preventive dentistry

dentistry /den·tis·try/ (den´tis-tre)

1. that branch of the healing arts concerned with the teeth, oral cavity, and associated structures, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and restoration of defective or missing tissue.

2. the work done by dentists, e.g., the creation of restorations, crowns, and bridges, and surgical procedures performed in and about the oral cavity.

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holistic dentistry  dental practice that takes into account the effect of dental treatment and materials on the overall health of the individual.

operative dentistry  dentistry concerned with restoration of parts of the teeth that are defective as a result of disease, trauma, or abnormal development to a state of normal function, health, and esthetics.

pediatric dentistry  pedodontics.

preventive dentistry  dentistry concerned with maintenance of a normal masticating mechanism by fortifying the structures of the oral cavity against damage and disease.

prosthetic dentistry  prosthodontics.

restorative dentistry  dentistry concerned with the restoration of existing teeth that are defective because of disease, trauma, or abnormal development to normal function, health, and appearance; it includes crowns and bridgework.

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preventive dentistry

n.

The branch of dentistry that deals with the preservation of healthy teeth and gums and the prevention of dental caries and oral disease.

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preventive dentistry

Etymology: L, praevenire, to anticipate, dens, tooth

the science of the care required to prevent disease of the teeth and supporting structures. There are three levels of preventive dentistry: the use of a topical fluoride gel to prevent caries is an example of primary prevention, a dental restoration is an example of secondary prevention, and a fixed bridge is an example of tertiary prevention.

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dentistry,

n the evaluation, diagnosis, and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical, or related procedures) of diseases, disorders, and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area, and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the body; provided by dental professionals, within the scope of his/her education, training, and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law.

dentistry, forensic,

n See jurisprudence, dental.

dentistry, four-handed,

n the technique of chairside operating in which four hands are kept busy working in the oral cavity simultaneously.

dentistry, neuromuscular

(ner´ōmus´kylr),
n a subdiscipline of dentistry concerned with correcting alignment problems at the temporomandibular joint. This branch of dentistry focuses primarily on caring for the muscles, nerves, and other tissue as opposed to teeth and bones.

dentistry, operative,

n the branch of oral health service concerned with operations to restore or reform the hard dental tissues (e.g., operations necessitated by caries, trauma, and impaired function, and for improvement of appearance).

dentistry, preventive,

n a subdiscipline of dentistry concerned with preventing cavities and other dental disorders and preserving healthy teeth and gingival tissues.

dentistry, prosthetic,

n See prosthodontics.

dentistry, psychosomatic

n a type of dentistry that concerns itself with the mind-body relationship.

dentistry, washed-field,

n the constant flushing of the operative field with an irrigant (usually water) and the evacuation of the washing (debris) from the oral cavity by vacuum airstream. See also technique, hydroflow.

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preventive,

adj avoiding occurrence.

preventive dentistry,

n the procedures in dental practice and health programs that prevent the occurrence of oral diseases.

preventive maintenance,

n a manner of avoiding future potential dental diseases or oral problems by practicing good oral hygiene on a regular basis.

preventive medicine,

n the branch of medicine that is concerned with the prevention of disease and methods for increasing the power of the patient and community to resist disease and prolong life.

preventive orthodontic treatment,

n the dental services intended to prevent the development of a malocclusion by maintaining the integrity of an otherwise normally developing dentition. Typical services include dental restorations, temporary prostheses (space maintainers) to replace prematurely lost primary teeth, and removal of primary teeth that fail to shed normally to allow the permanent successors to erupt satisfactorily.

Prevotella

n a genus of gram-negative, anaerobic, non-spore-forming, nonmotile rods. Organisms of this genus were originally classified as members of the
Bacteroides genus but overwhelming biochemical and chemical findings indicated the need to separate them from other
Bacteroides species; hence, this new genus was established.

P. intermedia

n a bacilli found in gingival crevices that is believed to be responsible for gingivitis, chronic periodontitis, and other infections of the oral cavity.