Dental Specialties and Anatomy Overview

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Questions and Answers

What type of specialist is a general dentist?

A little bit of everything (correct)

Root canal specialist

Braces specialist

Prosthetic specialist

What does an orthodontist specialize in?

Root canals

Oral surgery

Children's dentistry

Braces (correct)

What is the role of an endodontist?

Root canal specialist (correct)

Prosthetic dentistry

Gum disease treatment

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

A periodontist specializes in:

Gum disease Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?

Correct diseases, injuries, or defects through surgery Signup and view all the answers

What does a prosthodontist specialize in?

Creating prosthetics, dentures, and implants Signup and view all the answers

Which dental specialist works primarily with children?

Pedodontist Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the lower jaw that holds teeth?

Mandible Signup and view all the answers

What is the upper jaw that holds teeth known as?

Maxilla Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'condyles' refer to in dentistry?

Round prominence at the end of the TMJ allowing the mandible to open and close Signup and view all the answers

What structure permits the passage of the mental nerve and blood vessels?

Mental foramen Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?

Allows movement of the mandible Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'anterior' refer to in dental anatomy?

Towards the front Signup and view all the answers

Define the term 'posterior' in dental context.

Towards the back Signup and view all the answers

What does 'medial' mean in terms of dental anatomy?

Toward or near the midline of the body Signup and view all the answers

What does 'lateral' refer to in dental terminology?

Toward the outer left and right part of the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the labial frenum?

Band of tissue on the inside of the lips Signup and view all the answers

What is the lingual frenum?

Thin fold of skin extending from the floor of the mouth underneath the tongue Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the hard palate?

Gingiva underlying the roof of the mouth Signup and view all the answers

Define the soft palate.

Skin posterior to the hard palate that moves freely Signup and view all the answers

What is the uvula?

Pear-shaped projection at the end of the soft palate Signup and view all the answers

What is a tonsil?

Mass of lymphatic tissue located on each side of the throat Signup and view all the answers

What is a buccal vestibule?

Area between the cheek and the teeth Signup and view all the answers

What is the submandibular gland?

Gland under the tongue that secretes saliva Signup and view all the answers

What does 'apex' refer to in dental anatomy?

Tapered end of each root tip where the nerve exits the tooth Signup and view all the answers

What is bone in the context of dentistry?

Hard tissue that the teeth sit or reside in Signup and view all the answers

What does cementum do?

Outer layer covering of the anatomic root of a tooth Signup and view all the answers

What is the crown of a tooth?

Part of the tooth that sticks through the gingiva that is visible Signup and view all the answers

What is enamel?

White colored, hard material on the crown of the tooth Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the periodontal membrane?

Group of hair-like ligaments between bone and root that serves as a shock absorber for the tooth Signup and view all the answers

What does bruxism refer to?

Grinding of teeth Signup and view all the answers

What are central incisors?

Teeth numbered 8, 9, 24, 25 Signup and view all the answers

What are lateral incisors?

Teeth numbered 7, 10, 23, 26 Signup and view all the answers

What are cuspids/canines?

Teeth numbered 6, 11, 22, 27 Signup and view all the answers

What are bicuspids/premolars?

Teeth numbered 4, 5, 12, 13, 20, 21, 28, 29 Signup and view all the answers

What are molars?

Teeth numbered 1, 2, 3, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 30, 31, 32 Signup and view all the answers

What does 'facial' refer to in dental anatomy?

Outer surface of the tooth facing the cheek or lip Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'labial' mean?

Outer surface of anterior teeth facing the lips Signup and view all the answers

What does 'buccal' refer to?

Outer surface for posterior teeth facing the cheek Signup and view all the answers

What does 'lingual' mean in the context of tooth surfaces?

Surface of the tooth closest to the tongue Signup and view all the answers

What does 'mesial' mean in dental terms?

Surface of the tooth that is facing forwards, closest to the midline Signup and view all the answers

What does 'distal' refer to in dental anatomy?

Surface that is facing backwards, away from the midline Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the occlusal surface?

Surface of the tooth that is used for chewing, posterior teeth Signup and view all the answers

Define edentulous.

When a patient does not have any teeth Signup and view all the answers

What does 'supernumerary' mean?

When a patient has one or more extra teeth Signup and view all the answers

What are Class 3 teeth?

Mandibular teeth protrude in the anterior, underbite Signup and view all the answers

What is a crossbite?

Mandibular teeth are on the outside of the maxillary teeth in the posterior teeth Signup and view all the answers

What is the gingiva?

Gums surrounding the teeth Signup and view all the answers

What is the ramus of the mandible?

Part of the mandible that turns towards the skull vertically to allow rotation of the TMJ in a vertical direction Signup and view all the answers

What does palatal refer to?

The surface of the tooth closest to the palate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the incisal surface?

Surface of the tooth that is used for cutting; anterior teeth Signup and view all the answers

What is dentin?

Hard portion of the root that surrounds the pulp Signup and view all the answers

What is a sulcus in dental terms?

A trough-like vessel formed by the collar of a tooth Signup and view all the answers

What is the gingival margin?

