Category: L
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Line angle
The point of convergence of two planes in a cavity preparation.
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Lightness
The perception by which objects are distinguished as white or gray and light or dark; equivalent to shading in grays, in the Munsell color order system. Lightness (also called brightness) is one dimension of the three achromatic dimensions (the others being hue and saturation) describing the three‐dimensional nature of color.
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Ligature
Any substance, such as gut, nylon, silk, or wire, used to tie an object or strangulate a part. A wire or other material used to secure an orthodontic attachment. A thread or wire tied tightly around a blood vessel, the pedicle of a tumor, or other structure in order to constrict it. A thread used…
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Ligation, teeth
The binding together of teeth with ligatures for stabilization and immobilization.
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Ligate
To tie or bind, usually in the therapeutic sense, for the purpose of stopping bleeding or immobilizing a structure. To tie something with a ligature, e.g. to tie a blood vessel to stop bleeding or to tie the Fallopian tubes as a sterilisation procedure.
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Ligament
A band of fibrous tissue that connects bones and cartilages, serving to support and strengthen joints. A band of tissue, usually dense, white, and fibrous, that attaches bone to bone. Bands or sheetlike fibrous tissues that connect bone to bone and reinforce joints from dislocation; they are nonelastic and have limited range of motion. A…
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Life table analysis
Statistical method to describe the survival (e.g., dental implants) in a sample. The distribution of survival times is divided into intervals. For each interval, one can compute the number and proportion of cases that entered the respective interval “alive,” the number and proportion of cases that failed in the respective interval (i.e., number of cases…
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Lichen planus
An inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder characterized by discrete skin papules with a keratinized covering which often appears in the form of adherent scales. Oral lesions with characteristic radiating white striae are common. A chronic mucocutaneous disease that affects the skin, tongue, and oral mucosa. A skin disease where itchy purple spots appear on the arms and…
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L‐forms
A phase of bacteria that have lost the cell wall. Bacteria in this phase retain the ability to reproduce and divide and often have pleiomorphic cell morphologies. The role of L‐forms in nature is unclear, but may be associated with disease when found in humans.
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Levofloxacin
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic with a broad spectrum of action, which may be used orally or parenterally. It is used in implant dentistry for severe infections, especially in the maxillary sinus. An antibiotic used to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and minor skin infections. Levofloxacin (Levaquin) is an antibiotic that works by interfering with bacterial DNA,…