a- Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
Prefix denoting absence of, lacking, without; e.g. atoxic (not poisonous), abacterial (without bacteria).
abapical Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
Opposite to or directly away from the *apex.
abarticulation Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
The displacement or *dislocation of a bone from its normal position (e.g. the *temporomandibular joint).
Abbé–Estlander operation Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
[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 ...
ABCDE approach Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
abdomen Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
That part of the body *cavity below the chest and separated from it by the *diaphragm. It contains a number of organs including the stomach, ...
abduction Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
Movement away from the *midline; e.g. the lateral rectus *muscle is an abductor of the eye.
aberrant Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
Deviating from the normal. Usually applied to a blood vessel or nerve that fails to follow its normal course.
abfraction Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
ablation Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
The removal or *excision of a piece of tissue, usually by surgery. Surface ablation of the *skin may be carried out by chemicals or ...
abrasion Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
abrasive Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
A material used to smooth or roughen a softer material by mechanical wear. It may be delivered in a high pressure stream of air (...
abscess Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
absorbable gelatin(e) sponge Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
A material applied topically to aid *haemostasis, usually following a dental *extraction. It provides a structure for *...
absorbent Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
Describing a material capable of taking up other substances by suction, e.g. an absorbent *paper point.
absorption Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
The passage of one substance to another by penetration or solution. For example, the passage of liquids into the *...
absorption layer Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
An amorphous zone on the *dentine surface into which *adhesive agents can flow. See also
abuse Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
Any action which deliberately harms or injures another person, including inappropriate use of any substance, especially those that alter consciousness (e.g. ...
abut Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
To touch or border upon. To have a common boundary.
abutment Quick reference
A Dictionary of Dentistry (2 ed.)
A tooth, tooth root, or *implant used to support a fixed or removable *prosthesis (*bridge or partial ...
