Untitled Flashcard Set

Crown

Visible part of the tooth.

Root

Part of the tooth embedded in the bone.

Cervix/CEJ

Junction between the crown and root.

Enamel

Hardest substance in the body, covering the crown.

Dentin

Main bulk of the tooth that supports enamel.

Primary dentin

Initial formation of dentin.

Secondary dentin

Dentin that forms over time.

Tertiary dentin

Dentin that forms as a repair/protective response.

Cementum

Covers the root and helps anchor the tooth.

Acellular cementum

Cementum found on the top of the root.

Cellular cementum

Cementum found on the bottom of the root.

Pulp

Soft tissue inside the tooth with nerves and blood vessels.

Sensory function of pulp

Pain detection.

Nutritive function of pulp

Provides nourishment.

Formative function of pulp

Makes dentin.

Protective function of pulp

Protection against infections.

Periodontal ligament (PDL)

Connects tooth to bone and acts as a shock absorber.

Gingiva

Gums that protect underlying structures.

Alveolar bone

Bone that holds tooth sockets.

Lamina dura

Dense bone lining seen on X-rays.

Incisors

Teeth used for cutting, usually with 1 root.

Canines

Teeth used for tearing, with the longest root.

Premolars

Teeth used for crushing, typically with 1 root.

Molars

Teeth used for grinding, with maxillary molars having 3 roots.

Universal numbering system

Permanent teeth numbered 1–32, primary teeth A–T.

Palmer notation

Quadrants numbered with brackets, 1–8 per quadrant.

FDI system

First digit indicates quadrant, second digit indicates tooth.

Anterior tooth surfaces

Labial, Lingual, Mesial, Distal, Incisal.

Posterior tooth surfaces

Buccal, Lingual, Mesial, Distal, Occlusal.

Functions of the tongue

Taste, speech, swallowing, food movement, cleaning the mouth.

Mouth mirror uses

Indirect vision, reflection, and retraction.

Explorer

Detects decay; types include shepherd’s hook and pigtail.

Periodontal probe

Measures the pocket depth in mm.

Scalers & curettes

Instruments used to remove calculus (tartar).

American Dental Association (ADA)

Professional organization for dentists providing ethics and guidelines.

Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

Approves dental programs to ensure education quality.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Regulates workplace safety and practices.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Guidelines for infection control and standard precautions.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Regulates dental materials, devices, and X-rays.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Regulates waste disposal including mercury/amalgam.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Researches workplace hazards.

Pathogen

Disease-causing organism.

Asepsis

Absence of infection.

Cross-contamination

Spread of microorganisms.

Chain of infection

1. Pathogen, 2. Reservoir, 3. Portal of exit, 4. Mode of transmission, 5. Portal of entry, 6. Susceptible host.

Sanitization

Reduces microbes.

Disinfection

Kills most microbes but not spores.

Levels of disinfection

Low, Intermediate, High.

Sterilization

Kills all microbes including spores (example: autoclave).

Critical instruments

Must be sterile; penetrate tissue.

Semi-critical instruments

Require high-level disinfection.

Non-critical instruments

Require low-level disinfection.

Types of PPE

Gloves, mask, goggles, face shield, gown.

Donning PPE order

Gown → Mask → Goggles/Face shield → Gloves.

Doffing PPE order

Gloves → Goggles/Face shield → Gown → Mask → Hand hygiene.

Autoclave

Device for steam sterilization.

Ultrasonic cleaner

Pre-cleans instruments using ultrasonic waves.

Chemical indicators

Color strips used to confirm sterilization exposure.

Biological indicators

Spore tests that confirm sterilization accuracy.

Types of crowns

Metal, PFM, Ceramic, Zirconia.

Dental implant

Titanium root placed in bone.

Parts of implant

Fixture, Abutment, Crown.

Amalgam

Dental material containing mercury and metals, regulated for safety.

Composite

Tooth-colored filling material without mercury.

Lead use

Used in X-ray aprons and thyroid collars for radiation protection.

Mesial vs Distal

Mesial = toward midline; Distal = away from midline.

Apical vs Coronal

Apical = toward the root tip; Coronal = toward the crown.

Caries

Tooth decay.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gums.

Periodontitis

Loss of bone around teeth.

Prophylaxis

Professional cleaning of the teeth.

Scaling

Removal of calculus from teeth.

Root planing

Smoothing out root surfaces.

Attrition

Wear from tooth-to-tooth contact.

Abrasion

Mechanical wear from actions like excessive brushing.

Erosion

Wear caused by chemical activity, such as acids.

Radiolucent

Appears dark on X-ray.

Radiopaque

Appears light on X-ray.

Occlusion

How teeth come together (bite).

Eruption

The process of the tooth emerging through the gums.

Dentition types

Primary, Permanent, and Mixed dentition.