Category: A
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Absorbed radiation dose (total ionizing dose, TID)
The quantity of ionizing radiation (measured in joules [unit of energy] per kilogram or gray [GY] units) that a patient absorbs during diagnostic or therapeutic radiation. The absorbed dose is dependent upon 1, the incident radiation and 2, the absorbing material (i.e., an X‐ray beam may deposit four times the radiation dose in bone as…
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Apical a
Inflammatory condition characterized by formation of purulent exudate involving the dental pulp or pulpal remnants and the tissues surrounding the apex of a tooth.
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Abscess (Acute a)
An abscess of relative short duration, typically producing pain and local inflammation.
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Abscess
An immunologically contained and controlled lesion that is an accumulation of pus (neutrophils) in a pocket found in tissue. Caused by inflammation induced by either (1) a localized infection caused by bacteria or parasites or (2) foreign materials lodged in the tissue. It is a defensive mechanism to prevent the dissemination of the infection to…
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Abrasion
The wearing away of tooth structure or restorative material through an abnormal mechanical process. Tooth wear caused by brushing. The scraping off of the superficial layers of the skin. A scraping or rubbing away of tissue by injury or mechanical means. Condition in which the surface of the skin has been rubbed off by a…
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Abfraction
The hypothetical process leading to the loss of cervical tooth structure due to a combination of abrasion, erosion, and/or occlusal forces; data supporting this term as a discrete clinical entity is equivocal. Deterioration of the tooth in the region of the cementoenamel junction, thought to result from flexion of the tooth under heavy lateral load.…
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Aberrant
Varying or deviating from the usual or normal course, form, or location. Off the usual or normal course. Different from the normal. Deviating from the typical or normal state (e.g., having an abnormal chromosome number); wandering (e.g., in relation to a person’s speech). Usually applied to a blood vessel or nerve that does not follow…