1. Unit 17 Dental Assistant Skills

2. 17:1 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
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Two Sets of Teeth
Dentations: sets of teeth
Primary or deciduous dentition
Permanent or succedaneous dentition
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The Tooth
Crown
Root
Cervix
Apex
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Tissues of the Tooth
Enamel
Cementum
Dentin
Pulp
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Periodontium
Structures that surround and support teeth
Alveolar process or ridge
Periodontal ligament
Gingiva or gums
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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
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8. 7:2 Identifying the Teeth
Incisors
Cuspids
Bicuspids
Molars
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9. Primary or Deciduous Teeth
First set of teeth – called “baby” teeth
20 teeth
Naming of teeth
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10. Permanent or Succedaneous Teeth
Second or permanent set of teeth
32 teeth
Naming of teeth
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11. 17:3 Identifying Teeth Using Numbering Systems
Universal Numbering System
Federation Dentaire International System
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12. 17:4 Identifying the Surfaces of the Teeth
Anterior and posterior teeth
Crown surfaces
Suggested abbreviations
Line angles of teeth
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13. Identifying the Surfaces of the Teeth (continued)
Point angles of teeth
Anterior teeth line angles and point angles
Posterior teeth line angles and point angles
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14. 17:5 Charting Conditions of the Teeth
Conditions of the teeth are often charted on dental charts or insurance forms
Forms, symbols used, abbreviations, and other factors vary
Dental charts are legal records
Dental charts
Anatomic diagrams
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15. Charting Conditions of the Teeth (continued)
Geometric diagrams
Surfaces of teeth
Charting guidelines
Common symbols for anatomic or geometric diagrams
Recording treatments or services
Common abbreviations used for services rendered
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16. 17:6 Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for operation of equipment
Infection control
Dental light
Air compressor
Oral evacuation system or central vacuum system
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17. Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment (continued)
Assistant’s cart
Tri-flow or air-water syringe
Saliva ejector
High-velocity oral evacuator
Cuspidor
Doctor’s cart
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18. Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment (continued)
Low-speed handpiece (conventional-speed)
High-speed handpiece (ultraspeed)
Maintenance of low-speed and high-speed handpieces
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Summary
Responsibilities for care and maintenance of dental equipment will vary
Dental assistant should learn exactly what maintenance is expected as a part of the job
Read specific manufacturer’s instructions for equipment you will handle
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20. 17:7 Identifying Dental Instruments and Preparing Dental Trays
Methods for setting up dental trays
Organization of trays
Main parts of a dental hand instrument
Standard instruments
Guidelines for preparing dental trays
Examples of tray set-ups
Basic principles for preparing dental trays
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21. 17:8 Positioning a Patient in the Dental Chair
Designed to position patient comfortably while providing doctor and assistant easy access to oral cavity
Headrests
Supine position
Chair controls
Cleaning chair
Principles of seating patient in dental chair
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22. 17:9 Demonstrating Brushing and Flossing Techniques
Using correct brushing and flossing techniques is essential to prevent dental disease
May be responsible for teaching patients
Correct brushing and flossing is one method of prophylactic care
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23. Demonstrating Brushing and Flossing Techniques (continued)
Purposes
Demonstrations
Bass method
Five surfaces on each tooth
Toothbrushes
Toothpastes or dentifrices
Dental floss
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Summary
Correct brushing and flossing provides prophylactic care
Give thorough explanation to all patients
Make sure patient understands procedures
Asking patient to demonstrate procedures is a good way to determine if all points have been learned
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25. 17:10 Taking Impressions and Pouring Molds
Negative film reproduction of a tooth, several teeth, or a dental arch
Taken to form a model of the area for restoration treatment that will take place outside of the mouth
Common materials used to take impressions
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Alginate
Irreversible hydrocolloid impression material
Advantages
Disadvantages
Alginate powder
Basic principles for taking alginate impression
Storage of alginate material
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27. Rubber Base or Polysulfide
Elastomeric impression material that is elastic and rubbery in nature
Three types are available
Can be used in any type of dental impression
Not as subject to dimension changes as alginate
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28. Rubber Base or Polysulfide (continued)
Models should be poured promptly if possible
Disadvantages
Basic principles of preparing rubber base
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29. Polysiloxane or Polyvinylsiloxane
Improved silicone material
Available in different material qualities
Supplied in two tubes
Advantages
Disadvantages
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Models or Casts
Positive reproduction of the arches or teeth that is created from the negative impression
Serves as basis for construction
Gypsum products
Plaster
Stone
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31. Models or Casts (continued)
Basic principles for use of gypsum products
Basic principles for pouring models
Trimming models
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17:11 Making Custom Trays
Impression trays that are made to fit patient’s mouth
Materials used to produce trays
Acrylic resins difficult to remove from mixing containers
Basic principles for making custom trays
Always observe standard precautions
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33. 17:12 Maintaining and Loading an Anesthetic Aspirating Syringe
Types of anesthesia
Topical anesthesia
Types of injections for local anesthetics
Medications
Carpules
Aspirating syringe
Observe standard precautions
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34. 17:13 Mixing Dental Cements and Bases
Cements and bases used in variety of dental procedures
Terminology
Types of products
Basic principles of mixing cements and bases
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35. 17:14 Preparing Restorative Materials
Restoration: process of replacing a diseased portion of a tooth or a lost tooth by artificial means
May include filling material, crowns, bridge, denture, partial denture, or implant
Dental caries or decay
Amalgams and composites
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Summary
Read manufacturer’s instructions before preparing any restorative materials
Take care to avoid contamination of materials in containers
Observe standard precautions while performing any dental procedure
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37. 17:15 Developing and Mounting Dental X-Rays
Dental X-rays or radiographs
Types of dental radiographs
Developing films
Mounting X-rays
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