Dental Assisting Midterm 1

Endodontics

Dental specialty that diagnoses and treats diseases of the pulp.

Endodontics definition

"Endo" = Inside ; "Odont" = tooth

Restorative/General Dentistry

Branch of dentistry that most commonly treats, diagnoses, and manages overall oral health needs.

Periodontics

Branch of dentistry that treats the structures surrounding & supporting the teeth.

Periodontics Definition

"Peri" = Around ; "Odont" = Tooth

Gingiva, Periodontal Membrane, Bone

Structures treated by Periodontists.

Prostodontics

Branch of dentistry that designs, manufactures, and fits artificial replacements of the teeth and other parts of the mouth.

Pedodontics

Branch of dentistry that cares for children's teeth, from birth to adolescence.

Oral Surgery

Branch of dentistry that specializes in treating diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws & the hard and soft tissues of the oral and Maxillofacial region.

Orthodontics

Branch of dentistry that prevents and corrects irregularities of tooth position.

Orbit

Bony cavity that contains the eye.

Nasal Passage

Channel for airflow through the nose.

Maxilla

Upper arch of the jaw that holds teeth in place.

Mandible

Lower arch of the jaw that holds teeth in place.

TMJ (temporomandibular joint)

Joint that hinges and connects the upper and lower jaws

Ear Canal

Houses the bones & ear drum that function in hearing.

Foramen

Opening/hole in bone where nerves and blood vessels pass through.

Mandibular foramen

Located in the lower jaw.

Mental foramen

Located in the chin area.

Condyle

Forms articulation with another bone.

Ramus

Vertical extension of mandible to skull.

Body

Main section of mandible containing the teeth.

Lips (labia)

Opening for food intake/ articulation of sound & speech.

Teeth

Hard objects in mouth used for chewing/biting.

Hard Palate

Bony plate know as "roof of the mouth".

Soft Palate

Muscle which closes off nasal passage when swallowing.

Retromolar Trigone

Area behind 3rd molars. (Topical anesthetic placed here prior to mandibular injections.)

Tongue

Muscle used for tasting, swallowing, and speech.

Buccal Vestibule

Space between gums, teeth, and cheek.

Tonsils

Lymph nodes in the back of throat that serve as defense mechanism to rest the body from infection.

Uvula

Contains immune cells to help defend the body from pathogens and can aid in swallowing.

Gingiva

Gums

Attached Gingiva

4-6mm band of tissue directly surrounding the teeth. "Tough skin"

Unattached Gingiva

Thin, delicate skin lining the cheeks. Also known as "Mucosa"

Labial Frenum

Muscle attachment on the facial side of teeth, connecting lips.

Lingual Frenum

Muscle attachment behind teeth, connects the tongue to floor of mouth

Buccal

Outer surface of posterior teeth "Cheek-side"

Labial/Facial

Outer surface of anterior teeth "Lip-side"

Lingual

Tooth surface next to tongue.

Occlusal

Chewing surface of the tooth (POSTERIOR ONLY)

Incisal

Biting/cutting edge of the tooth (ANTERIOR ONLY)

Mesial

Surface of tooth facing toward midline of the face.

Distal

Surface of tooth facing away from midline of the face.

Interproximal

Inbetween teeth.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

responsible for establishing and enforcing safety and health standards in the workplace.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)

a federal law that sets standards for protecting the privacy of patients' health information.

CDC (Center for Disease Control)

a federal agency that conducts and supports health promotion, prevention and preparedness activities in the United States with the goal of improving overall public health.

PPE (personal protective equipment) Steps

DON: DOFF:

1.Gown. 1.Gloves

2.Mask/Respirator 2.Goggles/Face Shield

3.Goggles/Face Shield 3.Gown

4.Gloves. 4.Mask/Respirator

Disenfection

Process that eliminates many/all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores.

Sterilization

The process that completely destroys all microbial life, including spores.

Bioburdens

Blood, saliva, and other body fluids

Cavitation

Process of cleaning instruments with tiny bubbles

Autoclave/Statim

Used for steam heat sterilization.

