Patient Evaluation, Esthetic Considerations, and Biologic Principles in Restorative Dentistry

Problem-Oriented Treatment Planning Model

A systematic diagnostic approach requiring patient evaluation to formulate an itemized list of problems, consider treatment options for each, and sequence optimal solutions into an integrated treatment plan.

Treatment-Oriented Model

A treatment planning approach where the examining dentist directly equates observed intraoral conditions to specific treatment forms, generating a list of needed procedures.

Sequence of Treatment

The logical medical-based ordering of dental care: Chief complaint, Medical/systemic care, Emergency care, Treatment plan presentation, Disease control, Reevaluation, Definitive care, and Maintenance care.

O'Leary Index

A standardized plaque index used to objectively measure and document plaque accumulation over time.

Salivary Hypofunction

An abnormally low salivary flow rate defined by an unstimulated flow rate below $0.1\text{ to }0.2 Melville/min$, which heightens caries risk.

Test Cavity

The initiation of a tooth preparation without local anesthetic to assess pulpal vitality when thermal and electric pulp tests are inconclusive.

Biologic Width

The combined apicocoronal dimension of the junctional epithelium (approximately $1.0\,mm$) and connective tissue attachment (approximately $1.0\,mm$), totaling approximately $2.0\,mm$.

Attrition

Mechanical wear of tooth structure caused by direct tooth-to-tooth contact during functional or parafunctional activity.

Abrasion

Mechanical wear of tooth structure resulting from frictional contact with objects or substances other than opposing tooth structure.

Erosion

The progressive loss of tooth structure through chemical processes that do not involve bacterial action, such as gastric or dietary acid contact.

Abfraction

A noncarious cervical lesion (NCCL) hypothesized to result from a combination of tooth brush/paste abrasion and tooth flexure induced by occlusal loading stresses.