Shifting definitions in dentistry: a source of clinical confusion. A critical review
Quintessence International, cilt.2025, sa.9, ss.772-778, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 2025 Sayı: 9
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.3290/j.qi.b6541896
- Dergi Adı: Quintessence International
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, DIALNET
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.772-778
- Anahtar Kelimeler: bruxism, centric occlusion, centric relation, definition, temporomandibular joint, terminology
- Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: Definitions play a pivotal role in scientific disci-plines, including dentistry, by providing clarity and precision to the terminology employed. However, over time, definitions are sometimes subject to modification, which can result in com-munication misunderstandings among clinicians, patients, and third parties. This narrative review aims to present and discuss different patterns of definitional changes. Method and mater-ials: Observations regarding changes to established definitions in the dental literature and clinical practice were supplemented by searches of the bibliographic database PubMed. Results: Three patterns of terminological change of a given term were distinguished: redefinition (eg, “centric relation”), narrowing (eg, “centric occlusion”), or broadening (eg, “bruxism”) of established terms. Conclusion: The alteration of established definitions can result in the introduction of inconsistencies in the meanings and connotations of clinically significant terms. This can potentially lead to confusion among individuals who have been familiar with the original definition for an extended period. These changes have the potential to expose patients to various risks and may ultimately call into question the scien-tific basis of dentistry as a discipline.