MRONJ stands for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. It describes a condition where jawbone tissue becomes exposed or damaged and does not heal as expected in certain medication contexts. The term is most commonly used in dentistry, oral surgery, oncology, and osteoporosis care. It helps clinicians discuss risk and coordinate care when patients take specific bone-targeting or cancer-related medications.

bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis is a jawbone condition linked to bisphosphonate medicines that affect bone remodeling. It involves areas of jawbone that do not heal normally and can become exposed or painful. The term is commonly used in dentistry and oral surgery when evaluating patients who take bisphosphonates for bone diseases. It helps clinicians describe a specific medication-associated risk around dental extractions and other jawbone injuries.

osteomyelitis is an infection and inflammation of bone and bone marrow. In dentistry, it most commonly refers to infection involving the jawbones (the mandible or maxilla). It is a medical diagnosis used to describe how an infection behaves in bone, not a filling material or procedure. The term helps clinicians communicate severity, likely causes, and typical management pathways.

sequestrectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a **sequestrum**, which is a piece of **dead bone** that has separated from healthy bone. It is most commonly discussed in oral and maxillofacial care when dead bone occurs in the jaws after infection, reduced blood supply, or other medical causes. The goal is to clear out non-viable bone so surrounding tissues can heal more predictably. It may be performed in outpatient or hospital settings, depending on the extent and the patient’s overall health.

bone smoothing is a dental surgical step where uneven jawbone is reshaped to create a smoother contour. It is most commonly performed on the alveolar bone (the bone that supports teeth) after extractions or during pre-prosthetic surgery. The goal is to reduce sharp edges and bony irregularities that can irritate gum tissue or interfere with a denture or other restoration. It may be done as a small adjustment or as part of a broader treatment plan, depending on the case.

retrograde filling is a small “root-end” filling placed at the tip of a tooth’s root. It is most commonly used during endodontic (root canal) surgery, such as an apicoectomy. Its plain purpose is to seal the root canal from the root tip side when a standard root canal approach is not enough. It helps reduce leakage of bacteria and fluids between the root canal system and surrounding tissues.

root-end resection is a dental surgical procedure that removes the tip of a tooth’s root. It is commonly used as part of endodontic surgery when a root canal problem persists. The goal is to address infection or inflammation around the root end and improve the seal. It is often discussed alongside “apicoectomy,” a related term used in clinical settings.

periapical surgery is a dental procedure performed near the tip of a tooth’s root (the “apex”). It is commonly used when a root canal-treated tooth still has inflammation or infection around the root tip. It aims to remove the diseased tissue and improve the seal at the root end. It is typically performed by an endodontist (a dentist focused on root canal treatment) or a surgeon with appropriate training.

apicoectomy is a minor surgical endodontic procedure performed at the tip of a tooth root. It removes infected or inflamed tissue near the root end and seals the root from the outside. It is commonly used when a root canal has not fully resolved symptoms or healing on an X‑ray. It is usually performed by an endodontist (a root canal specialist) or a dentist with surgical training.

odontogenic sinusitis is inflammation or infection of a sinus that starts from a dental source. It most often involves the maxillary sinus, which sits above the upper back teeth. The term is commonly used in dental offices, oral surgery, and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) clinics. It helps clinicians distinguish a tooth-related sinus problem from other causes of sinusitis.