1. Unit 17 Dental Assistant Skills

2. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

3. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.3 Two Sets of Teeth  Dentations: sets of teeth  Primary or deciduous dentition  Permanent or succedaneous dentition

4. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.4 The Tooth  Crown  Root  Cervix  Apex

5. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.5 Tissues of the Tooth  Enamel  Cementum  Dentin  Pulp

6. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.6 Periodontium  Structures that surround and support teeth  Alveolar process or ridge  Periodontal ligament  Gingiva or gums

7. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.7 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

8. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.8 7:2 Identifying the Teeth  Incisors  Cuspids  Bicuspids  Molars

9. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.9 Primary or Deciduous Teeth  First set of teeth – called “baby” teeth  20 teeth  Naming of teeth

10. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.10 Permanent or Succedaneous Teeth  Second or permanent set of teeth  32 teeth  Naming of teeth

11. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.11 17:3 Identifying Teeth Using Numbering Systems  Universal Numbering System  Federation Dentaire International System

12. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.12 17:4 Identifying the Surfaces of the Teeth  Anterior and posterior teeth  Crown surfaces  Suggested abbreviations  Line angles of teeth

13. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

14. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

15. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

16. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

17. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

18. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.18 Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment (continued)  Low-speed handpiece (conventional- speed)  High-speed handpiece (ultraspeed)  Maintenance of low-speed and high-speed handpieces

19. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.19 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

20. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

21. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

22. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

23. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.23 Demonstrating Brushing and Flossing Techniques (continued)  Purposes  Demonstrations  Bass method  Five surfaces on each tooth  Toothbrushes  Toothpastes or dentifrices  Dental floss

24. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.24 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

25. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.25 17:10 Taking Impressions and Pouring Molds  Impression –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

26. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.26 Alginate  Irreversible hydrocolloid impression material  Advantages  Disadvantages  Alginate powder  Basic principles for taking alginate impression  Storage of alginate material

27. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

28. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.28 Rubber Base or Polysulfide (continued)  Models should be poured promptly if possible  Disadvantages  Basic principles of preparing rubber base

29. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.29 Polysiloxane or Polyvinylsiloxane  Improved silicone material  Available in different material qualities  Supplied in two tubes  Advantages  Disadvantages

30. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.30 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

31. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.31 Models or Casts (continued)  Basic principles for use of gypsum products  Basic principles for pouring models  Trimming models

32. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.32 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

33. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

34. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

35. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.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

36. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.36 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

37. Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.37 17:15 Developing and Mounting Dental X-Rays  Dental X-rays or radiographs  Types of dental radiographs  Developing films  Mounting X-rays