ADEX Dental Hygiene flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Junctional epithelium attachment

Junctional epithelium attaches to the tooth surface via hemidesmosomes and internal basal lamina, forming a seal at the base of the gingival sulcus.

Oblique periodontal fibers

Oblique principal fibers of the periodontal ligament run from cementum apically to alveolar bone and are the main group resisting axial occlusal forces.

Streptococcus mutans virulence

Streptococcus mutans is acidogenic and aciduric, produces glucosyltransferases, and forms an extracellular polysaccharide matrix that promotes cariogenic dental biofilm.

Porphyromonas gingivalis role

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram-negative anaerobic keystone periodontal pathogen that disrupts host immune response and promotes dysbiotic plaque biofilm.

Trigeminal mandibular division

The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, V3, provides sensory innervation to mandibular teeth and most oral soft tissues.

Clinical attachment loss formula

Clinical attachment loss equals probing depth plus gingival margin recession relative to the cementoenamel junction; subtract when the margin is coronal to the CEJ.

Periodontitis stage criteria

Periodontal stage I to IV is based on clinical attachment loss, radiographic bone loss, tooth loss from periodontitis, and complexity factors such as probing depth and furcation.

Periodontal grade criteria

Periodontal grade A, B, or C estimates progression rate using radiographic bone loss divided by age plus smoking and diabetes risk modifiers.

Bleeding on probing meaning

Bleeding on probing indicates gingival inflammation; its absence has high negative predictive value for periodontal stability, while persistent bleeding at deep sites suggests risk.

Furcation involvement classes

Furcation classes I to IV describe horizontal and vertical bone loss between roots, from incipient involvement to through-and-through exposure.

Critical pH enamel

Enamel demineralizes when dental plaque pH falls below approximately 5.5, the critical pH at which saliva is no longer saturated with calcium and phosphate.

Fluoride varnish concentration

Five percent sodium fluoride varnish contains about 22,600 ppm fluoride and is applied topically for caries prevention and remineralization.

Sealant retention requirement

Pit-and-fissure sealants require clean, dry, isolated enamel; etched enamel and moisture control determine retention and caries-preventive effectiveness.

Caries risk assessment

Caries management by risk assessment identifies protective and pathologic factors, including biofilm, diet, fluoride exposure, saliva flow, and past caries experience.

Xylitol effect

Xylitol reduces mutans streptococci and plaque cariogenicity; frequent exposure, often 5 to 10 grams daily divided into doses, is used as a preventive adjunct.

Comprehensive periodontal charting

Comprehensive periodontal charting records probing depths, clinical attachment levels, bleeding on probing, suppuration, mobility, furcation involvement, and mucogingival conditions.

Pulp vitality cold test

A cold test assesses pulpal sensory response; a brief sharp sensation that resolves suggests a normal pulp, while prolonged or absent response suggests pathology.

ASA physical status

ASA physical status classifies patient medical risk from I, healthy, to VI, brain-dead organ donor; higher classes require medical consultation and treatment modification.

Treatment plan sequencing

Dental treatment sequencing generally proceeds from emergency care to disease control, re-evaluation, definitive restoration, and maintenance, with medical risk addressed first.

Informed consent elements

Informed consent requires disclosure of diagnosis, proposed treatment, alternatives, risks, benefits, and consequences of no treatment, plus voluntary patient agreement.

IANB target area

The inferior alveolar nerve block targets the pterygomandibular space near the mandibular foramen, using the coronoid notch and pterygomandibular raphe as landmarks.

Gow-Gates injection target

The Gow-Gates technique deposits anesthetic near the condylar neck to block the mandibular nerve, providing broad mandibular anesthesia with fewer positive aspirations.

Lidocaine maximum dose

Two percent lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine has a maximum recommended dose of about 7 mg/kg, not exceeding 500 mg in a healthy adult.

Local anesthetic vasoconstrictor

Epinephrine in local anesthetic causes local vasoconstriction, slowing systemic absorption, prolonging anesthesia, and reducing bleeding and systemic toxicity.

ALARA radiation principle

ALARA means keeping radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable by using the fastest receptor, proper technique, collimation, and only justified radiographs.

Bitewing radiograph purpose

Bitewing radiographs show crowns of maxillary and mandibular teeth together with alveolar crests and are best for interproximal caries and bone loss.

Panoramic radiograph limitation

A panoramic radiograph provides a broad overview but has lower resolution and more distortion than intraoral images, so it cannot replace bitewings for caries.

Lead thyroid shielding

Lead apron and thyroid collar shielding reduce radiation dose to radiosensitive tissues, especially in children and pregnant patients, when properly positioned.

Standard precautions definition

Standard precautions apply to all patients regardless of diagnosis and include hand hygiene, gloves, masks, eye protection, gowns, and safe sharps handling.

Critical instrument sterilization

Critical instruments penetrate soft tissue or bone and must be sterilized after use, usually by steam autoclave, unsaturated chemical vapor, or dry heat.

Spaulding classification

The Spaulding classification groups devices as critical, semicritical, or noncritical according to intended contact with sterile tissue, mucous membranes, or intact skin.

Ethical veracity principle

Veracity is the ethical duty to tell the truth, supporting accurate diagnosis, honest treatment recommendations, and disclosure of errors to patients.