root canal therapy

root canal therapy,

that aspect of endodontics dealing with the treatment of diseases of the dental pulp, consisting of partial (pulpotomy) or complete (pulpectomy) extirpation of the diseased pulp, cleaning and sterilization of the empty root canal, enlarging and shaping of the canal to receive sealing material, and obturation of the canal with a nonirritating hermetic sealing agent. Also called pulp canal therapy.

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therapy [ther´ah-pe]

treatment.

activity therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as the prescription of and assistance with specific physical, cognitive, social, and spiritual activities to increase the range, frequency, or duration of an individual's (or group's) activity.

aerosol therapy see aerosol therapy.

animal-assisted therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as the purposeful use of animals to provide affection, attention, diversion, and relaxation.

anticoagulant therapy see anticoagulant therapy.

antineoplastic therapy see antineoplastic therapy.

antiplatelet therapy the use of platelet inhibitors such as aspirin, dipyridamole, or sulfinpyrazone, to inhibit platelet adhesion or aggregation and so prevent thrombosis, alter the course of atherosclerosis, or prolong vascular graft patency.

art therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as facilitation of communication through drawings or other art forms.

aversion therapy (aversive therapy) a form of behavior therapy that uses aversive conditioning, pairing undesirable behavior or symptoms with unpleasant stimulation in order to reduce or eliminate the behavior of symptoms. The term is sometimes used synonymously with aversive conditioning.

behavior therapy see behavior therapy.

carbon dioxide–oxygen therapy see carbon dioxide–oxygen therapy.

chest physical therapy see under physical therapy.

client-centered therapy a form of psychotherapy in which the emphasis is on the patient's self-discovery, interpretation, conflict resolution, and reorganization of values and life approach, which are enabled by the warm, nondirective, unconditionally accepting support of the therapist, who reflects and clarifies the patient's discoveries.

cognitive therapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy) a directive form of psychotherapy based on the theory that emotional problems result from distorted attitudes and ways of thinking that can be corrected. Using techniques drawn in part from behavior therapy, the therapist actively seeks to guide the patient in altering or revising negative or erroneous perceptions and attitudes.

collapse therapy a formerly common treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis in which the diseased lung was collapsed in order to immobilize it and allow it to rest. pneumonolysis and thoracoplasty are methods still sometimes used to collapse a lung and allow access during thoracic surgery.

combined modality therapy treatment of cancer using two or more types of therapy, such as with chemoradiotherapy. Called also multimodality therapy.

compression therapy treatment of venous insufficiency, varicose veins, or venous ulceration of the lower limbs by having the patient wear compressing garments such as support hose.

continuous renal replacement therapy hemodialysis or hemofiltration done 24 hours a day for an extended period, usually in a critically ill patient.

convulsive therapy treatment of mental disorders, primarily depression, by induction of convulsions. The type almost universally used now is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), in which the convulsions are induced by electric current. In the past, drugs were sometimes used.

couples therapy marital t.

diet therapy treatment of disease by regulation of the diet.

electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (electroshock therapy) see electroconvulsive therapy.

endocrine therapy treatment of disease by means of hormones; called also hormonal or hormone therapy.

estrogen replacement therapy administration of an estrogen to treat estrogen deficiency, such as that occurring after menopause; there are a number of indications, including the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis and coronary artery disease, and the prevention and treatment of vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and of thinning of the skin and vaginal epithelium, atrophic vaginitis, and vulvar atrophy. In women with a uterus, a progestational agent is usually included to prevent endometrial hyperplasia. Called also hormone replacement therapy.

exercise therapy: ambulation in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as promotion of and assistance with walking to maintain or restore autonomic and voluntary body functions during treatment and recovery from illness or injury.

exercise therapy: balance in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as use of specific activities, postures, and movements to maintain, enhance, or restore balance.

exercise therapy: joint mobility in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as the use of active or passive body movement to maintain or restore joint flexibility.

exercise therapy: muscle control in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as the use of specific activity or exercise protocols to enhance or restore controlled body movement.

family therapy

1. group therapy of the members of a family, exploring and improving family relationships and processes, understanding and modifying home influences that contribute to mental disorder in one or more family members, and improving communication and collective, constructive methods of problem-solving.

