HOSA Dental Terminology

Maximum Permissible Dose (MPD)

highest rate of radiation exposure

Roentgen (R)

basic unit of exposure to radiation; C/kg

Rad (radiation absorbed dose)

unit of absorbed radiation; Gy

Rem (roentgen equivalent measure)

unit of radiation needed to produced same biological effect of one R; Sv

Erythema Dose

radiation overdose that produces redness of the skin

Dosimeter

device to measure the amount of stray/secondary radiation

Lead Barriers, Shields

device that blocks out scattered radiation

Phantom

device used for practice in learning radiation-exposure techniques; Dexter

Express Contract

Verbal or written words that are agreed on in an established contract

Liner applicator

To place calcium hydroxide or glass ionomer in cavity preparation.

Amalgam plugger

used to pack amalgam into tooth

Sterilize

the process where ALL forms of life are completely destroyed. This includes all microorganisms; bacteria, fungi, viruses and bacterial spores. (Eg - autoclave, chemical vapor sterilization and dry heat sterilization)

Disinfect

the process where SOME forms of microorganisms are destroyed. it does not destroy spores and resistant viruses.

Sanitize

the process that cleans and destroys FEW microorganisms

Distal

farthest from the midline

Root Canal Therapy

process of removing pulp of a tooth and filling it with an inert material.

palate

hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth

Broad-spectrum activity

capable of killing a wide variety of microbes

Bioburden

any visible organic debris, blood saliva and other body fluids

Unerupted tooth

a tooth that has not pushed through the gum and assumed its correct position in the dental arch

quadrant

1/2 of one dental arch

abfraction

loss of tooth surface in cervical area

ameloblast

enamel forming cells

angle of the mandible

area from which the ramus ascends on the lower border of the mandible

apex

root end of tooth

biteblock

device used to hold radiation film in mouth for exposure

biteloop

encircles periapical film

buccinator

principal cheek muscle

cnaliculi

small channels or canals may be present in cementum

candidiasis

infection of mouth, thrush

cantilever bridge

only one side of device attatched

cheilosis

inflammation of lips

cingulum

smooth, convex, or rounded bump on lingual of maxillary anteriors

clasp

extension of partial appliance that grasps surrounding teeth for support

commisure

corner of the mouth where the lips meet

complex cavity

decay involving more than two surfaces of a tooth

compound

nonelastic impression material used in edentulous impressions

condyloid

posterior growth on ramus of the mandible

coping

thin covering placed over remaining tooth surface

core buildup

use of synthetic material to enlarge tooth core area to provide support for a crown

cortical plate

outer bone layer growth of alveolar bone

crepitus

grinding, joint abrasion

cuspid

third tooth posterior of the midline, also called canine, eye tooth

cuticle

tissue layer covering tooth surface

Nasmyth's membrane

tissue layer covering tooth surface

denticle

small tooth growth, pulp stone

embrasure

v-shaped tooth gap between contact area and gingival crest

fontanel

baby's soft spot literally "little fountain"

genioplasty

plastic surgery of the chin or cheek

gnarled enamel

enamel rods twisting and curving within enamel tissue

gomphosis

holding and anchoring action of a tooth in its socket

Hawley appliance

orthodontic appliance to maintain space after correction

heterodont

teeth of various shapes

hyoid

small bone in neck area "Adam's apple"

incipient caries

beginning decay

incisor

cutting, anterior tooth

lacuna

small open space in cementum

lamellae

developmental imperfections of the enamel extending to the dentin

Maryland bridge

bridge cemented to adjacent teeth

masseter

muscle of mastication that closes the mouth

mentalis

chin muscle that moves chin tissue and raises the lower lip

parotid

largest salivary gland located near the ear

pontic

artificial tooth part of a bridge

prophy

professional tooth cleaning

ptosis

drooping or sagging of organ, "witch's chin"

resin

plastic type material used for dental appliances

resorption

removal of hard tooth surface and degeneration of root tissues retromolar

Sharpey's fibers

periodontal ligaments that attatch and hold the tooth

simple cavity

decay on only one surface

smile line

amount of tooth space viewed when patient is smiling

symphysis

center of mandible

denture

an artificial substitute for missing natural teeth

inventory

an itemized compilation of materials on hand

dosage

the amount of a medicine administered

stable

bone and soft tissue closing the space encompassedby the upper alveolar arch

crevice

a narrow opening due to a fissure or crack

intubation

insertion of a tube

mulling

final step of mixing dental amalgam

infusion

therapeutic introduction of a fluid into a vein

distention

a state of dilation

leverage

mechanical use of a lever

penetration

ability of radiation to extend down into and go through substances

malposed

in an abnormal position

current

a measure of the number of electrons per second that pass a given point on a conductor

germicide

substance capable of killing a wide variety of microorganisms

respirator

a device for giving artificial respiration

ligate

to bind or tie with a suture

inspirator

a form of inhaler or respirator

astringent

an agent that limits the secretions of glands

hemisection

complete sectioning through the crown of a tooth

ejector

a device used to remove debris and fluids; an aspirator

extrusion

movement of teeth beyond the natural coronal plane

stomatitis

inflammation of oral soft tissues

deviation

turning from a regular course

emulsion

a colloidal dispersion of one liquid in another

sensory

pertaining to sensation

vasomotor

causing expansion or contraction of blood vessel walls

flexion

bending of a joint; opposite of extension

cathode

a negative electrode from which electrons are emitted

anode

the electrically positive terminal of a roentgen ray tube