Dental Insurance Glossary

Calculus
Hard deposit of mineralized material adhering to crowns and/or roots of teeth.
Canal
A relatively narrow tubular passage or channel.
Cantilever Extension
Part of a fixed prosthesis that is supported at only one end.
Caries
Commonly used term for tooth decay.
Cast
See Diagnostic Cast or Study Model.
Cavity
Decay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion.
Cement Base
Material used under a filling to replace lost tooth structure.
Cementum
Hard connective tissue covering the tooth root.
Cephalometric Radiograph
A radiographic head film utilized in the scientific study of the measurements of the head with relation to specific reference points.
Charge
The amount billed by the provider for the services shown. Some charges from the same provider may be combined.
Cleft Palate
Congenital deformity resulting in lack of fusion of the soft and/or hard palate, either partial or complete.
Clenching
The clamping and pressing of the jaws and teeth together in centric occlusion, frequently associated with psychological stress or physical effort.
Clinical Crown
That portion of a tooth not covered by supporting tissues.
Closed Reduction
The re-approximation of segments of a fractured bone without open surgery.
Co-insurance
Your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a percentage (for example, 20%) of the Allowed Amount for the service. You pay co-insurance plus any Deductibles you owe. For example, if CareFirst’s Allowed Amount for an office visit is $100 and you’ve met your Deductible, your co-insurance payment of 20% would be $20. The health insurance or CareFirst pays the remainder of the Allowed Amount.
Composite
A dental restorative material made up of disparate or separate parts (e.g., resin and quartz particles).
Compound Fracture
Break in bone which is exposed to external contamination.
Comprehensive Oral Evaluation
Typically used by a general dentist and/or specialist when evaluating a patient comprehensively. It is a thorough evaluation and recording of the extraoral and intraoral hard and soft tissues. It may require interpretation of information acquired through additional diagnostic procedures. This would include the evaluation and recording of the patient's dental and medical history and a general health assessment. It may typically include the evaluation and recording of dental caries, missing or unerupted teeth, restorations, occlusal relationships, periodontal conditions (including periodontal charting), hard and soft tissue anomalies, etc.
Co-pay
A fixed amount (for example $15 per office visit) that you pay for a covered health care service or benefit. A co-pay is usually paid to the provider at the time you receive the service. The amount may vary by the type of covered health care service.
Coping
A thin covering of the coronal portion of the tooth usually without anatomic conformity. It can be used as a definitive restoration or as part of a transfer procedure.
Coronal
Refers to the clinical crown of a tooth.
Crown Lengthening
A surgical procedure exposing more tooth for restorative purposes by apically positioning the gingival margin and/or removing support bone.
Curettage
Scraping and cleaning the walls of a cavity or gingival pocket.
Cusp
Pointed or rounded eminence on or near the masticating surface of a tooth.
Cyst
Pathological cavity, usually lined with epithelium, containing fluid or soft matter.