Periodontics Glossary
105 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
Root Resection
The surgical removal of one root of a multi-rooted tooth, typically a maxillary molar, while retaining the crown and remaining roots.
Allograft
Bone-grafting material obtained from a human donor (cadaveric or freeze-dried), used as an osteoconductive or osteoinduc...
Alloplast
A synthetic or inorganic graft material used as a bone substitute in periodontal regenerative procedures.
Alveolar Bone Proper
The thin layer of bone that lines the tooth socket and provides direct attachment for the periodontal ligament fibres.
Alveolar Crest
The most coronal portion of the alveolar bone that surrounds and supports the teeth, normally located approximately 1–2...
Alveolar Mucosa
The loosely attached, non-keratinised mucous membrane apical to the mucogingival junction that covers the alveolar bone.
Attached Gingiva
The firm, stippled gingival tissue bound to the underlying periosteum and alveolar bone, extending from the free gingiva...
Autograft
A graft harvested from the patient's own body and transplanted to a different site within the same individual.
Bicuspidisation
A procedure in which a mandibular molar is sectioned through its furcation and both resulting root-crown segments are re...
Biologic Width
The combined apico-coronal dimension of the junctional epithelium and supracrestal connective tissue attachment above th...
Biological Plausibility
The degree to which a proposed mechanism linking periodontal disease to a systemic condition is consistent with known bi...
Bleeding on Probing
A clinical sign recorded during periodontal probing in which blood appears at the gingival margin within 30 seconds, use...
Bone Graft
A surgical material placed into a periodontal osseous defect to stimulate bone regeneration; classified by origin as aut...
CEJ
Acronym for cementoenamel junction, the anatomical boundary between enamel and cementum used as a fixed reference point...
Cementoenamel Junction
The anatomical boundary on the tooth surface where the enamel of the crown meets the cementum of the root, used as a fix...
Clinical Attachment Level
A periodontal measurement indicating the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the periodontal pocket,...
Collagen Membrane
A resorbable barrier membrane derived from collagen, used in guided tissue regeneration or guided bone regeneration proc...
Cone Beam Computed Tomography
A three-dimensional radiographic imaging modality using a cone-shaped X-ray beam to produce volumetric images of the max...
Connective Tissue Graft
A surgical procedure in which subepithelial connective tissue, typically harvested from the palate, is transplanted to a...
Crown Lengthening
A surgical procedure that exposes more tooth structure by removing gingival tissue, bone, or both, typically to establis...
DFDBA
Demineralised freeze-dried bone allograft; a processed human donor bone graft with mineral content removed to expose ost...
Enamel Matrix Derivative
A biologic agent derived from porcine foetal enamel proteins, primarily amelogenins, used in periodontal regenerative su...
FDBA
Freeze-dried bone allograft; a processed human donor bone that retains its mineral content and acts as an osteoconductiv...
Flap Surgery
A periodontal surgical technique in which gingival tissue is incised and reflected to provide direct access to the root...
Free Gingival Graft
A mucogingival surgical procedure in which a strip of keratinised tissue is harvested from the palate and transplanted t...