Dental Assistant Vocabulary

In dentistry, a quadrant refers to half of one dental arch, dividing the mouth for easier diagnosis and treatment.

The maxillary bone forms the upper jaw, while the mandibular bone forms the lower jaw. The zygomatic bone forms the cheekbone, and the temporal bone forms part of the skull.

The term 'anterior' is used in anatomy to describe a position or direction that is towards the front of the body.

Dentition refers to the natural teeth present in the dental arch, excluding any artificial replacements such as dentures. Gum disease and tooth decay are common dental issues that can affect dentition.

The term ventral specifically indicates the front side of the body, as opposed to the back side, top side, or bottom side.

Lamina dura is a thin compact bone that lines the alveolar socket, providing structural support to the tooth in the jawbone. It is an important anatomical feature in dentistry for evaluating the health of the surrounding bone in dental radiographs.

The term 'mandibular' specifically refers to the lower arch of the jaw. It is important to understand the anatomical terms to accurately describe and discuss different regions of the body.

An embrasure specifically refers to the V shape space between teeth in contact, not a dental disease, tool, or the space between upper and lower teeth.

The cervix is a cylindrical neck-like passage forming the lower end of the uterus. It connects the uterus to the vagina and allows for the passage of menstrual flow, sperm, and eventually a baby during childbirth.

The term 'buccal' specifically refers to something being towards the cheek.

In dentistry, 'occlusal' specifically refers to the chewing surface of the posterior teeth, which are the back teeth used for grinding and chewing food.

Humans have three pairs of major salivary glands producing saliva, including the parotid glands, submandibular glands, and sublingual glands.