Category: D

A licensed dental auxiliary who is both an oral health educator and clinician and who uses preventive, educational, and nonsurgical therapeutic methods to control oral disease. A person trained to assist the dentist, and may work independently. Trained in dental procedures and may perform some of the procedures related to examination and prophylaxis. A specially…

A complete record of all relevant aspects of an individual’s oral and general health. A record of all aspects of a person’s oral health, previous evaluations and treatments, and the state of general physical and mental health.  

Vernacular for a dental prosthesis that achieves a portion of its retention from one or more dental implants.  

Atypical functioning of masticatory physiology; a disorder or functional impairment of the chewing or masticatory system.  

Combination of silica phosphate and gypsum bonding material used in dentistry to enclose wax or plastic patterns during the casting process in the laboratory fabrication of dental crowns and bridges. For lower casting temperatures, a gypsum bonding material is used, and for higher casting temperatures, phosphates or silica materials are used. A material combining principally…

A reproduction; a positive copy of segments or parts of the oral cavity.  

The relationship between the biologic behavior of oral structures and the physical influence of a dental restoration. Also called dental biophysics.  

The contact relationships of the occlusal surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular teeth when moved against each other (gliding occlusion). The contact relationship between upper and lower teeth when moving against each other or into or out of centric position.  

A developmental abnormality in tooth formation resulting from invagination of the epithelium associated with coronal development into the area that was destined to become the pulp space.  

Resection of or removal of the nerves to an organ or part. The stopping or cutting of the nerve supply to a part of the body. Interruption of the nerve supply to the muscles and skin. The muscle is paralyzed and its normal tone (elasticity) is lost. The muscle fibers shrink and are replaced by…