Simply click on the letter above to get the definition of dental
terms.
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Palate |
The general term that refers to
the roof of the mouth |
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Palliative Treatment |
Non invasive relief of irritating
conditions |
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Panorex |
A single full mouth x-ray |
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Partial Denture |
A removable appliance (prosthesis)
that replaces some of the teeth in either the upper or
lower jaw |
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Pathology |
Study of disease |
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Periapical (PA) |
Region at the end of the roots
of teeth |
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Pediatric Dentistry |
Dental specialty focusing on
treatment of children's teeth |
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Periodontal Disease |
The general term for the inflammation
or disease affecting the gums |
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Periodontal Surgery |
Recontouring or esthetic management
of diseased gum and supporting tissue |
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Periodontics |
The treatment of diseases of the
gum or bone (supporting structure) |
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Periodontist |
A dentist who specializes in the
treatment of gum disease |
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Periodontal Chart |
Record measuring the depth of gum
pockets around the teeth |
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Permanent Teeth |
(Usually) thirty-two
adult teeth in a complete dentition |
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Pit |
A small defect in the tooth enamel |
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Plaque |
A sticky substance that forms on the
surface of the teeth and harbors bacteria growth and acid
formation beneath its surface, causing tooth decay.
Plaque buildup can irritate the gums and cause periodontal
disease |
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Pontic |
Replacement tooth mounted on a
fixed or removal appliance |
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Porcelain Crown |
All porcelain restoration covering
the portion of tooth above the gum line |
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Porcelain
Fused to Metal PRM) Crown |
Restoration with metal coping (for
strength) covered by porcelain (for appearance) |
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Porcelain Inlay
or Onlay |
Tooth-colored restoration made
of porcelain, cemented or bonded in place |
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Porcelain Veneers |
A thin layer of porcelain bonded to
a natural tooth to replace lost tooth structure,
close spaces, straighten teeth or change color
and/or shape |
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Post |
Thin metal rod inserted into the root
of a tooth after root canal therapy; provided retention
for a "coping" that replaces lost tooth structure
and retains crown |
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PPO or PDO |
Preferred provider (dental)
organization which a health care (dental) provider may
join, offering fee-for-service treatment at
reduced fees |
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Preventive Services |
Dental procedures concerned with the
prevention of dental diseases by protective and educational
measures. May include exam, cleanings, x-rays
and fluoride |
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Prophylaxis |
The professional cleaning and
removal of plaque, stains, and calculus on the teeth |
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Prophy Jet |
Air polishing for stain removal |
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Prosthodontics |
The restoration of natural teeth
and replacement of missing or lost teeth. Common
procedures are crowns, bridges, dentures, and
dental implants |
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Prosthodontist |
A dentist that specializes in the
restoration of natural teeth and replacement of teeth.
Expertise includes, but is not limited to: crowns,
bridges, dentures, dental implants,
TMD-jaw joint problems, and oral cancer reconstruction |
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Pulp |
The nerves, blood vessels
and connective tissue inside a tooth.
(See Illustration) |
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Pulp Chamber |
The opening in the center of the
crown of a tooth which contains the pulp (nerve
tissue) and stretches to the tip of the root |
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Pulpectomy |
Complete removal of the pulp
(commonly done in children's teeth) |
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Quadrant |
One fourth of the mouth or half of
the bottom or top section of the mouth |
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Reimplantation |
Insertion and temporary fixation of
partially or completely dislodged tooth or teeth,
resulting from traumatic injury |
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Reline |
Acrylic restoration of denture base |
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Restoration |
Replacement of portion of a damaged
tooth |
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Retained Root |
Partial root structure remaining in
jaw after extraction or fracture of a natural tooth |
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Retainer |
An appliance for maintaining the
positions of the teeth and jaws immediately after the
completion of orthodontic treatment |
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Root |
Tooth structure that connects the tooth to
the jaw |
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Root Canal |
A procedure used to save an abscessed
tooth in which the pulp chamber if cleaned out, disinfected,
and filled with a permanent filling |
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Root Planing |
Deep cleaning of the teeth to
remove hardened plaque below the gumline. This periodontal
procedure is usually performed one quadrant at a time |
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Root Resection |
Removal of a portion of diseased
root structure, retaining the remaining natural tooth |
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Tartar |
Calcified plaque that forms
from mineral salts in the saliva and deposits on
the teeth |
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TMD
Temporomandibular Disorders |
Problems associated with
the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) which
connects the lower jaw with the skull. Typically
associated with pops and pain in the joint |
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Third-Party
Provider |
Insurance company that pays
all or a part of the cost of dental treatment |
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Tooth Whitening |
A chemical or laser process
to lighten the color of teeth |
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UCR |
Usual, customary and
reasonable fees |
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Ultrasonic Cleaning |
Cleaning that uses high
frequency sound waves to gently remove deposits, such
as tartar and stain, from the teeth |
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Unerupted Tooth |
A tooth that has not pushed
through the gum |
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Veneers |
Plastic or porcelain facing
which is bonded directly to a tooth to improve its a
ppearance, producing a very natural appearance |