Dental Terminology by Charline M. Dofka-Chapter 13 (Endodontics)

endodontia

branch of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the dental pulp and its periradicular tissues

periradicular

around the root

endodontist

dental specialist who is limited to and performing the practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the dental pulp and its periradicular tissues

pulpitis

inflamed pulpal condition

necrotic

describing diseased pulp tissue that cannot recover and repair itself; irreversible condition

objective signs

conditions observed by someone other than the patient; Ex: hyperextension, putrefaction

tooth hyperextension

condition in which the tooth arises out of the socket

putrefaction

noticeable, unpleasant odor

subjective symptoms

conditions as described by the patient; Ex: hypersensitivity, pulpalgia

pulp

inner tooth tissue

palpation

application of finger pressure to body tissues, including gingiva

percussion

tapping on an affected tooth and comparing the sensation to tapping on a healthy (control) tooth

mobility

movement of a tooth in its socket during outside force or application of pressure

transillumination

light refraction test to reveal fractured tooth tissue

thermal

pulp sensitivity test with reaction to application of heat and/or cold to tooth surface

anesthesia

numbing the specific root/nerve ending to dissipate pain

direct dentin stimulation

scratching the exposed dentin with an explorer; presence of pain indicates inflamed/irritated pulp tissue

electric pulp testing

applying an electrical current on the enamel surface of the tooth to register the tooth's pulpal sensitivity and presence of irritability

radiograph

x-ray examination and other technology (digital radiometric analysis, radiovisiongraphy, magnetic resonance imaging) to demonstate early changes of bone structure and periapical involvement of suspected tooth with an inflamed pulp

periodontitis

inflammation around the tooth; pain is lessened/eliminated by removing the inflamed/necrotic pulp

abscess

local pus infection that may be acute or chronic

suppurative

producing pus

pericementitis

inflammation and necrosis of alveoli of the tooth

cyst

abnormal, closely walled fluid or exudates-filled sac in/around periapical tissues

cellulitis

inflammation of cellular/connective tissue

osteomyelitis

inflammation of the bone and bone marrow, usually caused by bacterial infection

pulpotomy

partial excision of dental pulp

pulpectomy

surgical removal of pulp from the tooth

root canal treatment (RCT)

surgical removal of pulp from the tooth

apicoectomy

surgical amputation of a root apex; may be necessary where there is a radical cyst

root end resection

surgical amputation of a root apex; may be necessary where there is a radical cyst

anesthesia

local injection to relieve pain occurring during the procedure; first step of root canal treatment

isolation of the operative area

accomplished to provide safety and to assure an aspectic site; second step of root canal treatment

aseptic

without disease

estirpation

removal of the pulpal tissue after the pulpal opening; third step of root canal treatment

debridement

removal of necrotic pulpal tissue and cleaning out of the area; fourth step of root canal treatment

irrigation and cleansing

use of chemicals and instruments to remove tissue dust and material matter from the pulp and pulp canals; fifth step of root canal treatment

obturation

fillling and closing of the canal area; may consist of filling from the pulp to the apex or may be complete in a retrograde; sixth step of root canal treatment

retrograde

process of filling a root canal beginning from the apex of the tooth to the pulp

retrofill endodontic restoration

process of filling a root canal beginning from the apex of the tooth to the pulp

restoration

returning of tooth to normal function and purpose; last step of root canal treatment

dental dam

used to isolate the endodontic site

dental dam material

thin sheet of latex or non-latex rubber that varies in thickness, color, and size; component of a dental dam

dental dam frame

device used to hold dental dam material in place; may be metal or plastic, rigid or adjustable

dental dam punch

device used to place selected holes in dam material for isolating a tooth/teeth

dental dam forceps

hand device used to transport and place clamps/retainers around a tooth being isolated with a dental dam

rubber dam stamp and pad

marking stamper and pad devices used to indicated alignment spots for puncturing dental dam material with the punch

dental dam clamp

retaining device used to hold dental dam material around the tooth; may be metal or resin and vary in size, shape, and style

dental dam ligature

material used to hold and secure dam material in the mouth; Ex: dental floss, latex stabilizing cord, small piece of dental dam

broach

thin, barbed, wired instrument inserted into a root canal to ensnare and remove pulp tissue and any natural/placed matter, such as paper points or cotton pellets

reamer

thin, twisted, sharp-edged instrument inserted into a root canal and rotated clockwise to enlarge and taper the canal; available in various sizes and can be color-coded for easy identification; also may be engine-driven at slow speeds

file

thin, rough-edged instrument used to plane and smooth pulpal walls

K-file

has twisted edges and is used to enlarge as well as smooth pulpal walls; color-coded to denote size

