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Abrasion
Tooth wear caused by forces other than chewing such as holding objects between the teeth or improper brushing. (ADA)
Abutment
A tooth (or implant) that supports a dental prosthesis. (ADA)
Abscess - A hole in the tooth or gum tissue filled with pus as the result of infection. Its swelling exerts pressure on the surrounding tissues, causing pain (ADBQ)
Acute apical abscess → see Apical
Alveolectomy - Operation removing portions of the alveolar bone.(RCP)
Alveolar
- Alveolar Bone - Bone surrounding the root of the tooth.(RCP). The part of the jaw that surround the roots of the teeth. (ADA)
- Alveolar Crest - Highest part of the alveolar bone. (RCP)
- Alveolar Eminence - Root outline of the facet portion of the bone. (RCP)
- Alveolar Process - Part of the mandible or maxilla surrounding a tooth root. (RCP). The curving part of the jaw into which the teeth are rooted (ADA).
Alveolus - Bony socket where a tooth root sits. (RCP). The socket in the alveolar bone into which the tooth’s root fits. (ADA)
Amalgam - An alloy used in direct dental restorations. (ADA)
Analgesia
Loss of pain sensations without loss of consciousness. (ADA)
Anatomical crown - Part of the tooth covered with enamel. (RCP)
Anesthesia
General Anesthesia: A controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by a partial or complete loss of protective reflexes, including loss of ability to independently maintain airway and respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command, produced by a pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic method or combination thereof; (ADA)
Intravenous Sedation/Analgesia: A medically controlled state of depressed consciousness while maintaining the patient’s airway, protective reflexes and the ability to respond to stimulation or verbal commands. It includes intravenous administration of sedative and/or analgesic agent(s) and appropriate monitoring. (ADA)
Local Anesthesia: The loss of pain sensation over a specific area of the anatomy without loss of consciousness. (ADA)
Non-Intravenous Conscious Sedation: A medically controlled state of depressed consciousness while maintaining the patient’s airway, protective reflexes and the ability to respond to stimulation or verbal commands. It includes administration of sedative and/or analgesic agent(s) by a route other than IV; (PO, PR, Intranasal, IM) and appropriate (ADA)monitoring.
Regional Anesthesia: A term used for local anesthesia (ADA). → see Local Anesthesia.
Ankylosis
A condition where two hard tissues are fused together. When this happens to a tooth and the alveolar bone, the tooth partially erupts. (ADA)
Apical (Periapical)
- Acute apical abscess – An inflammatory reaction to pulpal infection and necrosis characterized by rapid onset, spontaneous pain, tenderness of the tooth to pressure, pus formation and swelling of associated tissues.(ABE)
- Apical dental foramen - The main apical opening of the root canal. A natural opening or passage, especially into or through a bone; also describes openings in the root structure that communicate with the dental pulp and generally contain neural, vascular and connective elements. (AAE)
- Asymptomatic apical periodontitis – Inflammation and destruction of apical periodontium that is of pulpal origin, appears as an apical radiolucent area and does not produce clinical symptoms.(ABE)
- Chronic apical abscess – An inflammatory reaction to pulpal infection and necrosis characterized by gradual onset, little or no discomfort and the intermittent discharge of pus through an associated sinus tract.(ABE)
- Normal apical tissues– Teeth with normal periradicular tissues that will not be abnormally sensitive to percussion or palpation testing. The lamina dura surrounding the root is intact and the periodontal ligament space is uniform.(ABE)
- Symptomatic apical periodontitis – Inflammation, usually of the apical periodontium, producing clinical symptoms including painful response to biting and percussion. It may or may not be associated with an apical radiolucent area.(ABE)
Apicoectomy - Also called root resectioning and / or root amputation. The root tip of a tooth is accessed in the bone and a small amount is shaved away. The diseased tissue is removed and a filling is placed to reseal the canal (ADBQ). Removal of the tip of a tooth root. (ADA)
Articulating paper - Carbon paper placed between the upper and lower teeth to mark contact (RCP)
Assignment of benefits: Authorization from the patient to the insurance carrier to forward payment directly to the endodontist for covered procedures. (AAE)
Asymptomatic apical periodontitis → see Apical
Axiom: a maxim widely accepted on its intrinsic merit (MW)
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