P
- palate
palate hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth
- palliative treatment
palliative treatment non invasive relief of irritating conditions
- parasthesia
parasthesia a partial loss of sensation may be temporary or permanent
- partial denture
partial denture removable dental prosthesis (appliance) replacing one or more natural teeth
- pathology
pathology study of disease
- periapical (PA)
periapical (PA) region at the end of the roots of teeth
- periodontal chart
periodontal chart record measuring the depth of gum pockets around the teeth
- periodontal surgery
periodontal surgery recontouring or esthetic management of diseased gum and supporting tissue
- permanent teeth
permanent teeth (usually) thirty two adult teeth in a complete dentition
- pit
pit a small defect in the tooth enamel junction of four formative lobes of a developing tooth
- placebo
placebo inert medication or treatment that produces psychological benefit
- plaque
plaque soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed of bacteria and food debris due to inadequate dental hygiene
- pontic
pontic replacement tooth mounted on a fixed or removal appliance
- porcelain crown
porcelain crown all porcelain restoration covering the coronal portion of tooth (above the gum line)
- porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown
porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown restoration with metal coping (for strength) covered by porcelain (for appearance)
- porcelain inlay or onlay
porcelain inlay or onlay tooth colored restoration made of porcelain, cemented or bonded in place
- porcelain veneers
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
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-care
post care post and buildup to replace lost tooth structure and retain crown
- post-crown
post crown single structure that combines post core and crown
- prognosis
prognosis the anticipated outcome of treatment
- prophylaxis
prophylaxis cleaning of the teeth for the prevention of periodontal disease and tooth decay
- prosthesis
prosthesis an artificial appliance for the replacement for a body part
- pulp
pulp the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue inside a tooth
- pulp cap
pulp cap a medicated covering over a small area of exposed pulp tissue
- pulp chamber
pulp chamber the center or innermost portion of the tooth containing the pulp
- pulpectomy
pulpectomy complete removal of the pulp (commonly done in children's teeth)
- pulpitis
pulpitis inflammation of the pulp common cause of toothache
- pulpotomy
pulpotomy partial removal of the pulp tissue