Aspekt Tulastoman independent guide to dental health

An independent guide to oral health. This is not a dental clinic website, it does not book appointments and it does not replace an examination by a dentist. For severe pain, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 112 or 103 (in Russia; 112 also works across the EU).

Glossary

Medical glossary

At the dentist's you hear words that rarely come up in everyday life. This glossary explains them briefly and without unnecessary detail, so it is easier to understand your dentist and read your paperwork. The definitions are general: ask your dentist what exactly is meant in your case.

A word you understand takes away some of the anxiety. Once you know what the pulp or the periodontium is, talking to your dentist feels calmer.

— Editor's note

Teeth

Enamel
The hard outer layer of the visible part of a tooth, which protects it from damage.
Dentine
The tissue beneath the enamel that makes up most of the tooth; it is more sensitive than enamel.
Pulp
The soft tissue inside a tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.
Root
The part of the tooth that sits in the jawbone and holds the tooth in place.
Tooth decay (caries)
Gradual breakdown of the hard tissues of a tooth, linked to plaque and sugars.
Baby teeth
A child's first teeth, which are replaced by permanent teeth over time.
Bite (occlusion)
How the upper and lower teeth sit against each other when the jaws are closed.

Gums and hygiene

Plaque
A soft, sticky layer of bacteria on the teeth that is removed by brushing.
Tartar (calculus)
Hardened plaque that cannot be removed at home; it is taken off at the surgery.
Gingivitis
Inflammation of the gums; it often shows as redness and bleeding.
Periodontium
The tissues that surround and support a tooth: the gum, ligaments and bone.
Periodontitis
Inflammation of the periodontium, in which the support of the tooth can be affected.
Interdental brush
A tiny brush for cleaning the gaps between teeth.
Fluoride
A substance found in many toothpastes that helps enamel resist decay.

Treatment

Filling
Material used to restore the shape of a tooth after decay has been treated.
Crown
A restoration that covers the whole visible part of a tooth.
Implant
An artificial support placed in the jawbone in place of the root of a lost tooth.
Orthodontics
The branch of dentistry that corrects the position of the teeth and the bite.
Professional cleaning
Cleaning of the teeth at the surgery, removing tartar and plaque.
Anaesthesia
Pain relief during a procedure; the dentist chooses the method and explains it in advance.
Denture (prosthesis)
A device that replaces lost teeth; it can be removable or fixed.

Documents and rights

Informed voluntary consent
A document in which the patient confirms they have received explanations and agree to a procedure; in Russia it is required by Federal Law No. 323-FZ.
Treatment plan
The sequence of treatment stages agreed with your dentist.
OMS
Compulsory medical insurance in Russia; part of dental care is provided under the policy, and its scope is checked with the clinic and the insurer. Other countries have different systems.
Medical record
The document in which the dentist records examinations, diagnoses and treatment provided.
Choice of doctor
A patient's right set out in Russia's Federal Law No. 323-FZ; the procedure for choosing is explained by the medical organisation.
Medical summary
A document briefly describing the treatment provided and any recommendations.

Where these terms appear in the guide

  • Methods

    The kinds of dental care, how to discuss a treatment plan and which promises not to trust.

  • Ask your dentist

    Questions worth asking your dentist at a check-up, before treatment and afterwards.

  • Prevention

    Home dental care step by step: brush, fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth, sugar and tobacco.

  • Topics

    A map of topics: teeth and enamel, gums, children's teeth and special situations, plus the article catalogue.

  • Methods

    The kinds of dental care, how to discuss a treatment plan and which promises not to trust.

  • Ask your dentist

    Questions worth asking your dentist at a check-up, before treatment and afterwards.

  • Sources

    What this guide is based on and what it deliberately does not do.

Sources

  • Federal Law No. 323-FZ “On the Fundamentals of Health Protection of Citizens in the Russian Federation”
  • FDI World Dental Federation — patient information

Information is current as of the date prepared. Oral-care recommendations, the scope of dental care covered by Russia's compulsory medical insurance (OMS) and the rules for medical paperwork may change. Check the current documents and ask your dental clinic or insurer for details; arrangements differ in other countries.