As a dental assistant, you will quickly realize that those in the dental field have their own list of terms and useful vocabulary. During your dental assistant training program, you will begin to learn the specialized terms that will be critical to your future career. You will need to understand these words and be able to use them to communicate well with patients, coworkers, and your supervising dentists.
We came up with a list of some of these terms that you may need and use in your dental assistant career:
Bicuspid
These teeth are the fourth and fifth from center on both sides top and bottom. They are called “bicuspid” because they have two cusps. Because of these two cusps, they are ideal for chewing. In a typical adult mouth, there will be eight bicuspids, two on either side on the top and bottom.
Calculus
I know, I know, you think this is just some advanced math. However, it’s more than just math! This is also what is sometimes referred to as tartar. This hardened dental plaque may cause bad breath, receding gum lines, and other gum issues.
Mandible
The mandible is the lower jawbone and is the largest, strongest bone in the face. It holds the lower teeth and creates the lower jaw line.
Tooth Impaction
An impacted tooth is a tooth that is unable to break the surface of the gums. Impacted teeth cannot come through and either stay in the jaw, usually causing pain, or they must be removed surgically. Often, wisdom teeth are impacted and must be cut out of the jaw.
Abscessed Tooth
Abscesses are pockets of pus that collect within body tissues. This issue may cause pain, swelling, and redness. They are typically caused originally by a bacterial infection that gets into the bones, teeth, or soft tissues in the mouth because of extensive tooth decay. To treat this, the abscess may need to be drained or a root canal may need to be performed.
Appliance
This is not an oven, a stove, or even a refrigerator. When it comes to dental health, appliances are any of the removable devices that are used to correct teeth or prevent damage like a retainer or bite guard.
Impression
Dental impressions are imprints of the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth. They are used to create casts of the teeth and mouth. The materials that impressions are made of start soft and then harden to a solid within a short amount of time. They are then used to create dentures, crowns, bridges, and dental implants.
Nitrous Oxide
This is a substance that is commonly called “laughing gas.” When it is at room temperature, it is a colorless gas that has a mildly sweet smell and taste. It is used as an inhaled anaesthetic for oral surgeries as well as general dental procedures.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion is when the top and bottom teeth are misaligned when the patient closes their mouth. It is a common occurrence and is usually not severe enough to require treatment. However, when it does require dental treatment, surgery is sometimes needed to correct the misalignment.
Maxilla
The maxilla is the top jawbone. It is made up of the two maxillary bones and contains the palate. It holds the upper teeth and forms part of the sinus cavity.
Amalgam
Commonly known as fillings, dental amalgam is a substance made up of liquid mercury and an alloy mixture. It is used to fill cavities that have been caused by tooth decay. This process of filling cavities has been used for centuries and these materials were first used because they are inexpensive, easy to work with, and fairly durable. More recently, they are not as frequently used as other more natural looking and durable materials have become more popular.
Bite Wing
Bite wings are dental radiographs (x-rays) that are able to show both the upper and lower teeth on the same sheet of film. When it is developed, it is held in place with a small tab that is held between the top and bottom teeth.
Implant
Dental implants are titanium rods that are surgically installed into the mouth. These rods then hold in place dental prosthetic teeth, bridges, or dentures. Through a process called osseointegration, the implant becomes intimately bonded to the bones and teeth. The goal is to avoid using removable dentures and allow life to continue as normally as possible.
Are you interested in a career in dental assisting?
In Ross Medical Education Center’s Dental Assistant program, you will learn these terms and much more as you pursue your dental assistant career. Visit the Ross Dental Assistant program page today to find out more!