human bite

human bite

Etymology: L, humanus + AS, bitan

a wound caused by the piercing of skin by human teeth. Bacteria are usually present, and serious infection often follows. The area is thoroughly washed with an antiseptic and rinsed well. The wound is examined frequently, and appropriate antibiotic therapy instituted, if necessary.

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bite,

n 1. the part of an artificial tooth on the lingual side between the shoulder and the incisal edge of the tooth.
n 2. an interocclusal record or relationship. See also denture space; distance, interarch; record, interocclusal; and record, maxilloman.

bite, balanced,

n See occlusion, balanced.

bite block,

n 1. in intraoral radiography, a film holder that the patient bites to provide stable retention of the film packet.
n 2. an occlusion rim.
n 3. a commercially available device, usually made of rubber, which can be used to prop open a patient's oral cavity during a prolonged treatment session.

Disposable bite block.

bite, close,

n See distance, small interarch.

bite, closed,

n 1. an abnormal overbite.
n 2. a decrease in the occlusal vertical dimension produced by factors such as tooth abrasion and loss or failure of eruption of supportive posterior teeth. See also distance, reduced interarch.

bite closing,

n See dimension, vertical decrease.

bite, convenience,

n See occlusion, acquired, eccentric.

bite, edge-to-edge,

n an occlusion in which the incisal edge of the maxillary incisors meets the incisal edge of the mandibular incisors. See also occlusion, edge-to-edge.

bite force,

n the interocclusal force produced in jaw closure, usually measured in grams or pounds.

bite fork,

n See fork, face-bow.

bite guard,

n See guard, bite.

bite guard splint,

n See splint, acrylic resin bite-guard.

bite, human,

n a puncture or laceration of tissue caused by human teeth. The markings may be distinctive and useful in forensic pathology to determine the person responsible. Human bite wounds may become infected, requiring antibiotic treatment and tetanus toxoid injection.

bite, locked,

n See occlusion, locked.

bite marks,

n.pl the distinctive tooth patterns in a wound that may have forensic or legal implications.

bite, normal,

n See occlusion, normal.

bite, open,

n See apertognathia.

bite opening bends,

n.pl the bends made in maxillary and mandibular light round wires mesial to the molar tubes in orthodontics.

bite plate,

n See plate, bite.

bite, power,

n the strength of the closing motion of the mandible.

bite pressure,

n the pressure produced by jaw closure per unit of area, usually measured in grams per square millimeter. See also pressure, occlusal.

bite raising,

n See dimension, vertical, increasing occlusal.

bite record,

n See path, generated occlusal.

bite rest,

n See position, rest, physiologic.

bite rim,

n See rim, occlusion.

bite, working,

n See occlusion, working.