Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Prosthesis used to hold grafts together or to maintain patency of orifices, vessels, or ducts; in dentistry; a prosthetic device used to prevent movement of hard and soft tissues to promote healing and protect from infection. A device used to hold tissue in place or provide support. A metal device inserted into a blood vessel…

A narrowing in the diameter of a passage; may occur by constriction, occlusion, or inflammation. Adj: stenotic. Abnormal constriction or narrowing in an opening or passageway of an organ or body part. Narrowing of an opening. To make something narrow.  

Primary undifferentiated cell that retains the ability to produce an identical copy of itself when divided (self‐renew) and differentiated into another cell type. Relatively undifferentiated cells of the same lineage (family type) that retain the ability to divide and cycle throughout postnatal life to provide cells that can become specialized and take the place of…

Using pressurized steam, debris is removed from objects; in dentistry, this process is used to remove debris from a restoration, framework, or dental prosthesis.  

A temporary partial denture that is used while a patient’s gums and supporting bone are healing after tooth removal. It replaces the missing tooth or teeth and can help the patient with chewing and speaking until a more permanent solution is achieved. A stay plate also helps maintain the patient’s appearance and keeps the remaining…

A collection of numerical facts pertaining to a subject; the science that deals with collection, organization, and analysis of such facts. An estimate of a parameter, based on a given sample. A sample average is a statistic as is a sample standard deviation or range. A value based on a sample of a population from…

Situation where a dental implant is subject to a force which is constant in magnitude and direction (e.g., during its use for orthodontic anchorage).  

Aerobic bacteria characterized as being gram‐positive, nonmotile, and spherical in nature; frequently found in the supragingival plaque; they can cause infection in compromised hosts A coagulase-negative species that is part of the normal flora of the skin. It may colonize, form biofilms on, and infect prosthetic devices and indwelling catheters.  

Aerobic bacteria characterized as being gram‐positive and nonmotile that present as cocci, chains, clusters, or pairs; frequently found in the nares, gingiva, and sputum; appear as a white, pink, or red area on the skin. A disease-producing bacterium that can contaminate food. A species that is coagulase positive, often part of resident flora of the…

The level of care that reasonably prudent healthcare providers in the same or a similar locality would provide under similar circumstances. The degree of care a reasonable person would take to prevent an injury to another. The principles and practices which have been accepted by a health care profession as expected to be applied for…