SLMC ERPDS flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Caries risk assessment

A structured evaluation of factors such as diet, fluoride exposure, salivary flow, biofilm, and past caries experience used to determine preventive and restorative treatment intensity.

Irreversible pulpitis

Inflammation of the dental pulp producing spontaneous or lingering pain after a stimulus; it does not resolve with removal of the stimulus and typically requires endodontic treatment.

Percussion test

A diagnostic test in which a tooth is tapped to assess periapical inflammation; tenderness suggests apical periodontitis or acute exacerbation of a chronic lesion.

Periodontal staging

A classification of periodontal disease severity and complexity using clinical attachment loss, radiographic bone loss, probing depth, and tooth loss from periodontitis.

Bleeding on probing

A clinical indicator of gingival inflammation assessed with a periodontal probe; its presence at the same site over time suggests active disease and poor plaque control.

Ferrule effect

A circumferential band of dentin at least 1.5–2 mm high above the crown margin that resists fracture and improves the prognosis of endodontically treated teeth.

Post space preparation

Removal of coronal gutta-percha to create space for a post while preserving 4–5 mm of apical seal; the post retains the core and does not strengthen the root.

Osseointegration

Direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing implant, dependent on primary stability and biocompatible surface characteristics.

Sinus lift

A surgical procedure that elevates the maxillary sinus membrane to increase bone height for implant placement, using a lateral window or internal osteotome approach.

Socket preservation

A grafting procedure after extraction that limits ridge dimensional change and preserves bone volume for future implant or prosthetic rehabilitation.

Crown-to-root ratio

The ratio of the clinical crown height to the root length supporting the tooth; a ratio of 1:1 or better is generally preferred for abutment selection.

Lidocaine maximum dose

Approximately 7 mg/kg, up to 500 mg, for lidocaine with epinephrine; exceeding this increases risk of local anesthetic systemic toxicity.

Epinephrine in local anesthetic

A vasoconstrictor that prolongs anesthesia and reduces bleeding; 1:100,000 concentration provides 0.018 mg per 1.8 mL cartridge.

Methemoglobinemia

A condition in which hemoglobin is oxidized and cannot carry oxygen; associated with prilocaine or benzocaine overdose and treated with methylene blue in severe cases.

Anaphylaxis management

Epinephrine 0.3–0.5 mg intramuscularly in the anterolateral thigh is first-line, followed by airway support, oxygen, and adjunctive antihistamines or corticosteroids.

Vasovagal syncope

The most common dental emergency; triggered by stress or pain and managed with supine positioning, airway maintenance, and monitoring until recovery.

Antibiotic prophylaxis indication

Prophylaxis before dental procedures is indicated for patients with prosthetic heart valves, prior infective endocarditis, certain congenital heart disease, and cardiac transplant valvulopathy.

Local anesthetic systemic toxicity

A dose-related reaction presenting with CNS excitation then depression and cardiovascular collapse; severe cases are treated with lipid emulsion rescue therapy.

Standard precautions

Infection control measures applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, masks, eye protection, and safe handling of sharps.

Autoclave sterilization

Steam under pressure at 121°C for 15–20 minutes or 134°C for 3–4 minutes; efficacy is verified with biological spore indicators.

Informed consent elements

Disclosure of diagnosis, proposed treatment, alternatives, risks, and benefits, plus the opportunity to ask questions and the patient's voluntary agreement.

Confidentiality exception

Disclosure of patient information without consent is permitted when required by law, such as reporting communicable disease or suspected abuse, or to prevent serious harm.

Sharps injury protocol

Immediate washing, reporting, source evaluation, and consideration of post-exposure prophylaxis; HIV prophylaxis should begin as soon as possible after exposure.

Dental unit waterlines

Tubing that delivers water and air to handpieces; biofilm control through flushing and disinfectants keeps microbial counts within accepted limits.

Primary tooth eruption

Eruption begins around 6 months of age; the mixed dentition period spans approximately 6–12 years, with the first permanent molar erupting around age 6.

Silver diamine fluoride

A topical agent that arrests active dentinal caries; useful for uncooperative children or medically complex patients, though it stains arrested lesions black.

Space maintainer

An appliance placed after premature loss of a primary tooth to preserve arch length until the succedaneous tooth erupts; examples include band-and-loop and distal shoe.

Class II functional appliance

A device used during growth to correct mandibular deficiency in Class II malocclusion by repositioning the mandible and influencing skeletal growth.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma

The most common oral malignancy; risk factors include tobacco, alcohol, and betel quid, and persistent red or white lesions warrant biopsy.

Odontogenic keratocyst

A developmental odontogenic cyst with a high recurrence rate, often in the posterior mandible, requiring careful surgical management and long-term follow-up.

Ameloblastoma

A locally aggressive odontogenic tumor typically in the posterior mandible; treatment is wide resection with margin control because of high recurrence risk.

Eruption cyst

A fluid-filled swelling over an erupting tooth in infants that usually resolves spontaneously; intervention is needed only if feeding or eruption is impaired.