Hedstrom file

cone-shaped, twisted-edge instrument used for enlarging and smoothing pulpal walls; nickel titanium alloy files provide more flexibility

flex file

stainless steel or nickel titanium alloy file that is stronger and more flexible; used in narrow, curved root canals

pesso reamer

thicker, engine-driven reamer with larger and longer parallel cutting edges for use in root canal openings

Gates-Glidden drills

engine-driven, latch-type burs with flame-shaped tips; used to provide an opening and access to a root canal

paper points

small, narrow, absorbent paper tips that may be inserted into an obturated root canal; used to dry the prep site or to carry medication to the area; available in various gauges and lengths or may have tips cut off to accommodate needed size

stopper

small piece of elastic band or commercial plug that is moved up or down the shaft of an endodontic instrument; used to mark and indicated the length of penetration

rotary burs and stones

friction grip burs with diamond or carbide tips used to gain access to a root canal through restoration and crowns

root canal spreader

longer shank with pointed nib; used to carry and insert cement or filling material into a root canal

endodontic spreader

longer shank with pointed nib; used to carry and insert cement or filling material into a root canal

root canal plugger

longer-shanked with a flat tipped nib; used to condense and adapt root canal filling material

root canal condenser

handled, long-tip instrument that may be heated and used to condense gutta-percha to root canal walls

Lentulo spiral drill

thin, twisted wire, latch-type rotary instrument used to spread calcium hydroxide or cement into a root canal

apex locator machine

used to determine the proximity of the test file to the root apex and relate the information to PC board screen during preparation of a root canal

heat carrier machine

provides adjustable heat to soften, deliver, and condense gutta-percha to a root canal

electric endodontic handpiece

permits the use of instruments at slow speeds for finger instrumentation

Luer-loc syringe

barrel-type syringe with piston force plunger; used to inject fluids into the cavity

gutta-percha points

tapered points made of a thermoplastic compound; similar in size to silver points, or endodontic instruments; used to fill a root canal

silver points

tapered silver points comparable in size to files and reamers; used to fill a root canal

cement pastes and fillers

zinc oxide and eugenol mixes with commercial materials; used to cement points in a root canal

sodium hypochlorite

chemical used to clean and sterilize

hydrogen peroxide

chemical used to clean and sterilize

soap

used to lubricate root canal

glycerin

used to lubricate root canal

chelator

chemical ion softener used to soften tissue

citric acid

used to soften tissue

EDTA

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; used to soften tissue

dessicant

used to dry an area or clear away other chemical traces; Ex: methanol, ethanol alcohol

medicament

used for antimicrobial action to prevent pain and neutralized the pulpal area; Ex: phenols, aldehydes, halines, steroids, calcium hydroxides, antibiotics

curettage

scraping of the apical area; may be necessary to remove necrotic tissue

root hemisection

surgical division of a multi-rooted tooth that may be performed in a lengthwise manner

bicuspidization

surgical division of a tooth retaining both sides

traumatized

wounded

luxation

tooth movement; Ex: concussion, subluxation, lateral luxation, extruded luxation

concussion

tooth loosened as a result of a blow; usually recovery occurs with minimal attention

subluxation

tooth partially dislocated; may evidence bleeding but require only minor attention

lateral luxation

tooth may be partially displaced with the root apex tilted forward

extruded luxation

tooth may be forced partially out of its socket

avulsion

replantation of teeth that have been accidentally lost; may undergo root canal treatment at this time or at a future appointment

fracture

breakage; may be a broken cusp, crown, root, or split tooth

replantation

replacing an avulsed tooth in its tooth socket; in some rare cases, if RCT cannot be completed in a conventional manner, the tooth may be extracted, undergo RCT, and then be reinserted and stabilized into the same alveolus

transplantion

transfer of a tooth from one alveolar socket to another

autogenous

describing a transplantation in which a tooth is moved from one position in the oral cavity to another area in the same cavity

homogeneous

describing a transplantation in which a tooth is transferred and inserted from one patient to another

heterogenous

describing a transplantation in which a tooth is transferred from one species to another; not yet a feasible practice

implantation

placing titanium metal extensions into the tooth root; may be performed endodontically to provide a longer crown-root ratio and stabilize the tooth

intracanal bleaching

process of heating or photo-oxidizing with ultraviolet rays to help lighten the tooth color