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Flashcards in Dental Terminology Deck (63)
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1
Q

Abfraction

A

wearing of the tooth along the gumline caused by repeated clenching and grinding

2
Q

Abrasion

A

wearing down of the tooth structure, commonly caused by using a hard toothbrush and improper brushing technique along the gumline. Grinding/chewing hard objects or food.

3
Q

Abscess

A

infection of tooth, gum, or bone.

4
Q

Abutment

A

teeth on either side of a bridge. supports the bridge.

5
Q

Air Abrasion

A

the use of abrasive particles such as 27 micron aluminum oxide under high pressure to abrade and sometimes remove old fillings, dentin, and enamel. eliminates the need for a drill

6
Q

Amalgams

A

mixture of silver, mercury, and several other metals used by dentists to make fillings for cavities. have a higher rate of causing tooth stresses and fractures.

7
Q

Anesthesia

A

method of “numbing” an area of the mouth, or putting an area “to sleep” to block the transmission of pain through the nerves

8
Q

Anterior Teeth

A

front six teeth on the upper and lower jaw (central, laterals, canines)

9
Q

Attrition

A

loss of teeth over time caused by wear, long term usage, heavy usage

10
Q

Base

A

material (cement) that is placed under a filling, when filling is getting close to the nerve to act as an insulator and sedative on the pulp of the tooth

11
Q

Bicuspids

A

the fourth and fifth teeth from the midline. typically have 2 cusps

12
Q

Bleaching- in office

A

method where a chemical is placed over the isolated teeth and a special light is used to assist the chemical lighten the teeth

13
Q

Bleaching- at home

A

method of making trays to fit into the mouth and these are filled with chemicals

14
Q

Braces

A

help to correct rotated teeth, too large spaces, crowding or misalignment of teeth

15
Q

Bridge

A

a permanently cemented appliance that replaces missing teeth

16
Q

Bruxism

A

the grinding and clenching of the teeth

17
Q

Calculus

A

when plaque hardens on your teeth, cannot be removed simply with brushing

18
Q

Canines

A

third tooth from the midline on each arch

19
Q

Caries

A

term for a cavity (decay) on a tooth

20
Q

Composites

A

glass filled resin fillings, more conservative and aesthetic than silver

21
Q

Crowns

A

placed over a tooth when a large portion of the tooth is lost to decay or has broken off, if the filling would comprise a significant portion of the tooth, often the tooth can fracture under the stresses of chewing therefore, placing this over the tooth protects the chewing surface

22
Q

Curettage

A

the scraping of the soft tissue areas to remove the bacteria deep under the gums

23
Q

Cuspids

A

third tooth from the midline

24
Q

Deciduous Teeth

A

children’s first set of teeth, replaced later with permanent teeth (primary teeth)

25
Q

Dentures

A

false, removable teeth made of a type of plastic or porcelain that duplicates the shape, size, and function of teeth

26
Q

Edentulous

A

missing the teeth in either arch

27
Q

EMPRESS Crowns/Veneers

A

a type of conservative veneer or laminate crown that uses a technique in which a strong porcelain material is bonded to the tooth, rather than cemented, and it picks up a more natural color of the underlying tooth

28
Q

Endodontics

A

specialty of dentistry that involves removing disease in and around the root of the nerve of the tooth. (root canal)

29
Q

Gingiva

A

term for gums, or supporting soft tissue around the teeth

30
Q

Gingivitis

A

inflammation and bleeding of the gums. first step toward periodontal disease, is reversible

31
Q

Halitosis

A

term for bad breath, several causes including foods we eat, smoking, coffee, or could be due to periodontal disease, infection or ketosis which is a nutritional imbalance

32
Q

Implants

A

typically titanium posts that are imbedded into the jawbone and then plastic or porcelain teeth are placed over the portion of that sticks out of the gum

33
Q

Impaction

A

a tooth can either be partially impacted, soft impacted, or full bony impacted, depending on how far into the tissue the tooth is

34
Q

Incisors

A

front two teeth on either side of the midline

35
Q

Inlay

A

when a filling is large enough that a little more chewing support may be needed, typically lab-processed cases and are either porcelain or gold

36
Q

Invisalign

A

process of straightening teeth using a series of thin hard plastic “aligners” in a series, to correct rotations, crowding or space problems

37
Q

Lasers

A

can be used to assist with bleaching, gum therapy, decay removal, root canal therapy, desensitizing a tooth, and helping heal an ulcer. also used to determine if stained pit has decay

38
Q

Local Anesthetic

A

localized in one area, generally will last from 2-4 hours duration, may be lingering sensation for several hours longer

39
Q

Mandible

A

lower jaw

40
Q

Maxilla

A

upper jaw

41
Q

Molars

A

6th, 7th, and 8th tooth in the mouth from the midline

42
Q

Night Guard

A

removable appliance that is fabricated to assist with grinding, bruxism, clenching and TMJ symptoms, worn over

43
Q

Occlusal

A

the top of the teeth on the back teeth

44
Q

Occlusal Guards

A

can be used to help relieve pressure, tension, and stresses from clenching

45
Q

Onlay

A

when a tooth has a large filling that doesn’t need a crown. More conservative than crowns and leaves as much tooth structure as possible.

46
Q

Oral Surgery

A

One of the specialties of dentistry. It includes the removal of teeth, placing implants, and jaw surgery.

47
Q

Orthodontics

A

One of the specialties of dentistry. It involves braces, for the straightening of teeth.

48
Q

Panoramic X-ray

A

An X-ray that takes a a picture outside the mouth and shows all teeth on one film. This is useful for identifying cysts, infections, impacted teeth, or fractures.

49
Q

Pedodontics

A

Pediatric Dentistry

50
Q

Periodontal Disease

A

The irritation, swelling, and bone loss that can occur around the supporting tissue of the teeth. irreversible

51
Q

Periodontal Pocket

A

The area of the gum tissue that attaches to the tooth at the top of the gums. Healthy: 2-3mm. UnHealthy:4-6mm

52
Q

Permanent Teeth

A

The second set of teeth that we get, starting around age 6 and ending when we get our 3rd molars, age 17-22

53
Q

Plaque

A

Film that develops on teeth which is sticky. It is food that is broken down and bacteria that combine to produce it.

54
Q

Porcelain Veneers

A

Thin pieces of porcelain that are used to change the shape, size, color, or position of teeth. Primarily used on the front teeth.

55
Q

Posterior Teeth

A

The back teeth in the mouth beyond the canines.

56
Q

Primary Teeth

A

The first set of teeth also called baby teeth.

57
Q

Prophylaxis

A

“Prophy” A basic cleaning of the teeth and gums done by a dental hygienist.

58
Q

Root Canal

A

A treatment in which diseased tissue from this part of the tooth is removed and the resulting cavity is filled with an inert material.

59
Q

Sealants

A

Plastic coatings that are placed on the etched surface in the grooves of teeth. Typically on the back molars and sometimes on the pre-molars.

60
Q

Sjogrens’s Syndrome

A

A condition resulting in dry mouth and eyes caused by an immune system malfunction. Affects 2-4 million people. 90% are women.

61
Q

TMJ

A

Temporo-Mandibular-Joint
A unique and fragile joint in the jaw that is subject to stress and trauma due to the number of tendons, ligaments, and muscles that are used to hold it in position.

62
Q

Veneers

A

A thin covering on teeth typically made of porcelain but can also apply to composite materials. Conservative version of a crown.

63
Q

Wisdom Teeth

A

The last teeth to come in. The 3rd molars. Don’t come until 17-25 years old.