Category: T

  • Tapping

    The process of creating a threaded channel in bone with a bone tap, for the placement of a fixation screw or prior to the insertion of a dental implant in an osteotomy. Also known as pretapping. The popular name for the withdrawal of oedema fluid from the cavities or the subcutaneous tissues of the body.…

  • Tapered impression coping

    Impression coping designed to narrow toward the occlusal surface; varies in length.  

  • Tapered implant

    An endosseous, rootform dental implant, with a wider diameter coronally than apically. The sides of the implant converge apically. It may be threaded or nonthreaded.  

  • Taper

    In dentistry, the amount of convergence of opposing external surfaces of a tooth or tooth preparation. The extension of lines representing the external walls form the angle of convergence of a tooth or teeth for a prosthesis. Haircutting effect in which there is an even blend from very short at the hairline to longer lengths…

  • Tap (syn)

    Threader, Thread former. Bone tap: device used to create a threaded channel in bone for a fixation screw or prior to the insertion of a dental implant into an osteotomy. Metal tap: an instrument made out of a hard metal, used for rethreading damaged internal threads of a dental implant. A surgical procedure to drain…

  • Tantalum (Ta)

    Malleable metal used in the past to fabricate plates, wires, and disks for implantation; atomic number 73 and atomic weight 180.948. A rare metal, used to repair damaged bones. A rare heavy metal used in surgery as it is easily molded and does not corrode. For example, tantalum sutures and plates are used for repair…

  • Tannerella forsythia

    A gram‐negative, nonmotile, rod‐shaped anaerobic bacteria from the phylum Bacteroidetes. Commonly found in subgingival dental plaque, it is an etiologic agent in the development of chronic periodontal disease.  

  • TAD (abbrev)

    Temporary anchorage device.  

  • Tack (syn)

    Fixation tack. Metal or bioabsorbable pin with a flat head used to secure the position of a barrier membrane in guided bone regeneration.  

  • Table, occlusal

    The occlusal surface of posterior teeth (premolars and molars).