P.A.: Common dental language for a periapical. See Periapical.
P.P.O.: See Preferred Provider Organization.
Palatal Expander: A device used to make your jaw wider.
Palate: Roof of the mouth.
Panoramic X-ray: An x-ray taken by a machine that rotates around your head to give the orthodontist a picture of your teeth, jaws and other important information. An x-ray taken outside of the mouth that shows all the teeth on one film.
Panorex: See panoramic x-ray.
Paresthesia: A skin sensation described as pricking, tingling or creeping often in dentistry due to injury to a sensory nerve.
Partial Denture: A removable appliance ( prosthesis) that replaces some of the teeth in either the upper and lower jaw.
Pathogen: Disease producing organisms that can exist in many different places. (E.g.: Air, dust, counter top surfaces, the body, etc.)
Pathology: The study of abnormal (diseased) tissue conditions.
P.D.L.: See Periodontal ligament.
Pediatric Dentist: A dentist who specializes in the treatment of children's teeth.
Pedo: Pediatric dentistry, dentistry for children. See Pedodontics.
Pedodontics (Pedo): The treatment of children's teeth.
Pedodontist: A dentist who specializes in the treatment of children's teeth.
Periapical: An x-ray that shows the whole tooth (above and below the gum line). Also known as a single film or P.A.
Perio: See periodontics.
Perio Charting: Measures the depth that the gums have detached from the side of the tooth forming a periodontal pocket ("perio Pocket").
Perio Pocket: The pocket that forms when the gums detach from the side of the tooth.
Perio Prophy: See periodontal maintenance.
Perio Recall: See periodontal maintenance.
Periodontal: Pertaining to your gums. For example periodontal disease is gum disease.
Periodontal Ligament: Connective tissue attaching a tooth to the alveolar bone. See alveolus.
Periodontal Maintenance: Cleaning of the teeth following periodontal treatment, includes perio charting. Procedure code 4910. Also known as a periodontal prophy or periodontal recall.
Periodontics (Perio): The treatment of diseases of the gum or bone (supporting structure).
Periodontist: A dentist who specializes in the treatment of disease of your gums.
Permanent Dentition: See Permanent teeth.
Permanent First and Second Molars: The adult first and second molars, they are the sixth and seventh from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. Does not include the third molar (wisdom tooth).
Permanent Molars: The adult first, second and third molars.
Permanent Teeth: The adult teeth. Also known as the permanent dentition.
PFM: Slang for an esthetic crown made of porcelain fused to metal.
Pin: A thin metal support that is either tapped, cemented, or screwed into the dentin to help retain filling material.
Pin and Ligature Cutter: A special kind of pliers used to cut off arch wires, ligatures etc.
Plaque: a sticky film on the teeth. If it is not removed by brushing it can harden into calculus.
Pontic: The part of a bridge that replaces the missing teeth.
Porcelain: A sand like, tooth colored material consisting mainly of feldspar, kaolin and flux. It fuses at high temperatures to form a hard, enamel-appearing substance.
Porcelain Crown: An all-ceramic crown.
Porcelain Laminate: Thin porcelain shell that is etched from the inside, enabling it to be bonded to the tooth.
Post: A thick metal reinforcement inserted into a tooth that has had a root canal to help strengthen it.
Posterior Teeth: The back teeth (bicuspids and molars).
Pre D: See Predetermination.
Preauth: See Predetermination.
Preauthorization: See Predetermination.
Precert: See Predetermination.
Precertification: See Predetermination.
Precision Attachment: A specially machined part used in some bridges to hide the attachment of the removable appliance to the anchor teeth.
Predetermination: The doctor notifies the insurance company of the treatment before it begins. The insurance company estimates the benefits that will be paid. This is not a guarantee of payment. Also known as "pre d," pre-certification, "precert," "precert." "Pre-authorization" and "preauth."
Preferred Provider Organization (P.P.O.): A plan where the patient can go to any dentist they choose, or they can go to a preferred dentist and receive discounted fees. These plans are listed on out system as preferred and non-preferred.
Preventative: Although it is not a word, it is often used instead of preventive, which is a word. See preventive.
Preventive: Procedure performed to prevent decay and gum disease. Preventive procedures include the exam, x-rays and prophys. The exam and x-rays are also known as diagnostic procedures.
Primary Dentition: See primary teeth.
Primary Plan: When the patient is insured by two plans, the plan that is billed first is the primary plan.
Primary Teeth: The baby teeth. Also known as the primary dentition. The baby teeth are replaced by the adult teeth (permanent teeth).
Prime Plan: See primary plan.
Prior Extraction Coverage: Will the insurance company pay to replace a tooth if it was extracted before the patient became insured?
Prognathic: The state of being prognathic.
Prophy: See Prophylaxis.
Prophylaxis: Cleaning the teeth. Also known as a prophy.
Prosthetic Replacement: How old does the crown, bridge, partial or denture have to be before it can be replaced? They usually must be unserviceable also.
Prosthetics: A fixed or removable appliance to replace missing teeth. Example: bridges, dentures and partial. Sometimes single crowns are considered prosthetics.
Prosthodontics: Dealing with the replacement of missing teeth.
Prosthodontist: A dentist who specializes in the replacement of missing teeth.
Protrusion: A bad bite in which teeth protrude.
Provider: The dentist who renders treatment to the patient.
Proximal: Refers to the surfaces of teeth that touch the next tooth; the space between adjacent teeth is the interproximal space.
Pulp: The soft inner structure of a tooth, consisting of nerve and blood vessels.
Pulp canal: The thin canals containing pulp in the root portions of teeth.
Pulp chamber: The coronal portion of your tooth containing nerve cells and blood vessels.
Pulpitis: inflammation of a tooth pulp.