abandonment
lack of provider follow-through for the care of an established patient
ABC
A=open airway; B=respiration; C=external compression to heart
abducens
sixth cranial nerve, used for lateral eye sense and movement
abfraction
loss of tooth surface in the cervical area, caused by tooth grinding an compression forces
abrasion
an injury in which skin is scraped away; wearing away of a tooth surface from abnormal causes
abscess
collection of pus
absorption
transfer of drug substance from the administration site by body fluids
abutment
natural tooth or teeth prepared to hold a bridge retainer in position
accessory
auxiliary; eleventh cranial nerve assisting with spinal movements
acetaminophen
drug used as an aspirin replacement in children
acid etchant
material to prepare cavity margins for retention of the bonding and restorative materials
acidity
condition of being sour; makes litmus paper red
acquired pellicle
little skin; thin covering on teeth, plaque
acrylic
synthetic resin material used in fabrication of appliances
activator
substance that reacts with the initiator to start polymerization
acute
sharp or severe
acute radiation exposure
radiation resulting from a massive, short-term, ionizing dose, such as an accidental exposure or explosion of radiation material
addiction
compulsive, uncontrollable dependence on a drug
adenoid
lymphatic tissue found in the nasopharynx area
adjunctive orthodontics
procedures necessary to correct or restore function
adrenocorticosteroids
byproducts from the adrenal cortex; drugs to treat inflamed conditions, allergies, and emergencies
ala-tragus line
imaginary line from the ala (wing) of the nose to the ear meatus (center of the ear)
alginate
seaweed, agar-based elastic impression material
allograft
human bone graft from a person other than the patient
alloy
a mixture of metals
alternating pulse sound
alternate weak and strong pulsations
alveolar
pertaining to the alveolus
alveolectomy
surgical removal of alveolar bone crests
alveolitis
infection or inflammation of the alveolar bone; a dry socket
alveolus
bone growth on border of maxilla and mandible; makes up and forms the tooth sockets
alveoplastomy
surgical reshaping or contouring of alveolar bone
amalgam
soft alloy mass containing mercury, which hardens into restoration
amalgamation
blending or pulverizing of an alloy with mercury
amalgam carrier
hand instrument used to carry plastic (movable) amalgam to a restorative site
AMBU bag
bag placed over the nose and mouth of the victim to force air into the lungs
ameloblasts
enamel-forming cells; encourage cell growth for enamel tissue
amelogenesis imperfecta
incomplete or improper development of enamel tissue
amoxicillin
anti-infective antibiotic drug (examples: Amosil, Larotid)
ampicillin
anti-infective antibiotic type of drug (examples: Polucillin, Omnipen)
analgesia
without pain
analgesic
drug that relieves pain
anaphylactic
shock arising from reaction to a body allergen
anaphylaxis
allergic reaction to drug or food
aneroid
dial-type blood pressure device using air pressure readings
aneurysm
dilation of a blood vessel due to wall weakness, possible rupture
angina pectoris
pain or pressure around the heart
angle of the mandible
area from where the ramus ascends, on the lower border of the mandible where upward curve of mandible forms
ankyloglossia
shortness of the lingual frenum; "tongue-tied
ankylosis
stiff joint; tooth fixation, retention of a deciduous tooth
anode
positive pole in x-ray tube that serves as the target for the electron force
anodontia
absence of teeth; partial or total loss of teeth
anomlies
out of the normal range, development, or general rule
anopsia
blindness
anosmia
loss of sense of smell
antagonism
opposite or contrary action of a drug
antagonist
opposing tooth; tooth that occludes or counteracts
antecubital fossa
interior depression of the elbow; blood pressure site
anterior
before or in front of; front of mouth from canine to canine
antibody
protein material to destroy an antigen; part of the immune system
anticoagulants
drugs used to delay or prevent the clotting of blood
antiflux
material, usually graphite, applied to retard the forward advance of melted solder
antigen
foreign substance introduced into or produced by the body
antihyperlipids
drugs that decrease or prevent high blood lipid plasma
antipyretic
drug used to reduce a fever
aperture
opening or port in the lead collimator disk that regulates the size of the beam
apex
root end of tooth
apexification
treatment of a nonvital tooth to stimulate closure
apexogenesis
treatment of vital pulp to continue natural development
apthous ulcer
canker sore
apical
referring to the apex of the tooth
apicoectomy
surgical amputation of the apex of the root
aplasia
failure of an organ or body part to develop
apposition
addition of parts; fourth stage of tooth development
archwire
horseshoe-shaped orthodontic wire; when tied, it helps to shape the arch
armamentarium
layout of dental equipment and material
arrested caries
decay showing no progressive tendencies
arteriosclerosis
small artery closing; may be caused by plaque
arthrotomy
cutting into a joint
articular eminence
forms anterior boundary of the glenoid fossa and helps to maintain the mandible in position
articulate
coming together in a pattern of design
articulating paper
colored paper strip for testing level of occlusion
articulation
movement of teeth of the lower jaw in and up-and-down, tooth position relationship
articulator
mechanical device that simulates jaw joint actions
artificial acquired immunity
immunity to a disease obtained from inoculation or vaccination
asculate
to listen to movement
asepsis
condition of being germ-free
aseptic
without disease; a condition without pathogens
asphyxiation
not breathing, results from oxygen imbalance
aspirating tips
tip ends placed into suction tubes; used to remove mouth moisture
astringent
agent that has a binding effect or constricts
atherosclerosis
narrowed arteries caused by buildup of plaque
atrioventricular
valve situated between the atrium and venticle
attenuated
diluted or reduced virulence of a pathogenic microbe
attrition
chafing or abrasion of tooth; final stage of tooth development
auditory meatus
large opening in temporal bone for passage of the auditory nerve
auditory ossicles
small bones in the ear; not considered part of the face or skull
augmentation
buildup of gingival and bone tissue in collapsed area, resulting from tooth extraction
aura
awareness of oncoming physical or mental disorder
aural
pertaining to the ear; site for taking temperature
autoclave
apparatus for total sterilization by means of pressurized steam
autogenous
in transplantation, moving a tooth from one area to another in the same cavity
autograft
bone graft from another site in the same patient
auxiliary springs
stainless steel attachments used to apply force for directional pull
avulsion
pulling away from; tearing or knocking our of tooth or body part
axial surface
long-length surface of a tooth; axis
axillary
under the armpit; site for taking temperature