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ABBM (abbrev.):

Anorganic bovine bone matrix.

ABM (abbrev.):

Anorganic bone matrix.

aberrant:

Varying or deviating from the usual or normal course, form, or location.

abfraction:

The hypothetical process leading to the loss of cervical tooth structure due to a combination of abrasion, erosion, and/or occlusal forces; data supporting this term as a discrete clinical entity is equivocal. See: Abrasion, Erosion.

abrasion:

The wearing away of tooth structure or restorative material through an abnormal mechanical process.

abscess (Latin: abscessus):

An immunologically contained and controlled lesion that is an accumulation of pus (neutrophils) in a pocket found in tissue. Caused by inflammation induced by either (1) a localized infection caused by bacteria or parasites or (2) foreign materials lodged in the tissue. It is a defensive mechanism to prevent the dissemination of the infection to other parts of the body.

abscess: Acute a.:

An abscess of relative short duration, typically producing pain and local inflammation. Apical a.: Inflammatory condition characterized by formation of purulent exudate involving the dental pulp or pulpal remnants and the tissues surrounding the apex of a tooth. Chronic a.: 1. Abscess of comparatively slow development with little evidence of inflammation. There may be an intermittent discharge of purulent matter. 2. Long-standing collection of purulent exudate. It may follow an acute abscess. See: Abscess, Residual. Gingival a.: A localized purulent infection that involves the marginal gingiva or interdental papilla. Pericoronal a.: A localized purulent infection within the tissue surrounding the crown of a partially erupted tooth. Periodontal a. (Parietal a.): Localized purulent inflammation in the periodontal tissues, also called lateral periodontal abscess. Pulpal a.: Inflammation of the dental pulp characterized by the formation of purulent exudate. Residual a.: Abscess produced by the residues of a previous inflammatory process. Wandering a.: Abscess in which purulent material flows along a course of decreased resistance and discharges at a distant point.

absorbable:

See: Bioabsorbable material.

absorbed radiation dose (also known as total ionizing dose, TID):

The quantity of ionizing radiation (measured in joules [unit of energy] per kilogram or gray [GY] units) that a patient absorbs during diagnostic or therapeutic radiation. The absorbed dose is dependent upon (1) the incident radiation and (2) the absorbing material (i.e., an X-ray beam may deposit four times the radiation dose in bone as that deposited in air, or none may be deposited in a vacuum).

absorption:

1. Passage of a substance into the interior of another substance. 2. Passage of fluids or substances through tissues. 3. Attenuation of radiation energy by the substance through which it passes.

abutment:

1. The component that interfaces with the implant fixture (implant body) and the prosthetic entity. It may be constructed to accept screw- or cement-retained prosthetics and be made of titanium, alloyed metals, ceramic, zirconia; be custom made; or be uniformly produced by manufacturers. The abutment may have one or multiple pieces and can be straight or angled. Pier a.: An abutment positioned between adjacent abutments. 2. Tooth, tooth root, or implant component that serves as support and/or retention for a dental prosthesis. Screw design of a.: Prosthetic implant component manufactured with threads at the apical portion of the element. This term refers to the manufacture of a specific thread pattern unique to a particular implant company. Tightness of a.: Amount of clamping force present within the body of an abutment screw following placement. See: Preload.

abutment analog:

A replica of the dental implant abutment that is used when making an impression for the laboratory fabrication of the definitive implant abutment. The implant abutment may be made of brass, aluminum, steel, or plastic.

abutment clamp:

Forceps used to assist in the positioning of an abutment on a dental implant platform, or any device used for positioning a dental implant abutment upon the dental implant body.

abutment connection:

The act of fastening an abutment to a dental implant, or of connecting an abutment to an endosseous implant.

abutment driver:

Instrument or device used to assist in the delivery and tightening of an abutment to a dental implant.

abutment healing cap:

Any temporary cover used to provide a seal over the superior portion of a dental implant; most such covers are metallic and are intended for interim usage following exposure of the dental implant's superior surface.

abutment holder:

Instrument that provides abutment retention for extraoral preparation and polishing procedures.

abutment-implant interface:

Common contact surface area between an implant abutment and the supporting implant.

abutment impression coping:

See: Impression coping.

abutment-level impression:

The impression of an abutment either directly, using conventional impression techniques, or indirectly, using an abutment impression coping. See: Implant-level impression.

abutment mount:

Prefabricated device, usually packaged with an abutment, used for the transfer of an abutment to a dental implant intraorally.

abutment post:

That component of a dental implant abutment which extends into the internal structure of a dental implant and is used to provide retention and/or stability to the dental implant abutment.

abutment screw:

A threaded fastener used to connect an abutment to a dental implant. It is usually torqued to a final seating position, or single-piece implant component with a threaded apical portion that can be connected directly to the implant. No additional screw is required to connect and secure the abutment component, or that component which secures the dental implant abutment to the dental implant body.

abutment selection:

A step in the prosthodontic treatment whereby a decision is made regarding the type of abutment to be used for the restoration based on dental implant angulation, interarch space, soft tissue (mucosal) height, planned prosthesis, occlusal factors (e.g., opposing dentition, parafunction), esthetics, and phonetic considerations.

abutment swapping:

See: Platform switching.

abutment transfer device:

See: Orientation jig.

access hole:

Opening in a replacement tooth's occlusal or lingual surface of an implant-retained prosthesis that provides entrance for abutment or prosthesis screw placement or removal.

accessory ostium:

Occasional opening of the maxillary sinus either into the infundibulum or directly in the wall of the middle meatus. See: Ostium (maxillary sinus).

accretion:

An accumulation of plaque, calculus, or material alba on teeth or dental implants.

acellular:

Devoid of cells.

acellular dermal allograft:

Allogenic skin graft, derived from a human cadaver, consisting of a thin split-thickness of dermis, devoid of cellular content following a tissue preparation process.

acetaminophen:

Amide of acetic acid and p-aminophenol, a nonopioid analgesic and antipyretic drug, which may be administered orally or rectally.

acid-etched implant:

External surface of an implant body that has been modified by the chemical action of an acidic medium. The subtractive surface is intended to enhance osseointegration.

acid-etched surface:

Treatment of a surface with an acid in order to increase its surface area by subtraction. See: Subtractive surface treatment.

acid etching:

Act of modifying an implant surface by exposure to an acidic medium with the intention of enhancing osseointegration.

acquired centric:

See: Occlusion, centric.

acquired immunity:

Specialized form of immunity involving antibodies and lymphocytes. Active immunity develops after exposure to a suitable agent (e.g., by an attack of a disease or by injection of antigens), and passive immunity occurs with transfer of antibody or lymphocytes from an immune donor.

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome:

See: AIDS.

acrylic crown:

See: Acrylic restoration.

acrylic resin:

Any of a group of thermoplastic resins made by polymerizing esters of acrylic or methyl methacrylate acids.

acrylic resin veneer:

Usually referring to fixed dental prosthesis, the veneering or lamination of the facial and/or buccal surfaces of a crown or fixed dental prosthesis using acrylic resin. The intention of such veneering is to provide a natural tooth color to the viewable portions of the...