Dental Terminology and Procedures Study Notes

NP - New Patient Terminology

  • Full Mouth X-rays (FMX)

    • Composed of 20 images, consisting of:

    • 16 periapical images: Focus on specific areas of concern in teeth.

    • 4 bitewing images: Show teeth above the gum line and the height of the bone between teeth.

      • Purpose: Help diagnose gum disease and cavities between teeth.

      • Placement: Bitewing x-ray is placed on the tongue side of teeth, held in place by biting down on a tab.

      • Set: Normally, 4 bitewings are taken in a set.

  • Vertical Bitewings (VBW)

    • Similar to regular bitewing x-rays but oriented vertically.

    • Purpose: Show more of the teeth and the height of bone between teeth.

    • Set: Typically 7 images are taken in a set.

  • Occlusal X-rays

    • Visualize the roof or floor of the mouth.

    • Purpose: Identify extra teeth, teeth yet to erupt, jaw fractures, cleft palates, cysts, abscesses, or growths.

  • Panoramic X-rays (PAN)

    • Capture images of the entire mouth area, analogous to panoramic photos.

    • Purpose: Display fully emerged, emerging, and impacted teeth in a single image.

  • Periapical X-rays (PA)

    • Define a single x-ray that targets a specific area of concern in dental health.

  • TXP - Treatment Plan

    • The dentist's comprehensive outline of recommended dental services and timeframe for the patient.

  • Prophylaxis (Prohphy)

    • A cleaning procedure referred to as a "prophy" or "cleaning."

    • Purpose: Hygiene service for patients with generally healthy gums and teeth.

    • Involves: Removal of plaque, calculus, and stains from teeth.

  • Deep Cleaning

    • Sometimes referred to as a deep cleaning if it involves cleaning below the gum line.

    • Used to treat: Gum disease through root planing.

  • Root Planing

    • Procedure removing tartar, bacteria, and toxic deposits from a tooth's root down to the area where the gum attaches to the tooth.

  • Periodontal Disease (Perio)

    • An inflammatory condition affecting both soft (gum tissue) and hard (bone) structures supporting teeth.

Billing Terminology

  • Balance Billing

    • Involves billing a patient for the difference between the dentist's total charge and the amount reimbursed under the patient's dental benefit plan.

  • Co-payment

    • Defined as the beneficiary's share of the dentist's fee post insurance reimbursement.

  • Coverage

    • Refers to benefits available to individuals under a dental benefit plan.

  • Deductible

    • Often referred to as co-insurance, it is the amount a patient must pay before their insurance coverage begins for services.

  • Maximum Plan Benefit

    • The reimbursement limit set by the dental benefit plan administrator for specific dental procedures.

    • Variability: Can differ significantly based on geographic region or specific benefit plans.

  • Flexible Spending Account

    • An employee account primarily funded by employee-designated salary reductions used for medical expenses.

Dental Conditions and Terminology

  • Abscess

    • Can be acute or chronic localized inflammation, may involve a collection of pus.

    • Common causes: Often follows infection, causing tissue destruction and swelling.

  • Biopsy

    • The process of removing tissue for histological evaluation.

  • Cavity

    • Missing tooth structure, often a result of decay, erosion, or abrasion.

  • Crown (Cap)

    • An artificial replacement that restores missing tooth structure by encasing the remaining tooth structure or placed on a dental implant.

  • Dental Implant

    • A device designed for surgical placement within or on the maxillary (upper) or mandibular (lower) bone for dental restoration.

  • Endodontic Treatment (Root Canal)

    • Procedure to alleviate dental pain and retain teeth affected by inflammation or infection in the tooth's roots.

    • Process: Involves removing pulp, cleaning, disinfecting, shaping the root canals, and placing a filling to seal the space.

  • Extraction

    • Act of removing a tooth from its socket in the bone.

  • Fracture

    • Refers to breaking a part, particularly a bony structure; includes breaking a tooth.

  • Gingivitis

    • Defined as inflammation of the gums.

  • HX (Medical History)

    • Refers to the patient's medical history relevant to dental treatment.

  • Impacted Tooth

    • An unerupted or partially erupted tooth obstructed by another tooth, bone, or soft tissue,

    • Consequence: Completes eruption is unlikely.

  • Malocclusion

    • Defined as an imperfect closure or meeting of opposing teeth.

  • Maxilla

    • Refers to the upper jaw's bony structure.

  • Mandible

    • Represents the lower jawbone.

Dental Tooth Identification

  • Permanent Tooth Numbers

    • Teeth are numbered as follows:

    • Upper Jaw (1-16): Starts from the right to the left.

    • Lower Jaw (17-32): Begins from the left to the right.

    • Wisdom Teeth: Tooth numbers 1, 16, 17, and 32 represent wisdom teeth.

  • Primary Tooth Letters

    • Primary dentition includes 20 teeth (baby teeth) that are the first to erupt into the mouth.

  • Tooth Surface Terminology:

    • Distal: Surface away from the midline of the face.

    • Facial: Surface on anterior teeth facing cheeks or lips.

    • Incisal: Biting edge of anterior teeth.

    • Lingual: Surface towards the tongue.

    • Mesial: Surface towards the midline.

    • Occlusal: Chewing surface of posterior teeth.

    • Proximal: Surfaces adjacent to each other.

Dental Specialties

  • Endodontist:

    • A specialist within the field of root canal therapy.

  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon:

    • Specializes in facial and jaw surgeries to correct deformities, treat diseases, and repair injuries.

  • Orthodontist:

    • A specialist focused on correcting irregularly positioned teeth.

  • Pediatric Dentist (Buccal):

    • Focuses on dental care for children.

  • Periodontist:

    • Specialist concentrated on gum health and diseases.

  • Prosthodontist:

    • Specializes in the replacement of missing teeth.