Dental Assistant Vocabulary Flashcards

air-water syringe

also called a three way syringe. It provides air, water or a combination for various dental procedures.

alginate

irreversible hydro-colloid impression material. It cannot be returned from a gel to its original state.

alveolar process

portion of the two maxillary bones and the mandible that contain the alveoli for the teeth.

amalgam

restorative material used most frequently in the repair of posterior teeth

anesthesia

"absence of feeling" Used to describe the condition that exists when the sensation of feeling pain has been decreased or eliminated

anesthetic carpules

glass cylinders that contain premeasured amounts of anesthetic solutions

apical

direction toward the root tip(s) or apex(es) of a tooth. It may also refer to something relation to the roots.Can be synonymous with cervical and gingival

aspirating syringe

commonly used to inject local anesthetic

axial

a plane parallel to the surface of a tooth

base

protective material that is places over the pulpal area of the tooth to reduce irritation and thermal shock. Used under large restoration

bicuspids

premolars. Have two cusps and the upper sometimes have two roots, but the bottoms have a single root. Are not present in primary dentition. 5,12, 21,28

bite wings

these show only the crowns of the maxillary and mandibular teeth. Primarily used to detect interproximal decay and recurring decay under restorations

buccal

side of tooth adjacent to inside of the cheek.Technically referring only to posterior teeth.1,2,3,4,5 12,13,14,15,16 17,18,19,20,21 28,29,30,31,32

burs

instruments that are inserted in to the contra angle. used to cut, shape, finish and polish teeth.

carious lesions

chalky white spot on the surface of the tooth, indicating an area of demineralization on enamel

cavity

hollow space in the tooth created by the destruction of the enamel, dentin and or cementum.

cement

material used to permanently seal inlays, orthodontic appliance, crowns and bridges in place.

cervical

refers to the narrowing of the contours of the tooth surface at or near where the crown meets the root.Nearly synonymous with apical and gingival

composite

restorative material used primarily in the repair of anterior teeth but can be use to restore posterior teeth

contra angles

used for cutting and polishing during various dental procedures

coronal

direction towards the crown of a tooth. It may also refer to something relation to the crown

crown

portion of the tooth above the gum line covered by enamel

cuspidor

bowl or cup used by patient to expectorate particles and water

cuspids

canines. Sharp points to tear food. (longest root)

custom trays

impression trays made to fit a particular patient's mouth

dentin

underlies enamel and cementum in the entire tooth. Major portion of the tooth

dentitions

sets of teeth (primary or deciduous and permanent or succedaneous)

distal

direction towards the gingiva beyond the tooth furthest from the anterior midline

enamel

covers crown and extends a small distance below gum line. Cannot regenerate

facial

side of tooth adjacent to inside of the face.Encompasses both labial and buccal.

gingiva

the specialized mucus membrane that surrounds the teeth, covers the bone of the dental arches, and lines the cheeks

gingival

direction towards the gingiva. Synonymous with cervical and similar to apical

high speed hand piece

this is used to do most of the cutting and preparation of the tooth during dental procedures

incisal

direction towards the biting edge of anterior teethsister term to occlusal on posterior teeth

incisors

biting teeth in the very front of the mouth that function to cut food into smaller pieces

inferior

direction towards the feet of a human body

labial

side of tooth adjacent to the lip. Technically referring only to anterior teeth

liner

material used to cover, line, or seal exposed tooth tissue, such as dentin. It is usually in the form of a varnish

lingual

side of tooth adjacent to the tongue. Technically specific to the mandibular arch

Can be used many ways*Edge of tooth structure prepared to meet the edge of a crown is called a margin AS IS the edge of that crown.*The gingiva and bone that abut the teeth are referred to as marginal.*The bulk of tooth structure on the occlusal surface of posterior teeth is referred to as the marginal ridge

mandibular

lower arch

maxillary

upper arch

mesial

direction toward the anterior midline in a dental arch

midline

imaginary vertical line dividing the right and left sides of the mouth and teeth

model

a positive reproduction of the arches or teeth that is created from the negative impression

molars

large posterior teeth that function to grind food. Largest and strongest teeth

neck

cervical area, gingiva attaches to the enamel at the neck

odontology

the study of the anatomy, growth, and diseased of the teeth

occlusal

the direction toward the biting surface of posterior teeth.Sister term to incisal on anterior teeth

occlusal films

these films, size 4, are approximately twice the size of a size 2 film and are used to view the occlusal planes of the maxilla and mandible

oral

side of a tooth adjacent to the oral cavity. Umbrella term for palatal and lingual

oral evacuation system

uses water to provide the dental units with suction action. It aids in removing particles, debris, and liquids from the oral cavity

palatal

side of the tooth adjacent to the palate. Strictly used in the maxilla

panoramic

special type of film that shows the entire dental arch on one film

periodontal ligament

surrounds the teeth and supports/attaches teeth to the bony surface of the alveoli

periodontium

all of the supporting structures both hard and soft. (periodontal ligament, cementum, gingiva and alveolar bone)

permanent

16 teeth of the maxillary and 16 teeth of the mandibular arch. 2 central incisors, 2 lateral incisors, 2 cuspids, 2 first bicuspids, 2 second bicuspids, 2 first molars, 2 second molars, and 2 third molars.

plaque

thin tenacious film like deposit that adheres to the tooth and can lead to decay; it contains microorganisms and protein substance

plaster

used mainly where strength is not a critical factor, such as for study models and preliminary models

point angles

form where three crown surfaces meet

posterior

direction towards the back of head (premolars and molars)

primary

consists of 20 teeth that are normally lost during childhood and are replaced by the permanent teeth. ( incisors, 4 canines, 8 molars)

prophylaxis angle

attachment that holds polishing cups, disks, and brushes that are used to clean the teeth or to polish restorations

proximal

surfaces of teeth that normally lie adjacent to other teeth. Umbrella term for both mesial and distal

pulp

structure inside central cavity of tooth that contains connective tissue, blood vessels and nerve fibers.

pulp cavity

contains blood vessels and nerves of tooth. Provides nourishment to tooth. Painful if entered

pulp chamber

pulp cavity in crown

quadrant

four quarters of dentition.maxillary rightmaxillary leftmandibular rightmandibular left

radiographs

negatives taken of the teeth. x-ray beams are passed through the teeth and tissues. A series of shadows are then produced on film.

radiolucent

these areas appear dark and means the x ray penetrates through the structure

radiopaque

these areas appear light or white meaning the structure stopped the x rays

restoration

process of replacing a diseased portion of a tooth or a lost tooth by artificial means

rheostats

foot controls used to operate the hand pieces

root

Portion of tooth below the crown. Covered by cementum.

root canal

pulp cavity in root

rubber base

poly-sulfide - elastomeric impression material that is elastic and rubbery in nature

silicone

final impression material that is odor free and easy to work with

stone

produces a stronger, more regular and uniform model

superior

the direction towards the head of a human's body

temporary

used as a restorative material for a short time and only until permanent restorations can be done

vestibular

the side of a tooth adjacent to the cheeks and lips. Umbrella term for both buccal and labial

Dental Assistant Vocabulary Flashcards ionicons-v5-c

Dental Assistant Vocabulary Flashcards