Crossword Genius

Makes trade around Northern Territory related to choppers (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dental

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'northern territory related to choppers' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'makes trade around' is the wordplay.
'makes' becomes 'nt' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'trade' becomes 'deal' (synonyms).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'nt' placed inside 'deal' is 'DENTAL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dental that I've seen before include "concerned with choppers" , "Concerning teeth" , "Pertaining to teeth" , "Consonant" , "sort of surgeon" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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