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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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