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A Complete Glossary of Dental Definitions
PeriodonticsPeriodontics is the science of maintaining the health of the supporting structures around
Periodontics deals with eliminating the disease process that, if left unchecked, could lead to the eventual loss of the dentition and/or the supporting structures. Basically, Periodontics deals with the bone around the teeth. When the toxins of the bacteria that cause the breakdown of the human dentition come into contact with the supporting bone of the teeth, they dissolve it. Continued bone loss around the teeth will lead to loose teeth, pain, and the eventual loss of the teeth. Although there are many causes of periodontal disease, the main cause is improper brushing and flossing. Commonly known as pyhorria or trench mouth, periodontal disease a life-long disease like diabetes and is also controllable like diabetes through regular personal oral hygiene and professional care. More teeth are lost today because of periodontal disease than any other cause. With today’s science in the field of Periodontics, many thousands, if not millions of people who would have otherwise lost their teeth, will live their whole lives with their natural teeth. To date there are no studies that have proven that periodontal disease is transmitted through kissing, eating off somebody else’s plate, or using somebody else’s utensils (forks, knives, spoons). The bacteria that causes periodontal disease and caries ( dental cavities) are found naturally in the oral cavity (mouth) and are controlled by the habitual (regular) daily brushing and flossing along with professional check ups and prophylaxis (dental cleanings). |
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- Palatal Expander
- - A device used to make your jaw wider
- 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.
- Pathogenic
- - Pathogenic means can lead to disease
- Pathogens
- - Disease producing organisms that can exist in many different places. (e.g.: Air, dust, counter top surfaces, the body, etc.)
- Pathological
- - Pathological means related to, or caused by, disease
- Pathology
- - The study of abnormal (diseased) tissue conditions.
- Pediatric Dentist
- - A Pedodontist is a dentist who has had special training (usually two more years) after dental school in the field of children’s teeth
- Pediatric Dentistry
- - Pediatric Dentistry is the science of restoring the human primary dentition (baby teeth)
- Pedodontist
- - Pediatric Dentist
- Periapical
- - Periapical means around the tip of the root of the tooth
- Periapical Abscess
- - Periapical abscess is an inflammation with pus at the end of the root of the tooth
- Periodontal abscess
- - Periodontal abscess is an abscess of the soft tissue around the tooth
- Periodontics
- - Periodontics is the science of maintaining the health of the supporting structures around human dentition (teeth)
- Periodontist
- - A Periodontist is a dentist who has had special training (usually two more years) after dental school in the field of Periodontics (the teeth and their supporting structures)
- Periradicular Abscess
- - Periradicular abscess is an abscess with inflammation and pus around the root of the tooth
- Permanent teeth
- - Permanent teeth are the teeth that come in after the primary teeth have come out
- Pin and Ligature Cutter
- - A special plier use to cur off arch wires, ligatures etc.
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- Plaque
- - Plaque is the soft bacterial colonies on the teeth
- Porcelain Crown
- - A porcelain crown is a covering made out of fired ceramic that replaces missing tooth structure
- Posterior Teeth
- - The posterior teeth are the back teeth
- Premolar
- - Premolar is the newer term for bicuspid
- Preventative
- - Preventative is a general word meaning to prevent or stop an action from happening
- Primary teeth
- - Primary teeth are the first teeth in the human dentition
- Priodontal
- - Pretaining to the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth.
- Probing
- - Probing is the action of exploring in a remote region to obtain information
- Proper Occlusion
- - A beautiful smile where all of your teeth are straight and your top teeth line up with your bottom teeth
- Prophylaxis
- - Cleaning your teeth
- Prosthodontics
- - Prosthodontics is the science of replacing the human dentition (teeth) that has been lost to disease or neglect with an artificial replacement.
- Prosthodontist
- - A Prosthodontist is a dentist who has had special training (usually two years ) after dental school in the field of prosthetics (crowns, bridges, partial dentures, and full dentures)
- Proximal
- - Refers to the surfaces of teeth that touch the next tooth; the space between adjacent teeth is the interproximal space.
- Public Health Dentist
- - A Public Health Dentist is a dentist who has had special training (usually two more years) after dental school in the field of public health
- Pulp
- - The inside of the tooth
- Pulp Canal
- - Another name for the pulp chamber
- Pulp Chamber
- - The very inner part of your tooth containing nerve cells and blood vessels.
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| Key: |
blue = General Definition |
green = Dental Specialty |
brown = Field Of Practice |
| teal = Dental Procedure |
violet = Disease |
orange = Anatomy |
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