Teeth Whitening Teeth Terminology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'pellicle' on the tooth surface?
- A type of tartar deposit
- A thin protein film from saliva that coats enamel (Correct answer)
- The outermost layer of enamel
- A calcified plaque deposit
Correct answer: A thin protein film from saliva that coats enamel
The acquired pellicle is a thin salivary glycoprotein film that forms on enamel within minutes of cleaning.
Question 2: What does 'calculus' refer to in dental terminology?
- Tooth decay
- Hardened plaque (tartar) (Correct answer)
- A type of whitening agent
- The pulp chamber
Correct answer: Hardened plaque (tartar)
Calculus, also called tartar, is mineralized dental plaque that hardens on tooth surfaces and cannot be removed by brushing.
Question 3: What is the term for yellow or brown tooth discoloration caused by the antibiotic tetracycline?
- Fluorosis
- Tetracycline staining (Correct answer)
- Amelogenesis imperfecta
- Dentinogenesis imperfecta
Correct answer: Tetracycline staining
Tetracycline staining is an intrinsic discoloration caused by tetracycline antibiotics binding to dentin during tooth development.
Question 4: What is 'fluorosis' in terms of tooth appearance?
- Yellowing from coffee and tea
- White spots or brown discoloration from excessive fluoride during development (Correct answer)
- Darkening from root canal treatment
- Staining from tobacco use
Correct answer: White spots or brown discoloration from excessive fluoride during development
Dental fluorosis results from ingesting too much fluoride during enamel formation, causing white spots or brown mottling.
Question 5: The term 'shade guide' refers to what tool used in cosmetic dentistry?
- A UV light meter for curing resin
- A standardized color reference chart for matching tooth color (Correct answer)
- A device that measures enamel thickness
- A guide for placing whitening trays
Correct answer: A standardized color reference chart for matching tooth color
A shade guide is a standardized set of tooth-colored tabs used to measure and document tooth color before and after whitening.
Question 6: What is 'amelogenesis imperfecta'?
- A cavity in the enamel
- A hereditary condition affecting enamel formation (Correct answer)
- Sensitivity after bleaching
- Overgrowth of gum tissue
Correct answer: A hereditary condition affecting enamel formation
Amelogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder that disrupts normal enamel formation, often causing discoloration and fragility.
Question 7: What does 'occlusal surface' refer to?
- The surface facing the tongue
- The chewing surface of back teeth (Correct answer)
- The surface facing the cheek
- The surface facing adjacent teeth
Correct answer: The chewing surface of back teeth
The occlusal surface is the biting/chewing surface of premolars and molars where teeth meet during mastication.
Teeth Whitening Teeth Terminology 3
What is 'pellicle' on the tooth surface?