DOH Dentist Exam key terms

The hard, highly mineralized outer layer covering the crown of a tooth, composed mostly of hydroxyapatite crystals and formed by ameloblasts before eruption; it cannot regenerate once destroyed.

The living, tubular hard tissue beneath enamel and cementum that forms the bulk of the tooth; it is produced by odontoblasts and can respond to injury by forming reparative dentin.

The fibrous connective tissue that anchors the tooth root to alveolar bone, absorbs occlusal forces, and contains proprioceptive nerve endings that guide jaw movement.

The portion of jawbone that surrounds and supports tooth roots; its height and density change in response to tooth presence, occlusal loading, and periodontal inflammation.

A multifactorial, biofilm-mediated disease in which acid produced by bacteria from dietary sugars demineralizes tooth hard tissue, producing progressive cavitation if unchecked.

A structured, adherent microbial biofilm on tooth and restoration surfaces; when it matures and is dominated by acidogenic bacteria, it drives caries and gingival inflammation.

Reversible inflammation of the gingival tissues caused mainly by plaque accumulation, marked by redness, swelling, and bleeding on probing without loss of attachment.

A chronic inflammatory disease of the tooth-supporting tissues in which bacterial challenge and host response cause progressive destruction of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone.

The distance in millimeters from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the periodontal pocket, representing cumulative destruction of periodontal support at a site.

The measured distance from the gingival margin to the base of the gingival sulcus or pocket, obtained with a calibrated periodontal probe; it does not by itself indicate attachment loss.

Inflammation of the dental pulp, usually from bacterial invasion or trauma; it may be reversible, with provoked pain that resolves, or irreversible, with spontaneous or lingering pain.

The procedure of removing infected or inflamed pulp tissue, shaping and disinfecting the canal system, and sealing it with an inert filling to retain the tooth.

The distance from a coronal reference point to the apical constriction or desired canal terminus, determined radiographically or with an apex locator to guide instrumentation and obturation.

The narrowest point of the root canal near the apical foramen, generally regarded as the ideal limit for cleaning and filling during endodontic treatment.

A metallic restorative material made by mixing silver-tin-copper alloy powder with mercury; it is strong and durable but requires retention form and is not esthetic.

A tooth-colored restorative material of resin matrix with filler particles, bonded micromechanically to etched enamel and dentin; its properties depend on proper isolation and light curing.

Application of an acid, typically phosphoric acid, to enamel or dentin to create microporosity that allows resin bonding through micromechanical interlocking.

The interdiffusion zone formed when resin adhesive penetrates demineralized dentin and polymerizes among collagen fibrils, creating the bond between resin and dentin.

The controlled removal of diseased and unsupported tooth tissue to create a form that retains the restoration, resists fracture, and preserves remaining tooth structure.

The feature of a cavity preparation or restored tooth that enables both tooth and restoration to withstand occlusal forces without fracture or displacement.

Placement of a protective material directly on or immediately adjacent to an exposed pulp to preserve vitality and promote formation of a dentin bridge.

The surgical removal of a tooth from its socket, indicated when a tooth is unrestorable, severely mobile, or causes infection, and performed with respect for adjacent anatomy.

Localized alveolar osteitis after extraction, caused by loss of the blood clot and marked by severe throbbing pain and exposed bone, usually beginning a few days postoperatively.

The most posterior molar, usually erupting in late adolescence; its impaction, angulation, and proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve shape surgical risk and indications for removal.

Altered or reduced sensation, such as numbness or tingling, resulting from nerve injury; in dentistry it may follow local anesthesia, extraction, or implant placement near sensory nerves.

Infection and inflammation of bone and marrow, in the jaws often arising from a dental source; it presents with pain, swelling, and radiographic bone change and requires antibiotics and often surgical drainage.

Reversible loss of sensation in a defined region produced by drugs that block nerve conduction, used to permit painless dental treatment while the patient remains conscious.

The upper limit of a drug dose per body weight or per appointment that should not be exceeded, calculated before injection to prevent local anesthetic toxicity.

A chronic immune-mediated mucosal condition with white striae, erythema, or erosions, often bilateral on the buccal mucosa; erosive forms need monitoring for malignant change.

A predominantly white patch of oral mucosa that cannot be scraped off and cannot be attributed to another disease; it is a clinical diagnosis requiring biopsy to exclude dysplasia.

Malignancy of the oral cavity, most often squamous cell carcinoma, linked to tobacco, alcohol, and betel use; early detection of persistent ulcers or indurated lesions improves survival.

A removable prosthesis replacing all teeth and associated structures in an edentulous arch, relying on tissue support, retention, and stability for function and comfort.

The vertical distance between the maxilla and mandible when the teeth or occlusion rims are in contact; it guides the arrangement of denture teeth and jaw relation records.

A maxillomandibular relationship in which the condyles sit in their most anterior-superior position against the articular eminences, independent of tooth contact.

The proportion of tooth crown height to supporting root length within bone; a less favorable ratio signals reduced periodontal support and a poorer prognosis for the tooth.

A concentrated topical fluoride preparation painted onto teeth to promote remineralization and reduce caries, especially in high-risk children and adults.

Adjusting the fluoride concentration of a public water supply to an optimal level that prevents caries across a population at low cost and without individual compliance.

A patient's voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving and understanding information about the diagnosis, proposed care, alternatives, and material risks.

The degree of skill and care that a reasonably competent practitioner in the same field would provide under similar circumstances; it is the benchmark in negligence claims.

The ethical and legal duty to protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure, subject to exceptions such as consent, legal requirement, or serious risk to others.