Summary of dentally related pathology

Question 1

Dental caries

Answer 1

bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the tooth

Question 2

Periodontal disease

Answer 2

bacterial infection of the gingivae + periodontal supporting tissues

Question 3

Oral thrush

Answer 3

fungal infection of the oral soft tissues

Question 4

Periapical abscess

Answer 4

bacterial infection of the tooth pulp causing abscess formation at the apex (can be acute or chronic)

Question 5

Periodontal abscess

Answer 5

bacterial infection within a periodontal pocket causing abscess formation

Question 6

Aphthous ulcers

Answer 6

ulceration of the oral soft tissues that is not related to infection

Question 7

Herpetic ulceration

Answer 7

viral infection of the oral soft tissues causing ulceration

Question 8

Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis

Answer 8

acute bacterial infection of the gingivae causing ulceration

Question 9

Dental cyst

Answer 9

cyst formation associated with a tooth, either erupted or unerupted

Question 10

Alveolar bone cyst

Answer 10

cyst formation within the jaw bone

Question 11

Pericorontitis

Answer 11

acute bacterial infection of the soft tissues (operculum) associated with a partially erupted tooth

Question 12

Localised osteitis

Answer 12

bacterial infection of the bony walls of an extraction socket (dry socket)

Question 13

Cellulitis

Answer 13

bacterial infection spreading from a tooth into the surrounding deep soft tissue structures

Question 14

Cleft palate

Answer 14

developmental defect of the palate (roof of mouth) where the two bony halves fail to join together completely

Question 15

Oral cancer

Answer 15

malignant tumour usually affecting the oral soft tissues initially, + then spreading into the underlying tissues if not treated.