CDC Dental Materials & Technology Flashcards

Which type of intraoral radiograph shows the entire tooth from crown to root apex along with the surrounding alveolar bone?

Answer: Periapical radiograph

A periapical radiograph captures the entire tooth—crown, root, and surrounding bone—making it the primary view for diagnosing periapical pathology and root abnormalities.

Which property of dental amalgam has historically made it the gold standard for posterior restorations?

Answer: Exceptional durability and wear resistance

Dental amalgam's outstanding durability and wear resistance under masticatory forces have historically made it the benchmark material for posterior restorations.

What is the primary advantage of digital radiography over conventional film-based radiography?

Answer: Significantly reduced radiation exposure and immediate image availability

Digital radiography reduces patient radiation exposure by up to 90% compared to conventional film and provides instant images without darkroom processing.

Which property of a dental luting cement measures its resistance to breakdown by oral fluids?

Answer: Solubility

Solubility measures how much a cement dissolves in oral fluids; low solubility is essential for maintaining the marginal seal and preventing secondary caries under restorations.

What does CAD/CAM stand for in modern dental technology?

Answer: Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing

CAD/CAM—Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing—uses digital scanning and milling to design and fabricate dental restorations chairside or in the lab.

Which elastomeric impression material achieves the highest dimensional accuracy by setting through an addition polymerization reaction?

Answer: Addition silicone (polyvinyl siloxane, PVS)

Addition silicone (PVS) undergoes addition polymerization with virtually no byproducts, yielding superior dimensional stability and the highest accuracy among elastomeric impression materials.