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.
- TransplantationSurgical placement of biological material from one site to another.
- Transplantation Of Tooth Transfer of a tooth from one socket to another, either in the same or a different person.
- TransseptalThrough or across a septum.
- Treatment PlanThe sequential guide for the patient's care as determined by the dentist's diagnosis and is used by the dentist for the restoration to and/or maintenance of optimal oral health.
- TrismusRestricted ability to open the mouth, usually due to inflammation or fibrosis of the muscles of mastication.
- TuberosityA protuberance on a bone.
- Type 1 Individual ProviderA health care practitioner who is a single human being. ALL dentists are eligible to apply for Type 1 NPIs, regardless of whether they are covered by HIPAA.
- Type 2 Organization ProviderA health care provider that is an organization, such as a group practice or corporation. Individual dentists who are incorporated may enumerate as Type 2 providers, in addition to being enumerated as a Type 1. All incorporated dental practices and group practices are eligible for enumeration(...)
- Unbundling Of ProceduresThe separating of a dental procedure into component parts with each part having a charge so that the cumulative charge of the components is greater than the total charge to patients who are not beneficiaries of a dental benefit plan for the same procedure.
- UneruptedTooth/teeth that have not penetrated into the oral cavity.
- UnilateralOne-sided; pertaining to or affecting but one side.
- Universal/National Tooth Numbering SystemA system that assigns a unique number (from 1-32) to permanent teeth, and a unique letter (A-T) for primary teeth.
- UpcodeReporting a more complex and/or higher cost procedure than was actually performed. Also known as overcoding.
- UtilizationThe extent to which the members of a covered group use a program over a stated period of time; specifically measured as a percentage determined by dividing the number of covered individuals who submitted one or more claims by the total number of covered individuals. Also, an expression of the(...)
- Utilization ManagementA set of techniques used by or on behalf of purchasers of health care benefits to manage the cost of health care prior to its provision by influencing patient care decision-making through case-by-case assessments of the appropriateness of care based on accepted dental practices.
- Utilization Review, Statistically BasedA system that examines the distribution of treatment procedures based on claims information and in order to be reasonably reliable, the application of such claims analyses of specific dentists should include data on type of practice, dentist's experience, socioeconomic characteristics, and(...)
- Vertical BitewingA dental image with a central projection on which the teeth can close, holding it in a vertical position for the radiographic examination of several upper and lower teeth simultaneously.
- Vertical DimensionThe vertical height of the face with the teeth in occlusion or acting as stops.
- VestibuloplastyAny of a series of surgical procedures designed to increase relative alveolar ridge height.
- Viral CultureA collection of specimen for the purpose of incubating a virus for identification.