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.
- Dental ImplantA device specially designed to be placed surgically within or on the mandibular or maxillary bone as a means of providing for dental replacement.
- Dental InsuranceA plan that financially assists in the expense of treatment and care of dental disease and, in some cases, accidents to teeth.
- Dental PrepaymentA method of financing the cost of dental services prior to receiving the services.
- Dental ProsthesisAny device or appliance replacing one or more missing teeth and/or, if required, associated structures. (This is a broad term which includes abutment crowns and abutment inlays/onlays, bridges, dentures, obturators, gingival prostheses.)
- Dental Service CorporationA legally constituted, not-for-profit organization that negotiates and administers contracts for dental care. Delta Dental Plans and Blue Cross & Blue Shield Plans are such organizations.
- DentinHard tissue which forms the bulk of the tooth and develops from the dental papilla and dental pulp, and in the mature state is mineralized.
- The evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within(...)
- Dentition The teeth in the dental arch.
- DentureAn artificial substitute for some or all of the natural teeth and adjacent tissues.
- Denture BaseThat part of a denture that makes contact with soft tissue and retains the artificial teeth.
- DependentsGenerally spouse and children of covered individual, as defined by terms of the dental benefit contract.
- Diagnostic CastPlaster or stone model of teeth and adjoining tissues; also referred to as study model. Primarily for use in extra-oral examinations of relationships existing between oral tissues so as to determine how those relationships will effect form and function of a dental restoration or appliance(...)
- Diagnostic Imaging A visual display of structural or functional patterns for the purpose of diagnostic evaluation. May be photographic or radiographic
- DiastemaA space, such as one between two adjacent teeth in the same dental arch.
- Direct Pulp Cap Procedure in which the exposed vital pulp is treated with a therapeutic material, followed with a base and restoration, to promote healing and maintain pulp vitality.
- Direct Reimbursement A self-funded program in which the individual is reimbursed based on a percentage of dollars spent for dental care provided, and which allows beneficiaries to seek treatment from the dentist of their choice.
- Direct RestorationA restoration fabricated inside the mouth.
- DiscectomyExcision of the intra-articular disc of a joint.
- Displaced ToothA partial evulsion of a tooth; may be mesial, distal, facial, lingual or incisal.
- DistalSurface or position of a tooth most distant from the median line of the arch.