Dental Terminology 'A'

abandonment

lack of provider follow-through for the care of an established patient

ABC

A=open airway; B=respiration; C=external compression to heart

abducens

sixth cranial nerve, used for lateral eye sense and movement

abfraction

loss of tooth surface in the cervical area, caused by tooth grinding an compression forces

abrasion

an injury in which skin is scraped away; wearing away of a tooth surface from abnormal causes

abscess

collection of pus

absorption

transfer of drug substance from the administration site by body fluids

abutment

natural tooth or teeth prepared to hold a bridge retainer in position

accessory

auxiliary; eleventh cranial nerve assisting with spinal movements

acetaminophen

drug used as an aspirin replacement in children

acid etchant

material to prepare cavity margins for retention of the bonding and restorative materials

acidity

condition of being sour; makes litmus paper red

acquired pellicle

little skin; thin covering on teeth, plaque

acrylic

synthetic resin material used in fabrication of appliances

activator

substance that reacts with the initiator to start polymerization

acute

sharp or severe

acute radiation exposure

radiation resulting from a massive, short-term, ionizing dose, such as an accidental exposure or explosion of radiation material

addiction

compulsive, uncontrollable dependence on a drug

adenoid

lymphatic tissue found in the nasopharynx area

adjunctive orthodontics

procedures necessary to correct or restore function

adrenocorticosteroids

byproducts from the adrenal cortex; drugs to treat inflamed conditions, allergies, and emergencies

ala-tragus line

imaginary line from the ala (wing) of the nose to the ear meatus (center of the ear)

alginate

seaweed, agar-based elastic impression material

allograft

human bone graft from a person other than the patient

alloy

a mixture of metals

alternating pulse sound

alternate weak and strong pulsations

alveolar

pertaining to the alveolus

alveolectomy

surgical removal of alveolar bone crests

alveolitis

infection or inflammation of the alveolar bone; a dry socket

alveolus

bone growth on border of maxilla and mandible; makes up and forms the tooth sockets

alveoplastomy

surgical reshaping or contouring of alveolar bone

amalgam

soft alloy mass containing mercury, which hardens into restoration

amalgamation

blending or pulverizing of an alloy with mercury

amalgam carrier

hand instrument used to carry plastic (movable) amalgam to a restorative site

AMBU bag

bag placed over the nose and mouth of the victim to force air into the lungs

ameloblasts

enamel-forming cells; encourage cell growth for enamel tissue

amelogenesis imperfecta

incomplete or improper development of enamel tissue

amoxicillin

anti-infective antibiotic drug (examples: Amosil, Larotid)

ampicillin

anti-infective antibiotic type of drug (examples: Polucillin, Omnipen)

analgesia

without pain

analgesic

drug that relieves pain

anaphylactic

shock arising from reaction to a body allergen

anaphylaxis

allergic reaction to drug or food

aneroid

dial-type blood pressure device using air pressure readings

aneurysm

dilation of a blood vessel due to wall weakness, possible rupture

angina pectoris

pain or pressure around the heart

angle of the mandible

area from where the ramus ascends, on the lower border of the mandible where upward curve of mandible forms

ankyloglossia

shortness of the lingual frenum; "tongue-tied"

ankylosis

stiff joint; tooth fixation, retention of a deciduous tooth

anode

positive pole in x-ray tube that serves as the target for the electron force

anodontia

absence of teeth; partial or total loss of teeth

anomlies

out of the normal range, development, or general rule

anopsia

blindness

anosmia

loss of sense of smell

antagonism

opposite or contrary action of a drug

antagonist

opposing tooth; tooth that occludes or counteracts

antecubital fossa

interior depression of the elbow; blood pressure site

anterior

before or in front of; front of mouth from canine to canine

antibody

protein material to destroy an antigen; part of the immune system

anticoagulants

drugs used to delay or prevent the clotting of blood

antiflux

material, usually graphite, applied to retard the forward advance of melted solder

antigen

foreign substance introduced into or produced by the body

antihyperlipids

drugs that decrease or prevent high blood lipid plasma

antipyretic

drug used to reduce a fever

aperture

opening or port in the lead collimator disk that regulates the size of the beam

apex

root end of tooth

apexification

treatment of a nonvital tooth to stimulate closure

apexogenesis

treatment of vital pulp to continue natural development

apthous ulcer

canker sore

apical

referring to the apex of the tooth

apicoectomy

surgical amputation of the apex of the root

aplasia

failure of an organ or body part to develop

apposition

addition of parts; fourth stage of tooth development

archwire

horseshoe-shaped orthodontic wire; when tied, it helps to shape the arch

armamentarium

layout of dental equipment and material

arrested caries

decay showing no progressive tendencies

arteriosclerosis

small artery closing; may be caused by plaque

arthrotomy

cutting into a joint

articular eminence

forms anterior boundary of the glenoid fossa and helps to maintain the mandible in position

articulate

coming together in a pattern of design

articulating paper

colored paper strip for testing level of occlusion

articulation

movement of teeth of the lower jaw in and up-and-down, tooth position relationship

articulator

mechanical device that simulates jaw joint actions

artificial acquired immunity

immunity to a disease obtained from inoculation or vaccination

asculate

to listen to movement

asepsis

condition of being germ-free

aseptic

without disease; a condition without pathogens

asphyxiation

not breathing, results from oxygen imbalance

aspirating tips

tip ends placed into suction tubes; used to remove mouth moisture

astringent

agent that has a binding effect or constricts

atherosclerosis

narrowed arteries caused by buildup of plaque

atrioventricular

valve situated between the atrium and venticle

attenuated

diluted or reduced virulence of a pathogenic microbe

attrition

chafing or abrasion of tooth; final stage of tooth development

auditory meatus

large opening in temporal bone for passage of the auditory nerve

auditory ossicles

small bones in the ear; not considered part of the face or skull

augmentation

buildup of gingival and bone tissue in collapsed area, resulting from tooth extraction

aura

awareness of oncoming physical or mental disorder

aural

pertaining to the ear; site for taking temperature

autoclave

apparatus for total sterilization by means of pressurized steam