General Clinic Terms Flashcards
Abfraction/non-carious cervical lesion
Loss of tooth structure is believed to be caused by excessive forces during tooth contact
Abrasion
Loss of tooth structure caused by an exogenous device or material
Armamentrium
collection of all the instruments and materials for carrying out a task in the practice of medicine.
Attrition
Tooth wear secondary to tooth to tooth grinding.
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
Bilateral
Occurring on, or pertaining to, both right and left sides
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.
Bruxism
the parafunctional grinding of teeth
Calculus
Hard deposit of mineralized substance adhering to crowns and/or roots of teeth or prosthetic devices.
Caries
Commonly known as tooth decay.
Carious lesion
A cavity caused by caries
Cavity
Missing tooth structure. A cavity may be due to decay, erosion or abrasion. If caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion
Clenching
The clamping and pressing of the jaws and teeth together in centric occlusion, frequently associated with psychological stress or physical effort.
Corrosion
Loss of tooth structure caused by chemical reaction with tooth substance.
Decay
The lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure
Deglutition
The term referring to the act of swallowing.
Dental Anesthesiology
Dental anesthesiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of anesthesiology encompassing the art and science of managing pain, anxiety, and overall patient health during dental, oral, maxillofacial and adjunctive surgical or diagnostic procedures throughout the entire perioperative period. The specialty is dedicated to promoting patient safety as well as access to care for all dental patients, including the very young and patients with special health care needs
Dental implant
A device specially designed to be placed surgically within or on the mandibular or maxillary bone as a means of providing location and support for dental replacement prosthesis.
Dental plaque
a biofilm* or mass of bacteria that grows on surfaces within the mouth
Dental Public Health
Dental public health is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice which serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis.
Dentifrice
toothpowder and toothpaste, are agents used along with a toothbrush to clean and
Direct
A procedure where the service is delivered completely in the patient’s oral cavity and without the use of a dental laboratory
Enamel
Hard calcified tissue covering dentin of the crown of tooth
Endodontics
the branch of dentistry which is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic and clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp, the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions.
Fluoride
an inorganic, monatomic anion with the chemical formula F−. (also written [F]−) used in topical and systemic fluoride therapy for preventing dental caries or remineralizing tooth structure
Frenum
Muscle fibers covered by a mucous membrane that attaches the cheek, lips and or tongue to associated dental mucosa
Gnathology
The science of jaw and tooth function as it relates to nerve, muscle, vascular and skeletal anatomic components.
Halitosis
malodorous breath, a symptom in which a noticeably foul breath odor is present.
Iatrogenic complication
An adverse condition in a patient that occurs as a result of treatment by a dentist of physician
Idiopathic
relating to or denoting any disease or condition which arises spontaneously or for which the cause is unknown.
Interocclusal
Between the occlusal surfaces of opposing teeth.
Interproximal
Interproximal: Between the adjoining surfaces of adjacent teeth in the same arch.
Intracoronal
Referring to “within” the crown of a tooth.
Jaw
A common name for either the maxilla or the mandible.
Local anesthesia
See definition underanesthesia.
Mandible
the lower jaw
Mastication
the term referring to the act of chewing
Maxilla
upper jaw
Mouthguard
Individually molded device designed primarily to be worn for the purpose of helping prevent injury to the teeth and their surrounding tissues. Sometimes called a mouth protector
Occlusal contact
the point or area where opposing teeth touch.
Occlusion
Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth.
Opposing
A tooth in one jaw or arch that articulates with a tooth in the other jaw or arch. Also called Antagonist.
Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology
Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations.
Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology
Oral and maxillofacial radiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.
Oral hygiene aids
manual/power toothbrush, floss, superfloss, floss threaders, proxabrush/interdental aid, rubber tip stimulators, end tuft TB, tongue cleaner/scraper, mouth rinses, oral irrigators
Oral Medicine Specialty
Official definition currently under review by the National Commission Board of Commissioners.
Oral
pertaining to the mouth
Orofacial Pain Specialty
Official definition currently under review by the National Commission Board of Commissioners.
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.
Orthognathic
Functional relationship of maxilla and mandible.
Orthostatic hypertension
Low blood pressure and a feeling of light-headedness that occurs when an individual arises quickly from a supine position
Palliative
Action that relieves pain but is not curative.
Parafunction
Disordered or perverted function. Function outside of what is considered normal.
Parafunctional
Other than normal function or use.
Permanent dentition
Refers to the permanent (“adult”) teeth in the dental arch that either replace the primary dentition or erupt distally to the primary molars.
Plaque
(Dental plaque) A soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed largely of bacteria and bacterial derivatives
Preventive dentistry
Aspects of dentistry concerned with promoting good oral health and function by preventing or reducing the onset and/or development of oral diseases or deformities and the occurrence of oro-facial injuries.
Quadrant
One of the four equal sections into which the dental arches can be divided; begins at the midline of the arch and extends distally to the last tooth.
Referral
the transfer of care for a patient from one clinician or clinic to another by request.
Regimen
(not regiment, not regime) a plan, a regulated course such as a diet, exercise or medical treatment, designed to give positive results
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
The connecting hinge mechanism between the base of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible).
TMJ stands for…
Temporomandibular joint
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD or TMJD)
Abnormal functioning of temporomandibular joint; also refers to symptoms arising in other areas secondary to the dysfunction.
Unilateral
One-sided; pertaining to or affecting but one side.
