Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Any disease‐producing microorganism. A virus, bacterium, parasitic protozoan, or other microorganism that causes infectious disease by invading the body of an organism known as the host. It should be noted that infection is not synonymous with disease because infection does not always lead to injury of the host. An agent that causes disease, such as…

Open, not obstructed: the specific unobstructed route in which a removable dental prosthesis (or the precementation stage of a fixed dental prosthesis) may be removed. Spreading, held at 90° from the subtending axis; sometimes used for ‘shiny’ but that is for leather, not for botany! Sticking out± at right-angles. A document that confers a special…

In reference to dental implants, the property of the oxidized layer on the surface of the metal that allows it to not break down under physiological conditions. A characteristic of persons suffering from depression. The inability of a person to act directly on his or her environment. In the realm of psychology, an enduring resistance…

Adaptation of one component to another in a manner that does not impart strain. In dental implant prosthodontics, the creation of passively fitting prostheses is desirable.  

Latent, not active, inert. Resistant to corrosion. Receiving rather than initiating an action. Not active, not initiated by the self (e.g., passive movement, movement of body parts by a therapist or other agent, not by the efforts of the person). Holding back one’s feelings and yielding to others.  

A process by which metals and alloys are made more resistant to corrosion through treatment to produce a thin and stable oxide layer on the external surfaces. The stabilization and protection of a surface from outside influences, e.g., the treatment of an atherosclerotic plaque to keep it from rupturing or of a metal to keep…

Surface treatment of an oxidized implant surface resulting in lower surface energy and increased corrosion resistance. This may be the result of intentional treatment of the surface by the manufacturer or simply exposure to air over time.  

A principle that promotes a successful regenerative procedure (originally used for guided bone regeneration, but has recently been expanded to include guided tissue regeneration as well).  

A drainage tract seen in attached and/or mucosal gingiva that is associated with an oral abscess of odontogenic origin. Commonly known as a gum boil. A pus-filled swelling under the membrane of a tooth socket, also known as a gumboil.  

Graft material obtained from donor sites, such as the iliac crest, with extensive marrow content. PMCB of an autogenous nature is the most osteogenic graft material; the number of multipotential stems cells is especially high.