Onlay
An onlay is a custom dental restoration that covers one or more damaged cusps, offering a durable, tooth-conserving alternative to a full crown.
Category: Dental Procedures
Dental procedures span everything from a five-minute bite adjustment to multi-appointment surgical reconstructions. This section of the Rebrief Dental Glossary defines the procedures patients encounter and clinicians perform — restorative, surgical, periodontal, endodontic, and prosthodontic. Restorative entries cover cavity preparation, composite filling, composite veneers, and the indirect restorations (inlays, onlays, crowns) that follow when caries extends beyond what direct fillings handle. Surgical entries include alveoloplasty, apicoectomy, abscess drainage, bone grafting, bone augmentation, computer-guided surgery, and connective tissue grafting for soft-tissue augmentation. We also cover the procedural workflows around occlusion (bite adjustment, bite splint therapy) and the periodontal interventions that maintain the supporting structures defined elsewhere in the glossary. Each procedure entry explains the indication (why it’s done), a brief overview of the technique, and the materials and equipment involved — with cross-links to anatomy entries (so you can see what’s being treated) and to dental-equipment terms (so you can see what’s being used). The goal is a fast, accurate reference for chair-side terminology, treatment-plan language, and patient explanations. Use the search across the full glossary, or scroll the alphabetical list below to browse this category.
Onlay Restoration
An onlay restoration covers one or more dental cusps with a custom-bonded indirect restoration. Learn when it’s used and how it compares to crowns.
Oral Biopsy
An oral biopsy removes tissue from the mouth for microscopic analysis — the gold standard for diagnosing suspicious lesions, growths, and oral cancer.
Oral Surgical Site
An oral surgical site is the area in the mouth where a dental procedure was performed. Learn how healing progresses and what complications to watch for.
Inlay
An inlay is a precision-fit dental restoration for moderate decay — more durable than a filling, more conservative than a crown. Learn how inlays work.
Inlay Restoration
An inlay restoration fills moderate tooth decay with a custom-fit, lab-fabricated insert — more durable than a filling, more conservative than a crown. Learn how it works.
Occlusal Equilibration
Occlusal equilibration reshapes tooth surfaces to correct bite imbalances, relieve TMJ stress, and evenly distribute chewing forces — restoring comfort and long-term dental health.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting is a surgical treatment for gingival recession that covers exposed roots, reduces tooth sensitivity, and restores healthy gum tissue.
Mouth Bridge
A mouth bridge is a fixed dental prosthetic that replaces missing teeth, restores bite function, and preserves your natural smile — learn how it works.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
Guided tissue regeneration uses barrier membranes to rebuild lost bone and periodontal ligament. Learn how this procedure restores periodontal health.