Oral Surgery Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
mucoperiosteal flap
A full-thickness surgical flap that includes mucosa, submucosa, and periosteum in one continuous layer.
Marsupialisation
Surgical technique creating a permanent opening in a cyst wall to allow continuous drainage.
Maxillary Tuberosity
The rounded posterior prominence of the maxilla behind the third molar region, important for surgical access and prosthe...
maxillofacial
Relating to the upper jaw (maxilla) and face, particularly in surgical contexts.
Mentoplasty
Surgical reshaping of the chin to correct functional or aesthetic defects.
Miller Classification
System for classifying gingival recession defects based on clinical characteristics and prognosis.
Mucocele
Cystic swelling caused by blocked salivary gland ducts, commonly requiring surgical excision.
Mucogingival Junction
The demarcation line between attached keratinized gingiva and movable alveolar mucosa, important for surgical flap desig...
mucoperiosteal flap
A full-thickness surgical flap that includes mucosa, submucosa, and periosteum in one continuous layer.
Myofascial Pain Dysfunction
A temporomandibular disorder characterized by muscle pain, tenderness, and restricted jaw movement without joint patholo...
odontectomy
Surgical removal of a tooth, particularly used to describe extraction of impacted or partially erupted teeth requiring s...
Odontogenic cyst
Cystic lesion arising from tooth development structures, requiring surgical enucleation or marsupialization.
Odontogenic Keratocyst
A benign but aggressive cystic lesion of the jaws with high recurrence potential, now classified as keratocystic odontog...
Odontogenic Myxoma
Benign but locally aggressive jaw tumor arising from odontogenic mesenchyme.
OPG
Orthopantomogram - a panoramic X-ray showing all teeth and surrounding structures.
Oroantral Communication
An abnormal opening between the oral cavity and maxillary sinus, typically occurring as a complication of upper posterio...
orthognathic surgery
Corrective jaw surgery designed to realign the jaws and teeth to improve function and facial aesthetics.
osseointegration
The direct structural connection between bone and dental implant surface.
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Exposed, necrotic bone in the maxilla or mandible that persists for more than 8 weeks in patients with no history of rad...
Osteoradionecrosis
Bone necrosis resulting from radiation therapy, characterized by exposed necrotic bone that fails to heal.
osteotomy
Surgical cutting of bone to correct deformities or reposition anatomical structures.
Paresthesia
Altered sensation including numbness or tingling, often a complication of oral surgery procedures.
Parotid Duct Repair
Surgical reconstruction of the Stensen's duct following traumatic injury or iatrogenic damage.
Parulis
A localized gum boil or abscess that appears as a small, raised bump on the gingiva, typically resulting from chronic pe...
Periapical pathology
Disease process affecting tissues surrounding the tooth root apex, often requiring surgical intervention.