This document gives additional information about certain words in medical terminology. This document can be used to help learn about future words in the medical field.
Gingiv/itis: gums/inflamed (A.K.A. acute necrotizing gingivitis)
Gingivitis is a condition of inflamed gums which can be red, tender and swollen.
The most serious form is Vincent's infection, which shows ulceration, swollen lymph nodes, fever, tissue
sloughing, and it is accompanied by tissue necrotizing (death).
Treatment is antibiotics, teeth cleaning or surgery.
Causes
Poor dental hygiene
Poorly fitting dentures
Poor occlusion
Nutritional problems
Py/orrhea: pus/flow
Also called peri/odont/itis, Rigg's disease, or peri/odonto/clas/ia
Characterized by inflammation and degeneration of the peri/osteum,
alveolar bone, and cementum.
Usually follows gingiv/itis, acute Vincent's infection, and poor hygiene.
Reabsorption of alveolar bone results in the recession of the gums and tooth loosening.
Tartar: dental plaque or calculus
A buildup of calcaneus matter upon the teeth composed of a combination of calcium phosphate and calcium
carbonate combined with organic matter (food and saliva).
Usually leads to tooth recession and gingivitis.
Dental Caries: rotten Lt. or cavity
Gradual decalcification of enamel and dentin of tooth.
Oral tissues like the gums may become inflamed, abscesses may form, and gingivitis can often occur.
Prevented by good oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, fluoride treatments that are either topical or in drinking
water), laser treatments (dental sealers), and minimizing refined processed foods.
Attrition: attritio (rubbing against GK.)
Wearing away anywhere in the body due to rubbing or friction.
Brux/ism or grinding of teeth is a cause of dental attrition.
People often grind their teeth during sleep.
Mal/occlu/sion: bad/closure/refers
The abnormal contact of the teeth of the upper jaw with the teeth of the lower jaw.
Dr. Edward Angle classified malocclusions into three divisions. It includes references to the articulation of
the first molars and the articulation of the incisors.
Baby Bottle Caries: A.K.A. nursing bottle caries
Baby bottle caries are cavities that have been caused by prolonged sucking on a bottle.
Caries are formed because pools of milk or juice in the mouth break down into lactic acid and other decay-
causing substances.
Preventive measures include elimination of bed-time feeding or the substitution of water for milk or juice at
nighttime.
Ortho/dont/ics: straight/teeth/refers
Appliances (metal or clear plastic removable overlays) are fitted to the teeth to straighten teeth.
Regularly adjusted or replaced to move the teeth into correct position in the jaw line.
A straight wire fixed appliance is used to reorient the arch wire slots to correct or improve mal/occlusion.
Gum Boil: parulis (gummi (gum Lt.) goma (gum A/S)
Abscesses of the gum due to sub/peri/osteal infections
associated with a tooth cavity, irritation, injury, infection, denture friction, or other dental problems.
The area is swollen, red, tender and usually painful.
Usually comes to a type of point, and ruptures or requires an incision for drainage.
Gum Hyper/plas/ia: increased/growth
Hyper/plasia is the excessive proliferation of normal cells in normal tissue, organ or body part.
Also called hyper/genesis.
Gingival hyperplasia may be caused by medications such as dilantin and cyclosporine.
Esophag/itis and Cheil/it is: toward/eater/inflamed; lip/inflamed
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