DANB CRFDA key terms

A latex or non-latex sheet stretched over a frame and clamped around teeth to isolate the operating field, keep the site dry, and protect the patient from swallowed or aspirated debris during restorative procedures.

A metal or plastic device with jaws and a bow that grips a tooth cervical to the height of contour to anchor the dental dam; selected by tooth anatomy and often stabilized with floss or compound.

Dental floss or a plastic loop passed between contacts and around a clamped tooth to secure the dam and clamp, preventing the clamp from being swallowed if it dislodges.

Control of moisture, saliva, blood, and soft tissue at the operating site using a dental dam, cotton rolls, retraction cord, or suction so restorative materials bond and set properly.

Contact of a prepared tooth or uncured adhesive with saliva, blood, or water, which degrades bond strength and can cause sensitivity, marginal leakage, or premature restoration failure.

A cord packed into the gingival sulcus to displace tissue and widen the sulcus, creating space for impression material or a restorative margin and helping control sulcular fluid.

The controlled removal of enamel and dentin to shape a cavity or abutment with defined walls, floors, and margins that will retain and support the planned restoration.

An internal surface of a prepared cavity, named by the surface it faces, such as pulpal, axial, gingival, or incisal; walls meet at line angles and cavity angles.

The junction where two cavity walls meet, described by combining the wall names, for example the axiopulpal line angle; internal line angles are often rounded to reduce stress concentration.

The outer edge of a preparation where the cavity meets the external tooth surface; its location and quality determine seal, contour, and esthetics of the finished restoration.

The cervical boundary of a preparation or restoration where it meets the tooth near the gingiva; it must be clean, well defined, and free of overhang or flash.

Application of phosphoric acid gel to enamel or dentin to create microporosity and remove smear layer, enabling micromechanical retention of adhesive resin.

A thin film of cut tooth debris and denatured collagen created by instrumentation that occludes dentinal tubules; it is removed, modified, or penetrated depending on the adhesive system used.

Use of etchants, primers, and adhesives to form a hybrid layer and resin tags that seal dentin and retain composite; technique-sensitive and requiring a clean, moist or dry field per product instructions.

A resin adhesive applied to etched or primed tooth structure to wet the surface, penetrate microporosities, and co-polymerize with the restorative material, creating the bond.

A tooth-colored restorative material of resin matrix, silane-treated filler particles, and initiators, available in varied shades and viscosities and cured by light or chemical activation.

Placing composite in small increments rather than one bulk mass to improve adaptation, control shrinkage stress, and ensure adequate depth of cure of each layer.

Photoactivation of a light-cured material using a curing unit of appropriate wavelength and intensity for the recommended time, with the tip close to and perpendicular to the surface.

A thin metal or clear strip placed around a prepared tooth to confine restorative material, re-establish proximal contour and contact, and support the material during placement.

A wooden or plastic device inserted interproximally to adapt the matrix band to the gingival margin, separate teeth slightly, and protect the adjacent tooth during restoration.

The area where adjacent teeth touch; a properly contoured restoration should restore a broad, correctly positioned contact to prevent food impaction and periodontal irritation.

The shape of the mesial or distal surface of a restoration, which should reproduce the natural emergence profile, flat contact area, and embrasures of the original tooth.

The contour of a tooth or restoration as it emerges from the gingival sulcus, influencing soft tissue health, plaque retention, and esthetic appearance of the final result.

The cusps, fossae, ridges, and grooves carved into a restoration to reproduce functional tooth form, guide mandibular movement, and maintain efficient chewing.

Selective reduction of high spots on a restoration or tooth so that contacts are even in centric occlusion and excursive movements, checked with articulating paper and verified clinically.

Inked paper or film placed between occluding teeth to mark contact points, used to identify high spots and guide adjustment of a restoration or natural tooth.

Sequential use of burs, discs, strips, and polishing pastes to smooth restoration margins and surfaces, reducing plaque accumulation, staining, and gingival irritation.

Excess restorative material extending beyond the preparation margin, creating a plaque trap that contributes to caries, gingivitis, and bone loss; it must be detected and removed.

A restorative and luting cement that bonds chemically to tooth structure and releases fluoride, often used in cervical lesions, pediatric restorations, and areas with less-than-ideal isolation.

A hybrid material combining glass ionomer chemistry with light-cured resin components, offering faster set, improved strength, and fluoride release for selected restorations and liners.

The gradual leaching of fluoride ions from materials such as glass ionomers and compomers, which may inhibit demineralization and support remineralization at adjacent tooth surfaces.

Removal of infected, softened dentin and unsupported enamel from a lesion using hand instruments or burs, preserving sound tooth structure and avoiding unnecessary pulpal exposure.

A colored solution applied to a preparation to stain remaining infected dentin, helping the operator identify tissue that should be removed while conserving remineralizable dentin.

Placement of liners, bases, or desensitizers over dentin near the pulp to reduce irritation, seal tubules, and insulate against thermal and chemical insult before restoring.

Materials placed in a preparation to protect the pulp or replace lost dentin; liners are thin and placed on dentin, while bases provide bulk support under restorations.

Restoring the natural shape of a tooth, including cusps, ridges, and embrasures, so function, hygiene, and esthetics are maintained after placement of restorative material.

Use of barriers, sterile or disposable items, hand hygiene, and disinfection protocols that prevent cross-contamination of patients and staff during restorative procedures.

The legally defined range of duties a dental assistant may perform, such as placing or contouring restorations, only under specified supervision and after required licensure or certification.

A level of supervision in which the dentist is physically present in the office, has authorized the procedure, and evaluates the patient's condition before and after care.

Assignment of a specific clinical task by the dentist to a qualified team member, permitted only when state law, training, and supervision requirements are met.