Properties of Dental Materials- Terminology

You must know the properties of the materials used in dentistry to understand its function and how and why it works in oral cavity. It also helps in manipulating it. The main properties you should know about are following:

• Stress
• Strain
• Elasticity Modulus
• Elastic Limit
• Thermal Expansion
• Hygroscopic Expansion
• Setting Expansion

To read the entire lecture (in premium Iridium course), click at the link HERE.

Annealing: Annealing is a process of heating and cooling of metal in a controlled manner. It is done/designed to produce desired properties in a metal. it is typically done to make the metal softer, increase ductility, stabilise the shape and improve/increase the machinability. When we talk about annealing of gold foil, it typically is done to remove surface contaminants just before the condensation.

Dental Anatomy and Terminology

Anatomy of the tooth and surrounding tissues

Enamel: This is the hard, calcified substance that makes the surface of a crown of a tooth.

Dentin: This is the calcified tissue that forms the major part of a tooth. In the crown of the tooth, the dentine is covered by enamel. The pulp
chamber of the tooth is surrounded by dentine.

Pulp: This is the organ at the centre of a tooth that contains blood vessels, connective and neural tissue, and cells that produce dentine-odontoblast. Blood vessels and neural tissue enter the tooth from the apex of the root.

Gingiva: This is the marginal part of the gum that surrounds the tooth where it emerges from the deeper, supporting tissues.

Periodontal ligament: This is the ligament that connects a tooth, by its root, to the supporting bone.

Cementum: This is the calcified tissue on the surface of the root of a tooth, which provides attachment for the periodontal ligament.

Fissure: It is a naturally occurring crevice in the enamel.

Crown: This is the part of the tooth that is visible and is above the gingival margin.

Root: This is the part of the tooth below the gingival margin; it is connected through cementum on its surface and the fibres of the periodontal ligament to the supporting bone.

Dental numbering system

There are numerous dental numbering systems to identify teeth and their maturity. The most commonly used system in Australia is the Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) system (see Figures). When communicating with a dentist, identify which numbering system is being used.

The FDI numbering system divides the mouth into quadrants. The first number indicates the quadrant and whether it is a primary or secondary tooth. The second number indicates the tooth; tooth numbering begins at the central incisor and counts backward to the molars.

Using the FDI numbering system, for adults, the quadrants are numbered as:

1. patient’s upper right is quadrant 1 
2. patient’s upper left is quadrant 2 
3. patient’s lower left is quadrant 3 
4. patient’s lower right is quadrant 4

For primary teeth in children, the quadrants are numbered as:

1. patient’s upper right is quadrant 5 
2. patient’s upper left is quadrant 6 
3. patient’s lower left is quadrant 7 
4. patient’s lower right is quadrant 8

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Ref: Therapeutic Guidelines 2019

Domains of Practice in Australian Dentistry

To read about new blueprint of ADC exam click HERE. 

Domain 6. Patient Care 

 6.1 Clinical Information Gathering  

It covers the collection and recording of information that is necessary and relevant. 

As an Australian dentist you must be able to:   

 

1. obtain and record a relevant history of the patient’s medical, social and oral health status  

2. perform an examination for health, disease and abnormalities of the dentition, mouth and associated structures  

3. select necessary clinical, pathology and other diagnostic procedures and interpret results  

4. take radiographs relevant to dental practice  

5. evaluate individual patient risk factors for oral disease 

6. maintain accurate, consistent, legible and contemporaneous records of patient management and protect patient privacy  

 

6.2 Diagnosis and Management Planning  

• It covers the identification of disease or abnormalities that require treatment or investigation As an Australian dentist you must be able to:   

• 1. recognise health as it relates to the individual  

• 2. diagnose disease or abnormalities of the dentition, mouth and associated structures and identify conditions which require management  

• 3. determine the impact of risk factors, systemic disease and medications on oral health and treatment planning   

• 4. formulate and record a comprehensive, patient-centred, evidence-based oral health treatment plan  

• 5. determine when and how to refer patients to the appropriate health professional  

• 6. obtain and record patient informed consent and financial consent for treatment  

 

6.3 Clinical Treatment and Evaluation  

It covers the provision of evidence-based patient-centred care. 

As an Australian dentist you must be able to:    

1. apply the principles of disease and trauma prevention and early intervention in the management of the dentition, mouth and associated structures  

2. apply the principles of behaviour management  

3. manage a patient’s anxiety and pain related to the dentition, mouth and associated structures  

4. manage surgical and non-surgical treatment of diseases and conditions of the periodontium and supporting tissues of the teeth or their replacements  

5. manage surgical and non-surgical treatment of pulp and periapical diseases and conditions with endodontic treatment  

6. manage the loss of tooth structure by restoring the dentition with direct and indirect restorations  

7. utilise patient removable prostheses to rehabilitate, restore appearance and function, prevent injury and stabilise the occlusion 

8. utilise fixed prostheses to rehabilitate, restore appearance and function and stabilise the occlusion  

9. manage oral conditions, pathology and medically related disorders and diseases associated with the dentition, mouth and associated structures  

10. manage skeletal and dental occlusal discrepancies  

11. manage the removal of teeth and oral surgical procedures  

12. administer, apply and/or prescribe pharmaceutical agents  

13. evaluate and monitor the progress of treatment and oral health outcomes  

14. manage dental emergencies. 

15. manage medical emergencies.