LDEK key terms

The highly mineralized, acellular outer layer covering the crown of a tooth. Formed by ameloblasts before eruption, it cannot regenerate after destruction and consists mainly of hydroxyapatite crystals arranged in prisms.

The hydrated, tubular hard tissue forming the bulk of the tooth beneath enamel and cementum. It is produced continuously by odontoblasts, is softer than enamel, and transmits stimuli through its tubules to the pulp.

The soft connective tissue occupying the pulp chamber and root canals, containing nerves, blood vessels, odontoblasts, and immune cells. It supplies the tooth, forms dentin, and mediates pain and inflammatory responses.

A thin mineralized tissue covering the root surface that anchors periodontal ligament fibers. It is formed by cementoblasts, continues to be deposited throughout life, and is more permeable and less mineralized than enamel.

The fibrous connective tissue between root cementum and alveolar bone. It anchors the tooth, absorbs occlusal forces, contains proprioceptive nerve endings, and provides a pathway for blood vessels and lymphatics.

The bone of the maxilla and mandible that forms and supports tooth sockets. It develops with the tooth, remodels continuously under mechanical load, and resorbs after tooth loss or with periodontal inflammation.

A multifactorial, biofilm-mediated, diet-modulated disease causing demineralization and destruction of tooth hard tissue. It progresses when acid production from fermentable carbohydrates outweighs remineralization from saliva and fluoride.

A gram-positive cariogenic bacterium that colonizes tooth surfaces, produces acid from sugars, and synthesizes glucans from sucrose. These glucans promote adhesion and build the cariogenic biofilm matrix.

A structured microbial biofilm adhering to tooth surfaces and restorations, embedded in a matrix of polymers and salivary components. Its composition shifts with diet, oral hygiene, and time, and it drives caries and periodontal disease.

The return of calcium and phosphate ions from saliva or fluoride-containing products into demineralized tooth tissue. It can arrest early non-cavitated lesions and restore mineral density when the oral environment favors it.

An ion that prevents caries by promoting remineralization, forming fluorapatite, and reducing bacterial acid production at higher concentrations. Systemic and topical exposure routes differ in benefit and in risk of fluorosis.

A developmental disturbance of enamel caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth formation. It ranges from faint white lines to pitting and discoloration, and severity depends on dose and timing of exposure.

A group of inherited conditions affecting enamel formation in quality or quantity, often with autosomal dominant, recessive, or X-linked inheritance. Enamel may be hypoplastic, hypomineralized, or hypomature, and teeth are prone to wear and sensitivity.

An inherited disorder of dentin formation, usually autosomal dominant, producing opalescent bluish-brown teeth with bulbous crowns and obliterated pulp chambers. Enamel tends to fracture, and roots may be short.

Short, sharp pain from exposed dentin in response to thermal, evaporative, tactile, osmotic, or chemical stimuli that cannot be explained by another dental defect. The hydrodynamic movement of fluid in tubules is the accepted mechanism.

Apical displacement of the gingival margin beyond the cementoenamel junction, exposing the root surface. It may result from periodontal disease, toothbrush trauma, thin biotype, or orthodontic movement, and can lead to sensitivity.

Inflammation of the dental pulp, usually caused by bacteria from caries or trauma. It may be reversible, with provoked pain that subsides, or irreversible, with spontaneous or persistent pain that requires endodontic treatment.

Inflammation of the tissues around the root apex, typically following pulp necrosis and infection of the root canal system. It may be asymptomatic or painful and can progress to an abscess or cyst.

A procedure that removes inflamed or infected pulp, cleans and shapes the canal system, and seals it with filling material. Success depends on infection control, adequate shaping, and a coronal seal.

The apical migration of the periodontal attachment apparatus, measured clinically as the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the periodontal pocket. It is a hallmark of periodontitis and is assessed with probing.

A pathologically deepened gingival sulcus, measured as the distance from the gingival margin to the base of the sulcus. It may be suprabony or infrabony, and its depth and bleeding indicate disease activity.

A chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues caused by dysbiotic dental plaque, leading to attachment loss and alveolar bone resorption. It is classified by stage and grade and is a major cause of adult tooth loss.

Mineralized dental plaque that adheres to teeth and restorations. It is rough and porous, retains plaque, cannot be removed by brushing, and requires professional scaling.

The contact relationship between the maxillary and mandibular teeth when the jaws close. Static and dynamic aspects influence chewing, speech, and the distribution of occlusal forces.

The paired synovial joint between the mandibular condyle and the temporal bone, divided by an articular disc. It permits rotation and translation and is affected by internal derangement, arthritis, and myofascial pain.

Involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth, occurring during sleep or wakefulness. It can cause tooth wear, muscle pain, headaches, and temporomandibular symptoms.

Chemical dissolution of tooth hard tissue by acids not produced by oral bacteria, such as dietary acids or gastric contents. It causes smooth, cupped, or scooped lesions and may be confused with attrition or abrasion.

Mechanical wear of tooth tissue from tooth-to-tooth contact during chewing or parafunction. It produces flattened wear facets on occlusal and incisal surfaces and may expose dentin.

Reversible loss of sensation in a region produced by drugs that block nerve conduction. In dentistry it is used for operative, surgical, and endodontic procedures, with vasoconstrictors prolonging effect and reducing bleeding.

A mandibular regional anesthesia technique that deposits local anesthetic near the inferior alveolar nerve before it enters the mandibular foramen. It anesthetizes the mandibular teeth and, with the lingual nerve, the anterior tongue and floor of the mouth.

A prosthetic device, usually titanium, surgically placed in alveolar bone to replace a missing tooth root and support a crown, bridge, or denture. Success depends on osseointegration, bone quality, and oral hygiene.

Direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing implant without intervening soft tissue. It is assessed clinically by stability and radiographically by absence of peri-implant radiolucency.

Inflammation of the tissues around a dental implant with progressive loss of supporting bone. It is driven by biofilm, differs from peri-implant mucositis, and requires debridement and treatment of the implant surface.

The most common malignant tumor of the oral cavity, arising from squamous epithelium of the mucosa. Risk factors include tobacco and alcohol, and early lesions may appear as nonhealing ulcers or red or white patches.

A predominantly white patch or plaque of the oral mucosa that cannot be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other disease. It is a diagnosis of exclusion and carries a risk of malignant transformation.

A clinical term for oral mucosal lesions or conditions with an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, such as leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and oral submucous fibrosis. Management includes biopsy and surveillance.

Injury to teeth and supporting structures from impact, including crown fractures, luxation, avulsion, and root fractures. Prompt management, such as replantation of an avulsed tooth, affects long-term prognosis.

A high-concentration topical fluoride preparation applied to tooth surfaces to prevent caries and manage early lesions. It adheres to moist enamel, releases fluoride slowly, and is used in children and adults.