Absecess
An infection of a tooth, soft tissue or bone.

Abutment
The teeth on either side of a missing tooth. Abutments are the part of the fixed or removable bridge, used to support the replacement of the missing teeth (pontics).

Adhesive Dentistry
Contemporary term for dental restorations that involve "bonding" of composite resin or porcelain fillings to natural teeth.

Air Abrasion
Removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive, a relatively new technology that may avoid the need for anesthetic.

Allergy
Unfavorable systemic response to a foreign substance or drug.

Alveolar Bone
The jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth.

Amalgam
“Silver filling”, a most common filling material containing mercury (app 50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc used for fillings. Amalgams are usually placed on the back teeth (posterior teeth).

Analgesia
A state of pain relief; an agent lessening pain.

Anesthesia
Partial or complete relief of the sensation of pain. Numbing a tooth is an example of local anesthesia, while general anesthesia produces partial or complete unconsciousness.

Anniversary Year
Begins on the day of the month that the patients' insurance became effective.

Aneterior Teeth
The six upper or lower front teeth (incisors and cupids).

Antibiotic
A drug that stops or slows the growth of bacteria.

A.N.U.G.
An acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, commonly known as trench mouth or Vincent's disease, aggravated by stress and/or smoking.

Apex
The tip of the root of a tooth.

Apiodectomy
Surgical removal of the root tip to treat a dead tooth.

Arch
Describes the alignment of the upper or lower teeth or jaw.

Assignment of Benefits
A clause in the policy that allows the insured person to direct the payment by the carrier to the dentist. The insured person does this by signing the assignment box on the claim form, or by signing a signature on file form.

Attrition
Loss of structure due to natural wear.