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.

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  • Table Of Allowances
    A list of covered services with an assigned dollar amount that represents the total obligation of the plan with respect to payment for such service, but does not necessarily represent the dentist's full fee for that service.
  • 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 Denture
    An interim prosthesis designed for use over limited period of time.
  • Temporomandibular (TMJ)
    The connecting hinge mechanism between the base of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible).
  • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD Or Tmjd)
    Abnormal functioning of temporomandibular joint; also refers to symptoms arising in other areas secondary to the dysfunction.
  • Therapeutic
    Of or pertaining to therapy or treatment; beneficial. Therapy has as its goal the elimination or control of a disease or other abnormal state.
  • Third-Party
    The 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 Payer
    An organization other than the patient (first party) or health care provider (second party) involved in the financing of personal health services.
  • Tissue Conditioning
    aterial 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 Alloys
    Titanium (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.
  • Torus
    A bony elevation or protuberance of bone. See exostosis.
  • Tracheotomy
    A surgical procedure to create an opening in the trachea (windpipe) to aid in breathing.
  • Transdermal
    a technique of administration in which the drug is administered by patch or iontophoresis through skin.
  • Transitional
    Relating to a passage or change from one position, state, phase or concept to another.
  • Transitional Dentition
    Refers to a mixed dentition; begins with the appearance of the permanent first molars and ends with the exfoliation of the deciduous teeth.
  • Transmucosal
    a technique of administration in which the drug is administered across mucosa such as intranasal, sublingual or rectal.