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dentinal

dentinal

8.8
Relating to the hard layer under the white outer part of a tooth
  • adjective
  • /ˈdɛntɪnəl/
  • Specialized
: dentinal
  • He learned that dentinal sensitivity can be a sign of underlying dental issues.

Examples

  • A cavity can reach the dentinal tissue if not treated promptly.

  • The dentist explained that the dentinal layer is crucial for tooth health.

  • The modification in the hydrodynamics of the dentinal fluids sensitizes the nerve endings and may cause postoperative sensitivity (POS).

    Academic text (2017)

Surface Forms

dentinal positive

Morphology

dentinal = dentin (transparent) = dentin + al

The adjective is a direct and regular formation meaning 'relating to dentin' with the productive suffix '-al'.

Etymology

Dentinal comes from the Latin root dens 'tooth', the same root you see in dentist and dental. It refers to dentin, the hard layer under a tooth's enamel, so dentinal means 'relating to dentin' and reminds you it is about the tooth's inner layer.