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.

AJAX progress indicator
Search:
(clear)
  • Person or authorized provider who files a claim for benefits. Patient or certificate holder who files a claim for benefits.
  • A form, paper or electronic, used to report dental procedures to a third-party payer in order to file for benefits under a dental benefit program. The paper claim form was developed by the American Dental Association.
  • The intentional manipulation or alteration of facts or procedure codes submitted by a treating dentist resulting in a lower payment to the beneficiary and/or the treating dentist than would have been paid if the manipulation had not occurred.
  • The intentional misrepresentation of material facts concerning treatment provided and/or charges made, in that this misrepresentation would cause a higher payment.
  • Congenital deformity resulting in lack of fusion of the soft and/or hard palate, either partial or complete.
  • The clamping and pressing of the jaws and teeth together in centric occlusion, frequently associated with psychological stress or physical effort.
  • That portion of a tooth not covered by tissues.
  • A dental insurance benefit plan which requires the eligible patients to receive their dental care from a specific dentist who has contractually agreed to the terms, payments and benefits of the plan. Usually only a limited number of dentists in an area are allowed to participate in these types(...)
  • The re-approximation of segments of a fractured bone without direct visualization of the boney segments.
  • A listing of dental procedure codes and their descriptive terms published by the American Dental Association (ADA) used for recording dental services on the patient record as well as for reporting dental services and procedures to dental benefit plans. The Code is printed in a manual titled(...)
  • A provision of a dental benefit program by which the beneficiary shares in the cost of covered services, generally on a percentage basis. The percentage of a covered dental expense that a beneficiary must pay (after the deductible is paid). A typical coinsurance arrangement is one in which(...)
  • A prosthetic for the edentulous maxillary or mandibular arch, replacing the full dentition. Usually includes six anterior teeth and eight posterior teeth.
  • A n entire set of radiographs. A set of intraoral radiographs usually consisting of 14 to 22 periapical and posterior bitewing images intended to display the crowns and roots of all teeth, periapical areas and alveolar bone crest (source: FDA/ADA radiographic guidelines).
  • A dental restorative material made up of disparate or separate parts (e.g. resin and quartz particles).
  • Break in bone which is exposed to external contamination.
  • Legislation relative to mandated benefits for all types of employee benefit plans. The most significant aspects within this context are the requirements for continued coverage for employees and/or their dependents for 18 months who would otherwise lose coverage (30 months for dependents in the(...)
  • In a dental setting, a diagnostic service provided by a dentist where the dentist, patient, or other parties (e.g., another dentist, physician, or legal guardian) discuss the patient's dental needs and proposed treatment modalities.
  • Any dentist who has a contractual agreement with a dental benefit organization to render care to eligible persons.
  • Adjacent touching.
  • A legally enforceable agreement between two or more individuals or entities that confers rights and duties on the parties. Common types of contracts include: 1) contracts between a dental benefit organization and an individual dentist to provide dental treatment to members of an alternative(...)