Dental Terminology and Concepts Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from dental lectures, focusing on dental professionals, instruments, radiography, anatomy, and tooth development.

Prosthodontist

A dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of teeth.

Periodontist

A dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease.

Orthodontist

A dentist specializing in straightening teeth.

Pediatric Dentist (Pedodontist)

A dentist specializing in the treatment of children's teeth.

Endodontist

A dentist specializing in the treatment of the dental pulp and root canals.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

A dentist specializing in surgery of the mouth, jaws, and face.

Public Health Dentist

A dentist involved in community dental health programs.

Oral Pathologist

A dentist specializing in the diagnosis of diseases of the mouth.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist

A dentist specializing in the interpretation of dental radiographs.

Forensic Dentist

A dentist who applies dental knowledge to legal issues.

Registered Dental Hygienist

A licensed dental professional who cleans and examines teeth.

Dental Assistant

A professional who assists the dentist during procedures.

Dental Laboratory Technician

A professional who fabricates dental prostheses and appliances.

Denturist

A professional who makes and fits dentures directly to patients.

Hand Grasp Instrument

The part of a dental hand instrument that is grasped by the operator.

Shank

The part of a dental hand instrument connecting the handle to the working end.

Working End

The part of a dental hand instrument used to perform the intended task.

Basic Set Up

Instruments used for initial examination and diagnosis.

Periodontal Grouping

Instruments used for cleaning and maintaining periodontal health.

Restorative Grouping

Instruments used for restoring teeth.

Filing and Finishing Grouping

Instruments used for shaping and smoothing dental materials.

Evacuation Equipment

Equipment used to remove fluids and debris from the oral cavity.

Cathode

X-ray tube component that emits electrons.

Filament

The heating coil within the cathode that generates electrons.

Anode

X-ray tube component that attracts electrons.

Focal Spot

Area on the anode where electrons impact to produce x-rays.

Aluminum Filter

Material used to filter out low-energy x-rays.

Collimator

Device used to restrict the size and shape of the x-ray beam.

Aperture

Opening in the tube head that emits radiation.

Milliampere (mA)

The measurement of x-ray tube current.

Kilovolt power (kVp)

The measure of the electrical potential.

Exposure Time

Duration of x-ray emission.

Target-Film Distance

Distance from the x-ray source to the film.

Target-Object Distance

Distance from the x-ray source to the object being radiographed.

Film Speed

The speed at which the film reacts to radiation.

Primary Radiation

The main beam of x-rays emanating from the x-ray tube.

Secondary Radiation

Radiation resulting from interaction of the primary beam with matter.

Scattered Radiation

Radiation that has been deflected from its path during impact with matter.

Leakage Radiation

Radiation that escapes the tube head.

Dosimeter Badge

Device used to measure radiation exposure.

Lead Apron

Protective covering used to minimize radiation exposure.

Periapical Film Packet

Radiographic film used for intraoral imaging.

Bitewing Film Packet

Radiographic film used to capture crowns of both arches.

Occlusal Film Packet

Radiographic film used to view large areas of the maxilla or mandible.

Extraoral Film

Radiographic film placed outside the mouth.

Cephalometric Film

Film/headplate used in cephalometry.

Cephalostat

Equipment used in cephalometry.

Panoramic Radiograph

Radiograph that captures the entire dentition and supporting structures.

Intensifying Screen

Device used to decrease patient radiation dose with extraoral radiographs.

Bitewing Radiograph

Radiographs that captures the crowns of both arches on a single film.

Periapical Radiograph

Radiographs that shows the entire tooth and surrounding bone.

Foreshortening

Image distortion where the image appears shortened.

Elongation

Image distortion where the image appears lengthened.

Overlapping

Error in radiograph where structures are superimposed on each other.

Cone Cut

Error in radiograph resulting in a blank area due to improper beam alignment.

Extraoral Radiograph

Radiograph taken outside the mouth.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

A three-dimensional imaging technique used in dentistry.

Cranium

The portion of the skull that encloses the brain.

Zygomatic Bone

Facial bone that forms the cheekbones.

Maxillary Bone

Facial bone that forms the upper jaw.

Palatine Bone

Facial bone that forms the hard palate.

Nasal Bones

Facial bones that form the bridge of the nose.

Lacrimal Bones

Small facial bones located in the medial wall of the orbit.

Inferior Nasal Conchae

Facial bones that extends horizontally along the lateral wall of the nasal cavity

Mandible

Facial bone that forms the lower jaw.

Vomer

Facial bone that forms the inferior and posterior part of the nasal septum.

Hyoid Bone

Bone located at the base of the tongue.

Auditory Ossicles

Small bones in the middle ear: malleus, incus, and stapes.

Ethmoid Sinus

Sinus located in the ethmoid bone.

Sphenoid Sinus

Sinus located in the sphenoid bone.

Frontal Sinus

Sinus located in the frontal bone.

Maxillary Sinus

Sinus located in the maxillary bone.

Trigeminal Nerve

The fifth cranial nerve, responsible for sensation and motor function in the face.

Ophthalmic (V1)

Branch of the trigeminal nerve that provides sensory innervation to the ophthalmic region.

Maxillary (V2)

Branch of the trigeminal nerve that provides sensory innervation to the maxillary region.

Mandibular (V3)

Branch of the trigeminal nerve that provides sensory and motor innervation to the mandibular region.

Salivary Glands

Glands that supply secretions to the oral cavity.

Deciduous Dentition

Classification of the human dentition referring to baby teeth.

Permanent Dentition

Classification of the human dentition referring to permanent teeth.

Mixed Dentition

Classification of the human dentition referring to both deciduous and permanent teeth being present.

Odontoblasts

Cells that form dentin.

Ameloblasts

Cells that form enamel.

Cementoblasts

Cells that form cementum.

Fibroblasts

Cells that form connective tissue.

Osteoblasts

Cells that form bone.

Odontoclasts

Cells that resorb dentin.

Cementoclasts

Cells that resorb cementum.

Osteoclasts

Cells that resorb bone.

Enamel

The hard, outermost layer of the tooth (96% inorganic).

Dentin

The main tissue underlying enamel and cementum (70% inorganic).

Pulp

The soft tissue inside the tooth containing blood vessels and nerves.

Incisor

A tooth type used for cutting.

Canine/Cuspid

A tooth type used for tearing.

Premolar/Bicuspid

A tooth type used for grinding.

Molar

A tooth type used for crushing and grinding.

Facial/Buccal/Labial

The tooth surface towards the face.

Lingual

The tooth surface towards the tongue.

Mesial

The tooth surface towards the midline.

Distal

The tooth surface away from the midline.

Incisal Edge

The biting, cutting edge of anterior teeth.