Dental Charting, Caries Classification, and Restorative Materials

Vocabulary flashcards covering core dental charting forms, tooth surfaces, the Universal Numbering System, G.V. Black caries classifications, and restorative concepts.

Dental Chart (Odontogram)

A diagrammatic representation of existing conditions in the oral cavity, including past or planned treatment, active disease, and restored teeth.

Blue (Charting Color Code)

The charting color used to indicate existing dental conditions and completed restorations.

Red (Charting Color Code)

The charting color used to indicate treatment planned conditions and procedures.

Anatomical Charting Form

A dental charting form where teeth are anatomically correct and appear as they actually do in the mouth.

Geometric Charting Form

A dental charting form that uses geometric shapes (such as circles and lines) to represent the parts and surfaces of the teeth.

Universal Numbering System

The tooth numbering system officially adopted by the American Dental Association, using sequential numbers $1$ through $32$ for permanent teeth and letters $A$ through $T$ for primary teeth.

Mesial

Proximal tooth surfaces that face toward the midline of the dental arch.

Distal

Proximal tooth surfaces that face away from the midline of the dental arch.

Facial

A tooth surface directed toward the face, applicable to describe the surface closest to the face for any tooth.

Buccal

The facial surface of posterior teeth located nearest to the buccal mucosa (cheek).

Labial

The facial surface of anterior teeth located closest to the lips (labia).

Lingual

The surface of maxillary and mandibular teeth closest to the tongue.

Palatal

The lingual surface of maxillary teeth located nearest to the palate.

Occlusal

The contacting or biting masticatory surfaces of all posterior teeth.

Incisal Edge

The biting cutting edge of all anterior teeth, which is not considered a full surface.

Dental Caries

A localized post-eruptive, pathologic process of external origin involving the softening of the hard tissues and proceeding to the formation of a cavity.

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans)

The primary bacterial pathogen and culprit responsible for dental caries and decay.

Simple Cavity/Restoration

A dental caries lesion or restoration that involves only one surface of a tooth (e.g., occlusal = O).

Compound Cavity/Restoration

A dental caries lesion or restoration that involves two tooth surfaces (e.g., mesio-occlusal = MO).

Complex Cavity/Restoration

A dental caries lesion or restoration that involves more than two surfaces (e.g., mesio-occlusodistal = MOD).

Class I Caries (G.V. Black)

Caries or restorations in the pits and fissures on the occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars, facial or lingual pits of molars, and lingual pits of maxillary incisors.

Class II Caries (G.V. Black)

Caries or restorations on the proximal (mesial or distal) surfaces of premolars and molars involving two or more surfaces.

Class III Caries (G.V. Black)

Caries or restorations on the proximal (mesial or distal) surfaces of incisors and canines that do not involve the incisal angle.

Class IV Caries (G.V. Black)

Caries or restorations on the proximal (mesial or distal) surfaces of incisors and canines that also involve the incisal line angle.

Class V Caries (G.V. Black)

Caries or restorations on the gingival (cervical) third of the facial or lingual surfaces of any tooth.

Class VI Caries (G.V. Black)

Caries or restorations on the incisal edges of anterior teeth or the cusp tips of posterior teeth.

Endosteal Implant

The most common category of dental implant, placed directly within the bone to provide stable, functional replacement for teeth.

Implant Abutment

The connector component that connects the implant anchor/body to the prosthetic tooth (crown, bridge, or denture).

Pontic

The artificial prosthetic tooth on a dental bridge that replaces a missing tooth.

Bridge Abutment

The natural tooth or implant root that supports and anchors a dental bridge.

Removable Partial Denture (RPD)

A removable appliance replacing one or more, but not all, teeth in a single arch; supported by teeth, tissue, or a combination.