HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Which term describes the addition of parts during tooth development?

1. Apposition

2. Alignment

3. Articulation

4. Incision

The correct answer is: Apposition

The correct term that describes the addition of parts during tooth development is apposition. Apposition refers specifically to the process in which layers or parts are added together, particularly in the context of constructing the tooth structure. During tooth development, cells in the dental tissues, such as enamel and dentin, are deposited in layers, gradually forming the complete tooth. Other terms refer to different concepts. Alignment pertains to the positioning of teeth relative to one another and is more relevant to orthodontics. Articulation describes how teeth fit together when the jaw is closed, which focuses on the functional relationship rather than developmental processes. Incision generally refers to a cutting action, especially in dentistry, where it relates to making cuts in gums or tissue, and does not pertain to the developmental stages of teeth. Therefore, apposition is the most accurate term to describe the process involved in building the structure of teeth during their development.