Dental Assistant Terminology Flashcards
Aspirator
A tube like a straw which the dentist and/or assistant put in the mouth to suck up all the saliva.
Bruxism
Clenching or grinding of the teeth.
Caries
Another name for tooth decay.
Cross Contamination
Passing bacteria, viruses or AIDS indirectly from one patient to another through the use of improper sterilisation procedures, unclean instruments, or “recycling” of orthodontic products.
Crown
An artificial tooth; an artificial replacement for the covering on a tooth.
Decalcification
The loss of calcium from your teeth.
Diagnosis
The process of identifying the nature of a disorder.
Distal
Behind, towards the back of the mouth.
Eruption
When a new tooth comes in.
Exfoliate
To fall out.
Extraoral
Outside of the mouth.
Gingivitis
The inflammation of the gums caused by improper brushing.
Incisal
The biting edge of your centrals and laterals.
Interproximal
The space between adjacent teeth.
Intraoral
Inside the mouth.
Irrigation
The technique of using a solution to wash out or flush debris.
Labial
The tooth surface next to the lips.
Lingual
The tooth surface next to the tongue.
Mandibular
Pertaining to the lower jaw.
Masticate
To chew food or mix food with saliva.
Maxillary
Pertaining to your upper jaw.
Mesial
Towards the midline.
Midline
A plane through the very centre of the mouth, perpendicular to the nose.
Mixed Dentition
When both deciduous and permanent teeth are present.
Occlusal
The chewing surface of the bicuspid and molar teeth.
Occlusal Plane
The imaginary surface on which upper and lower teeth meet.
Oral
Pertaining to the mouth.
Pathogens
Disease producing organisms that can exist in many different places.
Pathology
The study of abnormal tissue conditions.
Plaque
It is a colourless, odourless, sticky substance containing acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay.
Periodontal
Pertaining to the gums.
Posterior
Pertaining to describe the back of the mouth or the back teeth.
Proximal
The surfaces of teeth that touches the next tooth.
Radiograph
An x-ray.
Root Canal
A procedure where the nerve of the tooth is removed and replaced with a filling material.
Space Maintainer
An appliance used to maintain a space in the mouth.
Sterilisation
A process where a medical material is treated to remove all possible germs and other forms of life.
Supernumerary Teeth
Extra teeth.
Tartar
Another name for calculus.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)
Where your lower jaw connects to your skull.
Mouthguard
An appliance that is used to protect the mouth from injury.
Extraoral Photograph
Facial photos.
Impressions
The process taken to make a model of your teeth.
Panoramic X-Ray
An x-ray taken to view all teeth, jaws, and other important information.
Archform
The shape of the dental arch.
Crossbite
A malocclusion where some of your upper teeth are inside of your lower teeth when you bite down.
Crowding
An orthodontic problem caused by having tooth many teeth in too small of a space.
Dentition
The arrangement of teeth.
Diastema
The space between two teeth.
Drift
The unwanted movement of teeth.
Extrusion
The movement in the direction of eruption.
Fixed Appliance
An appliance that is cemented or bonded.
Intrusion
The movement of a tooth back into the bone.
Malocclusion
Poor positioning of the teeth.
Class I Malocclusion
The bite is okay, but the teeth are crooked, crowded, or turned.
Class II Malocclusion
Overbite.
Class III Malocclusion
Underbite.
Proper Occlusion
Teeth that are straight and aligned.
Open Bite
A malocclusion in which the teeth do not close or come together in the front of the mouth.
Overbite
Vertical overlapping of the upper teeth of the lower teeth.
Overjet
Horizontal projection of upper teeth beyond the lower teeth.
Abutment
The teeth on either side of a missing tooth.
Composite Restoration
A tooth coloured filling.
Curettage
Surgical scraping of bacteria from the soft tissue.
Edentulous
All teeth are missing in either the upper or lower arch.
FMX (Full Mouth of X-Rays)
X-rays, showing all the teeth, which includes 14 periapicals and 2 to 4 bite wings.
General Anesthesia
Relieves the sensation of pain on the whole body by rendering you unconscious.
Implant
A titanium post that is implanted in the bone.
Incisors
The central and lateral teeth located in the front with the flat edges for biting.
Local Anesthesia
Relieves the sensation of pain in a localised area.
Inlay
A restoration made of metal, acrylic or porcelain that does not involve the cusps of the tooth.
Onlay
A restoration made of metal, acrylic or porcelain that replaces one or more of the cusps of the tooth.
Palate
The roof of the mouth.
Perio Charting
Measures the depth of the gums have detached from the side of the tooth forming a pocket.
Perio Pocket
The pocket that forms when the gums detach from the side of the tooth.
Pontic
The part of the bridge that replaces the missing teeth.
Preventative
The procedure performed to prevent decay and gum disease.
Prosthetics
A fixed or removable appliance to replace missing teeth.
Restorative
A procedure performed to restore the missing part of the teeth.
Sealant
A clear or white application of acrylic placed over the biting surface of the tooth to prevent decay.
Radiolucency
An appearance of dark images due to a greater amount of radiation.
Radiopacity
An appearance of light images due to a lesser amount of radiation.
