abarticulation
The displacement or dislocation of a bone from its normal position (e.g. the temporomandibular joint).
Abbé flap
[R. Abbé (1851–1928), American surgeon; J. A. Estlander (1831–81), Finnish surgeon] A full thickness flap of tissue taken from the middle portion of usually the lower lip and transferred to the upper ...
ABCDE
A mnemonic for a step-by-step assessment of an athlete who collapses on the field of play. A = Airway and cervical spine (ensure that the airway is clear; suspect a cervical spine injury if the ...
aberrant
Deviating from the normal. Usually applied to a blood vessel or nerve that fails to follow its normal course.
abfraction
The loss of tooth structure in the cervical region of the crown of a tooth. Some research studies suggest that this is owing to flexural forces applying an excessive biomechanical loading to one or ...
abrasion
1. The non-bacterial loss of tooth tissue due to frictional wear by extrinsic agents. Common causes are toothbrushing, particularly with abrasive pastes, pipe smoking, and pencil chewing. The lesions ...
abrasive
A material used to smooth or roughen a softer material by mechanical wear. It may be delivered in a high pressure stream of air (air abrasion) or by adhesion to strips, discs, wheels, or points. An ...
abscess
A localized accumulation of pus in a cavity caused by tissue breakdown as a result of infection or foreign materials. It is a tissue defence reaction to prevent the spread of infection to other parts ...
absorbable gelatin(e) sponge
A material applied topically to aid haemostasis, usually following a dental extraction. It provides a structure for clot formation.
absorption
The passage of one substance to another by penetration or solution. For example, the passage of liquids into the mucosa, skin, or dental materials.
absorption layer
An amorphous zone on the dentine surface into which adhesive agents can flow. See also hybrid layer.
abuse
Inappropriate use or treatment of materials, techniques, persons, programmes, or language. See also child abuse.
abutment
A tooth, tooth root, or implant used to support a fixed or removable prosthesis (bridge or partial denture). It may provide either the terminal support for a prosthesis or additional intermediate ...
acantholysis
The breakdown of epidermal or epithelial cells due to a loss of intercellular substance. It is often seen in conditions such as pemphigus vulgaris, where it is caused by autoantibodies, but may also ...
access
An approach or pathway, either natural or prepared, to view, instrument, or treat an area of interest. An access cavity is prepared in a tooth to identify root canal entrances in the pulp chamber or ...
Access to Health Records Act 1990
(in Britain)A British act of parliament that established legislation for controlling a patient's access to their written clinical health records. This act has largely been replaced by the Data ...
accessory
Additional, supplementary, subsidiary to the main thing. An accessory root canal is a branch of the principal root canal frequently occurring in the apical third of the root.
accident book
A book used to record all accidents to staff, patients, and visitors in a dental practice or clinic. Entries should include the time, date, and nature of the accident, where it took place, who was ...
