MDCN Dental Assessment key terms

The highly mineralised, acellular outer layer covering the crown of a tooth. It is composed mainly of hydroxyapatite and cannot regenerate once destroyed, making its preservation central to restorative and preventive care.

The hydrated, tubular hard tissue beneath enamel and cementum that forms most of the tooth. Its tubules contain odontoblast processes and transmit stimuli, so exposed dentine causes sensitivity and is a pathway for bacterial invasion.

The soft tissue within the pulp chamber and root canals containing nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. It provides nutrition and sensation and mounts inflammatory responses that may progress to irreversible pulpitis or necrosis.

The thin mineralised tissue covering the root surface. It anchors periodontal ligament fibres and thickens with age, and its loss or exposure after gingival recession contributes to root caries and sensitivity.

The fibrous tissue between root cementum and alveolar bone that suspends the tooth, absorbs occlusal forces and carries proprioceptive nerves. Its width and integrity determine physiological tooth mobility.

The portion of maxilla and mandible that supports the tooth sockets. It remodels in response to occlusal loading and is resorbed after tooth loss and in advanced periodontitis, affecting prosthetic planning.

A biofilm-mediated, sugar-driven, multifactorial disease causing net demineralisation of dental hard tissues. It ranges from reversible white-spot lesions to cavitation and pulpal involvement, and is managed by risk assessment rather than drilling alone.

The process by which calcium and phosphate ions re-enter demineralised enamel or dentine, restoring mineral content. It can arrest early lesions when biofilm control and fluoride exposure shift the balance away from demineralisation.

A structured community of bacteria embedded in a polysaccharide matrix adhering to tooth and restoration surfaces. Its composition shifts toward cariogenic or periodontopathogenic species with sugar exposure and stagnation.

A chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues initiated by plaque biofilm, causing clinical attachment loss, pocket formation and alveolar bone destruction. Staging and grading guide prognosis and treatment intensity.

The distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the base of the periodontal pocket, measured clinically with a probe. It is the reference measure of periodontal destruction because it is not confounded by gingival swelling.

The distance from the gingival margin to the bottom of the sulcus or pocket, recorded in millimetres at six sites per tooth. It indicates pocket depth but must be interpreted alongside attachment loss and recession.

Apical migration of the gingival margin beyond the cemento-enamel junction, exposing the root. It may result from periodontal disease, vigorous brushing, thin phenotype or orthodontic movement, and can cause sensitivity and root caries.

Non-surgical periodontal treatment that removes supra- and subgingival deposits and contaminated cementum from pocket surfaces. It is the foundation of periodontal therapy and is often repeated at re-evaluation before surgical options.

Short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentine in response to thermal, evaporative, tactile, osmotic or chemical stimuli that cannot be explained by any other dental defect. It is managed by occluding tubules or reducing nerve excitability.

Persistent inflammation of the dental pulp that will not heal and typically causes spontaneous or lingering pain, often worse at night. It requires pulp extirpation or extraction rather than sedative dressing alone.

Mild pulpal inflammation provoked by a stimulus and resolving promptly once the stimulus is removed, with no spontaneous pain. Vital pulp therapy or a well-sealed restoration may allow the pulp to recover.

Cleaning, shaping, disinfecting and obturating the root canal system to retain a tooth whose pulp is irreversibly diseased or infected. Success depends on canal anatomy, infection control and a coronal seal.

A foundation restoration in which a post is placed in a prepared root canal to retain a core that replaces missing coronal tooth structure. It is used when remaining tissue cannot support a direct core build-up.

The protective effect of a circumferential band of dentine, ideally at least 1.5 to 2 mm in height, encircling the tooth preparation beneath a crown. It resists lever forces and reduces root fracture risk.

A cemented or bonded extracoronal restoration that covers the prepared clinical crown, restoring form, function and aesthetics. It is indicated for extensive loss of tooth structure, cracked teeth or after root canal treatment.

A philosophy that preserves maximum tooth structure by preventing disease, arresting early lesions and removing only irreversibly damaged tissue. It favours adhesive restorations, sealants and risk-based recall over extension-for-prevention cavity design.