2. in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as assisting family members to move their family toward a more productive way of living.

gold therapy chrysotherapy.

group therapy see group therapy.

helium-oxygen therapy see helium-oxygen therapy.

hemodialysis therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as management of extracorporeal passage of the patient's blood through a hemodialyzer. See also hemodialysis.

hemofiltration therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as cleansing of acutely ill patient's blood via a hemofilter controlled by the patient's hydrostatic pressure. See also hemofiltration.

highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) the aggressive use of extremely potent antiretroviral agents in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

hormonal therapy (hormone therapy) endocrine therapy.

hormone replacement therapy the administration of hormones to correct a deficiency; usually used to denote estrogen replacement therapy occurring after menopause.

host modulating therapy efforts to control periodontal disease by directly targeting the host response; an example is the use of drugs that do this, such as sub-antimicrobial doses of doxycycline, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or bisphosphonates.

humidification therapy (humidity therapy) the therapeutic use of air supersaturated with water to prevent or correct a moisture deficit in the respiratory tract; see also humidity therapy.

immunosuppressive therapy therapeutic immunosuppression.

inhalation therapy the term formerly used for respiratory care (def. 3).

intravenous therapy (IV therapy) in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as administration and monitoring of intravenous infusions of fluids and medications.

leech therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as the application of medicinal leeches to help drain replanted or transplanted tissue engorged with venous blood.

marital therapy a type of family therapy aimed at understanding and treating one or both members of a couple in the context of a distressed relationship, but not necessarily addressing the discordant relationship itself. In the past, the term has also been used in a narrower sense to mean what is defined as marriage therapy, but that is increasingly considered a subset of marital therapy. Called also couples therapy.

marriage therapy a subset of marital therapy that focuses specifically on the bond of marriage between two people, enhancing and preserving it.

milieu therapy

1. treatment, usually in a psychiatric treatment center, that emphasizes the provision of an environment and activities appropriate to the patient's emotional and interpersonal needs.

2. in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as the use of people, resources, and events in the patient's immediate environment to promote optimal psychosocial functioning.

multimodality therapy combined modality therapy.

music therapy

1. the use of music to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals with health or educational problems. Music therapy is used for a wide variety of conditions, including mental disorders, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer's disease and other conditions related to aging, brain injury, substance abuse, and physical disability. It is also used for the management of acute and chronic pain and for the reduction of stress.

2. in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as using music to help achieve a specific change in behavior or feeling.

neoadjuvant therapy in single-agent therapy or combined modality therapy for cancer, initial use of one modality, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, to decrease tumor burden prior to use of another modality, usually surgery.

nutrition therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as administration of food and fluids to support metabolic processes of a patient who is malnourished or at high risk for becoming malnourished. See also nutrition.

occupational therapy see occupational therapy.

optometric vision therapy a treatment plan prescribed to correct or improve specific dysfunctions of the vision system; it includes, but is not limited to, the treatment of strabismus (turned eye), other dysfunctions of binocularity (eye teaming), amblyopia (lazy eye), accommodation (eye focusing), ocular motor function (general eye movement ability), and visual-motor and visual-perceptual abilities.

oral rehydration therapy (ORT) oral administration of a solution of electrolytes and carbohydrates in the treatment of dehydration.

oxygen therapy see oxygen therapy.

peritoneal dialysis therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as administration and monitoring of dialysis solution into and out of the peritoneal cavity. See also peritoneal dialysis.

physical therapy see physical therapy.

play therapy see play therapy.

pulp canal therapy root canal therapy.

