Longmeadow Family Dental Care Longmeadow Family Dental Care

Glossary

Our glossary features any dental term you need to know, from A to Z. Still confused about something? Give us a call — we’re happy to help.

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  • A list of the charges established or agreed to by a dentist for specific dental services.
  • A lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, plastic or porcelain.
  • A prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth cemented or otherwise attached to the abutment teeth or implant replacements.
  • Non-removable dental prosthesis which is solidly attached to abutment teeth, roots or implants.
  • Combined prosthesis, one or more parts of which are fixed, and the other(s) attached by devices which allow their detachment, removal and reinsertion by the dentist only.
  • A benefit program in which an employee has a choice of credits or dollars for distribution among various benefit options, e.g., health and disability insurance, dental benefits, childcare, or pension benefits. See cafeteria plans; flexible spending account.
  • Employee reimbursement account primarily funded with employee designated salary reductions. Funds are reimbursed to the employee for health care (medical and/or dental), dependent care, and/or legal expenses, and are considered a nontaxable benefit.
  • Natural opening into or through bone.
  • The breaking of a part, especially of a bony structure; breaking of a tooth.
  • Refers to a system for marketing a dental practice, usually under a trade name, where permitted by state laws. In return for a financial investment or other consideration, participating dentists may also receive the benefits of media advertising, a national referral system, and financial and(...)
  • The concept that a patient has the right to choose any licensed dentist to deliver his or her oral health care without any type of coercion.
  • Muscle fibers covered by a mucous membrane that attaches the cheek, lips and or tongue to associated dental mucosa.
  • The fee for a service that is set by the dentist, which reflects the costs of providing the procedure and the value of the dentist's professional judgment. A contractual relationship does not change a dentist's full fee. It is always appropriate to report the full fee for each service reported(...)
  • The anatomic area of a multirooted tooth where the roots diverge.
  • A managed care concept used by some alternative benefit plans, in which enrollees select a primary care dentist, usually a general practitioner or pediatric dentist, who is responsible for providing non-specialty care and managing referrals, as appropriate, for specialty and ancillary care.
  • a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired. Patients often require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and positive pressure ventilation may be(...)
  • Laboratory technique used to determine if a person has a genetic condition or disease or is likely to get the disease.
  • Soft tissues overlying the crowns of unerupted teeth and encircling the necks of those that have erupted.
  • The excision or removal of gingiva.
  • Inflammation of gingival tissue without loss of connective tissue.