Dental Insurance Glossary

Maintenance, Periodontal
Therapy for preserving the state of health of the periodontium.
Malar
Pertaining to the cheek bone; see zygomatic bone.
Malignant
Having the properties of dysplasia, invasion, and metastasis.
Malocclusion
Improper alignment of biting or chewing surfaces of upper and lower teeth.
Mandibular Canal
The passage which transmits vessels and nerves through the jaw to branches that distribute them to the teeth.
Maryland Bridge
Fixed partial denture feature conservative retainers which are resin bonded to abutments; see code D6545.
Maxilla
The upper jaw.
Medicare Payment
The amount Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B paid for covered health care service charges.
Mesial
Toward the midline of the dental arch; opposite of distal.
Metals, Classification of
The noble metal classification system has been adopted as a more precise method of reporting various alloys used in dentistry. The alloys are defined on the basis of the percentage of noble metal content: high noble – Gold (Au), Palladium (Pd), and/or Platinum (Pt) = 60% (with at least 40% Au); noble – Gold (Au), Palladium (Pd), and/or Platinum (Pt) = 25%; and predominantly base – Gold (Au), Palladium (Pd), and/or Platinum < 25%.
Molar
Teeth posterior to the premolars (bicuspids) on either side of the jaw; grinding teeth, having large crowns and broad chewing surfaces.
Moulage
A positive reproduction of a body part formed on a cast from a negative impression.
Mucous Membrane
Lining of the oral cavity as well as other canals and cavities of the body; also called "mucosa."

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