PUVA therapy [psoralen + ultraviolet A], a form of photochemotherapy for skin disorders such as psoriasis and vitiligo; oral psoralen administration is followed two hours later by exposure to ultraviolet a radiation.

radiation therapy see radiation therapy.

recreation therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as the purposeful use of recreation to promote relaxation and enhancement of social skills.

reminiscence therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as using the recall of past events, feelings, and thoughts to facilitate pleasure, quality of life, or adaptation to present circumstances.

renal replacement therapy therapy such as hemodialysis or transplantation that takes the place of nonfunctioning kidneys. See also continuous renal replacement therapy.

replacement therapy treatment to replace deficient formation or loss of body products by administration of the natural body products or synthetic substitutes. See also replacement. Called also substitution therapy.

respiratory therapy respiratory care.

root canal therapy that aspect of endodontics dealing with the treatment of diseases of the dental pulp, consisting of partial (pulpotomy) or complete (pulpectomy) extirpation of the diseased pulp, cleaning and sterilization of the empty root canal, enlarging and shaping the canal to receive sealing material, and obturation of the canal with a nonirritating hermetic sealing agent. Called also pulp canal therapy.

shock therapy obsolete term for convulsive therapy.

simple relaxation therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as the use of techniques to encourage and elicit relaxation for the purpose of decreasing undesirable signs and symptoms such as pain, muscle tension, or anxiety.

speech therapy the use of special techniques for correction of speech disorders.

substitution therapy replacement therapy.

swallowing therapy in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as facilitating swallowing and preventing complications of impaired swallowing.

thrombolytic therapy the administration of drugs for thrombolysis (dissolution of a thrombus in an artery), to reduce the size of occlusion and thereby reduce damage to muscular tissue; the coronary artery is a commonly used site. Agents commonly used are streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA).

thyroid replacement therapy treatment of hypothyroidism by administration of thyroxine, usually in the form of levothyroxine sodium. Called also thyrotherapy.

ultraviolet therapy see ultraviolet therapy.

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therapy (ther´pē),

n the treatment of disease, injury, or illness.

therapy, antibiotic,

n the treatment of disease states by the local or systemic administration of antibodies.

therapy, antimicrobial,

n a treatment modality that attacks the microorganisms responsible for a specific disease or condition.

therapy, chlorhexidine chip,

n controlled delivery of the antimicrobial agent chlorhexidine in which a tiny, biodegradable dose of the drug is inserted into the periodontal pocket, where it continues to slowly release medication for approximately 7 to 10 days before disintegrating. This therapy is a means of attacking periodontal infection at its source without systemic involvement.

therapy, compromise periodontal maintenance,

n a program of continuing periodontal treatment designed to slow disease progression in patients for whom surgery is not an option because of specific health concerns or economic restrictions.

therapy, doxycycline polymer,

n delivery via syringe and cannula of a biodegradable liquid form of the antimicrobial agent doxycycline polymer directly into a periodontal pocket. The medication hardens upon contact with moisture, thus sealing the pocket and allowing the agent to destroy periodontal pathogens as it dissolves.

therapy, growth modification,

n a treatment employed to modify the growth of the jaw or other bones as they are still developing, usually to treat cases of malocclusion.

therapy, hormonal replacement,

n the administration of synthetic female hormones in order to ease the negative impacts of losing these hormones due to menopause, hysterectomy, or disease.

therapy, indirect pulpal,

n the application of a drug that heals the pulpal cells beneath a layer of sound or carious dentin, as in a moderately deep preparation for a restoration.

therapy, megavoltage radiation,

n a form of radiation therapy used in the treatment of oral cancer. It delivers a more precise point of contact than other forms.

therapy, myofunctional (myotherapeutic exercises),

n the use of muscle exercises as an adjunct to mechanical correction of malocclusion.

therapy, oxygen,

n the providing of additional oxygen for patients who need it.

therapy, periodontal,

n the treatment of the periodontal lesion. Such therapy has two principal objectives: the eradication or arrest of the periodontal lesion with correction or cure of the deformity created by it, and the alteration in the oral cavity of the periodontal climate that was conducive or contributory to the periodontal breakdown.

