© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Chapter 18

Dental Assistant Skills

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Career Highlights

• Dental assistants are valuable members of

the dental health care field

• Education requirements

• Certification obtained through the Dental

Assisting National Board

• Duties performed follow state regulations

• Required skills

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18:1 Identifying the Structures and

Tissues of a Tooth

• Odontology: study of the anatomy,

growth, and diseases of the teeth

• Teeth are accessory organs of the

digestive tract

• Aid in mastication (chewing) of food

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Two Sets of Teeth

• Dentitions: sets of teeth

• Primary or deciduous dentition

• Permanent or succedaneous dentition

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The Tooth

• Crown—visible in the mouth

• Root—below the gum line

• Cervix—where the crown meets the root

• Apex—tip of the root

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Tissues of the Tooth

• Enamel—covers the crown

• Cementum—covers the outside of the root

• Dentin—located under the enamel and

cementum of the root

• Pulp—in the inner area of the tooth

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Periodontium

• Structures that surround and support teeth

• Alveolar process or ridge—surrounds the

roots and has sockets

• Periodontal ligament—supports the tooth in

the socket

• Gingiva or gums—surrounds the cervix

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Dental Care

• Disease can affect the teeth and supporting

structures

• Dental care – Preventing and treating dental disease

– Preserving and prolonging the life of the teeth

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18:2 Identifying the Teeth

• Incisors—front and center of the mouth

• Cuspids—at angles of lips

• Bicuspids—before the molars

• Molars—back of the mouth

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Primary or Deciduous Teeth

• First set of teeth—called “baby” teeth• 20 teeth

• Naming of teeth