Definition of dentistry

(As adopted by the 1997 ADA House of Delegates)

defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention 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 human body; provided by a dentist, within the
scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and
applicable law.
Dentistry can be defined in 3 aspects
1. As a science - branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and
treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, commonly in the dentition but
also the oral mucosa, and of adjacent and related structures and tissues, particularly in the
maxillofacial (jaw and facial) area.
2. As an art – involves skilled craftsmanship/psychomotor skills/technical skills
3. As a profession – a calling or vocation requiring specialized knowledge and technical skills
following lengthy and intensive program.
Scope of Dentistry
1. Diagnosing oro-facial conditions and providing appropriate information to patients of diagnosis,
treatment or management options and their consequences
2. Removing tooth tissue and/or placing materials for either the temporary or permanent restoration
or replacement of tooth structure, or the rehabilitation of the dentition
3. Performing procedures on the orofacial complex, teeth, and the hard and soft tissues surrounding
or supporting the teeth
4. Extracting teeth
5. Administering local analgesia and/or sedative drugs in connection with procedures on the teeth,
the jaws and the soft tissues surrounding or supporting the teeth
6. Prescribing medicines appropriate to the scope of practice, the sale or supply of which is
restricted by law to prescription by designated health practitioners
7. Prescribing special tests in the course of dental treatment
8. Using ionising radiation, for diagnostic purposes, in the course of the practice of dentistry
9. Performing procedures on any person to prepare for or carry out the construction, fitting,
adjustment, repair, or renewal of artificial dentures or restorative or corrective dental appliances.
The Basic Sciences and Dentistry

 A dentist must be knowledgeable in basic medical/biological sciences.

 To be able to understand pathologic conditions, the dentist must be well-educated with normal
anatomy and physiology
Dental terminologies
Before going to the next topic a student must research and familiarize him/herself to the
following terms :
1. Permanent Teeth 13. Bicuspid 25. Prosthesis
2. Primary Teeth 14. Molar 26. Abscess
3. Mesial surface 15. Crown 27. Caries
4. Distal surface 16. Roots 28. Plaque
5. Labial Surface 17. Enamel 29. Carious Lesion
6. Incisal Surface 18. Dentin 30. Dental prophylaxis
7. Occlusal Surface 19. Cementum 31. Edentulous
8. Lingual Surface 20. Pulp 32. Extraction
9. Mandibular 21. Apex 33. Frenum
10. Maxillary 22. Alveolar 34. Saliva
11. Incisor 23. Gingiva 35. TMJ
12. Cuspid 24. Denture

INTRODUCTION TO ORAL ANATOMY

TWO TYPES OF DENTITION

 Primary / deciduous dentition (20 teeth; 10 per arch)

 Permanent dentittion (32 teeth; 16 per arch)

DENTAL TISSUE
Enamel. Hard calcified tissue covering the dentin in the crown of tooth. Because it contains no living
cells, tooth enamel cannot repair damage from decay or from wear. Only a dentist can correct these
conditions.
Dentin. That part of the tooth that is beneath enamel and cementum. It contains microscopic tubules
(small hollow tubes or canals). When dentin loses its protective covering (enamel), the tubules allow heat
and cold or acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the nerves and cells inside the tooth, causing sensitivity.
Pulp. the pulp—the soft tissue at the center of your teeth containing nerves, blood vessels and connective
tissue.
Cementum. Hard connective tissue covering the tooth root, giving attachment to the periodontal ligament.
Periodontal Ligament. A system of collagenous connective tissue fibers that connect the root of a tooth to
its socket.
DENTAL ANATOMY
Clinical crown – that portion of a tooth visible in the oral cavity
Anatomical crown – that portion of a tooth covered with enamel
Clinical root – that portion of a tooth which lies within the alveolus
Anatomical root – that portion of a tooth covered by cementum
CERVICAL MARGIN- Junction of the anatomical crown and anatomical root
BASIC TOOTH FORMS
INCISORS (4) – Cutting teeth; thin blade-like crowns
Central Incisors
Lateral Incisors
CANINE (2) – Piercing or Tearing teeth; single stout, pointed cone-shaped crown
PREMOLARS (4) - Grinding teeth
1st Premolar
2nd Premolar
MOLARS (6)- Grinding teeth
1st Molar
2nd Molar
3rd Molar
SURFACES OF TOOTH
Buccal Towards, or adjacent to, the cheek. The term bucca surface is reserved for that surface of a
premolar or molar which is positioned immediately adjacent to the cheek
Labial Towards, or adjacent to, the lips. The term labial surface is reserved for that surface of an incisor
or canine which is positioned immediately adjacent to the lips
Palatal Towards, or adjacent to, the palate. The term palatal surface is reserved for that surface of a
maxillary tooth which is positioned immediately adjacent to the palate
Lingual Towards, or adjacent to, the tongue. The term lingual surface is reserved for that surface of a
mandibular tooth which lies immediately adjacent to the tongue
Mesial Towards the median. The mesial surface is that surface which faces towards the median line
following the curve of the dental arch
Distal Away from the median. The distal surface is that surface which faces away from the median line
following the curve of the dental arch
CAVITY CLASSIFICATION
Class I- Lesion and preparation is limited to the occlusal surface and involves pit and fissures (posterior
teeth) and lingual surface of anterior teeth.
Class II- Proximal caries on posterior teeth.
Class III- Proximal caries on anterior teeth that do not include the incisal angles
Class IV- Proximal caries on anterior teeth that do include the incisal angles
Class V- Cervical caries; gingival 1/3 of buccal or lingual surfaces
Class VI- Caries on the buccal/lingual cusps
CLASSIFICATION OF MALOCCLUSION
CLASS I MALOCCLUSION
The mesiobuccal cusp of the upper first permanent molar occludes with the mesiobuccal groove
of the lower first molar
CLASS II MALOCCLUSION

 The mesiobuccal cusp of the upper first molar is anterior to the mesiobuccal groove of the
lower first molar.
 Usually the mesiobuccal cusp rests in between the first mandibular molars and second
premolars

CLASS II DIVISION 1

 Condition when class ii molar relationship is present with proclined upper central incisors.
 There is an increase in overjet.

CLASS II DIVISION 2

 Condition when class ii molar relationship is present with retroclined upper central incisors, upper
lateral incisors may be proclined or normally inclined.
 Overjet is usually minimal or may be increased.

CLASS II SUBDIVISION
Condition when the class II molar relationship exists on only one side with normal molar
relationship on the other side.
CLASS III MALOCCLUSION

 The mesiobuccal cusp of the maxillary first molar lies posteriorly to the mesiobuccal groove of
the mandibular first molar.

 Usually seen as when the lower front teeth are more prominent than the upper front teeth.
PSEUDO CLASS III MALOCCLUSION

 Due to occlusal prematurity, when the mandible moves from rest position to occlusion, it slides
forward into a pseudo class III position.

 It’s also known as postural class III.

CLASS III SUBDIVISION
Condition in which class III molar relationship is present only on one side with normal relation on
the other side.
FACIAL PROFILE
1. Straight
2. Convex
3. Concave