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.
- Tax Equity And Fiscal Responsibility Act Of 1982 (TEFRA)Legislation (Public Law 97-248) affecting health maintenance organizations and the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Provides regulations for the development of HMO risk contracting with the Medicare program and, through amendment, established new provisions for the foundation and operation of(...)
- Temporary Removable DentureAn interim prosthesis designed for use over limited period of time.
- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD Or Tmjd)Abnormal functioning of temporomandibular joint; also refers to symptoms arising in other areas secondary to the dysfunction.
- Temporomandibular (TMJ)The connecting hinge mechanism between the base of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible).
- TherapeuticOf or pertaining to therapy or treatment; beneficial. Therapy has as its goal the elimination or control of a disease or other abnormal state.
- Third-PartyThe party to a dental benefit contract that may collect premiums, assume financial risk, pay claims, and/or provides other administrative services. Also known as administrative agent, carrier, insurer or underwriter.
- Third-Party Administrator (TPA) Claims payer who assumes responsibility for administering health benefit plans without assuming any financial risk. Some commercial insurance carriers and Blue Cross & Blue Shield plans also have TPA operations to accommodate self-funded employers seeking administrative services only (ASO)(...)
- Third-Party PayerAn organization other than the patient (first party) or health care provider (second party) involved in the financing of personal health services.
- Tissue Conditioningaterial intended to be placed in contact with tissues, for a limited period, with the aim of assisting the return to a healthy condition.
- Titanium And Titanium AlloysTitanium (Ti) > 85%.
- Title Xix Portion of the Social Security Act that provides for federal grants to the states for medical assistance programs, commonly known as Medicaid.
- Tomography An X-ray technique that produces an image representing a detailed cross section of tissue structures at a predetermined depth.
- Tooth Bounded Space A space created by one or more missing teeth that has a tooth on each side.
- TorusA bony elevation or protuberance of bone. See exostosis.
- TracheotomyA surgical procedure to create an opening in the trachea (windpipe) to aid in breathing.
- Transdermala technique of administration in which the drug is administered by patch or iontophoresis through skin.
- TransitionalRelating to a passage or change from one position, state, phase or concept to another.
- Transitional DentitionRefers to a mixed dentition; begins with the appearance of the permanent first molars and ends with the exfoliation of the deciduous teeth.
- Transmucosala technique of administration in which the drug is administered across mucosa such as intranasal, sublingual or rectal.
- TransostealDevice with threaded posts penetrating both the superior and inferior cortical bone plates of the mandibular symphysis and exiting through the permucosa. It may be intraoral or extraoral.