abutment-A tooth or root that retains or supports a fixed bridge or a partial denture.

allowable expense-For purposes of coordinating benefits with another plan, any expense that is for usual and customary charges and that is covered at least in part by one or more of the plans under which the person is covered.

alternate recipient-Any child of a faculty or staff member enrolled in this Plan who is recognized under a Medical Child Support Order as having a right to enrollment under a group health plan with respect to such faculty or staff member.

alveoplasty-Surgical excision or revision of the bone that supports the teeth.

amalgam-A silvery alloy used in tooth restoration.

anterior-The incisors and cuspids.

apicoectomy-Surgical removal of a tooth root.

benefit period-January 1 through December 31.

bicuspids- The first and second bicuspids are the fourth and fifth teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. These are the back teeth that are used for chewing. A bicuspid has two points (cusps).

caries-Progressive destruction of a tooth causing cavities.

COB-Coordination of Benefits (COB) rules allow dental plans to coordinate benefits when you are covered by more than one group dental care plan.

complete denture-One that replaces all the teeth in one arch.

crown-That portion of the tooth covered by enamel.

curettage-Scraping or cleaning with a spoon-shaped instrument.

deciduous-The primary or "baby" teeth.

deductible-Applied to each covered person for each benefit period; a benefit period begins January 1 and ends December 31 of each year.

dentist-A person who is:

• licensed or legally authorized to furnish dental services; and
• acting within the scope of the license or authorization.

dentition-The natural teeth in the dental arch.

dependent coverage-This Plan provides coverage for your eligible dependents.

DMO-Dental Maintenance Organization.

edentulous-Without teeth in an area, an arch, or an entire mouth.

eligible expense-Type A, B, C, and D covered dental services; see Eligible Expenses.

employer-The University of Michigan.

endodontic services-Dental services that involve the treatment of diseases or injuries that affect the dental pulp or nerve of the tooth. A common endodontic procedure is root canal therapy.

expense-A charge that a person is legally obligated to pay. See Eligible Expenses.

extraction-Removing a tooth from the mouth.

fee schedule- A schedule of predetermined payments for Type B, C, and D dental services covered under the Option I dental plan. The fee schedule amount represents the maximum amount the plan will pay for covered charges.

fixed bridge-A prosthesis that replaces one or more teeth and is cemented into place; can be removed only by a dentist.

foil-A very thin, pliable sheet of metal.

gingiva-Gum tissue.

gingivectomy-Surgically removing diseased gingival (gum) tissue.

HRRIS-Human Resources Records and Information Services.

injury-Accidental harm or damage to sound natural teeth.

inlay-A laboratory-processed restoration (filling) made of metal, gold, acrylic or porcelain. This type of restoration does not involve the high points of the tooth (cusps).

mandible-The lower jaw.

maxilla-The upper jaw.

Medical Child Support Order-Any judgment, decree, or order (including approval of a settlement agreement) issued by a court of competent jurisdiction which provides for child support with respect to a child of a faculty or staff member covered under a group health plan (including this Plan), or provides for health benefit coverage to such child, and is made pursuant to a state domestic relations law (including a community property law), and relates to benefits under this Plan. See also Qualified Medical Child Support Order.

molar- The sixth and seventh teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. The eighth molar is commonly known as a wisdom tooth.

occlusion-The correct relationship of the teeth in the upper and lower jaws when in the closed position.

onlay-Same as INLAY except involving the high points of the tooth (cusps).

orthodontics-The branch of dentistry concerned with the correct positioning of the teeth in their relationship to the jaws.

orthodontic service-A service, including any surgical therapy, performed to prevent or correct abnormal positioning of the teeth in relation to the jaws.

orthognathic surgery-Surgery that is needed to correct a skeletal dysplasia.

orthotic appliance-A device to temporarily alter the relationship between the jaws, through use of a removable appliance.

osseous-Bony.

PDP-Preferred Dentist Program (Option 2).

PIP-Personal injury protection.

palate-The roof of the mouth.

palliative-To relieve, but not cure, pain.

partial denture-A prosthesis to replace one or more but less than all the natural teeth; can be removed by patient.

periapical x-ray-An x-ray that shows the whole tooth above and below the gum line (from the uppermost tip of the tooth to the very bottom of the root). Also known as a single film or P.A.

periodontal-Situated or occurring around a tooth.

periodontics-Services that involve the treatment of diseases of the gum or supporting structure (bone). A common periodontal service is a periodontal root planing.

permanent tooth-An adult tooth. Also known as permanent dentition. Adult teeth replace primary (baby) teeth.

plan-Any policy, contract, or other arrangement to pay the cost of medical or dental care.

plaque-An accumulation of bacteria and debris on tooth surfaces.

pontic-An artificial tooth that replaces a missing natural tooth.

pre-treatment plan-A dentist's report which is on a Predetermination Form that is acceptable to the Plan and which:

• itemizes the recommended dental services;
• shows the charge for each dental service; and
• is accompanied by pre-operative x-rays or other appropriate diagnostic material the Plan requires.

prophylaxis-The cleaning of the teeth by a dentist or dental hygienist.

prosthesis-An artificial replacement of one or more natural teeth.

prosthodontic services-Procedures involving bridges and dentures to replace missing teeth.

pulp-Center of tooth that carries the nerves and blood supply.

pulp cap-A protective covering of an exposed dental pulp.

pulpotomy-Removal of the dental pulp.

quadrant-One of the four equal sections of the mouth. The four quadrants of the mouth are the upper right, the upper left, the lower right and the lower left.

Qualified Medical Child Support Order-A Medical Child Support Order that creates or recognizes the existence of an alternate recipient's right to, or assigns to an alternate recipient the right to receive benefits for which a faculty or staff member or beneficiary is eligible under a group health plan. To be "Qualified," a Medical Child Support Order must:

• state the name and last known mailing address (if any) of the participating faculty or staff member or beneficiary, and the name and mailing address of each alternate recipient covered by the order;
• provide a reasonable description of the type of coverage to be provided by the Plan, or a reasonable description of the manner in which such type of coverage is to be determined;
• state the period to which the order applies;
• show the plans to which it applies; and
• not require the Plan to provide any type or form of benefit, or any option, not otherwise provided under the Plan.

radiograph-An x-ray photograph.

resin-Broad term used to indicate organic substances that are soluble in ether, acetone, etc., but not in water.

root canal-The space within the root of a tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels.

root canal therapy-Complete removal of the dental pulp and filling of the remaining spaces with a sealing material.

root planing-A periodontal procedure that involves the removal of bacteria and mineralized plaque deposits from the root surfaces and tooth pocket.

sealant-The application of a clear acrylic material over the biting surface of the tooth to prevent decay.

space maintainer-An appliance placed to maintain space created by the premature loss of a tooth or teeth.

TMJ-Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunctional Syndrome.

this plan-The University of Michigan Dental Plan.

U & C-Usual and customary fees; see below.

usual and customary charges-An eligible expense that does not exceed what the Plan determines to be the usual and reasonable level of charges made for similar services or supplies in the locality where the expense is incurred. If a charge exceeds what the Plan determined to be usual and customary, the excess portion is considered an ineligible expense and will not be paid by the Plan.

vitality test-A test using heat, electrical, or mechanical stimuli to determine if the dental pulp is vital (alive).