Medical & Aesthetic Terminology Glossary
Welcome to Our Medical Glossary
This comprehensive glossary provides definitions for common terms used in dental procedures, hair transplantation, plastic surgery, and general medical practice. Whether you’re considering treatment at La Viva Clinics or simply expanding your knowledge, this resource will help you better understand the terminology used by medical professionals.
Use the search function to find specific terms or browse by category using the navigation below.
Dental Terminology
Abutment
A connecting element that attaches a dental prosthesis to an implant. It serves as the foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture to be placed on top of dental implants.
Alveolar Bone
The bone that surrounds and supports the roots of teeth, forming the tooth sockets. Adequate alveolar bone is essential for successful dental implant placement.
All-on-4
A dental implant technique that uses only four implants to support a full arch of teeth. The posterior implants are angled to maximize support and avoid anatomical structures like sinuses.
All-on-6
Similar to All-on-4, but uses six implants per arch for additional support, offering greater stability for patients with sufficient bone density.
Bone Grafting
A surgical procedure that adds bone material to the jaw to increase bone volume and density, often necessary before dental implant placement in patients with insufficient natural bone.
Bridge (Dental)
A fixed dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth to adjacent teeth or dental implants.
Crown
A type of dental restoration that completely covers or “caps” a damaged tooth or dental implant. Crowns are often made from porcelain, zirconia, or metal alloys.
Dental Implant
A titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone that serves as an artificial tooth root, providing a permanent base for fixed replacement teeth.
E-max
A type of all-ceramic dental restoration made from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic, known for its exceptional strength and natural-looking aesthetics.
Full Mouth Restoration
A comprehensive treatment involving multiple procedures to rebuild or restore all teeth in both the upper and lower jaws, often combining implants, bridges, and/or crowns.
Hollywood Smile
A cosmetic dental treatment aimed at creating a perfectly aligned, bright white smile through veneers or crowns, named for the picture-perfect smiles of Hollywood celebrities.
Immediate Loading
A technique where a temporary or permanent dental prosthesis is attached to dental implants the same day the implants are placed, sometimes called “teeth in a day.”
Osseointegration
The biological process where the bone in the jaw fuses with the dental implant surface, creating a stable foundation for artificial teeth. This typically takes 3-6 months.
Porcelain Veneers
Thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored porcelain that cover the front surface of teeth to improve appearance. They’re bonded to the teeth to change their color, shape, size, or length.
Sinus Lift
A surgical procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw in the area of the molars and premolars by lifting the sinus membrane upward, creating space for bone grafting material.
Zirconia
A durable, biocompatible ceramic material used in dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and implant abutments. Zirconia is known for its strength and natural appearance.
Zirconia Veneers
Dental veneers made from zirconia ceramic that are more durable than traditional porcelain veneers but may be slightly less translucent. They’re ideal for patients who grind their teeth.
Hair Transplantation Terminology
Androgenetic Alopecia
The medical term for pattern baldness, a genetic condition that causes hair loss in a predictable pattern, typically starting at the temples or crown in men and thinning throughout the scalp in women.
DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)
An advanced hair transplantation technique where hair follicles are extracted individually and then directly implanted into the recipient area using a specialized implanter pen, without the need to create recipient sites beforehand.
Donor Area
The area of the scalp (typically the back and sides of the head) where hair follicles are harvested for transplantation because these hairs are genetically resistant to balding.
Follicular Unit
The natural grouping of hair follicles as they grow in the scalp, typically containing 1-4 hairs along with associated oil glands, muscles, and connecting tissue.
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)
A minimally invasive hair transplantation technique where individual follicular units are extracted directly from the donor area using a micro-punch tool, leaving tiny, dot-like scars that are barely visible.
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation)
A hair transplantation technique where a strip of scalp containing hair follicles is removed from the donor area, dissected into individual follicular units, and then transplanted to the recipient area. This method leaves a linear scar.
Graft
A small piece of tissue containing hair follicles that is transplanted during hair restoration surgery. In modern hair transplantation, grafts typically contain 1-4 hair follicles.
Hairline
The line where the hair-bearing scalp meets the forehead. Designing a natural-looking hairline is one of the most crucial aspects of successful hair transplantation.
Hair Density
The number of hair follicles per square centimeter of scalp. Natural hair density varies by individual but typically ranges from 60-100 follicular units per square centimeter.
Recipient Area
The area of the scalp where hair loss has occurred and where harvested follicles will be transplanted during a hair restoration procedure.
Sapphire FUE
A variation of FUE hair transplantation that uses blades made from sapphire crystals to create recipient sites. The sapphire blades allow for smaller, more precise incisions, potentially leading to faster healing and more natural results.
Shock Loss
A temporary phenomenon where existing hair near the transplanted area falls out due to trauma from the surgery. This is usually temporary, with the hair typically growing back within 3-4 months.
Transection
Damage to hair follicles during extraction that occurs when they are cut or severed, which can compromise their viability for transplantation. Minimizing transection rate is a key goal in successful hair transplantation.
Trichologist
A specialist in the study of hair and scalp disorders, including hair loss. While not necessarily a medical doctor, trichologists are trained in diagnosing and treating various hair and scalp conditions.
Unshaven Hair Transplant
A hair transplantation technique that allows patients to undergo the procedure without shaving their heads, ideal for those who want to keep their hair loss and treatment private.
