prosthesis
a replacement for a missing body part
fixed appliance
placed in the mouth and is not intended for removal; for example, a cemented crown
removable appliance
placed in and out of the mouth at the patient's will
Implantology
the science of dental implants; involves the use of both fixed and removable appliances in some instances
noble metals
the valuable alloys: gold (Au), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), and silver (Ag)
base metals
chromium-cobalt or chromium nickel, which may be used alone or in a mixture with noble alloys. These alloys are further classified for insurance purposes as high noble, noble, and base according to their formulas.
high noble alloy
contains more than 60% of gold, palladium, and/or platinum (with at least 40% gold)
noble alloy
contains more than 25% gold, palladium, and/or platinum
base metal alloy
contains less than 25% of gold, palladium, and/or platinum
porcelain
shells, veneer covers, or facings fused to the surface of a metal crown to give the appearance of a natural tooth surface; hard, translucent, ceramic ware
composite
resin material used for tooth-colored replacement
acrylic
synthetic resin material used in fabrication of appliance parts, as coverings for the metal frameworks, or as a natural tissue replacement
ceramic
a hard, brittle material produced from nonmetallic substances fired at high temperatures; supplied in block shape for milling into crown and tooth forms
titanium
corrosion-resistant, lightweight, strong bio-compatible metal used in dental implants and posts
zirconia
corrosion resistant, biocompatible material, similar to titanium; used for implants
hardness
ability of a material to withstand penetration
tensile strength
capability of a material to be stretched
elasticity
ability of a material to be stretched and then resume its original shape
ductility
ability of a material to be drawn or hammered out, as into fine wire, without breaking
malleability
abilitiy of a material to be pressed or hammered out into various forms and shapes
elongation
ability of a material to stretch before permanent deformation begins
bridge
a prosthesis used to replace one or more teeth.
saddle
the part of the removable prosthesis that strides or straddles the gingival crest; used to balance the prosthesis and serves as a base for the placement of artificial teeth
rests
small extensions of the removable prosthesis made to fit or sit atop the adjoining teeth; provide balance and stability for the partial denture appliance; they are named for the area that is in contact with the tooth surface.
clasp
extension of partial framework that grasps the adjoining teeth to provide support and retention of the prosthesis
retainer
in fixed prosthesis, the part of the appliance that joins with the abutting, natural tooth, to support the appliance, like the pillar holding the span of the bridge over the water . Some are thin bars extending from quadrant to quadrant, called lingual ba
connector
used to connect quadrants of a partial denture or connect and support an overdenture
stress breaker
a connector applied in stress-bearing areas to provide a safe area for stress relief and possible breakage
artificial teeth
anatomical substitutes for natural teeth; made of porcelain or acrylic material in various shades and shapes, called molds
denture base
acrylic part of the denture prosthesis that substitutes for the gingival tissue
flange
projecting rim or lower edge of prosthesis
post dam
posterior edge of the maxillary denture; helps to maintain the denture and suction
fixed bridge
cemented into the oral cavity and not removed by the patient; the number of teeth involved in the appliance determines the amount or number of units; a type of bridge
cantilever bridge
bridge with an unsupported end, usually saddled
Maryland bridge
replaces anterior or posterior tooth and is cemented directly to the adjacent or abutting teeth; also may be called a California bridge or resin-bonded bridge
pontic
artificial tooth part of the bridge that replaces the missing tooth and restores function to the bite
abutment
natural tooth that is prepared to hold or support the remaining part of the bridgework in position
adjacent
may be included in units if they are involved in the bridge area
complete denture
full denture designed to replace the entire dentin of an upper or lower arch
partial denture
removable appliance, usually composed of framework, artificial teeth, and acrylic material; replaces one or more teeth in an arch
immediate denture
denture prosthesis that is placed into the mouth at the time the natural teeth are surgically removed
overdenture
prosthetic denture that is prepared to fit and be secured on implant posts or on prepared retained roots
framework
metal skeleton or spine onto which a removable prosthesis is constructed
elastometric
having properties similar to rubber
hydrocolloid
an agar-like material that can change from one form to another
reversible hydrocolloid
impression material that can change from solid or gel state, to a liquid for and back again, depending on temperature changes. This material is used in a water cooled tray.
