Dental glossary

Money owed to the office by patients and insurers for care already provided.

A plan rule where the insurer pays based on a cheaper treatment option even if the patient chooses a costlier one.

The part of the jawbone that holds the roots of the teeth.

A long-used metal filling made from a mixture of metals, placed in cleaned-out cavities, mostly in back teeth.

The most a dental plan will pay toward a patient's care in one plan year.

A reminder sent to a patient before a visit to confirm that they will come.

A patient's signed permission for the insurer to pay the dental office directly.

Billing the patient for the difference between the office's fee and the amount the plan allowed.

Small X-ray images showing the crowns of upper and lower back teeth together, used mainly to find decay between teeth.

Reserving set parts of the day for certain kinds of appointments, such as procedures or emergencies.

A procedure that adds bone material to the jaw to rebuild it, often before an implant.

Brackets and wires bonded to the teeth to slowly move them into better position.

A fixed set of replacement teeth anchored to neighboring teeth or implants to fill a gap.

An appointment a patient cancels at the last minute or misses, leaving the time unused.

Grinding or clenching the teeth, often during sleep, which can wear teeth and strain the jaw.

A federal Canadian program that helps eligible residents pay for dental care through participating providers.

A hole in a tooth caused by decay, which grows if left untreated.

The standard set of codes used in the US to describe dental services on claims.

A thin, bone-like layer that covers a tooth root and helps anchor it in the jaw.

The amount of time a patient occupies a treatment chair.

A series of clear removable trays that gradually move teeth into place.

A service that receives electronic claims from offices, checks them and passes them to insurers.

The percentage of a covered service's cost that a patient pays after the deductible.

The money an office actually receives from patients and insurers, as opposed to what it bills.

A tooth-colored filling made of resin that is bonded into a cleaned-out cavity.

A thorough first evaluation of a patient's teeth, gums, bite, jaw joints and soft tissues, with a full record review.

A 3D dental X-ray scan used to plan implants, surgery and complex root canals.

The portion of a fee an in-network office must remove because it exceeds the plan's agreed amount.

The rules for deciding which of two insurance plans pays first and how they share a claim.

A fixed dollar amount a patient pays for a service, set by the plan.

A custom cover placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength and appearance.

Two degree titles that mean the same thing: a licensed general dentist.

The amount a patient pays out of pocket for covered services before the plan starts to pay its share.

A pocket of infection near a tooth, often with pain, swelling or a bad taste; it needs prompt care.

A request sent to the insurer asking it to pay for treatment that was completed.

A routine visit where a hygienist removes plaque and tartar from healthy gums and polishes the teeth.

A published list of suggested fees and service codes used by Canadian dental offices and insurers.

A plan where members pick a contracted office and pay set copays, with little or no coverage elsewhere.

A licensed professional who cleans teeth, checks gums and teaches patients how to care for their mouths.

A titanium post placed in the jawbone to hold a replacement tooth, bridge or denture.

A plan with a network of dentists that offers lower costs in-network and still pays some out-of-network.

A thin plastic coating painted on the chewing surface of back teeth to keep out food and bacteria.

The yellowish layer under the enamel that makes up most of a tooth and surrounds the nerve.

A removable set of replacement teeth worn when all teeth in the upper or lower jaw are missing.

A professional who makes and fits dentures directly for patients in places where the profession is regulated.

A condition where the mouth does not make enough saliva, raising the risk of cavities.

Checking with the insurer that a patient's coverage is active and what it pays before the visit.

A short-notice visit for a dental problem such as severe pain, swelling or a knocked-out tooth.

The hard, outer layer of a tooth that protects the softer parts underneath.

A dental specialist who focuses on the inside of the tooth, especially root canals.

A statement from the insurer showing what a claim cost, what it paid and what the patient owes.

The removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone.

A list of the fees for each service, either the office's own or the amounts a plan will allow.

An agreement on how and when a patient will pay for treatment, including any payment plan.

A fluoride gel, foam or varnish painted on teeth to strengthen enamel and help prevent cavities.

A full set of X-rays of every tooth and the supporting bone, taken at a new patient visit and every few years after.

The main dentist who provides checkups, fillings, crowns and other everyday care, and refers to specialists when needed.

The pink tissue that surrounds the teeth and covers the jawbone.

Early gum disease, with red, swollen or bleeding gums, that can be reversed with good care.

