Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Interface between a transmucosal component (abutment) and the coronal surface of an implant. The implant’s coronal surface may have an external hexagon, which is engaged when the transmucosal component is seated.  

A removable dental prosthesis that is supported and retained by natural teeth only at one end of the denture base segment and in which a portion of the functional load is carried by the residual ridge.  

The movement by which the two elements of any jointed part are drawn away from each other, the process of increasing the angle between two skeletal levers having end‐to‐end articulation with each other. The opposite of flexion. In maxillofacial prosthetics, that portion of a prosthesis added to fill a defect or provide a function not…

A surgical component used as an intermediary piece between the handpiece or wrench and another component (e.g., drill, implant mount) to increase the effective reach of the latter. Something that increases duration or effect. The time required for absorption of some medicines given intramuscularly may be increased by injecting them with a substance such as…

Dental implant: the dehiscence of soft tissue exposing the dental implant cover screw, neck, body, or threads. Colloquial term for stage two surgery. Barrier membrane: the dehiscence of soft tissue exposing an occlusive membrane during the healing period. In radiology, a measure of the roentgen rays or gamma radiation at a certain place based on…

Study in which measurements are made of one independent variable while everything else around that one variable remains constant. A research method that manipulates an independent variable and measures changes in a dependent variable according to a procedure designed to eliminate alternative explanations.  

Test group. A group of subjects who receive the treatment being studied. The group in an experiment whose behavior or condition is affected by the variable being tested. The group that receives the manipulation in an experimental study.  

Barrier membrane made of a polymer of tetrafluoroethylene. e‐PTFE is a matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nodes and fibrils in a microstructure that can be varied in porosity to address the clinical and biologic requirements of its intended applications.  

A polymer of tetrafluoroethylene, stretched to allow fluid passage but not cells, used as a nonresorbable membrane in guided bone regeneration (GBR) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR). It is used with or without titanium reinforcement to maintain its shape. It is also used as a nonabsorbable suture material.  

A toxic substance or matter formed by a bacterial species that is released to the surrounding tissues. A toxin excreted by a microorganism into the surrounding medium. Proteins (toxins) produced by certain bacteria that are released by the bacteria into their surroundings (growth medium). Produced by primarily Gram-positive bacteria. Diphtheria toxin was the first one…