thermoplastic
quality of a material that changes from a rigid to plastic or movable form as a result of application of heat
irreversible hydrocolloid
quality that, once chemically set or in gel form, this material cannot be reversed or used again.
imbibition
fluid absorption
silicone, polyether, polysulfide, polyvinylsiloxane
What are the 4 basic types of rubber bases?
compound
nonelastic impression material that may be used in edentulous impression.
edentulous
without teeth
alveoplasty
surgical reshaping or contouring of alveolar bone
alveolectomy
surgical removal of alveolar bone crests; may be required to provide smooth alveolar ridge for denture seating
extraction
surgical removal of teeth may be necessary. If completed before the insertion of an immediate denture, a cleat template may be used as a guide to prepare the alveolar surface
coping
metal cover placed over the remaining natural tooth surfaces to provide attachments for overdentures
reduction
removal of tooth decay and surfaces to receive the appliance. Various margin edges are prepared on the natural tooth to accommodate the thickness and material of the covering artificial crown
chamfer
preparation for crown placement or full veneer covering
shoulder
preparation to provide junction of the crown and tooth; usually for metal on ceramic crown or porcelain jacket crown
bevel
tooth preparation for seating and holding of a crown
core buildup
use of synthetic material to enlarge tooth core area to provide support for an artificial crown and to protect the pupal tissues. Small brass pins may be inserted into the material to aid retention and strength
post placement
addition of metal retention post to teeth that have had pulp removal and root canal enlargement, to aid in stability and strength
undercut
removal of tooth structure near the gingival edge to provide a seat or placement for the extending edge of the appliance; same as tooth reduction
retraction cord
chemically treated cord placed in the gingival sulcus to obtain chemical or physical shrinking of the attached gingiva
impregnated
another word for saturated
bite registration
impression of the teeth while in occlusion
open-bite
patient bites into the impression material
closed bite
the material is injected and expressed around the desired teeth while they are in occlusion
work order
written directions from the dentist to the laboratory completing the case; the impressions, bite registration, and orders are sent together
opposing arch
impressions of the occlusal surfaces of both arches are taken in the same procedure
temporary or provisional coverage
temporary protection for the prepared tooth while laboratory work is being completed. Coverage may be in form of an aluminum cap, acrylic custom cover, or preformed resin crown form cemented onto the prepared teeth for protection until the final try-in an
seating
placement and fitting of appliance for try-in and final cementation. Patient bites on a stick or device, applying pressure for the application of the crown or prosthetic item
condylar inclination
observation of bite relationship and TMJ involvement.
centric
occurring when the condyle rest in the temporal bone during biting, resting, and mouth movements
protrusion
measurement with the mandible thrust forward, with the lower jaw out.
retrusion
measurement with the mandible drawn backward
lateral excursion
measurement with side-to-side movement of the mandible
appearance indicators
notations of the smile line and the length of the cuspid point
implant
surgical insertion of implant posts or prepared frame to provide stabilization for overdentures or appliance retention
root form implant-endosseous
screw-type device that is cemented or threaded into the mandible or maxilla bone; used for a single tooth or post implant
plate form implant
used for narrow jawbone; flat-plate style
subperiosteal
implant plate or frame is placed under the periodontium and stabilized on the mandibular bone. It is used when bone height or width is insufficient; rests on top of the bone
transosteal
large plate is stabilized on the lower border of the mandibular bone with posts extending through the gingiva; used to anchor prostheses in difficult situations
osseointegration
bonding with bone tissue in order to obtain stability
maxillary obturator
palatal cover device worn in the mouth to cover genetic openings into the nasal area, such as a cleft plate
TMJ adjustors
calibrated position splints for wear adjustment to maintain proper vertical dimension of occlusion
sleep apnea and anti-snore forms
custom made dental-positioning device for tongue and mouth position during sleep period to avoid tongue drop and oxygen cutoff
positioners
individual patient devices to maintain mouth or tooth position or to complete orthodontic positioning
sport mouth guards
custom-made semi-hard forms to be inserted om times of contact sports; may be space-adjusted for orthodontic brace wear
repair and adjustment of devices
broken dentures or those with teeth missing, lost treatment trays, adjusted movement devices, and various prosthodontic appliances may be repaired or reconstructed by the skilled prosthodontist or prosthodontic technician