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Palate:
hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the
mouth
Palliative treatment:
non invasive relief of irritating conditions
Parasthesia:
a partial loss of sensation; may be temporary or permanent
Partial denture:
removable dental prosthesis (appliance) replacing one or more
natural teeth
Pathology:
study of disease
Periapical (PA):
region at the end of the roots of teeth
Periodontal
surgery:
recontouring or esthetic management of diseased gum and supporting tissue
Periodontist:
dental specialist treating the gums and supporting soft and hard tissues retaining natural teeth
and the surgical placement of dental implants
Pedodontics or pediatric dentistry:
dental
specialty focusing on treatment of children
Periodontal chart:
record
measuring the depth of gum pockets around the teeth
Permanent teeth:
(usually)
thirty-two adult teeth in a complete dentition
Pit:
a small defect in
the tooth enamel; junction of four formative lobes of a developing tooth
Placebo:
inert
medication or treatment that produces psychological benefit
Plaque:
soft
sticky substance that accumulates on teeth; composed of bacteria and food debris due to inadequate dental hygiene
Pontic:
replacement tooth mounted on a fixed or removal appliance
Porcelain crown:
all porcelain restoration covering the coronal portion of tooth (above the gum line)
Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown:
restoration with metal coping (for strength)
covered by porcelain (for appearance)
Porcelain inlay or onlay:
tooth-colored
restoration made of porcelain, cemented or bonded in place
Porcelain veneers:
a
thin layer of porcelain, fabricated by a laboratory) bonded to a natural tooth to replace lost tooth structure, close spaces,
straighten teeth or change color and/or shape
Post:
thin metal rod inserted
into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy; provides retention for a "coping" that replaces lost tooth structure and
retains crown
Post-core:
post and buildup to replace lost tooth structure
and retain crown
Post-crown:
single structure that combines post-core
and crown
PPO or PDO:
preferred provider (dental) organization which
a health care (dental) provider may join, offering fee for service treatment at reduced fees
Prognosis:
the anticipated outcome of treatment
Prophylaxis:
cleaning
of the teeth for the prevention of periodontal disease and tooth decay
Prosthesis:
an
artificial appliance for the replacement for a body part
Prosthodontist:
dental
specialist skilled in restoring or replacing teeth with fixed or removable prosthesis (appliance), maintaining proper occlusion;
treats facial deformities with artificial prostheses such as eyes, ears, and noses
Pulp:
the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue inside a tooth
pulp cap:
a medicated covering over a small area of exposed pulp tissue
Pulp chamber:
the center or innermost portion of the tooth containing the pulp
Pulpectomy:
complete removal of the pulp (commonly done in children's teeth)
Pulpitis:
inflammation of the pulp; common cause of toothache
Pulpotomy:
partial
removal of the pulp tissue
Pyorrhea:
older term for periodontal (gum)
disease
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