Abutment
The connector piece that sits on top of a dental implant post and supports the final crown. The abutment is typically made from titanium or zirconia and is placed after the implant has integrated with the jawbone. It creates the foundation to which the crown is cemented or screwed.
See also: Dental implant · Crown · Osseointegration
All-on-4
A full-arch dental restoration technique in which an entire upper or lower arch of teeth is supported by just four strategically placed dental implants. The two rear implants are placed at an angle of up to 45 degrees to maximise bone contact and avoid the need for bone grafting in many cases. All-on-4 is typically completed in fewer visits than conventional full-arch implant cases.
See also: All-on-6 · Dental implant · Full-arch restoration
All-on-6
A full-arch dental restoration using six implants per arch, offering a broader base of support than All-on-4. All-on-6 is generally preferred when the patient has sufficient bone density to place all six implants conventionally (without angling), or when the treating clinician judges that a wider distribution of forces will provide better long-term stability.
See also: All-on-4 · Dental implant · Full-arch restoration
Anaesthesia (local)
An injection of anaesthetic solution into the gum tissue and surrounding area to numb the teeth, bone, and soft tissue during dental procedures. Local anaesthesia is standard for implant placement, extractions, and crown preparation. The injections themselves may cause brief discomfort; the procedures that follow should not be painful.
See also: Sedation · IV sedation
Bone graft
A surgical procedure in which bone material is added to an area of the jaw that has insufficient density or volume to support a dental implant. The graft material may come from the patient's own body (autograft), from a donor (allograft), from an animal source (xenograft, typically bovine), or from synthetic material. Bone grafts require a healing period of several months before implant placement can proceed.
See also: Dental implant · Sinus lift · Osseointegration
Bridge (dental)
A prosthetic tooth (or teeth) anchored by crowns cemented onto the natural teeth on either side of the gap. A three-unit bridge replaces a single missing tooth using two abutment crowns and one artificial tooth (pontic) in between. Bridges do not require surgery and can often be completed in two visits, but they require alteration of healthy adjacent teeth and do not prevent bone resorption at the missing tooth site.
See also: Crown · Dental implant · Pontic
CAD/CAM
Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing. In dentistry, CAD/CAM refers to the digital workflow in which a tooth or restoration is designed on-screen and then milled from a ceramic or resin block by a computer-controlled milling machine. CAD/CAM allows clinics with in-house milling equipment to produce crowns and veneers within hours rather than sending them to an external laboratory.
See also: Zirconia · Crown · Digital impressions
CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography)
A three-dimensional imaging technology used in implant dentistry to produce detailed volumetric images of the jawbone, teeth, sinuses, and nerves. A CBCT scan allows the implantologist to measure bone density and volume precisely, identify the location of the inferior alveolar nerve and other anatomical structures, and plan the exact position and angle of implant placement before any surgery occurs. CBCT is standard at serious implant clinics.
See also: Dental implant · Bone graft · Implantology
Crown (dental)
A cap fitted over a natural tooth or implant abutment that restores the tooth's shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are made from various materials including zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), and full metal. Modern zirconia crowns are the most common choice for both anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth at quality clinics, combining strength with excellent aesthetic properties.
See also: Zirconia · Abutment · Porcelain-fused-to-metal
Dental implant
A small titanium screw or post surgically inserted into the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. After a healing period during which the implant fuses with the surrounding bone (osseointegration), a crown or other restoration is attached via an abutment. A well-integrated implant can last a lifetime with normal care and is the gold standard for replacing missing teeth.
See also: Osseointegration · Abutment · Crown · Titanium
Dental tourism
The practice of travelling to another country to receive dental treatment, typically at significantly lower cost than in the patient's home country while maintaining comparable clinical quality. Romania has become one of Western Europe's most significant dental tourism destinations, with patients travelling primarily from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK.
See also: EU cross-border healthcare · Reimbursement
EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)
The European Health Insurance Card entitles EU citizens to access state-provided healthcare in other EU/EEA countries at the same cost as residents of that country. For dental patients travelling to Romania, the EHIC can cover emergency dental treatment in public health facilities. It does not cover private clinic fees, which is where most dental tourism takes place. Always carry your EHIC as a backup, but do not plan your treatment finances around it for private clinic treatment.
See also: EU cross-border healthcare · Reimbursement
EU cross-border healthcare
Under EU Directive 2011/24/EU, EU citizens have the right to receive planned healthcare in any other EU member state and claim reimbursement from their home country insurer for the amount that would have been covered had the treatment been performed at home. This applies to dental treatment in Romania. The reimbursement is capped at the home-country tariff, not the Romanian price, but it meaningfully reduces the net cost.
See also: EHIC · Reimbursement
Extraction
The surgical removal of a tooth from the jaw. Simple extractions are performed on teeth that are visible above the gumline and can be loosened with a dental elevator before removal. Surgical extractions are required for teeth that are broken, impacted, or have complex root anatomy. Extractions are often part of preparatory work before implant placement.
See also: Dental implant · Bone graft
Full-arch restoration
A treatment that replaces all teeth in the upper or lower jaw (or both) with implant-supported prosthetics. Full-arch restorations are most commonly performed using the All-on-4 or All-on-6 technique and are indicated for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth, or whose remaining teeth are beyond restoration. The prosthetic arch is typically made from zirconia or acrylic resin reinforced with a metal frame.
