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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF DENTAL TERMS A Abfraction Wear, or notching, at the neck of a tooth at or below the gumline. Often sensitive, often accompanied by gum recession.Thought to be caused by excessive clenching or grinding.Requires bonding when too deep. Abscess A pocket or sack of pus and gas produced by an infection. Painful when pressure builds up. Abutment, Implant The part of an implant restoration that brings the height of an implant from below to above the gumline. Allows the restoration to be attached to the implant. Abutment Tooth An anchor tooth for a fixed bridge. ADA The American Dental Association. Administrative controls the use of administrative measures (i.e., policies and procedures and enforcement measures) to reduce the risk of exposure to pathogenic organisms. Aerosol particles of respirable size (<10 µm) generated by both humans and environmental sources that can remain viable and airborne for extended periods in the indoor environment; commonly generated in dentistry during use of handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, and air/water syringes. AHA Prophylaxis Antibiotic premedication prescribed by the American Heart Association to protect patients with heart murmurs, mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic fever history, and other conditions from infections within the heart.See SBE. Air Abrasion A resurgance of an old technique whereby cavities are prepared with a device similar to a sandblaster.Such a "particle beam" works best on new fillings; old fillings and restorations are very difficult and time consuming to remove with this technique. The main advantage is that for many people, small to medium sized new cavities may be prepared without "novocaine". The noise is also much less than from a conventional handpiece. Airborne transmission a means of spreading infection in which airborne droplet nuclei are inhaled by the susceptible host. Alginate Impression A quick setting impression material used to make study models and some dental appliances.Sets in about 90 seconds. Alcohol-based hand rub an alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands. In the United States, such preparations usually contain 60%--95% ethanol or isopropanol. These are waterless antiseptic agents not requiring the use of exogenous water. After applying such an agent, the hands are rubbed together until the agent has dried. Allergen: an antigen, a substance capable of inducing allergy or specific hypersensitivity. Allergic contact dermatitis : a type IV or delayed- hypersensitivity reaction resulting from contact with a chemical allergen (e.g., poison ivy, certain components of patient care gloves), generally localized to the contact area. Reactions occur slowly over 12-48 hours. Amalgam Filling The traditional silver filling. Actually a mixture of silver, mercury, copper, and tin. Long lasting, but expands and oxidizes over time. Can slow down the decay process. Not esthetic. ANUG Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, commonly called trenchmouth. Rare today because of higher hygiene standards, but still seen. Causes irreversible loss of gum tissue. Anaphylaxis (immediate anaphylactic hypersensitivity) : a severe and sometimes fatal Type 1 reaction in a susceptible person after a second exposure to a specific antigen (e.g., food, pollen, proteins in latex gloves, or penicillin) after previous sensitization. Anaphylaxis is characterized commonly by respiratory symptoms, itching, hives, and rarely by shock and death (anaphylactic shock). Antibody a protein found in the blood that is produced in response to foreign substances (e.g., bacteria or viruses) invading the body. Antibodies protect the body from disease by binding to these organisms and destroying them. Antigen a foreign substance, usually protein or carbohydrate substance (as a toxin or enzyme) capable of stimulating an immune response, usually the production of antibodies. Antimicrobial soap a soap (i.e., detergent) containing an antiseptic agent. Antiseptic a germicide that is used on skin or living tissue for the purpose of inhibiting or destroying microorganisms. Examples include alcohols, chlorhexidine, chlorine, hexachlorophene, iodine, chloroxylenol (PCMX), quaternary ammonium compounds, and triclosan. Antiseptic handwash washing hands with water and soap or detergents containing an antiseptic agent. Antiseptic hand rub. The process of applying an antiseptic hand-rub product to all surfaces of the hands to reduce the number of microorganisms present. Apexification A special type of root canal treatment used on young teeth to help them to continue to grow despite damage to the nerve tissue. Requires changing an internal medicament about every 90 days and can take six to eighteen months to finish.It is generally a painless treatment. Aphthous Ulcer see Canker Sore. Apicoectomy A surgical root canal treatment used to seal the tip of a root when conventional root canal treatment has failed or is contraindicated. Usually a very straightforward treatment with quick recovery. Asepsis prevention from contamination with microorganisms. Includes sterile conditions on tissues, on materials, and in rooms, as obtained by excluding, removing, or killing organisms. Autoimmune Types of disease in which the body reacts against itself. Some types of arthritis fall into this category, as well as Sjogren's Syndrome. |
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