Periodontal Terms

Question 1

Abscess

Answer 1

Acute or chronic localized inflammation, probably with a collection of pus, associated with tissue destruction and, frequently, swelling; usually secondary to infection.

Question 2

Calculus

Answer 2

Hard deposit of mineralized substance adhering to crowns and/or roots of teeth or prosthetic devices.

Question 3

Debridement

Answer 3

Removal of subgingival and/or supragingival plaque and calculus.

Question 4

Dental implant

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Dental plaque

Answer 5

a biofilm* or mass of bacteria that grows on surfaces within the mouth

Question 6

Dental prophylaxis

Answer 6

involves removal of plaque, calculus and stains through a combination of hand and power instrumentation

Question 7

Edema

Answer 7

(noun) a condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body.

Question 8

Erythema

Answer 8

(noun) redness of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation.

Question 9

Edematous

Answer 9

(adjective) related to an accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or body cavities

Question 10

Erythematous

Answer 10

(adjective) related to redness of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation

Question 11

Exudate

Answer 11

A material usually resulting from inflammation or necrosis that contains fluid, cells, and/or other debris.

Question 12

Furcation

Answer 12

The anatomic area of a multirooted tooth where the roots diverge.

Question 13

Gingiva

Answer 13

Soft tissues overlying the crowns of unerupted teeth and encircling the necks of those that have erupted.

Question 14

Gingivitis

Answer 14

Inflammation of gingival tissue without loss of connective tissue

Question 15

Oral hygiene aids

Answer 15

manual/power toothbrush, floss, superfloss, floss threaders, proxabrush/interdental aid, rubber tip stimulators, end tuft TB, tongue cleaner/scraper, mouth rinses, oral irrigators

Question 16

Periodontal disease

Answer 16

Inflammatory process of the gingival tissues and/or periodontal membrane of the teeth, resulting in an abnormally deep gingival sulcus, possibly producing periodontal pockets and loss of supporting alveolar bone.

Question 17

Periodontal

Answer 17

Pertaining to the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth.

Question 17

Periodontal pocket

Answer 17

Pathologically deepened gingival sulcus; a feature of periodontal disease.

Question 18

Periodontics

Answer 18

the specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues.

Question 19

Periodontist

Answer 19

A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth

Question 20

Periodontitis

Answer 20

Inflammation and loss of the connective tissue of the supporting or surrounding structure of teeth with loss of attachment.

Question 21

Periodontium

Answer 21

tissue complex comprising gingival, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone which attaches, nourishes and supports the tooth.

Question 22

Plaque

Answer 22

(Dental plaque) A soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed largely of bacteria and bacterial derivatives

Question 23

Polish

Answer 23

a cosmetic procedure to remove soft deposits and stains as part of a dental prophylaxis
polish natural teeth

Question 24

Prophylaxis

Answer 24

Removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the tooth structures. It is intended to control local irritational factors.

Question 25

Radicular

Answer 25

Pertaining to the root

Question 26

Root planing

Answer 26

(not planning) A treatment procedure designed to remove cementum or surface dentin that is rough, impregnated by calculus, or contaminated with toxins or microorganisms.

Question 27

Scaling

Answer 27

Removal of plaque, calculus, and stain from teeth.

Question 28

Sextant

Answer 28

One of the six relatively equal sections into which a dental arch can be divided, for example: tooth numbers 1-5; 6-11; 12-16; 17-21; 22-27; 28-32. Sometimes used for recording periodontal charting.

Question 29

Site

Answer 29

A term used to describe a single area, position, or locus. For periodontal procedures, an area of soft tissue recession on a single tooth or an osseous defect adjacent to a single tooth; also used to indicate soft tissue defects and/or osseous defects in edentulous tooth positions.

Question 30

Suture

Answer 30

Stitch used to repair incision or wound.