Spore Test

Method that insures true sterility by testing if spores are killed.

Health History

Must be updated yearly

Bracket Table

Houses all hoses for handpieces, air/water syringe, suctions, and other attachments. Also holds instruments/ materials needed for procedure.

Rheostat (Gas Pedal"

Source of energy used to operate all handpieces

Air/Water Syringe

Sprays air and water. Tips may be disposable or autoclaved.

HVE (high volume evacuator)

Used to suction saliva and debris during procedures.

Saliva Ejector

Straw-like tube used to remove blood, saliva, and debris from mouth.

Surgical Suction

Smaller tip for more accuracy; used in surgical sites.

Four-Handed Dentistry

System in which the dentist and dental assistant work together at the dental chair.

Transfer zone

the area below the patient's nose where instruments and materials are passed and received. (4-7 o' clock positions)

Cheek Pad

Used to retract cheek & absorb moisture during procedures.

Tub and Tray System

Used to arrange supplies for efficient use during dental procedures. Must be kept clean, stocked, and organized

Isolite

Tool that combines light, suction & retraction all in one during procedures.

30 gauge (short)

Needle used for maxillary blocks

27 gauge (long)

Needle used for mandiblular blocks

Hydrophobic

Water fearing

Hydrophilic

water loving

Cotton Rolls

To isolate teeth and absorb saliva

Tongue Depressor

a thin depressor used to press the tongue down during an examination of the mouth and throat

Rubber Dam

A rubber barrier for saliva or moisture, or to provide an isolated operative field.

Mr. Thirsty

disposable single use item that connects to saliva ejector for hands free retraction, suction, and isolation.

Dental X-Rays

X-ray of teeth, bones, and soft tissues; used to detect cavities, hidden dental structures (such as wisdom teeth), impacted teeth, abscesses, and bone loss

Rinn Holders

Used to hold FILM or DIGITAL SENSORS

Periapical X-ray (PA)

picture of a single tooth and surrounding tissue, including root tip.

Bitewing X-Ray

X-ray taken with a part of the film holder held between the teeth and parallel to the teeth. Shows interproximal space.

Full Mouth Series X-Ray (FMX)

Collection of anterior and posterior periapical x-rays, added with bite wings to create x-ray of entire mouth. (14 PA, 4 BW)

Panoramic X-Ray (PANO)

Captures entire mouth in single X-Ray. Extraoral.

Mixed Dentition

A mixture of permanent teeth and primary teeth that occurs until all primary teeth have been lost, usually between the ages of 6 and 12.

Radiopaque

substance does not allow x-rays to pass through and appears white or light gray on the resulting film

Radiolucent

a substance that allows x-rays to pass through and appears black or dark gray on the resulting film.

Amalgum

Metal/Silver Filling.

Composite

Tooth colored filling.

Mouth Mirror

Instrument used to view oral cavity, reflect light, and retract cheek.

Explorer

Tool that examines tooth for decay.

Cotton Pliers

Takes materials to and from the oral cavity.

High-speed handpiece

Used with bur to cut/prepare tooth structure.

Low-speed Handpiece

handpieces used to polish teeth and restorations remove decay.

Spoon Excavator

Manually removes soft decay from dentin.

Dycal Instrument

Places calcium hydroxide/ glass ionomer prior to placing filling.

Articulating Paper Holder

To hold articulating paper in place

To check bite after restoration is done.

Sectional Matrix System

To replace missing proximal wall (one) of a cavity preparation.

Tofflemire/Matrix Band Retainer

To maintain stability of matrix band during condensation of restorative material on posterior teeth.

Matrix Band

Provides a temporary wall for tooth structure during a restorative procedure.

Mylar Strip

Clear plastic strip used as a matrix for anterior teeth

Wedge

Holds matrix band/Mylar strip tightly against tooth.

Cavity Liner

Protective liner for deep decay.

Curing Light

to harden light-cured materials: bonding, composite, sealants, build-up material.