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