Dental terminology #1 Flashcards
abscess
Acute or chronic localized inflammation, probably with a collection of pus, associated with tissue destruction and, frequently, swelling
acute periradicular or acute apical abscess
An inflammatory reaction to pulpal infection and necrosis characterized by rapid onset, spontaneous pain, tenderness of the tooth to pressure, pus formation and eventual swelling of associated tissues.
chronic periradicular or chronic periapical abscess
An inflammatory reaction to pulpal infection and necrosis characterized by gradual onset, little or no discomfort and the intermittent discharge of pus through an associated sinus tract.
abutment
A term with different meanings depending on the clinical scenario.
implant case – the fixture that is placed between the implant body (aka implant post) and the restorative prosthesis (e.g., single crown; denture).
natural tooth case – the tooth used as the support for one end of a denture.
abutment crown
Artificial crown also serving for the retention or support of a dental prosthesis.
accession
Addition of a test specimen, previously collected by a health care provider, to a laboratory specimen collection; recording of essential specimen identification data in a laboratory-maintained file in chronological order of laboratory specimen acquisition; assignment to the specimen of an identification code.
acid etching
Use of an acidic chemical substance to prepare the tooth enamel and or dentin surface to provide retention for bonding.
adhesion
State in which two surfaces are held together by chemical or physical forces or both with or without the aid of an adhesive. Adhesion is one aspect of bonding.
adhesive
Any substance that joins or creates close adherence of two or more surfaces. Intermediate material that causes two materials to adhere to each other.
adjunctive
A secondary treatment in addition to the primary therapy.
adult dentition
permanent dentition.
allogenic
Belonging to the same species, but genetically different. See graft.
alloplastic
Refers to synthetic material often used for tissue augmentation or replacement.
alloy
Compound combining two or more elements having properties not existing in any of the single constituent elements. Sometimes used to refer to amalgam.
alveolar
Referring to the bone to which a tooth is attached.
alveoloplasty
Surgical procedure for recontouring supporting bone, sometimes in preparation for a prosthesis.
amalgam
An alloy used in direct dental restorations. Typically composed of mercury, silver, tin and copper along with other metallic elements added to improve physical and mechanical properties.
anesthesia
A procedure that controls the patient’s level of anxiety or pain. Delivery of an anesthesia inducing agent by a dentist or other health care practitioner is regulated by state dental boards.
anatomical crown
That portion of tooth normally covered by, and including, enamel.
ancillary
Subordinate or auxiliary to something or someone else; supplementary.
analgesia
the diminution or elimination of pain.
anxiolysis
the diminution or elimination of anxiety.
deep sedation
a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired. Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained.
general anesthesia
a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired. Patients often require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and positive pressure ventilation may be required because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function. Cardiovascular function may be impaired.
inhalation
a technique of administration in which a gaseous or volatile agent is introduced into the lungs and whose primary effect is due to absorption through the gas/blood interface.
intravenous
a technique of administration in which the anesthetic agent is introduced directly into the patient’s venous system.
local anesthesia
the elimination of sensation, especially pain, in one part of the body by the topical application or regional injection of a drug.
minimal sedation
a minimally depressed level of consciousness, produced by a pharmacological method, that retains the patient’s ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond normally to tactile stimulation and verbal command. Although cognitive function and coordination may be modestly impaired, ventilatory and cardiovascular functions are unaffected.
moderate sedation
a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation. No interventions are required to maintain a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation is adequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained.
non-intravenous
a technique of administration in which the anesthetic agent is not introduced directly into the patient’s venous system.
regional block anesthesia
a form of local anesthesia that induces numbness in areas of the mouth and face.
trigeminal division block anesthesia
a form of local anesthesia that is an injection of medication that helps relieve facial pain.
enteral
any technique of administration in which the agent is absorbed through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or oral mucosa (i.e., oral, rectal, sublingual).
inhalation
a technique of administration in which a gaseous or volatile agent is introduced into the lungs and whose primary effect is due to absorption through the gas/blood interface.
parenteral
a technique of administration in which the drug bypasses the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (i.e., intramuscular [IM], intravenous [IV], intranasal [IN], submucosal [SM], subcutaneous [SC], intraosseous [IO].)
transdermal
a technique of administration in which the drug is administered by patch or iontophoresis through skin.
transmucosal
a technique of administration in which the drug is administered across mucosa such as intranasal, sublingual or rectal.
anomaly
deviation from the normal anatomic structure, growth, development or function; an abnormality.
anterior
Mandibular and maxillary centrals, laterals and cuspids. The codes for anterior teeth in the Universal/National Tooth Numbering System are 6 through 11 (maxillary), and 22 through 27 (mandibular) for permanent dentition; C through H (maxillary), and M through R (mandibular) for primary dentition. This is also a term that, in general, refers to the teeth and tissues located towards the front of the mouth.
apex
The tip or end of the root end of the tooth.
apexification
The process of induced root development to encourage the formation of a calcified barrier in a tooth with immature root formation or an open apex. May involve the placement of an artificial apical barrier prior to nonsurgical endodontic obturation.
apexogenesis
Vital pulp therapy performed to encourage continued physiological formation and development of the tooth root.
apicoectomy
Amputation of the apex of a tooth.
arch, dental
The curved composite structure of the natural dentition and the residual ridge, or the remains thereof, after the loss of some or all of the natural teeth.
areas of oral cavity
A two digit numeric system used to report regions of the oral cavity on patient records and on claims submitted to third-party payers.
00 entire oral cavity 01 maxillary arch 02 mandibular arch 10 upper right quadrant 20 upper left quadrant 30 lower left quadrant 40 lower right quadrant
arthrogram
A diagnostic X-ray technique used to view bone structures following injection of a contrast medium into a joint.
artificial crown
Restoration covering or replacing the major part, or the whole of the clinical crown of a tooth, or implant.
attachment
A mechanical device for the fixation, retention, and stabilization of a prosthesis
avulsion
Separation of tooth from its socket due to trauma
barrier membrane
Usually a thin, sheet-like usually non-autogenous material used in various surgical regenerative procedures.
behavior management
Techniques or therapies used to alter or control the actions of a patient who is receiving dental treatment. Examples include use of a papoose board, education or anxiety relief techniques.
benign
The mild or non-threatening character of an illness or the non-malignant character of a neoplasm.
bicuspid
A premolar tooth; a tooth with two cusps.
bilateral
Occurring on, or pertaining to, both right and left sides.
biologic materials
Agents that alter wound healing or host-tumor interaction. Such materials can include cytokines, growth factor, or vaccines, but do not include any actual hard or soft tissue graft material. These agents are added to graft material or used alone to effect acceleration of healing or regeneration in hard and soft tissue surgical procedures. Also known as biologic response modifiers.
biopsy
Process of removing tissue for histologic evaluation.
bitewing radiograph
Interproximal radiographic view of the coronal portion of the tooth/teeth. A form of dental radiograph that may be taken with the long axis of the image oriented either horizontally or vertically, that reveals approximately the coronal halves of the maxillary and mandibular teeth and portions of the interdental alveolar septa on the same image.
bleaching
Process of lightening of the teeth, usually using a chemical oxidizing agent and sometimes in the presence of heat. Removal of deep seated intrinsic or acquired discolorations from crowns of vital and non-vital teeth through the use of chemicals, sometimes in combination with the application of heat and light. Bleaching has been achieved through short and long term applications of pastes or solutions containing various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Normally applied externally to teeth; may be used internally for endodontically treated teeth.
bonding
Process by which two or more components are made integral by mechanical and/or chemical adhesion at their interface.
bruxism
The parafunctional grinding of the teeth.