuana / Los Algodones

The two highest-volume Mexican border towns for dental tourism serving US patients. Algodones is mostly for road-trippers from the US Southwest; Tijuana suits anyone flying into San Diego.

Veneer

A thin porcelain or composite shell bonded to the front of a tooth. Porcelain lasts 15–20 years; composite 5–7. Doesn't fix structural damage — that's a crown.

Warranty (clinic vs. manufacturer)

Manufacturer warranty covers the implant fixture itself (often lifetime). Clinic warranty covers the workmanship — and that's the one you actually use. Always get warranty terms in writing.

Wisdom tooth (third molar)

The four molars at the very back of the mouth. Often impacted, often removed in young adulthood. Mexican prices: ~$150–$250 per tooth, vs. $400–$700 in the US.

Zirconia crown

A crown made of zirconium oxide. Strong, tooth-colored, no metal line at gum. The current premium standard. Mexico price: $450–$650.