Dental Term - Chapter 13 (Endodontics)

• endodontia


  branch of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the dental pulp and its periradicular tissues
• periradicular

  around the root
• endodontist


  dental specialist who is limited to and performing the practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the dental pulp and its periradicular tissues
• pulpitis


  inflamed pulpal condition
• necrotic


  describing diseased pulp tissue that cannot recover and repair itself; irreversible condition
• objective signs


  conditions observed by someone other than the patient; Ex: hyperextension, putrefaction
• tooth hyperextension


  condition in which the tooth arises out of the socket
• putrefaction


  noticeable, unpleasant odor
• subjective symptoms


  conditions as described by the patient; Ex: hypersensitivity, pulpalgia
• pulp


  inner tooth tissue
• palpation


  application of finger pressure to body tissues, including gingiva
• percussion


  tapping on an affected tooth and comparing the sensation to tapping on a healthy (control) tooth
• mobility


  movement of a tooth in its socket during outside force or application of pressure
• transillumination


  light refraction test to reveal fractured tooth tissue
• thermal


  pulp sensitivity test with reaction to application of heat and/or cold to tooth surface
• anesthesia


  numbing the specific root/nerve ending to dissipate pain
• direct dentin stimulation


  scratching the exposed dentin with an explorer; presence of pain indicates inflamed/irritated pulp tissue
• electric pulp testing

  applying an electrical current on the enamel surface of the tooth to register the tooth's pulpal sensitivity and presence of irritability
• radiograph


  x-ray examination and other technology (digital radiometric analysis, radiovisiongraphy, magnetic resonance imaging) to demonstate early changes of bone structure and periapical involvement of suspected tooth with an inflamed pulp
• periodontitis


  inflammation around the tooth; pain is lessened/eliminated by removing the inflamed/necrotic pulp
• abscess


  local pus infection that may be acute or chronic
• suppurative

  producing pus
• pericementitis


  inflammation and necrosis of alveoli of the tooth
• cyst

  abnormal, closely walled fluid or exudates-filled sac in/around periapical tissues
• cellulitis


  inflammation of cellular/connective tissue
• osteomyelitis


  inflammation of the bone and bone marrow, usually caused by bacterial infection
• pulpotomy


  partial excision of dental pulp
• pulpectomy


  surgical removal of pulp from the tooth
• root canal treatment (RCT)


  surgical removal of pulp from the tooth
• apicoectomy


  surgical amputation of a root apex; may be necessary where there is a radical cyst
• root end resection


  surgical amputation of a root apex; may be necessary where there is a radical cyst
• anesthesia


  local injection to relieve pain occurring during the procedure; first step of root canal treatment
• isolation of the operative area


  accomplished to provide safety and to assure an aspectic site; second step of root canal treatment
• aseptic


  without disease
• estirpation

  removal of the pulpal tissue after the pulpal opening; third step of root canal treatment
• debridement


  removal of necrotic pulpal tissue and cleaning out of the area; fourth step of root canal treatment
• irrigation and cleansing


  use of chemicals and instruments to remove tissue dust and material matter from the pulp and pulp canals; fifth step of root canal treatment
• obturation


  fillling and closing of the canal area; may consist of filling from the pulp to the apex or may be complete in a retrograde; sixth step of root canal treatment
• retrograde


  process of filling a root canal beginning from the apex of the tooth to the pulp
• retrofill endodontic restoration


  process of filling a root canal beginning from the apex of the tooth to the pulp