A tooth-coloured restorative material of resin matrix, filler particles and silane coupling, bonded micromechanically to etched enamel and dentine. Its properties depend on filler loading, polymerisation and moisture control during placement.

The resin-infiltrated zone created when adhesive resin penetrates demineralised dentine collagen, forming the bond between dentine and composite. Its quality depends on etching, primer penetration and solvent removal.

A metallic restorative material of silver, tin, copper and mercury alloyed with mercury. It is durable and moisture-tolerant but non-adhesive and aesthetically unacceptable, and its use is declining under environmental mercury policy.

A procedure in which graft material is placed into a socket after extraction to limit alveolar ridge resorption. It aims to preserve bone volume for future implant placement or prosthetic rehabilitation.

Localised alveolar osteitis after extraction, with severe throbbing pain from two to four days post-operatively, an empty socket and exposed bone, but no pus. It is managed by irrigation and a medicated dressing.

The most posterior permanent molar, frequently impacted because of insufficient arch space. Its removal requires assessment of root anatomy, inferior alveolar nerve proximity, angulation and signs of pericoronitis.

Damage to the mandibular nerve branch supplying lower teeth and lip sensation, causing temporary or permanent paraesthesia or anaesthesia. Risk rises with deeply impacted third molars, overfilling and surgical trauma near the canal.

Reversible loss of sensation in a region produced by agents such as lidocaine or articaine, usually with a vasoconstrictor. Correct technique, dose calculation and aspiration reduce failure and systemic toxicity.

An infection arising from a dental source that may spread through fascial spaces of the head and neck. Trismus, dysphagia, floor-of-mouth swelling or airway compromise indicate a surgical emergency requiring drainage.

A rapidly spreading bilateral cellulitis of the submandibular, sublingual and submental spaces, usually odontogenic. It threatens the airway and requires urgent surgical drainage, airway management and intravenous antibiotics.

A panoramic radiograph showing both jaws, teeth and temporomandibular joints in one image. It is useful for surgical planning and screening but offers lower resolution than intraoral films and shows superimposition.

A three-dimensional radiographic technique giving volumetric images of hard tissues at lower dose than medical CT. It is used for implant planning, impacted teeth, endodontic anatomy and airway assessment.

An alloplastic device, usually titanium, surgically placed in bone to support a crown, bridge or denture. Success depends on bone volume, primary stability, osseointegration and maintenance of peri-implant health.

Direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a loaded implant without intervening fibrous tissue. Adequate stability, controlled loading and healthy bone are prerequisites.

Material placed to regenerate or augment bone, either autogenous, allogeneic, xenogeneic or alloplastic, often with a barrier membrane. It is used before or during implant placement and in ridge preservation.

Administration of antibiotics before a procedure to prevent infective endocarditis or surgical site infection in selected patients. Current guidance restricts it to high-risk cardiac conditions rather than all prosthetic joints.

Coordinated strategies to use antimicrobials only when indicated, at the right dose and duration, to preserve effectiveness and limit resistance. In dentistry it targets unnecessary prescribing for pain, dry socket and prophylaxis.

A high-concentration topical fluoride lacquer applied to teeth to prevent caries and arrest early lesions. It adheres to moist surfaces, is well tolerated and is recommended at risk-based intervals in children and adults.

Caries affecting exposed root dentine or cementum, typically in older adults with gingival recession and reduced salivary flow. It progresses faster than enamel caries and is harder to restore because of proximity to the pulp.

Individualised coaching in plaque control techniques, interdental cleaning and fluoride use, tailored to the patient's disease risk and dexterity. It is a core component of behaviour change in caries and periodontal management.

A count of decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth used to measure caries experience in populations. It summarises lifetime disease burden but does not capture lesion severity or activity.

Controlled adjustment of fluoride in community drinking water to a level that reduces caries across the population regardless of individual behaviour. It is cost-effective and equitable but requires monitoring and ethical debate.

A structured epidemiological study measuring oral disease, treatment need and related behaviours in a defined population sample. Findings inform service planning, workforce allocation and public health policy.