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.
- Public Health DentistryDental public health is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice which serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental(...)
- Pulp Connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue which occupies the pulp cavity of a tooth.
- Pulp CavityThe space within a tooth which contains the pulp.
- PulpectomyComplete removal of vital and non-vital pulp tissue from the root canal space.
- Pulpitis Inflammation of the dental pulp.
- Pulpotomy Removal of a portion of the pulp, including the diseased aspect, with the intent of maintaining the vitality of the remaining pulpal tissue by means of a therapeutic dressing.
- PurchaserOrganization or entity, often employer or union, that contracts with the dental benefit organization to provide dental benefits to an enrolled population.
- QuadrantOne of the four equal sections into which the dental arches can be divided; begins at the midline of the arch and extends distally to the last tooth.
- RadicularPertaining to the root.
- RadiographAn image or picture produced on a radiation sensitive film, phosphorous plate, emulsion or digital sensor by exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Radiographics/Surgical Implant IndexAn appliance, designed to relate osteotomy or fixture position to existing anatomic structures.
- RebaseProcess of refitting a denture by replacing the base material.
- RecalcificationProcedure used to encourage biologic root repair of external and internal resorption defects. See apexification.
- ReimbursementPayment made by a third party to a beneficiary or to a dentist on behalf of the beneficiary, to offset expenses incurred for a service covered by the dental benefit plan.
- Reimplantation, ToothThe return of a tooth to its alveolus.
- ReinsuranceInsurance for third-party payers to spread their risk for losses (claims paid) over a specified dollar amount.
- Relative Value SystemCoded listing of professional services with unit values to indicate relative complexity as measured by time, skill, and overhead costs. Third-party payers typically assign a dollar value per unit to calculate provider reimbursement.
- Reline Process of resurfacing the tissue side of a removable prosthesis with new base material.
- Removable Partial DentureA removable partial denture is a prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth that can be removed by the patient.
- Removable ProsthesisComplete or partial prosthesis, which after an initial fitting by a dentist, can be removed and reinserted by the patient.