Mongolia Dentist Licensing Exam key terms

A tall columnar cell lining the inner surface of dentin, responsible for secreting predentin and later mineralizing it into mature dentin throughout the life of the tooth.

A microscopic channel running through dentin from the pulp to the dentinoenamel junction, containing an odontoblast process and fluid that transmits stimuli as pain.

The explanation of dentin sensitivity stating that fluid movement inside dentinal tubules mechanically distorts nerve endings near the pulp, producing a pain response.

The epithelial structure of a developing tooth that gives rise to ameloblasts and forms enamel; it passes through bud, cap and bell stages before mineralizing.

A specialized epithelial cell of the enamel organ that secretes enamel matrix and then resorbs most of it during maturation, leaving a highly mineralized tissue.

The fibrous connective tissue between the tooth root cementum and the alveolar bone that suspends the tooth, absorbs occlusal force and carries proprioceptive nerve endings.

A thin mineralized tissue covering the root surface that anchors periodontal ligament fibers and remodels continuously, unlike enamel it does not regenerate after loss.

The line where the crown enamel meets the root cementum; it may show enamel overlapping cementum, a butt joint, or a gap exposing dentin.

The fifth cranial nerve, which provides sensory innervation to the face and teeth through its ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular divisions and motor supply to the muscles of mastication.

A branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve that supplies general sensation to the anterior tongue and lingual gingiva and is at risk during lower third molar surgery.

A mandibular local anesthesia technique depositing solution near the mandibular foramen to anesthetize the inferior alveolar nerve, providing pulpal anesthesia for mandibular posterior teeth.

A drug that reversibly blocks sodium channels in nerve membranes, preventing depolarization and conduction of pain signals without loss of consciousness.

An agent such as epinephrine added to local anesthetic solution to constrict blood vessels, prolong anesthesia, reduce bleeding and limit systemic absorption of the anesthetic.

A dental emergency protocol using intramuscular epinephrine when a patient develops severe vasovagal syncope with bradycardia unresponsive to positioning, aimed at restoring circulation.

A transient loss of consciousness caused by reduced cerebral perfusion, commonly triggered in dentistry by fear, pain or prolonged upright sitting; treatment is supine positioning and airway monitoring.

A structured evaluation of factors such as diet, fluoride exposure, salivary flow, past caries and oral hygiene that estimates a patient's likelihood of developing new carious lesions.

An early non-cavitated carious lesion appearing as an opaque chalky area on enamel, reflecting subsurface demineralization with an intact surface layer that may still be remineralized.

A concentrated topical fluoride preparation painted onto tooth surfaces to promote remineralization, reduce enamel solubility and inhibit bacterial metabolism, especially in high caries risk patients.

The resin-infiltrated zone formed when adhesive monomer penetrates etched dentin and polymerizes among collagen fibers, creating the micromechanical bond of composite restorations.

Application of phosphoric acid to enamel or dentin to remove mineral and create microporosity, increasing surface area and enabling micromechanical retention of adhesive materials.

A resin-based material applied to a prepared tooth surface to bond restorative material to enamel and dentin through micromechanical and sometimes chemical interaction.

The distance from a coronal reference point to the apical constriction of a root canal, determined radiographically and with an apex locator, guiding instrumentation and obturation limits.

A device that measures electrical impedance between a file in the canal and a lip clip to locate the apical constriction, reducing reliance on radiographs during endodontic treatment.

The three-dimensional filling of a cleaned and shaped canal with core material and sealer to prevent bacterial recontamination and support the restored tooth.

An irrigant used in root canal treatment that dissolves necrotic tissue and kills microorganisms; it must be kept out of periapical tissues because it causes severe pain and tissue damage.

The distance in millimeters from the gingival margin to the base of the gingival sulcus or pocket, measured with a periodontal probe to assess attachment loss.

The distance from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the periodontal pocket, indicating the amount of periodontal support that has been destroyed.

A pathologically deepened gingival sulcus caused by apical migration of the junctional epithelium and destruction of periodontal ligament fibers and alveolar bone.

Non-surgical periodontal therapy that removes plaque and calculus from crown and root surfaces and smooths roots to allow healing and reattachment of gingival tissues.

The vertical distance between the maxilla and mandible when the teeth or occlusal rims are in contact, used to plan complete dentures and restore lost facial height.

A maxillomandibular relationship in which the condyles articulate with the thinnest avascular portion of their disks, independent of tooth contact, used as a reproducible reference for prosthodontics.

A removable prosthesis replacing all teeth and associated structures of an edentulous arch, relying on mucosal support, border seal and neuromuscular control for retention and stability.

Bone death in previously irradiated jaws, often triggered by extraction or infection, presenting with exposed necrotic bone that fails to heal because of poor vascularity.

Failure of a mandibular or maxillary third molar to erupt fully into functional position because of space shortage or angulation, often requiring surgical removal.

Placement of graft material or a barrier into a fresh extraction socket to limit alveolar ridge resorption and preserve bone volume for future implant placement.

Direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing dental implant, achieved without intervening fibrous tissue.

Measurement of angular and linear relationships of skull, jaw and dental landmarks on a standardized lateral head radiograph to diagnose skeletal pattern and plan orthodontic treatment.

A jaw relationship in which the mandible is positioned posterior to the maxilla relative to the cranial base, often associated with an overjet and convex facial profile.

A single extraoral image showing both jaws, teeth and supporting structures, useful for broad screening but with lower resolution and more distortion than intraoral films.

The set of practices including justification, optimization, collimation, lead aprons and thyroid shields that minimize patient and staff exposure to ionizing radiation in dental imaging.

Administration of antibiotics before a procedure to prevent infection, indicated in dentistry mainly for selected patients with specific cardiac conditions or severe immunosuppression.

Coordinated efforts to prescribe antimicrobials only when indicated, at the correct dose and duration, to preserve drug effectiveness and reduce resistance and adverse effects.

A microbial infection of the endocardial surface or heart valves that can follow bacteremia from oral procedures, providing the rationale for targeted antibiotic prophylaxis in high-risk cardiac patients.

A patient's voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving and understanding information about diagnosis, proposed treatment, alternatives, material risks and consequences of refusal, documented in the record.

The professional obligation to protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure, allowing sharing only with consent, for direct care, or where law requires it.

The legally defined range of duties, procedures and responsibilities a licensed dental professional is permitted and competent to perform within a given jurisdiction.

A validated process that destroys all microorganisms including bacterial spores on reusable instruments, commonly achieved by steam autoclaving under monitored conditions.

A test strip containing highly resistant bacterial spores used to verify that a sterilization cycle achieved the required conditions, providing the strongest assurance of sterility.

Reduction of pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate surfaces or instruments by chemical agents, which does not necessarily destroy bacterial spores as sterilization does.