A form where patients list their health conditions, medicines, allergies and dental history.

Privacy laws that govern how offices protect patient information, in the US and Canada.

The set interval at which a patient is scheduled for hygiene visits, such as every six months.

A dental office that has a contract with an insurer to accept its negotiated fees.

A patient's agreement to treatment after being told what it involves, the risks and the options.

A custom-made restoration that fits into or over a tooth, larger than a filling but smaller than a crown.

A cancellation made too close to the appointment for the office to fill the time.

Medicine injected near a tooth so the area is numb during treatment while the patient stays awake.

Public US insurance programs that cover dental care for eligible children and, in some states, adults.

Original Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care, with limited exceptions.

A plan rule that may refuse to pay to replace a tooth lost before the coverage began.

A large back tooth used for grinding food.

The first visit for a new patient, usually with a full exam, X-rays and a health history review.

A custom mouthpiece worn over the teeth, usually at night, to protect them from grinding or clenching.

A gas mixed with oxygen and breathed through a small mask to help patients relax during treatment.

A patient who does not come to a booked appointment and gives no notice.

A dental specialist who performs surgery on the mouth, jaws and face, such as complex extractions and implants.

A dental specialist who corrects crooked teeth and bite problems, often with braces or aligners.

A dental office that has no contract with the patient's plan, so the plan's rules and payments may differ.

One wide X-ray that shows all the teeth, both jaws and nearby structures in a single image.

A removable appliance that replaces some missing teeth and clips onto remaining natural teeth.

The running record of a patient's charges, payments, insurance payments and balance.

The part of a bill the patient must pay after insurance, including deductibles, copays and uncovered amounts.

A dental specialist for infants, children, teens and patients with special health care needs.

A close-up X-ray showing one or two whole teeth, from the crown down to the root tip and surrounding bone.

Measuring and recording the depth of the spaces between gums and teeth to track gum health.

A routine check of teeth, gums and soft tissues for existing patients, usually done at recall visits.

The tiny fibers that connect a tooth root to the surrounding bone.

Ongoing cleanings, usually every three to four months, for patients who have been treated for gum disease.

A dental specialist who treats gum disease and places implants.

Advanced gum disease that damages the bone and tissue holding teeth in place.

The second set of teeth, which replace baby teeth and are meant to last.

A sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and causes decay and gum disease if not removed.

A request to the insurer for approval of a planned service before it is done; approval is not a payment guarantee.

A request asking the insurer what it would likely pay for planned treatment, giving the patient an estimate before starting.

The plan that pays first when a patient has more than one plan.

The first set of teeth, which start to appear in infancy and are later replaced.

The dollar value of the dental work done or scheduled, measured before insurance and patient payments.

A dental specialist who designs and places replacement teeth, such as dentures, bridges and implant restorations.

The soft center of a tooth that holds nerves and blood vessels.

A procedure that removes only the top part of the nerve tissue in a tooth, often used on baby teeth.

Reaching out to patients who have not visited in a long time to bring them back.

The system an office uses to bring patients back for their regular checkups and cleanings.

A custom appliance worn after braces to keep teeth from drifting back.

A treatment that removes infected or damaged tissue inside a tooth, then cleans and seals it to save the tooth.

A deeper cleaning below the gum line that removes buildup and smooths roots to treat gum disease.

A list of patients who want an earlier appointment and can come in on short notice.

A liquid painted on a cavity to help stop decay from growing, without drilling.

The person who holds the insurance plan, with spouses and children covered as dependents.

Removal of a tooth that is broken, below the gum line or otherwise needs a cut in the gum.

Hardened plaque on teeth that brushing cannot remove; a hygienist must scrape it off.

A treatment that lightens the color of teeth using peroxide-based products, in office or at home.

A short-term cover that protects a prepared tooth while the permanent crown is being made.

The joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull; problems with it are called TMJ disorders.

The share of recommended treatment that patients agree to and schedule.

The dentist's written list of recommended treatment, in order, with fees and estimated insurance.

A benchmark fee level that some plans use to decide what they will pay, based on typical fees in an area.

Treatment the dentist has recommended that the patient has not yet booked.

A thin custom shell bonded to the front of a tooth to change its color, shape or look.

A set time after enrolling before certain dental services are covered.

Removal of the back-most teeth, which often come in late and may be impacted or cause problems.