Hard Tissue Exam and Related Concepts (Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering hard tissue exam topics: dentition types, caries classifications, occlusion, lesions, trauma, and charting.

Primary (Deciduous) Dentition

Baby teeth; the first set of teeth, totaling 20, labeled A–T; begin formation in utero.

Mixed (Transitional) Dentition

The period (roughly ages 6–12) when primary teeth are shedding and permanent teeth are erupting.

Permanent Dentition

The adult set of 32 teeth; mineralization starts at birth and continues into adolescence.

Early Childhood Caries (ECC)

Caries in young children, often related to nursing bottles or frequent sugary drinks; high risk with S. mutans.

G.V. Black's Caries Classification

A traditional system classifying caries from Class I to Class VI based on surface and location.

Class I Caries

Cavities in pits or fissures: occlusal surfaces of premolars/molars; facial/lingual surfaces of molars; lingual surfaces of maxillary incisors.

Class II Caries

Cavities on proximal (mesial/distal) surfaces of premolars and molars.

Class III Caries

Cavities on proximal surfaces of incisors and canines that do not involve the incisal edge.

Class IV Caries

Cavities on proximal surfaces of incisors or canines that involve the incisal edge.

Class V Caries

Cavities in the cervical third of facial or lingual surfaces.

Class VI Caries

Cavities on incisal edges of anterior teeth or cusp tips of posterior teeth.

ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System)

A scale from 0–6 describing caries stages from sound to extensive dentin involvement.

ICCMS Caries Categories

International Caries Classification and Management System categories: Sound, Initial, Moderate, and Extensive.

ADA Caries Classification System

American Dental Association system with stages such as Initial (noncavitated), Moderate (enamel breakdown or shallow dentin demineralization), and Advanced (cavitated with dentin exposure).

Pulp Vitality Testing

Tests (e.g., cold/heat) to determine if a tooth’s pulp is alive or dead and to guide treatment decisions.

Tooth Numbering Systems

Permanent dentition numbered 1–32; primary dentition labeled A–T.

Clinical Crown

The portion of the tooth that is visible in the mouth.

Anatomic Crown

The portion of the tooth covered by enamel above the cemento–enamel junction, regardless of visibility.

UTHSCSA Charting System

A charting method used to record restorations, caries, and other tooth findings.

EPIC Charting System

An electronic charting system used in dental hygiene practice.

Occlusion

The way teeth contact during biting and chewing; includes evaluation of relationships and contacts.

Angle’s Classification

System labeling malocclusion as Class I, II (Distocclusion), or III (Mesiocclusion); Division 1 and Division 2 refer to Class II variations.

Class I Occlusion

Normal molar and canine relationships with a mesognathic profile.

Class II Occlusion

Distocclusion; mandible positioned posteriorly to maxilla; retrognathic profile.

Class II Division 1

Class II molar relationship with maxillary incisors protruded.

Class II Division 2

Class II molar relationship with one or more maxillary incisors retroclined.

Class III Occlusion

Mesioclusion; prognathic profile; underbite where mandible is forward of the maxilla.

Parafunctional Habits

Habits outside normal function (e.g., bruxism, clenching, nail-biting) affecting occlusion.

Functional Contacts

Normal contacts that help dissipate forces and stabilize the dentition during function.

Traumatic Dental Injuries

Injuries to teeth from trauma, including concussion, subluxation, extrusion, lateral luxation, intrusion, and avulsion.

Concussion

Injury to a tooth without mobility or displacement; sensitivity may be present.

Subluxation

loosening of a tooth with some movement but no obvious displacement.

Extrusion

Partial tooth extrusion (luxation) out of its socket.

Lateral Luxation

Displacement of a tooth in a horizontal direction within the socket.

Intrusion

Displacement of a tooth apically into the socket.

Avulsion

Complete displacement of a tooth from its socket.

Study Models

Stone or plaster or digital replicas used for treatment planning, documentation, and occlusal analysis.

Interocclusal Record

Bite registration that relates upper and lower models for accurate occlusion representation.

Noncarious Cervical Lesions (NCCLs)

Loss of tooth structure near the CEJ not caused by caries, due to abrasion, abfraction, or erosion.

Attrition

Wear of tooth surfaces from tooth-to-tooth contact, often linked to bruxism.

Abrasion

Mechanical wear of tooth structure from external abrasive agents (e.g., brushing, habit).

Erosion

Chemical loss of tooth structure from acids, either intrinsic (gastric) or extrinsic (dietary).

Abfraction

Noncarious cervical notch formation due to stress-induced flexure at the CEJ.

Root Caries

Caries of cementum and dentin at the root surface, common with gingival recession.