P
Dentist The Colony, TX
palate - hard and soft tissues that form the roof of the mouth, separating the oral and nasal cavities
palatal expander - orthodontic device used to widen the upper jaw
palliative treatment - treatment for the purpose of pain relief only
panoramic radiograph (x-ray) - radiograph that includes the full upper and lower teeth and jaws as a single flattened image, used for diagnostic purposes
partial denture - prosthetic device that is used to replace one or more missing teeth, but not the full upper or lower set, may be fixed or removable, also known as a bridge
pediatric dentist - dental specialist focusing on the dental treatment of infants, children, and adolescents
pediatric dentistry - dental specialty that focuses on preventive care and treatment for infants, children, and adolescents, includes care for special needs patients
periapical (PA) - area at the end of a tooth root
pericoronal - area around the crown of a tooth
peri-implantitis - inflammation of the tissue surrounding a dental implant
periodontal - refers to the tissues that surround and support the teeth
periodontal disease - includes gingivitis and periodontitis, inflammation of the periodontal tissues, may include the development of periodontal pockets, bone loss, and tooth loss, can be treated but not cured
periodontal surgery - surgery to treat diseased gum tissue in the mouth
periodontal pocket - a feature of periodontal disease, pocket-like deformity in the gums at the toothline
periodontics - dental specialty focusing on placement of dental implants and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect the tissues that surround and support the teeth
periodontist - dental specialist who focuses on placement of dental implants and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect the tissues that surround and support the teeth
periodontitis - inflammation of the periodontal tissues, may include the development of periodontal pockets, bone loss, and tooth loss, can be treated but not cured
permanent teeth - the second and final set of teeth, also known as adult teeth, usually 32 in total
plaque - soft, sticky substance that can accumulate on teeth, generally made up of food debris and bacteria
pontic - prosthetic tooth, part of a partial denture/bridge
post - thin rod that may be inserted into tooth root following root canal treatment, provides support for the tooth structure
preventive dentistry - aspect of dentistry that focuses on promotion of good oral hygiene habits to protect oral health and reduce or prevent development of oral health issues
prophylaxis - professional cleaning to remove plaque, calculus, surface stains from tooth structures, helps to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease
prosthodontics - dental specialty focusing on the use of prosthetic tooth replacement and restoration of natural teeth
prosthodontist - dental specialist focusing on the use of prosthetic tooth replacement and restoration of natural teeth
pulp - connective tissue inside the tooth, contains nerves and blood vessels
pulp cap - medicated covering placed over small exposed area of pulp to aid in healing
pulpectomy - complete removal of tooth pulp
pulpitis - inflammation of pulp tissue, common cause of toothaches
pulpotomy - removal of diseased portion of pulp, leaving healthy pulp tissue intact
