M

M

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.

managed care: Any contractual arrangement where payment or reimbursement and/or utilization are controlled by a third party.  The term “managed care” refers to a cost containment system that directs the utilization of health benefits by: a.) restricting the type, level and frequency of treatment; b.) limiting the access to care; and c.) controlling the level of reimbursement for services.

mandible: The lower jaw.

Maryland bridge: Fixed partial denture featuring conservative retainers which are resin bonded to abutments.

maxilla: The upper jaw.

maximum allowable benefit (MAB): The maximum dollar amount a dental program (also known as a dental benefit plan) will pay toward the cost of a dental care incurred by an individual or a family in a specified period, usually a calendar year, as specified in the program’s contract provisions.  Benefit plan administrators and plan sponsors (e.g., employer) determine the MAB, which may only be a portion of the dentist’s full fee, what the administrator considers “customary.”  Although these limits are called “customary,” they may not reflect the dentist’s actual fees. May be referred to as the Table of Allowances.

Medicaid: A federal assistance program established as Title XIX under the Social Security Act of 1965 which provides payment for medical care for certain low income individuals and families. The program is funded jointly by the state and federal governments and administered by states.

medically necessary care: The reasonable and appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care (including supplies, appliances and devices) as determined and prescribed by qualified, appropriate health care providers in treating any condition, illness, disease, injury, or birth developmental malformations.  Care is medically necessary for the purpose of: controlling or eliminating infection, pain, and disease; and restoring facial configuration or function necessary for speech, swallowing or chewing.

medicament: Substance or combination of substances intended to be pharmacologically active, specially prepared to be prescribed, dispensed or administered by authorized personnel to prevent or treat diseases in humans or animals.

medicament, topical: Pharmacological substance especially prepared to be applied on tissues of the oral cavity.

Medicare: A federal insurance program enacted in 1965 as Title XVIII of the Social Security Act that provides certain inpatient hospital services and physician services for all persons age 65 and older and eligible disabled individuals.  The program is administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA).

member: An individual enrolled in a dental benefit program. See beneficiary.

membrane: See barrier membrane.

mesial: Nearer the middle line of the body or the surface of a tooth nearer the center of the dental arch.

metals, classification of: (source: ADA Council on Scientific Affairs).

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 metal content and listed in order of biocompatibility.

High Noble Alloys—Noble Metal Content > 60% (gold + platinum group*) and gold > 40% Au)

Titanium and Titanium Alloys—Titanium (Ti) > 85%.

Noble Alloys—Noble Metal Content > 25% (gold + platinum group*).

Predominantly Base Alloys—Noble Metal Content) < 25% (gold + platinum group*).

*metals of the platinum group are platinum, palladium, rhodium, osmium and ruthenium

microabrasion: Mechanical removal of a small amount of tooth structure to eliminate superficial enamel discoloration defects.

microorganisms: A minute living organism, such as a bacterium, fungus, yeast, virus or rickettsia.

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.

mouthguard: Individually molded device designed primarily to be worn for the purpose of helping prevent injury to the teeth and their surrounding tissues.  Sometimes called a mouth protector.

mucous membrane: Lining of the oral cavity as well as other canals and cavities of the body; also called “mucosa.”