Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Dental element

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

  • Dental dysfunction

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

  • Dental casting investment

    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…

  • Dental cast

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

  • Dental biomechanics

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

  • Dental articulation

    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.  

  • Dens in dente

    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.  

  • Denervation

    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…

  • Demineralized freeze‐dried bone allograft (DFDBA)

    By demineralization, the mineral phase of freeze‐dried bone allografts is partly or completely removed so that the collagen and noncollagenous matrix are exposed, thereby making growth factors available.  

  • Demineralized bone matrix (DBM)

    Bone matrix, usually allogeneic in origin, that may induce bone formation via release of growth factors and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) from the matrix, occasionally after osteoclastic breakdown. Osteoinductive potential may vary, dependent on method of preparation and degree of demineralization.  

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