Dental glossary
Understanding your care. The beginning of trust.
TU Dental created this glossary to help you understand treatment and make informed choices. We explain unfamiliar terms and treatment differences in plain language so you can prepare questions and have a meaningful conversation with your dentist.
Aesthetics & veneers 42
Dental veneers
Veneers improve color or shape by bonding a thin restoration mainly to the front of a tooth. Their coverage and treatment purpose differ from crowns, which surround several tooth surfaces.
No-prep veneers
No-prep veneer treatment is a method of attaching veneers to natural teeth without cutting them to create space for restorations. Applicability varies depending on the position and shape of the teeth.
Minimal-prep veneers
Minimal-prep veneers limit natural tooth reduction while creating the space and shape needed for the restoration. They do not mean that no tooth tissue is removed.
ZERONATE
ZERONATE is TU Dental’s premium laminate veneer brand, built on a philosophy of preserving natural teeth. Its vision is to combine near-zero thickness with the health and beauty of ideal natural teeth, while preserving as much of your own tooth structure as possible.
Black triangle
A black triangle is a dark triangular space that appears on the gum side between teeth. It can be understood as the relationship between the interdental papilla, which is the gum between teeth, and the form of tooth contact.
Microdontia
Microdontia is a condition in which the teeth develop smaller than the usual size. Differences in size or shape may be particularly noticeable in the lateral incisors beside the upper central incisors.
Composite restoration
Resin restoration is a treatment that restores the damaged area or shape of a tooth using tooth-colored composite resin. It is used to restore cavities and fractures, and to supplement small gaps or shapes.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening uses whitening agents to brighten natural tooth color. It works differently from cleaning that removes surface stains, and does not change tooth shape or position.
Dental mock-up
A mock-up reproduces the planned tooth shape using temporary materials or similar methods. Before final treatment, it helps assess length, width, and harmony with the lips.
Digital smile design
Digital smile design uses photographs, videos, and intraoral scans to analyze the relationship between the teeth and face and plan the post-treatment shape. It is a tool for explaining and discussing the treatment direction.
Smile line
Smile line is a term that describes the lines between teeth and lips that are visible when smiling. It is used in a context that refers to the relationship between the curve of the tip of the front teeth and the lower lip, or the exposure of teeth and gums, so it is necessary to distinguish which line is being referred to.
Shade guide
A shade guide is a tooth color sample that compares the color of your natural teeth and restorations. It is used to select colors, record them, and share them with the dentist and during the fabrication process.
Ceramic veneers
Ceramic veneers are thin restorations made from dental ceramic and bonded to teeth. Ceramic describes the material category; veneer describes the form and coverage of the restoration.
IPS e.max veneers
e.max veneers are veneers made with materials from Ivoclar's IPS e.max range. The term combines a material product name with a treatment method.
Temporary veneers
Temporary veneers are provisional restorations used while the final restoration is being fabricated or assessed. They may protect teeth, maintain appearance, and help check the planned shape.
Composite laminate veneers
Resin laminates improve color and shape by covering or building up the front of a tooth with composite resin. They are also called resin veneers.
Composite veneers
Resin veneers are composite resin restorations that improve the visible tooth surface. The term is also used interchangeably with resin laminates.
Comparing veneer options
Veneers can be compared based on material, fabrication method, and tooth preparation extent. If the names of different criteria are listed as if they are the same type, it is easy to misunderstand the differences in treatment.
ZERONATEPreserving natural teeth. Healthy beauty.
ZERONATE is TU Dental’s premium laminate veneer brand, built on a philosophy of preserving natural teeth. Its vision is to combine near-zero thickness with the health and beauty of ideal natural teeth, while preserving as much of your own tooth structure as possible.


TU DENTAL CLINIC
Understand ZERONATE. Make your choice with TU Dental.
An informed choice starts with understanding your care. Talk with TU Dental about whether ZERONATE suits your teeth and how natural tooth structure can be preserved. We help you ask questions and understand your options.
Chat on WhatsAppTalk with TU Dental
Leave your email address to discuss treatment options and plan your visit.
54 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Seocho W Tower)
12F TU Dental Clinic · 13F TU MARTH edition