dentistry vocab

abandonment

discontinuation of care after treatment has commenced but before it has been completed

abrasion

pathological wearing away of dental hard tissue by friction

abrasive agent

a substance used to remove stain and to polish natural teeth, prosthetic appliances, restorations, and castings

periapical abscess

a localized area of pus formed at the apex of the root tip

periodontal abscess

a localized area of pus formed in periodontal tissue

abutment

a tooth, a root, or an implant used for the retention of a fixed or removable prosthesis (retainer)

acid attack

the actions of acids from plaque upon the enamel

acid etch technique

a bonding technique in which tooth structure is etched to create the rough surface necessary for mechanical and micromechanical bonding

acquired pellicle

a colorless, translucent film composed of complex sugar

acrylic

an organic resin from which various types of dental restorations, prostheses, and appliances are constructed

active life

the length of time that a solution or material will remain effective after it has been put into use

fogging on outdated radiographic film

ALARA

in radiography, an acronym standing for "As Low As Reasonably Achievable"

alginate

irreversible hydrocolloid material used for taking preliminary impressions

alloy

a substance consisting of two or more metals

alternative benefit

contract provision that authorizes the third party to determine the amount of benefits payable, giving consideration to professionally acceptable alternative procedures that may be performed to accomplish the desired result

alveolar bone

that part of the alveolar process that lines the bony sockets into which the roots of the teeth are embedded

alveolar crest

the highest point of the alveolar process

alveolar mucosa

the mucous membrane that covers the alveolar process and continues to form the lining of the cheeks and the floor of the mouth

alveolar process

the extension of the maxilla and mandible that surrounds and supports the teeth to form the dental arches (alveolar ridge)

residual alveolar ridge

the bony ridge remaining after the teeth have been extracted

alveolar socket

the cavity within the alveolar process in which the root of the tooth is held in position

alveolitis

inflammation and infection associated with a disturbance of the blood clot after tooth extraction (dry socket, osteitis)

alveoloplasty

surgical reduction and reshaping of the alveolar ridge

ultimate strength

maximum stress that a material sustains before it fractures

ultrasonic scaling

the use of an ultrasonic scaler to remove mineralized deposits from the tooth surfaces

undercut

the portion of a tooth that lies between the height of contour and the gingiva
recessed areas in the surface of the cast

unit

each single component of the fixed bridge
a segment of scheduled time
a piece of dental equipment

universal numbering system

identification of the teeth
the permanent teeth are numbered 1 to 32
primary teeth are lettered A to T

universal precautions

a set of precautions designed to prevent transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other blood

varnish

resin surface coating formed by evaporation of a solvent

vasoconstrictor

a substance that causes blood vessels to narrow and stimulates the heart

vasodilator

a substance that causes blood vessels to expand

veneer

a layer of tooth

ventral

refers to the front or belly side of the body

vertical angulation

in radiography, the angle made between the x

vertical dimension

a measurement of the face at the midline with the teeth in occlusion
the space provided by the height of the teeth in normal occlusion

vestibule

the tissues of the mandibular and maxillary mucobuccal folds

virulence

the relative capacity of a pathogen to overcome body defenses

viscosity

the property of a liquid that causes it not to flow easily

washed field technique

use of a water spray from the dental handpiece as a coolant to protect the tooth from injury due to overheating

infectious waste

contaminated sharps, teeth, pathological waste, and blood

regulated waste

liquid or semiliquid blood or other potentially infectious materials
items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials if compressed

wavelength

in radiography, the distance from the crest of one wave to the crest of the next wave
the energy produced is determined by the length of the wave, with shorter waves (such as x

beading wax

soft, pliable wax in a ropelike shape used to modify impression trays

boxing wax

utility wax strips used to form matrix around impressions before pouring

workers' compensation

a payroll tax that the employer is required to pay to cover the cost of insurance in case an employee is injured on the job

working cast

cast created from the secondary impression used in the construction of baseplates, bite rims, wax setups, and finished prostheses

yield strength

the maximum stress that a structure or material can withstand without being permanently deformed

Young's frame

a U