Hard Tissue Exam and Caries Classification - Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary-focused flashcards covering dentition types, lesions, caries classifications, occlusion, trauma, charting, and related dental hygiene concepts from the lecture notes.

Primary dentition

The deciduous or baby teeth set (20 teeth) that develop in early childhood and are shed as permanent teeth erupt.

Mixed (transitional) dentition

The period when both primary and permanent teeth are present, typically between ages 6 and 12.

Permanent dentition

The 32 adult teeth that erupt after the primary teeth; mineralization continues into adolescence.

Enamel hypoplasia

Developmental defect with reduced enamel thickness due to disrupted enamel matrix formation.

Hypomineralization

Developmental defect where enamel has reduced mineral content, making it more porous.

Hypomaturation

Developmental defect affecting the maturation stage of enamel crystals, resulting in softer enamel.

Attrition

Wear of tooth structure from tooth-to-tooth contact, often due to bruxism; produces wear facets.

Abrasion

Mechanical wear of tooth structure from external agents (e.g., aggressive brushing, objects).

Erosion

Chemical loss of tooth structure from acids not produced by bacteria (dietary or gastric).

Abfraction

Cervical notches at the gumline caused by occlusal stresses, leading to loss of tooth structure.

Noncarious Cervical Lesions (NCCLs)

Loss of tooth structure near the CEJ not caused by caries, including abrasion, erosion, and abfraction.

G.V. Black Class I

Caries on pits/fissures: occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth, facial/lingual surfaces, or lingual surfaces of maxillary incisors.

G.V. Black Class II

Caries on proximal surfaces of premolars and molars.

G.V. Black Class III

Caries on proximal surfaces of incisors and canines that do not involve the incisal edge.

G.V. Black Class IV

Caries on proximal surfaces of incisors or canines that involve the incisal edge.

G.V. Black Class V

Caries on the cervical third of facial or lingual surfaces.

G.V. Black Class VI

Caries on incisal edges of anterior teeth or cusp tips of posterior teeth.

ICDAS

International Caries Detection and Assessment System; a scale (0–6) for caries severity based on visual changes and surface breakdown.

ICDAS 0

Sound tooth surface with no evidence of caries.

ICDAS 1–2

Initial caries with visible color changes or opacity; no surface breakdown.

ICDAS 3–4

Moderate caries with enamel breakdown or underlying dentine shadow; possible surface roughness.

ICDAS 5–6

Extensive caries with a distinct cavity and dentine involvement.

ICCMS

International Caries Classification and Management System; integrates ICDAS/ICDAS codes for caries stages and management.

ADA Caries Classification System

American Dental Association scheme for caries categorized as initial, moderate, or extensive based on clinical/radiographic findings.

Pulp vitality testing

Tests to determine whether a tooth’s pulp is alive and responsive to stimuli.

Cold test

Pulp vitality test using a cold stimulus to elicit a response.

Heat test

Pulp vitality test using a heat stimulus to elicit a response.

Radiographic caries detection

Use of dental radiographs to identify proximal caries and other pathologies.

UTHSCSA Charting System

University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio charting system for recording dental findings.

EPIC charting system

A digital charting system used for documenting patient information and dental findings.

Dental charting components

Recording missing teeth, existing restorations, carious/noncarious lesions, and occlusion; aided by radiographs.

Study models

Physical dental casts used for treatment planning, record keeping, and occlusal analysis.

Interocclusal record

Bite registration that aligns upper and lower models for accurate occlusion in models.

Occlusion

How the teeth come together and function; includes ideal contacts and guidance of mastication.

Angle’s classification

System classifying occlusion into Class I (normal), Class II (distocclusion), and Class III (mesiocclusion) based on molar relationships.

Class I occlusion

Normal molar relationship; MB cusp of maxillary first molar with buccal groove of mandibular first molar.

Class II Distocclusion

Molar relationship where the mandible is posterior to the maxilla (retrognathic profile); Division 1: incisors protruded; Division 2: incisors retruded.

Class III malocclusion

Prognathic profile with mandible ahead of the maxilla; may have underbite or edge-to-edge bite.

Facial profiles

Types: retrognathic (retracted jaw), mesognathic (flat), prognathic (forward jaw).

Primate spaces

Natural gaps in primary dentition between certain teeth (e.g., between canine and lateral incisor) used to accommodate eruption of larger permanent teeth.

Open bite

Vertical gap between occluding teeth when the jaws are closed.

End-to-end bite (edge-to-edge bite)

Incisors or molars meet edge-to-edge rather than with a normal overbite/overjet.

Overjet

Horizontal distance between the maxillary and mandibular incisors.

Overbite

Vertical overlap of the maxillary incisors over the mandibular incisors.

Underjet

Reverse horizontal relationship where the mandible protrudes ahead of the maxilla.

Crossbite

Malocclusion where some teeth are buccal or lingual to their opposing teeth (posterior or anterior crossbite).

Midline deviation

Asymmetry of maxillary and/or mandibular dental midlines relative to each other or to the facial midline.

Functional occlusion

Normal, efficient contacts during chewing and function.

Parafunctional contacts

Non-physiologic contacts such as clenching or grinding that can accelerate wear.

Occlusal trauma

Trauma from occlusal forces that exceed the tooth’s reparative capacity; can be primary or secondary.

Primary occlusal trauma

Excessive forces on a tooth with normal bone support.

Secondary occlusal trauma

Normal or abnormal forces placed on a tooth with bone loss.

Traumatic dental injuries

Injuries such as concussion, subluxation, extrusion, lateral luxation, intrusion, and avulsion.

Primate spaces (primary dentition)

Natural spaces between primary teeth that facilitate eruption of permanent teeth.

Pits and fissures caries

Caries that occur in pits and fissures on occlusal or lingual surfaces, common at molars and premolars.

Smooth-surface caries

Caries on flat or smooth enamel surfaces, often on proximal surfaces or cervical areas.

Root caries

Caries that involve the root surface, common in older adults or where gums recede.

Pulp vitality status (reversible/irreversible)

Assessment of pulp health; reversible pulpitis may heal, irreversible requires intervention.

Study models in practice

Used to observe tooth position, occlusion, and planning for restorations or orthodontics.

Incipient caries

Early demineralization of enamel, often starting as white spot lesions.

Remineralization

Natural or aided repair of early demineralized enamel lesions.

Sealants vs. composites

Sealants protect pits/fissures; composites/restorations fill carious lesions or restore anatomy.

Necessity of radiographs in charting

Radiographs help verify missing teeth, restorations, lesions, and tooth relationships during charting.

Proximal caries detection methods

Visual examination, radiographs, and transillumination to detect interproximal decay.

Prototype terminology for caries staging

Initial (enamel demineralization), Moderate (enamel breakdown/dentine shadow), Extended (cavitation with dentin exposure).