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Dentistry

University

Introduction to the Degree in Dentistry. Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

25 flashcards15 quiz questions5 summary sections

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Definition, etymology, history, and training in dentistry

  • Dentistry: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the stomatognathic system
  • Stomatognathic system: teeth, gums, periodontal tissue, jaws, and the temporomandibular joint
  • Main pathologies: dental caries, malocclusion, and periodontal disease
  • Etymology: Odontologist (Greek odont(o)), Dentist (Latin dents), Stomatology (Greek stoma)
  • Exclusions: Cancer (oncology/oral pathology), oropharynx (otolaryngology), paralysis (neurology), lip (dermatology)
  • Hesy-Ra: first known dentist (Egypt, 3000 BC)
  • Aristotle: described sterilization with hot wire and dental extraction
  • Pierre Fauchard: father of modern dentistry (work of 1728)
  • Horace Wells: first use of nitrous oxide in 1844
  • Bernardino Landete Aragó: pioneer of maxillofacial surgery in Spain
  • Baltimore College of Dental Surgery: first dental school (1840)
  • European Union: duration of studies is 5 years full-time

Fundamentals, training, and specialties of dentistry

  • Scientific basis: Biology, statistics, and the scientific method
  • Objects of study: Teeth, mouth, jaws, and annex organs
  • Specific subjects: Cariology, endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, radiology, etc.
  • D.D.S. Degree (USA): 4 years of study (2 years basic, 2 years clinical)
  • Evolution in Spain: 1901 degree (5 years), Estomatology (1944-1987), and return to 5-year training in 1987
  • Oral rehabilitation: Functional and aesthetic recovery with prosthetics
  • Endodontics: Treatment of the dental pulp
  • Pediatric dentistry: Care for children
  • Geriatric dentistry: Care for older adults
  • Implantology: Use of titanium implants
  • Preventive dentistry: Non-invasive techniques (e.g., sealants, fluoride, polishing)
  • Forensic dentistry: Identification of corpses and analysis of judicial evidence
  • Perinatal dentistry: Care from pregnancy until 3 years of age
  • Gnatology: Relationship with the temporomandibular joint and bruxism
  • Maxillofacial surgery: Treatment of the anatomical structure of the face and jaws

Basic pathologies, lesions, and procedures in dentistry

  • Caries: caused by dental plaque and pH alteration
  • Caries: can lead to pulpitis, abscesses, and periapical infections
  • Caries: factors include diet, hygiene, saliva, and fluoride
  • Periodontal disease: causes 50% of tooth loss after the age of 15
  • Periodontal disease: in individuals over 35 years old, it exceeds caries as a cause of tooth loss
  • Periodontitis: destroys alveolar bone, root cementum, and the periodontal ligament
  • Malocclusion: requires orthodontics in severe cases to protect the temporomandibular joint
  • Trauma: affects 25% of school-aged children
  • Trauma: most frequent in the upper central incisors
  • Mucosal lesions: Fordyce granules do not require treatment
  • Mucosal lesions: Koplik spots associated with measles
  • Mucosal lesions: Nicotinic stomatitis caused by tobacco
  • Diagnosis: many mucosal lesions require a biopsy to rule out cancer
  • Celiac disease: associated with dental enamel hypoplasia
  • Exodontia: the avulsion technique of a tooth from the bony bed

Dental treatments: Filling, Endodontics, Orthodontics, and Implants

  • Filling: removal of caries and filling with amalgam or composite resin
  • Cavity preparation: use of handpieces and tungsten carbide burs
  • Reconstruction: extensive filling
  • Major reconstruction: filling of very superior extent
  • Endodontics: treatment of pulpitis through pulp extraction and filling with inert material
  • Orthodontics: treatment of dental malocclusion
  • Fixed appliances: use bands, brackets, and nickel-titanium arches with ligatures
  • Removable appliances: removable by the patient for simple malocclusions
  • Lingual brackets: invisible, but with difficult hygiene and higher cost
  • Damon brackets: self-ligating, allow for shorter and faster treatments
  • Clear aligners: uses clear aligners based on 3D models
  • Dental implant: replacement of teeth with titanium in the maxilla
  • Maxillary sinus lift: a complementary technique for lack of bone height

Dental Anatomy and Terminology: Surfaces, Sections, and Basic Concepts

  • Vestibular surface: external face facing the vestibule
  • Palatal or lingual surface: internal face facing the tongue
  • Interproximal surface: face facing the adjacent tooth
  • Mesial surface: face facing the midline
  • Distal surface: face opposite to the mesial
  • Occlusal surface: chewing surface
  • Incisal surface: cutting surface on incisors and canines
  • Crown: visible part covered by enamel
  • Cervix (Dental neck): intermediate zone between crown and root
  • Root: portion attached to the alveolar bone
  • Apex: tip of the root
  • Coronal direction: towards the crown
  • Cervical direction: towards the dental neck
  • Apical direction: towards the apex
  • Periapical zone: area near the apex
  • Midline: division between hemi-arches between central incisors
  • Arch: group of teeth in the maxilla or mandible
  • Hemi-arch: left or right half of an arch
  • Occlusion: contact engagement between arches
  • Antagonist tooth: tooth in the same position in the opposite arch
  • Anterior sector: incisors and canines
  • Posterior sector: premolars and molars

Flashcard preview (6 of 25)

  1. 01

    Etymology: what does the Greek term 'odont(o)' mean?

    Tooth

  2. 02

    Which structures are NOT treated by the dentist, but by the otolaryngologist?

    Oropharyngeal and tonsillar lesions

  3. 03

    Who is considered the father of modern dentistry?

    Pierre Fauchard

  4. 04

    Who first used nitrous oxide as an anesthetic in 1844?

    Horace Wells

  5. 05

    In what year was the first dental school (Baltimore College of Dental Surgery) founded?

    1840

  6. 06

    In the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in the U.S., how many years are dedicated to basic medical sciences?

    Two years.

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