The crest of the roller border of tissue that surrounds the crown of each tooth Signup and view all the answers

What does congenitally missing teeth refer to?

When a patient never forms a particular tooth Signup and view all the answers

What is epinephrine's role in dentistry?

Causes heart rate and blood pressure to increase, used in anesthesia Signup and view all the answers

What is an X-ray in dental context?

When a high voltage spark strikes from the cathode to the end of the anode Signup and view all the answers

What is the cementoenamel junction (CEJ)?

The line that junctions between the cementum layer of the tooth and the enamel layer Signup and view all the answers

What is the pulp chamber?

The space occupied by the pulp Signup and view all the answers

What are wedges in dentistry?

Devices used to hold the matrix band against the tooth during a filling process Signup and view all the answers

What are matrix bands used for?

To form a wall during a filling procedure Signup and view all the answers

What is articulating paper?

Used to check the patient's bite Signup and view all the answers

What are TMS pins used for?

A type of pin used to retain a filling during restoration Signup and view all the answers

What is an amalgam carrier?

An instrument used to scoop the amalgam out of the amalgam well Signup and view all the answers

What is a burnisher used for in dentistry?

An instrument used to smooth and pack amalgam material Signup and view all the answers

What is a plugger?

An instrument used to pack the amalgam material Signup and view all the answers

What is a Cleoid-Discoid?

Instrument used during the filling process to shape and carve Signup and view all the answers

What is an interproximal carver used for?

An instrument used during an amalgam restoration to carve hard-to-reach places between the teeth Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dental Specialties

General Dentist: Provides a wide range of dental services, focusing on overall oral health.
Orthodontist: Specializes in braces and teeth alignment.
Endodontist: Expert in root canal treatments.
Periodontist: Focuses on gum diseases and treatments.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: Performs surgical procedures for diseases, injuries, or defects.
Prosthodontist: Specializes in prosthetics, including dentures and dental implants.
Pedodontist: Focuses on dental care for children.

Dental Anatomy

Mandible: Lower jawbone that holds the lower teeth.
Maxilla: Upper jawbone that holds the upper teeth.
Condyles: Round structures at the end of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) allowing jaw movement.
Mental Foramen: Openings in the mandible for the mental nerve and blood vessels.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): Allows the mandible to move for chewing and speaking.

Tooth and Jaw Orientation

Anterior: Towards the front of the mouth.
Posterior: Towards the back of the mouth.
Medial: Near the midline of the body.
Lateral: Towards the sides of the body.
Crown: The visible part of the tooth above the gums.

Oral Structures

Labial Frenum: Tissue band inside the lips attaching to the gums.
Lingual Frenum: Fold of tissue under the tongue.
Hard Palate: Bony roof of the mouth.
Soft Palate: Flexible back portion of the roof of the mouth.
Uvula: Hang-down structure at the back of the throat.
Tonsil: Lymphatic tissue masses located in the throat.

Salivary Glands and Tissue

Submandibular Gland: Salivary gland located beneath the tongue.
Buccal Vestibule: Space between the cheek and teeth.
Gingiva: Gums surrounding and supporting the teeth.

Tooth Composition

Enamel: Hard outer covering of the tooth crown.
Dentin: Hard tissue surrounding the tooth pulp.
Cementum: Outer layer of the tooth root.
Pulp Chamber: Contains soft tissue and nerves within the tooth.

Dental Conditions

Bruxism: Involuntary teeth grinding.
Edentulous: Condition of having no teeth.
Supernumerary: Presence of extra teeth.
Congenital Missing Teeth: Missing teeth that never formed.

Dental Surfaces and Areas

Facial Surface: Outer surface of a tooth facing the lips or cheeks.
Lingual Surface: Inner surface of a tooth closest to the tongue.
Mesial Surface: Side of the tooth facing towards the midline.
Distal Surface: Side of the tooth facing away from the midline.
Occlusal Surface: Top surface of the back teeth used for chewing.

Dental Instruments

Wedges: Hold matrix bands against teeth during filling.
Matrix Bands: Form walls during filling procedures, held by Tofflemire.
Amalgam Carrier: Transfers amalgam to the dentist.
Burnisher: Smoothes and packs amalgam.
Plugger: Packs amalgam into cavities.
Cleoid-Discoid: Shapes and carves restoration material.
Interproximal Carver: Carves hard-to-reach areas between teeth.

Crossbite: Misalignment where lower teeth are outside of upper teeth.
Class 3 Teeth: Underbite where lower teeth protrude in front of upper teeth.
Periodontal Membrane: Ligaments that support teeth and absorb shock.

Dental X-rays and Procedures

X-ray: High-voltage electrical discharge creating images of teeth and bones.
Cementoenamel Junction (CEJ): Junction between enamel and cementum layers.

Anesthesia

Epinephrine: Used in anesthesia to prolong numbness and elevate heart rate/blood pressure.

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Description

This quiz covers essential dental specialties, including the roles of general dentists, orthodontists, and periodontists. It also delves into dental anatomy, highlighting key structures such as the mandible and maxilla. Test your knowledge on these critical aspects of dental science.