See also: All-on-4 · All-on-6 · Dental implant
Implantology
The dental speciality concerned with the surgical placement and long-term maintenance of dental implants. An implantologist has completed post-graduate training in oral surgery and implant techniques beyond the general dentistry degree.
See also: Dental implant · Oral surgeon
Intraoral scanner
A handheld device that captures digital 3D images of the teeth and soft tissue inside the mouth, replacing the traditional physical impression made with putty-like material. Intraoral scans are faster, more comfortable for the patient, and generally more dimensionally accurate than physical impressions. The scan data feeds directly into CAD/CAM design software for crown, veneer, and other restoration fabrication.
See also: CAD/CAM · Crown · Veneer
IV sedation
Intravenous sedation delivers sedative medication directly into the bloodstream via a cannula, producing a state of deep relaxation or light unconsciousness during dental treatment. Unlike general anaesthesia, IV sedation allows the patient to breathe independently and respond to simple commands. It is available at many Romanian clinics for patients with dental anxiety or for complex multi-hour procedures. It must be arranged in advance and requires a companion to escort the patient home.
See also: Anaesthesia (local) · Dental implant
Oral surgeon
A dental specialist who performs surgical procedures in and around the mouth and jaw, including complex extractions, bone grafting, implant placement, and treatment of jaw-related conditions. In Romania, as in Western Europe, oral surgery is a recognised post-graduate speciality with a multi-year training programme beyond the general dentistry degree.
See also: Dental implant · Bone graft · Extraction
Osseointegration
The process by which a dental implant fuses with the surrounding jawbone. After an implant is placed, bone cells gradually grow onto and into the titanium surface over a period of three to six months, creating a stable biological bond. Osseointegration is essential for the long-term stability of the implant: a crown or other restoration is not placed until osseointegration is confirmed. Factors that impair osseointegration include smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and certain medications.
See also: Dental implant · Titanium · Bone graft
Panoramic X-ray (OPG)
An orthopantomogram is a wide-field dental X-ray that captures the entire upper and lower jaw, all the teeth, and the surrounding bone structures in a single flat image. It is the standard first imaging step for dental treatment planning, providing an overview of bone levels, root anatomy, and existing restorations. It does not provide the three-dimensional detail of a CBCT scan and is supplemented by CBCT for implant planning.
See also: CBCT · Dental implant
Pontic
The artificial tooth in a dental bridge that occupies the gap left by the missing tooth. The pontic is suspended between two abutment crowns cemented onto the natural teeth on either side of the gap.
See also: Bridge (dental) · Crown
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)
A type of dental crown or bridge in which a porcelain outer layer is fused onto a metal alloy inner substructure. PFM restorations are strong and have been used successfully for decades. Their main aesthetic disadvantage is the metal margin at the gumline, which can appear as a dark line as the gum recedes over time. Fully ceramic (zirconia) restorations have largely replaced PFM at modern aesthetic-focused clinics.
See also: Crown · Zirconia · Bridge (dental)
Root canal treatment
A procedure to remove infected or damaged pulp tissue from the inside of a tooth, clean and shape the root canals, and seal them to prevent re-infection. Root canal treatment saves teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted. A tooth that has had root canal treatment is typically restored with a crown to protect it from fracture.
See also: Crown · Extraction
Sedation
The use of medication to produce a relaxed, calm state during dental treatment. Sedation ranges from mild oral sedation (a tablet taken before the appointment) to IV sedation (intravenous delivery of a sedative agent). Sedation is not the same as general anaesthesia: a sedated patient remains conscious and able to breathe independently.
See also: IV sedation · Anaesthesia (local)
Sinus lift
A bone augmentation procedure performed in the upper jaw to create sufficient bone volume for implant placement in the molar and premolar regions. The maxillary sinus cavity sits close to the roots of the upper back teeth; when teeth are lost there, the sinus can expand downward and reduce the bone available for implants. A sinus lift raises the sinus membrane and adds bone graft material beneath it.
See also: Bone graft · Dental implant · CBCT
Titanium
The metal used for dental implant posts. Titanium is biocompatible (the body does not reject it), lightweight, and highly durable. Its surface chemistry allows direct bone bonding (osseointegration) without the need for adhesive. Virtually all modern implant systems use titanium or titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) for the implant post.
See also: Dental implant · Osseointegration
Temporary crown
A short-term restoration placed on a prepared tooth or implant abutment while the permanent crown is being fabricated. Temporary crowns are made from resin composite or acrylic and are cemented with temporary cement so they can be removed at the next appointment. They protect the prepared tooth and maintain aesthetics and function during the waiting period.
See also: Crown · Abutment
Veneer
A thin shell of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front surface of a natural tooth to change its colour, shape, length, or texture. Veneers are a cosmetic treatment: they improve appearance without restoring structural damage. Porcelain veneers are fabricated in a laboratory and bonded in a second appointment; composite veneers are applied directly by the dentist in a single visit.
See also: Crown · CAD/CAM · Intraoral scanner
Zirconia
A high-strength ceramic material (zirconium dioxide) widely used in modern dental crowns, veneers, and implant abutments. Zirconia combines excellent mechanical strength (comparable to metal alloys) with good optical properties that allow it to mimic the translucency of natural tooth enamel. It contains no metal, eliminating the aesthetic drawback of the dark gumline margin seen in porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations. Zirconia restorations are produced by milling from pre-fabricated blocks using CAD/CAM technology.
See also: Crown · CAD/CAM · Porcelain-fused-to-metal
Further Reading
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