therapy, periodontal, maintenance phase,

n the part of periodontal therapy that is necessary for the preservation of the results obtained during active therapy and for the prevention of further periodontal disease; an extension of active periodontal therapy, requiring the combined efforts of both the periodontist and the patient.

therapy, pharmacotherapeutic nonsurgical pocket

n the use of both systemic and topical antibiotic compounds to fight bacterial infections in periodontal pockets.

therapy, pocket,

n the debridement or removal of deposits and endotoxins from the periodontal pocket in order to begin the healing process.

therapy, pulp canal,

n See endodontology.

therapy putty,

n a malleable, doughlike substance used in hand exercises to enhance the force and control of the hand muscles.

therapy, radiation (radiotherapy),

n the treatment of disease with a type of radiation.

therapy, radiation, external beam,

n a treatment for cancer in which a beam of high- or low-yield radiation is directed from outside the body at the site of the cancerous tumor or lesion; may cause unnecessary radiation to normal tissues.

therapy, radiation, internal,

n a treatment for cancer in which the radiation source takes the form of an interstitial implant. It is placed in the body among the affected tissues to provide a directed dose of radiation that is not possible using external methods.

therapy, radiation, orthovoltage,

n a form of cancer treatment in which a beam of low-yield radiation is directed from outside the body at a superficial lesion, such as those found in the oral cavity or on the lips.

therapy, radiation, supervoltage,

n See therapy, radiation, megavoltage.

therapy, replacement,

n the administration, as a therapeutic agent, of an essential constituent in which the body is deficient (e.g., insulin in diabetes mellitus).

therapy, root canal,

n See endodontology.

therapy, speech,

n the science that deals with the use of procedures, training, and remedies for the cure, alleviation, or prevention of speech disorders.

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root

1. the descending and subterranean part of a plant.

2. that portion of an organ, such as a tooth, hair or nail, that is buried in the tissues, or by which it arises from another structure, or the part of a nerve that is adjacent to the center to which it is connected, e.g. root of neck, root of tail.

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calcified root canal

restriction of the diameter of the root canal due to calicification; seen in older animals.

root canal

that part of the dental pulp cavity extending from the pulp chamber to the apical foramen. Called also pulp canal.

root canal therapy

see endodontics.

dental root elevator

screwdriver-shaped instrument with a grooved and beveled blade. By pushing the tip of the blade between the tooth root and the alveolar wall the periodontal membrane is broken and the root is elevated and removed.

dorsal root

the sensory division of each spinal nerve, attached centrally to the spinal cord and joining peripherally with the ventral root to form the nerve before it emerges from the intervertebral foramen.

hair root

the part of the hair buried in the hair follicle.

mesenteric root

the small area of attachment of the mesentery to the dorsal abdominal wall at about the level of the first lumbar vertebrae. It encloses the vessels and nerves that supply the intestine.

motor root

ventral root.

nerve r's

the series of paired bundles of nerve fibers which emerge at each side of the spinal cord, termed dorsal (or posterior) or ventral (or anterior) according to their position. A series of dorsal and ventral roots join to form a spinal nerve. Certain cranial nerves, e.g. the trigeminal, also have nerve roots.

penis root

the attachment of the penis by two crura to the lateral parts of the ischial arch.

root perforation

an accidental occurrence when filing a root canal.

root planing

see dental planing.

sensory root

dorsal root.

root signature

referred pain down a limb, causing lameness or elevation of the limb, resulting from entrapment of the spinal nerve, usually by an extruded intervertebral disk.

root sheath cuticle

single layer of cornified cells of the hair follicle interdigitating with the cornified cells of the hair cuticle.

tongue root

caudal part of the tongue attached to the hyoid bone, soft palate and pharynx.

ventral root

the motor division of each spinal nerve, attached centrally to the spinal cord and joining peripherally with the dorsal root to form the nerve before it emerges from the intervertebral foramen.