Dentistry has its own vocabulary, and most of it is more complicated than it needs to be. This is a plain-language guide to the terms you will most often hear at a Cambridge Dental appointment, organised by category.
If we ever use a word during your visit that is not on this list, ask us. We will explain it before any treatment begins.
Bookmark this page and come back to it whenever you need a refresher.
Appointments and visits
Check-up. A routine dental appointment where we examine your teeth, gums, and the soft tissues of your mouth. At Cambridge Dental, a standard check-up takes 30 to 45 minutes (up to an hour for first visits) and always includes two bite-wing X-rays.
Hygiene appointment. A dedicated appointment with a dental hygienist for a professional clean. Plaque and tartar are removed, your gums are checked, and you receive personalised advice on home care. Takes around 45 minutes.
Scale and polish. Another name for the cleaning part of a hygiene appointment. "Scaling" is the removal of tartar; "polishing" lifts surface staining.
Recall. The interval between your routine visits. Most adults are recalled every six to twelve months. We recommend the right interval for you based on what we see, not a generic schedule.
X-rays and imaging
Bite-wing X-ray. A small X-ray taken with you biting carefully on a card. It shows the top and bottom back teeth at the same time and helps us see decay starting between teeth, before it is visible to the eye. Bite-wings are standard at every check-up at Cambridge Dental.
Panoramic X-ray (OPG). A wider X-ray that captures all the teeth and both jaws in one image. Used when we need to see structures bite-wing X-rays don't show, such as wisdom teeth, sinuses, or jaw joints.
Intraoral scan. A digital scan of your mouth, taken with a small handheld scanner instead of traditional impression putty. We use intraoral scans for crowns, veneers, custom whitening trays, and dentures.
Impression. A mould of your teeth, traditionally taken using a soft putty in a tray you bite into. Most modern dentistry uses digital intraoral scans instead, which is more comfortable and more accurate.
Common conditions
Plaque. The soft, sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth every day. Brushing and flossing remove plaque before it hardens.
Tartar (calculus). Plaque that has hardened. Tartar cannot be removed at home; it needs a Dentist or hygienist with the right tools.
Cavity (caries). A hole in a tooth caused by decay. Most cavities are small when first found, and the simplest to treat at that stage. Caught early, a cavity becomes a quick filling. Left for a year or two, the same cavity can need a crown or a root canal.
Gingivitis. The earliest stage of gum disease, where the gums are inflamed and bleed easily when brushed. Reversible with a professional clean and good home care.
Periodontitis. The advanced stage of gum disease, where the inflammation has reached the bone supporting the teeth. Not fully reversible; the goal of treatment is to stabilise it and stop further damage.
Sensitivity. Pain or discomfort when teeth are exposed to cold, hot, sweet, or sour foods. Often caused by decay, exposed root surfaces, worn enamel, or recent dental treatment.
Occlusion (bite). How your top and bottom teeth meet when you close your mouth. Problems with occlusion can cause uneven wear, headaches, or jaw pain.
Bruxism (grinding). Unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth, often during sleep. Can wear teeth down and damage existing restorations. A custom night guard can help.
Restorative treatments (fixing teeth)
Filling. A small repair to a cavity or chipped tooth using composite (a tooth-coloured material) or, less commonly today, amalgam (silver-coloured). Usually done in one appointment.
Crown. A custom-made cap that covers a damaged tooth completely. Used when the tooth has too much damage for a filling. A well-constructed crown typically lasts 5 to 15 years. Most crowns require two appointments: one to prepare the tooth and take impressions or scans, and one to fit the final crown.
Bridge. A fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth, anchored to the teeth on either side. Permanent (not removable like a denture).
Denture. A removable replacement for missing teeth. Can be full (replacing all teeth on one or both jaws) or partial (replacing some). Cambridge Dental does make dentures, including refits and adjustments of existing dentures originally made elsewhere.
Root canal (endodontic treatment). Treatment for a tooth where the nerve inside has become infected or inflamed. The infected tissue is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned, filled and sealed, and the tooth is usually fitted with a crown afterwards to protect it.
Extraction. Removal of a tooth. Usually the last resort, when a tooth cannot be saved.
Cosmetic treatments
Veneer. A thin custom-made shell bonded to the front of a tooth to change its colour, shape, or alignment. Veneers typically last 5 to 15 years or more with good care, and can be replaced or repaired when they wear.
Composite bonding. Tooth-coloured filling material applied directly to a tooth in a single appointment to fix small chips, gaps, or shape issues. Less invasive and less expensive than veneers, but generally does not last as long.
Whitening (bleaching). A process that lifts staining and brightens tooth colour. At Cambridge Dental we use custom-fitted take-home trays with professional-strength gel, with follow-up reviews along the way. You control the pace.
Trial smile (wax-up). A preview of what a cosmetic treatment result will look like, created before any permanent treatment is done. Lets you see and adjust the design before committing.
Materials
Composite. A tooth-coloured, resin-and-glass material used for fillings, veneers, and bonding. Matches the natural tooth colour.
Porcelain. A ceramic material used for crowns and veneers. Strong, natural-looking, and good for visible teeth.
Zirconia. A modern ceramic material used for crowns. Very strong, often used for back teeth where bite pressure is highest.
Amalgam. An older silver-coloured filling material. Less commonly used today, mostly replaced by composite.
Who is who at the practice
Dentist. A clinician trained to diagnose and treat the full range of dental conditions.
Dental hygienist. A clinician who specialises in cleaning, preventing gum disease, and patient education on home care.
Dental therapist. A clinician (often working in the Community Oral Health Service) who provides routine dental care to children and adolescents, including check-ups, fillings, and extractions of baby teeth.
Dental assistant. A clinician's right hand at the chair. Helps with the practical side of treatment, prepares the equipment, and keeps you comfortable throughout the appointment.
Practice manager. The person who keeps the day-to-day operations of the practice running.
Front office co-ordinator. The first point of contact for booking, billing, and general questions.
New Zealand-specific terms
Community Oral Health Service (COHS). Free, publicly-funded dental care for children from birth to age 12, provided by dental therapists. Often delivered at school-based mobile clinics or community clinics.
Adolescent dental care. Free dental care for 13 to 17 year olds (from Year 9 of school), provided at participating private dental practices under a government contract. The teenager is enrolled with a chosen practice and routine care is covered.
ACC dental cover. Cover provided by the Accident Compensation Corporation for dental treatment needed because of an accident, sports injury, or fall. There is usually a smaller patient portion to pay, which will always be estimated in writing and explained before treatment begins. Cambridge Dental can help you lodge an ACC claim.
SuperGold Card. A government card for New Zealanders aged 65 and over. Cambridge Dental offers 10% off most treatments for SuperGold Card holders. Just mention your card when you book or arrive.
Special Needs Grant (Work and Income). A means-tested grant from Work and Income that can help with essential dental treatment costs. Cambridge Dental can prepare the cost estimate you need to submit with your application.
Afterpay. A short-term payment plan that splits smaller treatment costs into four interest-free weekly payments. Approved at reception, no application form or credit check.
If we use a word during your visit that is not on this list, ask us. We will explain it before any treatment begins. That is the rule.
