I

I

imaging, diagnostic: This would include, but is not limited to, CAT scans, MRIs, photographs, radiographs, etc.

immediate denture: Prosthesis constructed for placement immediately after removal of remaining natural teeth.

impacted tooth: An unerupted or partially erupted tooth that is positioned against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue so that complete eruption is unlikely.

implant: Material inserted or grafted into tissue.

dental implant – A device specially designed to be placed surgically within or on the mandibular or maxillary bone as a means of providing for dental replacement.

endosteal (endosseous): Device placed into the alveolar and basal bone of the mandible or maxilla and transecting only one cortical plate.

eposteal (subperiosteal): Subperiosteal implant that conforms to the superior surface of an edentulous area of alveolar bone.

transosteal (transosseous): Device with threaded posts penetrating both the superior and inferior cortical bone plates of the mandibular symphysis and exiting through the permucosa. It may be intraoral or extraoral.

implant index: See radiographic/surgical implant index.

implantation, tooth: Placement of an artificial or natural tooth into an alveolus.

inappropriate fee discounting practices: Intentionally engaging in practices which would force a dentist, who does not have a participating provider agreement, to accept discounted fees or be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the participating provider contract.

Some examples of inappropriate fee discounting practices include: issuing reimbursement checks which, upon signing, result in the dentist accepting the amount as payment in full; using claim forms which, upon signing, require the dentist to accept the terms of the plan’s contract; issuing insurance cards which state that the submittal of a claim by a dentist means that he or she accepts all terms and conditions set forth in the participating provider contract; and sending communications to patients of nonparticipating dentists which state that he or she is not responsible for any amount above usual, customary and reasonable fees as established by the plan.

incentive program: A dental benefit program that pays an increasing share of the treatment cost, provided that the covered individual utilizes the benefits of the program during each incentive period (usually a year) and receives the treatment prescribed.  For example, a 70%-30% copayment program in the first year of coverage may become an 80%-20% program in the second year if the subscriber visits the dentist in the first year as stipulated in the program.  Most frequently, there is a corresponding percentage reduction in the programs copayment level if the covered individual fails to visit the dentist in a given year (but never below the initial copayment level).

incisal: Pertaining to the biting edges of the incisor and cuspid teeth.

incisal angle: One of the angles formed by the junction of the incisal and the mesial or distal surfaces of an anterior tooth; called the mesioincisal and distoincisal angle respectfully.

incision and drainage: The procedure of incising a fluctuant mucosal lesion to allow for the release of fluid from the lesion.

incisor: A tooth for cutting or gnawing; located in the front of the mouth in both jaws.

indigent: Those individuals whose income falls below the poverty line as defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

indemnification schedule: See table of allowances.

indemnity plan: A non-network dental plan that reimburses the member or dentist at a certain percentage of charges for services rendered, often after a deductible has been satisfied.  Indemnity plans typically place no restrictions on which dentist a member may visit.  Indemnity plans are also referred to as fee-for-service plans.

indirect pulp cap: Procedure in which the nearly exposed pulp is covered with a protective dressing to protect the pulp from additional injury and to promote healing and repair via formation of secondary dentin.

indirect restoration: A restoration fabricated outside the mouth.

Individual Practice Association (IPA): A legal entity organized and governed by individual participating dentists for the primary purpose of collectively entering into contracts to provide dental services to enrolled populations.

inlay: An intracoronal dental restoration, made outside the oral cavity to conform to the prepared cavity, which restores some of the occlusal surface of a tooth, but does not restore any cusp tips.  It is retained by luting cement.  (American College of Prosthodontics; The Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms)

insurer: The party in an insurance contract that promises to pay a benefit if a specified loss occurs.  Usually an insurance company.

insured:  Person covered by the program. See beneficiary.

intentional reimplantation: The intentional removal, radicular repair and replacement of a tooth into its alveolus.

International Classification of Diseases (ICD): Diagnostic codes designed for the classification of morbidity and mortality information for statistical purposes; for the indexing of hospital records by disease and operations; and for data storage and retrieval.

interproximal: Between the adjoining surfaces of adjacent teeth in the same arch.

intracoronal: Referring to “within” the crown of a tooth.

intraoral: Inside the mouth.

ISO Tooth Numbering System: See Specification No. 3950.