Calcium
Chemical element needed for healthy teeth, bones and nerves.

Calculus
The sticky film on your teeth (plaque) that has hardened. Also known as tartar, it forms on teeth due to inadequate plaque control, often stained yellow or brown.

Calendar Year
January 1st to December 31st.

Canker Sore
Mouth sore appearing whitish, often with a red halo, of ten to fourteen day duration.

Canal
The narrow chamber inside the root of the tooth that contains the nerve and blood vessels.

Canines
See cuspids.

Cantilever Bridge
Fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth only on one end.

Cap
Common term for dental crown.

Capitation Plan
A plan where the dentist is contracted with the administrator to provide dental services to persons covered under the program in return for payment on a per-capita basis (per head). Trojan classifies these plans as Managed Care.

Caries
Correct technical term for decay or “cavities”.

Carrier
The party (usually an insurance company) that pays the claims and collects the premiums.

Carryover
If the deductible was paid last year (usually the last quarter, Oct., Nov. or Dec.) the next year (or quarter, Jan., Feb. and March) they do not have to pay the deductible again.

Carve Out Plan
See Limited C.O.B.

Cast or Model
Reproduction of structures made by pouring plaster or stone into a mold.

Cavitron
Dental tool that uses high frequency ultrasonic waves to clean teeth.

Cellulitis
Soft tissue infection causing extensive, hard swelling, a potentially dangerous condition requiring immediate attention.

Cementium
Hard tissue that covers the roots of teeth.

Chart
Log of dental or medical records.

Clasp
Device that retains a removable partial denture to stationary teeth.

Cleaning
Removal of plaque and calculus (tarter) from teeth, generally above the gum line.

Closed Panel
A plan where the covered patient only receives benefits if the services are provided by a dentist who is contracted with the administrator. Trojan classifies these plans as Managed Care.

C.O.B.
See Coordination Of Benefits.

Complete Series
See Full Mouth X-rays.

Composite Filling or Composite Resin
Tooth colored filling. Insurance companies usually only allow them on the front teeth (anterior teeth). When composites are done on the back teeth (posterior teeth) the insurance company usually pays them as an amalgam.

Cosmetic (Aesthetic) Dentistry
Treatments performed to enhance appearance; not a recognized specialty.

Coordination of Benefits (C.O.B.)
This becomes involved when the patient is covered by more than one plan. The first issue to consider is which carrier should be billed first (see birthday rule and gender rule). The second issue is how the second carrier will pay the claim (see Standard C.O.B. and Limited C.O.B.).

C.P.R. (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
Artificial procedures employed by a rescuer after cessation of breathing or heart stoppage.

Cross Bite
Reverse biting relationship of upper and lower teeth; aka "under bite," as in Class III malocclusion (prognathic jaw).

Crown ¹
Dental restoration covering all or most of the natural tooth.

Crown ²
The portion of a tooth above the gum line.

Curettage
Surgical scraping and removal of bacteria from the soft tissue. This is a periodontal procedure and is usually performed one quadrant at a time. Procedure code 4220.

Cusps
The high points on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (posterior teeth).

Cuspids or Canines orEye Teeth
The third tooth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. These are the front teeth that have one rounded or pointed edge used for biting.

Cyst
A soft or hard tissue sac, hard or filled with fluid.