HK Dental ORE key terms

A numbering method where two digits identify a tooth: the first digit names the quadrant (1 to 4 for permanent, 5 to 8 for deciduous) and the second names the tooth position from the midline, counting outward from 1 to 8.

The way upper and lower teeth meet when the jaws close. Ideal occlusion means cusps sit in opposing fossae with even contact, no premature contacts, and stable intercuspal position.

A maxillomandibular relationship in which the condyles sit in their most anterior, superior position against the articular eminence, independent of tooth contact. It is a reproducible reference used in prosthodontics and occlusal analysis.

Retruded contact position is the first tooth contact when the mandible closes on its retruded arc of closure. Intercuspal position is maximum intercuspation. A slide between them is normal only if small and symptom-free.

The distance in millimetres from the gingival margin to the base of the sulcus or pocket, measured with a graduated probe at six sites per tooth. It is recorded with bleeding and recession to stage periodontal disease.

The distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the base of the periodontal pocket. Unlike probing depth, it accounts for gingival recession and reflects true historical destruction of the attachment apparatus.

A sign of active gingival inflammation recorded when gentle probing provokes bleeding. Its absence at repeated visits is a strong predictor of periodontal stability, and its presence guides supportive therapy intervals.

A screening tool using a World Health Organization probe that scores six sextants from 0 to 4, with an asterisk for furcation, mobility, or mucogingival problems. It decides whether full periodontal charting is needed.

A structured estimate of a patient's likelihood of developing new carious lesions, combining diet, fluoride exposure, saliva flow, oral hygiene, past caries experience, and medical factors to plan preventive and recall intervals.

The International Caries Detection and Assessment System, which scores lesions visually from 0 (sound) to 6 (extensive dentine cavitation) after cleaning and drying the tooth, allowing consistent detection at earlier stages.

An approach that preserves sound tissue by preventing disease, remineralising early lesions, and removing only irreversibly damaged dentine, rather than following extension-for-prevention cavity designs.

Inflammation of the dental pulp. Reversible pulpitis causes sharp pain provoked by stimuli and resolving quickly; irreversible pulpitis causes spontaneous, lingering pain and requires pulp extirpation or extraction.

Classification of disease around the root apex, such as symptomatic or asymptomatic apical periodontitis, acute or chronic apical abscess, and condensing osteitis, based on symptoms, vitality, and radiographic signs.

Use of thermal or electric pulp tests to determine whether pulp tissue conducts a response. A positive response indicates innervation, not health, and results must be interpreted with adjacent teeth as controls.

The distance from a coronal reference point to the apical constriction, established by radiographs and an electronic apex locator, at which cleaning, shaping, and obturation should terminate.

The sequence and concentration of solutions such as sodium hypochlorite, EDTA, and chlorhexidine used to dissolve tissue, disinfect canals, and remove the smear layer, with precautions to avoid extrusion.

Three-dimensional filling of a cleaned and shaped canal with a core material, usually gutta-percha, and a sealer, terminating at the apical constriction to prevent microleakage and reinfection.

A single pre-procedural dose of an antibiotic given to prevent infective endocarditis in defined high-risk cardiac patients undergoing invasive dental procedures likely to cause bacteraemia, following current national guidance.

Systematic enquiry into a patient's past and present health, medicines, allergies, and social history to identify conditions that alter dental treatment, such as bleeding disorders, cardiac disease, or bisphosphonate use.

A process, not a signature, in which a competent patient receives and understands material information about options, risks, benefits, and alternatives, then voluntarily agrees to the proposed treatment.

Maintaining accurate, contemporaneous, legible notes, radiographs, and consent records that meet legal and professional standards, and using them to measure care against agreed criteria and improve it.

A complete written and diagrammatic record of the dentition, including present and missing teeth, restorations, caries, periodontal measurements, mobility, and occlusion, forming the baseline for treatment planning.

Practice on a manikin with anatomically mounted jaws and replaceable teeth, used to rehearse cavity preparation, endodontics, and prosthodontics while developing posture, mirror vision, and instrument control before treating patients.

Positioning the patient, chair, and operator so the back and neck stay neutral, and using a mirror to view teeth when direct sight is impossible, which protects the operator and improves access and precision.

A team method in which an operator and trained assistant work together, with instruments passed and suction managed by the assistant, reducing fatigue, improving visibility, and shortening procedure time.

The rules governing outline form, resistance and retention form, convenience form, and tissue removal, adapted to the material chosen so that a restoration is durable, cleansable, and preserves sound structure.

Placement of a latex or non-latex sheet over the operative field, held by clamps or ligatures, to keep the site dry, protect the airway, and prevent contamination during restorative and endodontic treatment.

Use of a band and wedge to restore the proximal contour and contact of a class II cavity, holding material in place and preventing overhang or gingival excess.

Correct proportioning, mixing, placement, and finishing of materials such as amalgam, composites, glass ionomers, and elastomers, since errors in handling cause premature failure or poor adaptation.

Capturing an accurate negative record of teeth and surrounding tissues using appropriate trays, materials, and technique, then disinfecting and pouring it to produce a cast for diagnosis or prosthesis construction.

Reduction of a tooth to receive a full-coverage restoration, requiring adequate axial and occlusal reduction, a defined finish line, and preservation of retention and resistance form.

Delivery of an anaesthetic solution by infiltration or nerve block at the correct site, depth, and dose, after aspiration, to achieve pulpal and soft-tissue anaesthesia safely and predictably.

Injection near the mandibular lingula to anaesthetise the inferior alveolar nerve, typically with a buccal nerve block added. Success depends on correct height, depth, and contact with bone.

Adverse events including syncope, needle breakage, haematoma, trismus, prolonged numbness, infection, and systemic toxicity from inadvertent intravascular injection, which must be recognised and managed promptly.

The planned use of elevators and forceps, with correct grip, support, and controlled force, to remove a tooth atraumatically while protecting adjacent teeth, bone, and soft tissue.

Instructions and review after tooth removal, covering haemostasis, analgesia, oral hygiene, avoidance of smoking or rinsing, and warning signs of infection or dry socket that require return.

Recognition and first response to syncope, hypoglycaemia, angina, asthma, choking, anaphylaxis, and cardiac arrest, including positioning, oxygen, emergency drugs, and calling for help.

Standard precautions including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, instrument decontamination and sterilisation, and waste segregation, designed to prevent transmission of pathogens between patients and staff.