Afghanistan Dental Exit Exam key terms

The hard, highly mineralized outer layer covering the crown of a tooth. It is acellular and cannot regenerate, so damage from caries or trauma is permanent.

The living, tubular hard tissue forming most of the tooth beneath enamel and cementum. It contains odontoblast processes and can respond to injury by forming reparative dentin.

The soft connective tissue inside the tooth chamber and root canals, containing nerves, blood vessels, and odontoblasts. It provides nutrition, sensation, and defense for the tooth.

The fibrous tissue that attaches the tooth root to the alveolar bone. It absorbs chewing forces, provides proprioception, and allows limited tooth movement.

The calcified tissue covering the tooth root surface. It anchors periodontal ligament fibers and continues to form throughout life, helping maintain attachment.

The part of the jawbone that forms and supports the tooth sockets. It remodels in response to tooth function and is lost in periodontal disease.

The process by which ameloblasts form enamel. It involves matrix secretion, mineralization, and maturation, and is completed before tooth eruption.

The formation of dentin by odontoblasts. It begins before enamel formation and continues as secondary and tertiary dentin throughout the tooth's life.

A diet-dependent, infectious disease causing demineralization of tooth hard tissues by acids from bacterial fermentation of sugars. It can progress to pulp involvement and tooth loss.

A structured biofilm of bacteria, salivary polymers, and food debris adhering to tooth surfaces. Its metabolic activity causes caries and gingival inflammation.

Reversible inflammation of the gingiva caused by plaque accumulation. It is characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding on probing without loss of attachment.

Inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth, causing progressive attachment loss and alveolar bone destruction. It is initiated by plaque bacteria and modified by host factors.

Inflammation of the dental pulp, usually caused by caries or trauma. It may be reversible or irreversible, with the latter requiring root canal treatment or extraction.

A pathologic change around the root apex, often a radiolucency caused by pulp necrosis and infection. It may present as a granuloma, cyst, or abscess.

A dental procedure that removes infected or inflamed pulp tissue, cleans and shapes the canal system, and seals it with a filling material to retain the tooth.

An X-ray image of teeth and supporting structures used to detect caries, bone loss, and periapical disease. Common types include periapical, bitewing, and panoramic views.

A standardized side-view X-ray of the head used in orthodontics to assess skeletal and dental relationships, growth, and treatment planning.

Any deviation from an ideal relationship between the upper and lower teeth or jaws. It includes crowding, spacing, overjet, overbite, and crossbite.

The use of appliances to move teeth and modify jaw growth for improved function and appearance. It includes fixed braces, removable appliances, and retainers.

A prosthesis that replaces missing teeth by cementing crowns to adjacent prepared teeth or implants. It is not removable by the patient.

A prosthesis that replaces some missing teeth and can be taken out by the patient. It is supported by remaining teeth and oral tissues.

A removable prosthesis that replaces all teeth in one arch. It relies on mucosal support and muscle control for retention and stability.

The reversible loss of sensation in a specific area produced by drugs that block nerve conduction. It is used to prevent pain during dental procedures.

A local anesthetic injection that targets the inferior alveolar nerve near the mandibular foramen. It anesthetizes the lower teeth and related soft tissues on one side.

A drug such as epinephrine added to local anesthetic solutions to constrict blood vessels. It prolongs anesthesia, reduces bleeding, and limits systemic absorption.

The administration of antibiotics before certain dental procedures to prevent infective endocarditis or infection in susceptible patients. It is reserved for specific high-risk cardiac conditions.

Measures taken to prevent transmission of infectious agents in dental settings. It includes hand hygiene, sterilization, barrier use, and safe sharps handling.

The complete destruction of all microorganisms, including spores, on instruments and equipment. In dentistry, autoclaving is the standard method.

A mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and promotes remineralization. It is used in water, toothpaste, and professional applications to prevent dental caries.

A plastic coating applied to the pits and fissures of teeth to prevent caries. It is most effective when placed soon after eruption of permanent molars.

The science and practice of preventing oral disease and promoting oral health in communities. It involves epidemiology, health promotion, and organization of dental services.

An infection originating from a tooth or its supporting structures, often spreading to surrounding tissues. It can cause abscess, cellulitis, or life-threatening fascial space involvement.

A malignant neoplasm arising in the oral cavity or oropharynx. Risk factors include tobacco, alcohol, and human papillomavirus; early detection improves survival.

The mucous membrane lining the oral cavity. It consists of epithelium and underlying connective tissue and varies in keratinization according to function.

The removal of a tissue sample for microscopic examination to establish a diagnosis. It is essential for suspected oral cancer and other persistent lesions.

Irreversible loss of tooth hard tissue caused by chemical dissolution from acids not produced by bacteria. Sources include dietary acids and gastric reflux.

Wear of tooth structure caused by tooth-to-tooth contact during chewing or parafunction. It appears as flattened, polished facets on occlusal and incisal surfaces.

Removal of the coronal portion of the dental pulp while leaving the radicular pulp intact. It is commonly used in pediatric dentistry for vital primary teeth.