Vocab Terms Flashcards
Abrasion
Wearing away or notching of teeth by mechanical means
*Toothbrushing
Abscess
Collection of polyporphonuclear leukocytes (pus) characterized by pain and swelling
Ageusia
Loss of taste
Anxiolytics
Anxiety-relieving medications used in management of fearful patients
Aphasia
Deficiency in understanding or communicating the spoken or written word
Attrition
Wearing of occlusal or incisal surfaces
Bullard
Fluid-filled lesion (blister)
Calculus
Precipitation of minerals from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in plaque
Caries
Cavity formation in teeth caused by bacteria that attach to teeth and form acids in the presence of sugar
Cheilitis
Inflammation of lips and angles of the mouth characterized by chapping and fissuring
Corrosion
Surface destruction of a metal restoration by chemicals
Cracked tooth syndrome
Signs and symptoms associated with a fracture in a tooth, often a large intracoronal restoration, characterized by transient acute pain experienced while chewing
Debridement, scaling and root planing
Cleaning
Plaque
Biofilm or mass of bacteria growing on oral tissue
Definitive diagnosis
Pattern of findings that point clearly to a specific disease or problem
Diagnosis
Precise, scientific terms used to describe variation from normal
Diastema
Noticeable space b/t 2 contiguous teeth (not from missing teeth)
Dilaceration
Sharply bent or angular shaped root
Dorsal
Upper side
Dysgeusia
Abnormalities of sense of taste
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
*CN IX, X, and/or XII damage
Ecchymosis
Escape of blood into the tissues from ruptured blood vessels marked by black/blue/purple spot (Bruise)
Edema
Excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues
Edematous
Related to an accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or cavities
Erosion
Chemical dissolution of enamel seen in patients with a high-acid reflux disease, or bulimia
Erythema
Redness of skin or mucous membranes caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries
Exostoses
Developmental, nonmalignant bony overgrowths
Findings
Info about the patient that have been gathered thru questions and forms, observations, tests, and if needed, consults with other professionals
Gingiva
Gums
Hypertension
Abnormal elevation of systolic and/or diastolic arterial pressure
Hypotension
Abnormally low BP
Iatrogenic complication
Adverse condition in a patient that occurs as a result of treatment
Immunosuppression
Diminution or prevention of the immune response
Incidence
Number of new cases of a specific disease occurring during a specified period
Incipient
Beginning, initial, commencing
Induration
Abnormally hard/hardened, sclerosis
Informed consent
Verbal or written agreement by a patient to have a procedure performed after being informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives
Intrinsic staining
Staining w/in the enamel, dentin, or pulp
Lesion
Tissue abnormality
Lichen planus
Autoimmune disorder of skin and/or mucous membranes
Lymphadenitis
Inflammation of a lymph node or nodes
Macule
Area of any size characterized by flatness and distinguished from surrounding tissue by its coloration
Mucositis
Inflammation of mucous membranes
Myalgia
Muscle pain
Myocardial infarction (MI)
Blockage of one or more coronary arteries leading to necrosis of a localized area of the myocardium
Nodule
Elevated solid area MORE than 5 mm across
Raised solid lesion more than 1 cm
Oropharynx
Part of the pharynx that lies b/t the soft palate and the upper edge of the epiglottis
Orthostatic hypotension
Low BP and a feeling of light-headedness that occurs when an individual arises quickly from a supine position
Osteoradionecrosis
Bone destruction and sloughing as a result of therapeutic radiation to the area
Palpation
Touch is used to gather data essential for diagnosis
Palpitation
Sensation by a patient of a rapid or irregular heartbeat
Papule
Elevated solid area 5 mm or LESS
Solid elevation w/ no fluid
Papillary
Surface texture of a lesion that accentuates the papillae of the lesion
Parulis
Localized abscess of the gingiva
Pedunculated
A cyst of polyp supported by an elongated stalk of tissue (Like a mushroom)
Petechiae
Minute hemorrhages into skin, mucous membranes, or serosal surfaces
Plaque
Elevated flat-topped area, more than 5 mm across
*Like a plateau
Prevalence
Total number of cases of a disease in existence in a population at a certain time
Problem
Significant finding that may have an important impact on the treatment plan, but does not fit into the classic definition of a diagnosis
Prognosis
Estimation of the probable outcome for a disease, condition, or treatment
Ptyalism
Excessive salivation
Pustule
Discrete pus-filled raised area
Sclerosis
An induration or hardening
Sessile
Attached directly by its base w/o a stalk or peduncle
*Like a hill
Serous
Thin or watery fluid
SIGNS
Findings discovered by the CLINICIAN during an exam
SYMPTOMS
Finding that are apparent to a patient, usually b/c the findings are causing a problem
Sinus tract
A chronic or persistent abscess that drains purulent exudate
Stensen’s duct
Parotid duct
Stomatitis
Generalized oral lesions (vesicles, bullae, erosions, or ulcers) commonly found in patients in debilitated health or an autoimmune disorder
Suppuration
Process of forming pus
Tachycardia
Rapid heart rate
Tachyphlaxis
Decrease in the effectiveness of a given dose of a drug in response to long-term use
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Temporary disturbance in blood supply to a localized area of the brain
Traumatic ulcer
Localized area on the skin or mucosa in which the surface epithelium has been destroyed as a result of trauma
Trismus
Spasms of the mm of mastication that result in the inability to open the mouth
Tumor
Swelling caused by abnormal cell growth
Ulcer
An open break in the skin or mucosa (ulceration, ulcerate, ulcerated, ulcerating)
Ventral
Underside
Verrucous
Wart-like
*Like cauliflower
Vesicle
Fluid-filled raised area 5 mm or less across
Wheal
Red, swollen lesion on skin as a result of pressure
Xerostomia
Dry mouth
