Back Teeth
See Posterior Teeth.

Base
Cement placed under a dental restoration to insulate the pulp (nerve chamber).

Basic
Trojan classifies the silver fillings, composite fillings, perio, endo and oral surgery as basic procedures.

Benefit Less Benefit
See Limited C.O.B.

Benefit Year
Usually begins on the month of the year that the employer purchased the plan.

Bicuspid or Premolar
The first and second bicuspids, those are the fourth and fifth transitional teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. These are the back teeth, behind the cuspids, that are used for chewing, they only have two points (cusps).

Bifurcation (Trifurcation)
Juncture of two (three) roots in posterior teeth.

Biopsy
Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination.

Birthday Rule
When a child is covered under both parent's plans, the plan of the parent who's birthday (month and day, not year) falls earlier in the calendar year is billed first. (In cases of divorced or separated parents there are other factors that must be considered.)

Bite
Relationship of the upper and lower teeth on closure (occlusion).

Bite Wing
Caries (decay) detection x-ray that shows the upper and lower teeth's biting surfaces on the same film. This x-ray shows the portion of the teeth above the gumline.

Black Hairy Tongue
Elongated papillae on the tongue, promoting the growth of microorganisms.

Bleaching
Chemical or laser treatment of natural teeth for whitening effect.

Block Injection
Anesthesia of a nerve trunk that covers a large area of the jaw; a mandibular block injection produce numbness of the lower jaw, teeth, half the tongue.

Bonding
Adhesive dental restoration technique; a tooth-colored composite resin to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth.

Bone Resorption
Decrease in bone supporting the roots of teeth; a common result of periodontal (gum disease).

Braces
Devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth to a more favorable alignment.

Bridge
A stationary dental prosthesis (appliance) fixed to teeth adjacent to a space; replaces one or more missing teeth, cemented or bonded to supporting teeth or implants adjacent to the space. A bridge is a series of crowns (abutments and pontics).

Bruxism
Clenching, grinding or gnashing of the teeth, most commonly while the patient is asleep.

Bruxomania
Persistent "nervous" grinding of the teeth while the patient is awake.