Safety Strap: A plastic strap which prevents a face bow from coming loose and hurting you.
Sagital Plane: The longitudinal vertical plane that divides the mouth into two halves (left and right).
Sanitization: A cleaning process, which reduces germs to a "safe" level.
Scaler: A tool with a curved hook on one end. The orthodontist uses the scaler to remove excess cement, and check for gaps.
Sealant: Clear application of acrylic placed over the biting surface of the tooth to prevent decay. Most insurance companies only allow these on permanent teeth.
Secondary Plan: When a patient is insured by two plans, the plan that is billed second is the secondary plan.
Seperator: A plastic or metal part, which the orthodontist uses to create space between your teeth for bands.
Sialolith: A calcification in the salivary gland or duct. A salivary stone.
Sialolitiasis: infection due to a sialolith causing obstruction is a salivary gland or duct.
Signature on File: The insured person signs a form stating that the payments made by the carrier go to the dentist. This form expires 1 year from the date it is signed. Some policies do not accept signature on file.
Silver Filling: See Amalgam.
Single Film: See Periapical.
Smile Finder: A unique and effective Web site where consumers can look up information about dentists and dentistry and where dentists can share information about themselves and their practice. Also known as smileFinder.com.
Space Maintainer: A gadget used to maintain a space in your mouth. You would use a space maintainer when you lose one of your baby teeth. The space maintainer will keep a space maintainer will keep a space in your mouth until a permanent tooth comes in to fill the space.
Spee: The curve of spee is the curvature of the occlusal plane of the teeth.
Splint: An appliance of metal, acrylic, or composite resin usually used to hold and stabilize loose teeth.
Stainless Steel Crown: A crown made entirely of stainless steel.
Standard C.O.B.: When a patient is insured by two plans, the plan that is billed second will pay up to 100% of U.C.R. between both of the carriers.
Sterilization: A process where a medical material is treated to remove all possible germs and other forms of life.
Stop: A bend of auxiliary attachment placed on a wire to limit the arch wire from sliding or moving in the bracket slot of the bracket.
Subscriber: The person who carries the dental plan.
Superbill: A walkout patient receipt that can also be used by customers to file their own insurance claim.
Supernumerary Tooth: Some people have extra teeth. These are called "supernumerary teeth".