Question | Answer |
Odontology | A study of the anatomy, growth, and diseases of the teeth. |
dentitions | The number, type, and arrangement of teeth in the mouth. |
Crown | The anatomical portion of a tooth that is exposed in the oral cavity, above the ginvia, or gums. |
Root | The anatomic portion of a tooth that is below the gingiva; helps hold the tooth in the mouth. |
Cervix | Anatomical part of a tooth where the crown joins with the root. |
Apex | The pointed extremity of a conelike structure. |
Enamel | Hardest tissue in the body. |
Cementum | Hard, bonelike tissue that covers the outside of the root. |
Dentine | Tissue that makes up the main bulk of the tooth. |
Pulp | Soft tissue located in the innermost area of the tooth. |
Periodontium | Consists of those structures that surround and support the teeth and includes the alveolar prpocess, the periodontal ligament, and the gingiva. |
Aveolar process | The bone tissue of the maxilla and mandible that surrounds the roots of the teeth. |
Periodontal ligament | Consists of dense fivers of connective tissue that attach to the cementum of the tooth and to the alveolus. |
Gingiva or gums | They cover the alveolar bone and surround the teeth. |
Incisors | Teeth located in the front and center of the mouth; used to cut food. |
Cluspids | Also called a canine or eyetooth; the type of tooth located at angel of lips and used to tear food. |
Bicuspids | Also called premolars; the teeth that pulverize or grind food and are located between cuspids and molars. |
Molars | Teeth in the back of the mouth, largest and strongest teeth and used to chew and grind food. |
Primary or deciduous, teeth | The first set of 20 teeth. |
Quadrants | Four sections. |
Maxillary | Upper jawbone |
Mandibular | Horseshoe-shaped bone that forms the lower jaw; only movable bone of the skull. |
Permanent or succedaneous teeth | Second set of teeth |
Universal Numbering System | An abbreviated form for identifying the teeth. |
Federation Dentaire International System | Abbreviated means of identifying the teeth that uses a two digit code to identify the quadrant and tooth. |
Anterior | Towards the front |
Posterior | Towards the back |
Labial | Crown surface next to the lips; facial surface |
Lingual | Crown surface next to the tongue |
Incisal | Cutting edge of the tooth |
Mesial | Side surface closets to the midline |
Midline | The imaginary line dividing mouth into a right half and a left half |
Distal | Side surface away from the midline; the side surface facing toward the back of the mouth. |
Buccal | Crown surface next to face or cheel; facial surface |
Lingual | Crown surface next to the tongue |
Occlusal | Chewing or grinding surface of the toothesial |
Mesial | Side surface toward the midline of the mouth |
Line angles | Form where two crown surfaces meet. |
Point angles | Form where three crown surfaces meet. |
Dental light | Used in dental units to illuminate the oral cavity. |
Dental chair | Special chair designed to position a patient comfortably while providing easy access to the patient's oral cavity |
Air compressor | Provides air pressure to operate the handpieces and air syringes on the dental units. |
Oral evacuation sustem | Called a central vacuum system, uses water to provide the dental units with a sucdtion action. |
Assistant's cart | Cart's for assistants |
Tri-flow or air-water syringe | Handpiece that provides, air, water, or a combination of air and water for various dental procedures |
Saliva ejector | Low volume suction to remove saliva from the mouth |
High velocity oral evacuator | Used to remove particles, debris, and large amounts of liquid from the oral cavity. |
Cuspidor | Bowl or cup that can be used to allow the patient to expectorate (spit out) particles and water |
Doctors cart | Contain air-water syringes in addition to a variety of handpieces |
Rheostats | Foot controls used to operate the handpieces. |
Contra angle | Used for cutting and polishing during various dental procedures |
Burs | Rotary instruments used to cut, shape, finish, and polish teeth, restorations, and dental appliances. |
Low-speed handpiece | Used for dental caries (dedcay) removal and fine-finishing work |
Prophylaxis angle | Holds polishing cups, disks, and brushes that are used to clean the teeth or to polish resstorations. |
High-speed handpiece | Used to do most of the cutting and preparation of the tooth during dental procedures. |
Carious lesions | An occurrence of tooth decay |
Plaque | A thin tenacious, filmlike deposit that adheres to the teeth and can lead to decay |
Halitosis | Bad breath |
Impression | A negative reproduction of a tooth |
Model or cast | A positive reproduction of the arches or teeth that is created from the negative impression |
Alginate | An irreversible, hyddrocolloid impression material. |
Rubber base | An elastomeric impression material that is elastic and rubbery in nature. |
Plaster | Gypsum product used to form models. It is used mainly where strength is not a critical factor such as for study models and preliminary models. |
Stone | A refined gypsum product that produces a stronger more regular and uniform model. |
Anesthesia | The state of inability to feel sensation, especially the sensation of pain |
Carpules | Glass cartridges that contain premeasured amounts of anesthetic solutions. |
Aspirating syringes | Used to inject local anesthetic. |
Liner | Material used to cover, line, or seal exposed tooth tissue, such as dentin. |
Base | Protective material that is placed over pulpal area of a tooth to reduce irritation and thermal (heat) shock. |
Cement | Used to permanently seal inlays, orthodontic appliances, crowns, and bridges in place. |
Temporary | Material used as a restorative material for a short time and only until permanent restoration can be done. |
Restoration | The process of replacing a diseased portion of a tooth or a lost tooth by artificial means. |
Cavity | A hole in a tooth |
Amalgam | A restorative material used primarily on posterior teeth. |
Composite | Restorative material used most frequently in the repair of anterior teeth, but can also be used to restore posterior teeth. |
Radiographs | Negatives taken of the teeth. |
Radiolucent | Areas that appear dark on X-rays |
Radiopaque | Areas that appear light or white on X-rays |
Bitewings (BWXR) | Show only the crowns of the maxillary and mandibular teeth. |
Periapical films (PA) | Show the tooth and the surrounding area, and can show root-end infection. |
Pedontic (child) films | Used on children to show disease or other conditions of the teeth. |
Occlusal films | Used to view the occlusal (chewing) planes of the maxilla or mandible |