Yield
The percentage of transplanted hair follicles that successfully grow after a hair transplantation procedure. A good yield typically ranges from 90-95% with modern techniques.
Plastic Surgery Terminology
Abdominoplasty
Commonly known as a “tummy tuck,” this surgical procedure removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles to create a smoother, firmer abdominal profile.
Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery that removes excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids to improve the appearance of droopy or puffy eyelids and potentially improve peripheral vision.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
A cosmetic procedure that enhances the size and shape of the buttocks using fat transfer. Fat is harvested from other areas of the body through liposuction, processed, and then injected into the buttocks.
Body Contouring
A range of surgical procedures designed to reshape and tone the body by removing excess skin and fat, often performed after significant weight loss or as part of an overall body transformation.
Breast Augmentation
A surgical procedure that increases breast size or restores breast volume using implants or fat transfer. This is one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures worldwide.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A procedure that raises and reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to create a more youthful breast contour. It can be performed with or without implants.
Breast Reduction
A surgical procedure that removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to reduce breast size, alleviate discomfort, and achieve better proportion with the rest of the body.
Double Chin Reduction
Procedures to reduce submental fat (fat beneath the chin), including liposuction, injectable treatments like Kybella, or surgical removal of excess skin and fat.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
A surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck by removing excess facial skin, smoothing folds, and tightening facial tissues to create a more youthful appearance.
Fat Transfer
A procedure where fat is harvested from one area of the body, purified, and then injected into another area to add volume or contour. Common areas for fat transfer include the face, breasts, and buttocks.
Gynecomastia Surgery
A procedure to reduce enlarged male breast tissue, typically involving liposuction and/or surgical excision of glandular tissue to create a flatter, more masculine chest contour.
Liposuction
A surgical procedure that removes fat deposits from specific areas of the body using a suction technique. Common target areas include the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and neck.
Mommy Makeover
A customized combination of procedures designed to address the physical changes that occur after pregnancy and childbirth, typically including breast surgery, abdominoplasty, and liposuction.
Otoplasty
Ear surgery that changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. It’s commonly performed to correct protruding ears or to reconstruct deformed or absent external ears.
Rhinoplasty
Surgery to reshape the nose by altering the bone, cartilage, or skin to improve appearance or breathing function. It’s one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed worldwide.
VASER Liposuction
An advanced type of liposuction that uses ultrasound technology to break up fat cells before removal, allowing for more precise fat removal with less trauma to surrounding tissues.
General Medical Terminology
Anesthesia
Medication administered to prevent pain during surgery or medical procedures. Types include local (numbing a specific area), regional (blocking pain to a larger body part), and general (rendering the patient unconscious).
Antibiotic
Medications that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, often prescribed after surgical procedures to prevent or treat infections.
Board Certified
A designation indicating that a physician has completed specialized training and passed examinations in their field of practice, demonstrating a high level of expertise and competence.
Consultation
An initial appointment with a medical professional to discuss concerns, evaluate options, and develop a treatment plan. This typically occurs before scheduling any procedures.
Follow-up
Appointments scheduled after a procedure to monitor healing, address any concerns, and ensure optimal results. Follow-up care is an essential part of the treatment process.
Informed Consent
The process by which a patient understands and agrees to a medical procedure after being informed of all relevant facts, risks, benefits, and alternatives. This is a legal and ethical requirement for all medical procedures.
Medical Tourism
The practice of traveling to another country to receive medical treatment, often motivated by cost savings, shorter wait times, or access to treatments not available in one’s home country.
Minimally Invasive
Surgical techniques that use smaller incisions and specialized instruments to reduce trauma to the body, resulting in less scarring, shorter recovery times, and fewer complications compared to traditional open surgery.
Outpatient
Medical procedures that do not require an overnight hospital stay. The patient can return to their accommodation or home the same day as the procedure.
Postoperative
The period following a surgical procedure, including recovery and healing time. Postoperative care involves monitoring for complications and following specific instructions to ensure optimal healing.
Preoperative
The period before surgery, including preparation and evaluation. Preoperative instructions may include fasting requirements, medication adjustments, and lifestyle modifications.
Recovery
The process of healing and returning to normal function after a medical procedure or illness. Recovery time varies depending on the procedure, individual health factors, and adherence to postoperative instructions.
Sedation
The administration of medications to induce a state of calm or sleep during medical procedures. Levels range from minimal (relaxed but awake) to deep (near unconsciousness but still breathing independently).
Swelling
The enlargement of a body part due to fluid accumulation in tissues, commonly occurring after surgery or injury. Swelling is a normal part of the healing process and typically subsides gradually.
Trauma
Physical injury to the body caused by external force, which may require surgical intervention to repair. In plastic surgery, reconstructive procedures are often performed to correct deformities resulting from trauma.
VIP Transfer
A premium transportation service provided to medical tourists, typically including airport pickup and drop-off, transportation to and from medical appointments, and private vehicles with professional drivers.
Additional Resources
For more information about medical and aesthetic procedures at La Viva Clinics, please visit the following pages:
- Dental Implants in Turkey
- Hair Transplantation in Turkey
- Rhinoplasty in Turkey
- Plastic Surgery in Turkey
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions about terminology not covered in this glossary, please don’t hesitate to contact our team for clarification.