Dental Assisting Semester 2 Final – Focused Study Guide

Dental Assisting Semester 2 Final – Focused Study Guide

Chapter 5: Head and Neck Anatomy

Bones of the Neurocranium (Protect the Brain)

There are 8 cranial bones:

Bone

Function

Frontal

Forehead and upper eye sockets

Parietal (2)

Top/sides of skull

Temporal (2)

Side of skull near ears

Occipital

Back/base of skull

Sphenoid

“Keystone” bone of skull

Ethmoid

Between eyes; nasal cavity

Bones of the Viscerocranium (Facial Bones)

These form the face and jaws.

Bone

Function

Maxilla

Upper jaw

Mandible

Lower jaw

Zygomatic

Cheekbones

Nasal

Bridge of nose

Lacrimal

Tear duct area

Palatine

Hard palate

Vomer

Nasal septum

Inferior nasal conchae

Nasal cavity

Muscles of Mastication (Chewing)

Main muscles used for chewing:

Muscle

Action

Masseter

Elevates mandible (closes jaw)

Temporalis

Elevates and retracts mandible

Medial pterygoid

Elevates jaw

Lateral pterygoid

Opens/protrudes jaw

Muscles of Facial Expression

These move the face for expressions.

Muscle

Action

Orbicularis oris

Closes lips

Buccinator

Compresses cheek

Orbicularis oculi

Closes eyelids

Zygomaticus

Smiling

Mentalis

Pouts lower lip

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)

  • Joint connecting the mandible to the temporal bone

  • Allows:

    • Opening/closing

    • Side-to-side movement

    • Chewing

Ramus of Mandible

Vertical portion of mandible containing:

  • Condyle

  • Coronoid process

Vocabulary Terms

Term

Meaning

Intraoral

Inside the mouth

Extraoral

Outside the mouth

Labial

Toward lips

Buccal

Toward cheeks

Mastication

Chewing

Chapter 16: Oral Health and Prevention

Oral Hygiene Aids

Aid

Purpose

Toothbrush

Removes plaque

Dental floss

Cleans between teeth

Mouth rinse

Reduces bacteria

Interdental brushes

Clean large spaces

Tongue scraper

Removes tongue bacteria

Water flosser

Flushes debris/plaque

Who Uses What?

  • Braces → interdental brushes/water flossers

  • Gum disease → antimicrobial rinse

  • Tight contacts → floss

  • Limited dexterity → electric toothbrush

Fluoride

Forms of Fluoride

Form

Example

Topical

Toothpaste, varnish, rinses

Systemic

Water fluoridation, supplements

Ways Fluoride is Administered

  • Toothpaste

  • Mouth rinse

  • Fluoride varnish

  • Fluoridated water

  • Tablets/drops

Effects of Fluoride on Teeth

  • Strengthens enamel

  • Remineralizes teeth

  • Prevents cavities

  • Makes teeth more resistant to acid

Too Much Fluoride

  • Can cause fluorosis

    • White or brown enamel spots

Chapter 22: New Patient Exam

Common Dental Charting Symbols

Symbol

Meaning

X

Missing tooth

O

Existing restoration

DO/MO/MOD

Surface restorations

Red markings

Treatment needed

Blue markings

Existing work

Circle around tooth

Tooth to watch

Tooth Surfaces

Surface

Meaning

Mesial

Toward midline

Distal

Away from midline

Facial

Toward face

Buccal

Toward cheek

Lingual

Toward tongue

Occlusal

Chewing surface posterior teeth

Incisal

Biting edge anterior teeth

Normal Vital Signs

Vital Sign

Normal Range

Temperature

97.6–99.6°F

Pulse

60–100 bpm

Respiration

12–20 breaths/min

Blood Pressure

Around 120/80

Blood Pressure Categories

Category

Reading

Normal

<120/<80

Elevated

120–129/<80

High BP Stage 1

130–139 or 80–89

Chapter 28: Dental Radiology Infection Control, Exposure, Processing, and Evaluation

Important Terms

Term

Meaning

Radiograph

Dental X-ray image

Exposure

Taking the X-ray

Processing

Developing image

Mounting

Arranging radiographs correctly

Radiation

Energy used for imaging

Lead apron

Protects patient

PID

Position-indicating device

Permanent vs Primary Teeth

Permanent Teeth

Primary Teeth

32 teeth

20 teeth

Larger

Smaller

More yellow

Whiter

Adult teeth

Baby teeth

Anterior vs Posterior Teeth

Anterior

Posterior

Front teeth

Back teeth

Incisors/canines

Premolars/molars

Cut food

Grind food

Maxillary vs Mandibular

Maxillary

Mandibular

Upper arch

Lower arch

Fixed bone

Movable jaw

Surfaces of Teeth

Know these VERY well:

Surface

Location

Mesial

Toward center

Distal

Away from center

Buccal

Toward cheek

Labial

Toward lips

Lingual

Toward tongue

Occlusal

Chewing surface

Incisal

Cutting edge

Dental Arches and Quadrants

Dental Arches

  • Maxillary arch = upper teeth

  • Mandibular arch = lower teeth

Quadrants

Quadrant

Area

1

Upper right

2

Upper left

3

Lower left

4

Lower right

MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO MEMORIZE

MUST KNOW

  • Bones of skull

  • TMJ

  • Muscles of mastication

  • Tooth surfaces

  • Dental charting symbols

  • Fluoride uses/effects

  • Vital sign ranges

  • Permanent vs primary teeth

  • Maxillary vs mandibular

  • Dental quadrants

Quick Practice Questions

Multiple Choice

  1. Which muscle is mainly responsible for closing the jaw?
    A. Buccinator
    B. Masseter
    C. Mentalis
    D. Orbicularis oculi

Answer: B

  1. What does “lingual” mean?
    A. Toward cheek
    B. Toward lips
    C. Toward tongue
    D. Chewing surface

Answer: C

  1. The TMJ connects the:
    A. Maxilla and mandible
    B. Mandible and temporal bone
    C. Maxilla and zygomatic bone
    D. Nasal bone and mandible

Answer: B

  1. What is the normal adult pulse range?
    A. 20–40 bpm
    B. 40–60 bpm
    C. 60–100 bpm
    D. 120–140 bpm

Answer: C

  1. Which teeth are considered posterior?
    A. Incisors
    B. Canines
    C. Premolars and molars
    D. Central incisors

Answer: C

Super Fast Review Sheet

  • TMJ = jaw joint

  • Maxillary = upper

  • Mandibular = lower

  • Buccal = cheek

  • Lingual = tongue

  • Mesial = toward midline

  • Distal = away from midline

  • Mastication = chewing

  • Fluoride strengthens enamel

  • Primary teeth = 20

  • Permanent teeth = 32

  • Normal BP ≈ 120/80

  • Masseter = closes jaw

  • Quadrants = 4 sections of mouth