DHA Dentist Exam key terms

Classification of pulp disease by whether the inflamed tissue can heal. Reversible pulpitis causes provoked pain that stops when the stimulus is removed; irreversible pulpitis causes spontaneous or lingering pain and requires pulp removal or extraction.

Pain on gentle tapping of a tooth, indicating inflammation in the periodontal ligament or apical tissues. It helps distinguish periapical pathosis from pulpal disease and is a key test in endodontic diagnosis.

Use of cold, heat, or electric pulp stimulation to determine whether pulp tissue is alive and responsive. A delayed or absent response suggests pulp necrosis, while an exaggerated response suggests inflammation.

The distance from a coronal reference point to the intended apical limit of root canal preparation, usually the apical constriction. Accurate determination prevents short fills and damage to periapical tissues.

The narrowest point of the root canal near the apical foramen, where the canal meets the periodontal tissues. It is the ideal target for cleaning, shaping, and obturation because it limits extrusion of materials.

An electronic device that measures electrical impedance between the root canal and oral mucosa to estimate the position of the apical constriction. It reduces reliance on radiographs for working length determination.

Complete removal of the pulp tissue from the root canal system, performed in primary or permanent teeth when the pulp is irreversibly inflamed or necrotic. It is typically followed by obturation of the canal space.

Inflammation of the tissues around the root apex, usually caused by microbial infection of the root canal system. It presents as apical radiolucency, tenderness to percussion, and sometimes swelling or sinus tract formation.

A channel that drains pus from an infected site to an epithelial surface, such as a cutaneous or intraoral opening. In dental infection it often indicates a chronic periapical or periodontal abscess.

An abnormal opening between the oral cavity and the maxillary sinus, often created during extraction or endodontic treatment of upper posterior teeth. It may cause nasal regurgitation and sinus infection if not managed.

Painful delayed healing after extraction caused by loss of the blood clot and exposure of bone. It is managed by gentle irrigation, placement of medicated dressing, and analgesia rather than by antibiotics alone.

Techniques used to stop bleeding after dental procedures, including pressure packs, sutures, oxidized cellulose, and topical tranexamic acid. They are especially important for patients on anticoagulants or with bleeding disorders.

Measurement of the international normalized ratio to assess the effect of warfarin and the risk of bleeding before surgery. Dental procedures often proceed if the value is within a safe therapeutic range, with local hemostatic precautions.

Administration of antibiotics before a procedure to prevent infection in susceptible patients. In dentistry it is reserved for specific cardiac and immunocompromised conditions, not for routine extractions or most prosthetic work.

A coordinated effort to use antibiotics only when indicated, at the correct dose and duration, to limit resistance and adverse effects. In dentistry it discourages prescribing for pain alone or for routine prophylaxis without a clear indication.

A spectrum of adverse effects from excessive local anesthetic in the bloodstream, ranging from perioral numbness and tinnitus to seizures and cardiac arrest. Management includes airway support, benzodiazepines for seizures, and lipid emulsion for severe cardiac toxicity.

The upper limit of local anesthetic that may be given, calculated from the patient's body weight and the drug's milligram-per-kilogram ceiling. It guides the number of cartridges that can be safely administered in one appointment.

Brief negative pressure applied before injecting local anesthetic to detect entry into a blood vessel. A positive aspiration prompts repositioning of the needle to avoid intravascular injection and toxicity.

A transient loss of consciousness from reduced cerebral blood flow, often triggered by stress or pain. Dental management includes placing the patient supine, raising the legs, and allowing recovery while monitoring vital signs.

Acute insufficiency of cortisol and aldosterone in patients with adrenal disease or long-term steroid use, often triggered by infection, surgery, or stress. It presents with weakness, hypotension, and vomiting and requires urgent glucocorticoid replacement and fluids.

A structured sequence for recognizing and managing an acute event in the dental chair, covering airway, breathing, circulation, and drug administration. Regular team rehearsal and an emergency kit improve outcomes.

A group of conditions affecting the jaw joint and muscles of mastication, causing pain, clicking, limited opening, or deviation. Diagnosis relies on history and examination rather than imaging alone, and initial treatment is conservative.

A lesion or condition of the oral mucosa with an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, such as leukoplakia, erythroplakia, or oral submucous fibrosis. Biopsy and follow-up are often required.

Removal of a representative sample of a lesion for histopathological examination, used when the lesion is large or malignancy is suspected. It differs from excisional biopsy, which removes the entire lesion.

Systematic evaluation of factors that predict future tooth decay, including diet, fluoride exposure, saliva, plaque, and past caries history. It guides preventive and restorative decisions and recall intervals.

A philosophy that preserves tooth structure by preventing disease, remineralizing early lesions, and removing only irreversibly damaged tissue. It emphasizes patient education and long-term maintenance over aggressive drilling.

A concentrated topical fluoride preparation applied to tooth surfaces to promote remineralization and reduce demineralization. It is used for high-risk patients and is applied in small quantities several times per year.

The fit between a restoration or crown and the prepared tooth surface at the margin. Poor adaptation allows plaque accumulation, microleakage, and recurrent decay, so it is checked clinically and radiographically.

The distance between the maxilla and mandible when the teeth are in maximum intercuspation. It is a key reference in complete denture construction and in restoring worn dentitions.

A removable appliance worn over the teeth to protect them from grinding forces or to reduce load on the temporomandibular joints. It may be a stabilization splint or a soft night guard.

The distance from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the periodontal pocket, reflecting the true loss of periodontal support. It is a key measure in periodontal diagnosis and monitoring.

The distance from the gingival margin to the bottom of the sulcus or pocket, measured with a calibrated probe. It indicates pocket depth but must be interpreted with attachment level and bleeding on probing.

Mechanical removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces and root cementum to treat periodontal inflammation. It is the cornerstone of non-surgical periodontal therapy and is followed by reassessment.

The set of policies and practices that reduce transmission of pathogens in dental settings, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, sterilization, and safe waste handling. Compliance is a legal and professional obligation.

Use of physical, chemical, and biological indicators to confirm that an autoclave or other sterilizer has achieved the required conditions. Biological spore tests are the most reliable check of sterilization efficacy.

Accidental puncture or cut from a needle, blade, or other contaminated instrument. Immediate first aid, reporting, and post-exposure prophylaxis assessment are required to reduce bloodborne infection risk.

A patient's voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving understandable information about the diagnosis, options, risks, benefits, and consequences of refusal. It must be documented and may be withdrawn at any time.

The professional duty to protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure, sharing it only with consent or where required by law. Breach can lead to regulatory action and loss of patient trust.

A regulator's determination of whether a clinician has the health, character, and competence to practise safely. Impairment from illness, substance misuse, or serious misconduct can trigger restrictions or removal from the register.