| earth wax | A natural mixture of hydrocarbons of high molecular weight; a substitute for beeswax, also used in dentistry for impressions. Synonym: cerin, cerosin, earth wax, mineral wax, purified ozokerite. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| ear wax | The ear canal is shaped somewhat like an hourglass. The skin on the outer part of the canal has special glands that produce earwax. The purpose of this natural wax is to repel water and to trap dust and sand particles. Usually a small amount of wax accumulates, and then dries up and falls out of the ear canal caring with it unwanted particles. Ear wax is helpful in normal amounts and serves to coat the skin of the ear canal where it acts as a temporary water repellent. The absence of ear wax may result in dry, itchy ears, and even infection. See: cerumen. (12 Dec 1998) |
| emulsifying wax | A washable ointment base consisting of a mixture of cetostearyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and water. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Japan wax | A vegetable wax derived from Rhus succedanea and Toxicodendron verniciferum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| yellow wax | A yellowish, solid, brittle substance prepared from the honeycomb of the bee, Apis mellifera; the chief constituent is myricin (myricyl palmitate); others are cerotic acid (cerin), melissic acid, heptacosane, and hentriacontane; used in the preparation of ointments, cerates, plasters, and suppositories. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bar joint denture | A complete denture that is supported by both soft tissue and natural teeth that have been altered so as to permit the denture to fit over them. The altered teeth may have been fitted with short or long copings, locking devices, or connecting bars. Synonym: bar joint denture, hybrid prosthesis, overdenture, telescopic denture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| partial denture | A dental prosthesis which restores one or more, but less than all, of the natural teeth and/or associated parts and which is supported by the teeth and/or the mucosa; it may be removable or fixed. Synonym: bridgework. Distal extension, a removable partial denture that is retained by natural teeth at one end of the denture base segments only, and in which a portion of the functional load is carried by the residual ridge. (05 Mar 2000) |
| partial denture impression | An impression or negative copy of all or a part of the partially edentulous dental arch or area, made for the purpose of designing or constructing a partial denture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| partial denture retention | The fixation of a removable partial denture by the use of clasps, indirect retainers, or precision attachments. (05 Mar 2000) |
| removable partial denture | A partial denture which supplies teeth and associated structures on a partially edentulous jaw, and which can be readily removed from the mouth. Synonym: removable bridge. (05 Mar 2000) |
| complete denture | A dental prosthesis which is a substitute for the lost natural dentition and associated structures of the maxillae or mandible. Synonym: full denture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| complete denture impression | An impression of an edentulous arch made for the purpose of constructing a complete denture, a negative registration of the entire denture-bearing, stabilizing area of either the maxillae or mandible, a negative registration of the entire denture foundation and border seal areas present in the edentulous mouth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| provisional denture | A dental prosthesis to be used for a short interval of time for reasons of esthetics, mastication, occlusal support, or convenience, or to condition the patient to accept an artificial substitute for missing natural teeth until more definite prosthetic dental treatment can be provided. Synonym: provisional denture, temporary denture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| stomatitis, denture | Inflammation of the mouth due to denture irritation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| denture | <dentistry> A synthetic replacement for all of your teeth in either your upper or your lower jaw. (08 Jan 1998) |