PNampa Dentist palate – hard and soft tissues that form the roof of the mouth, separating the oral and nasal cavitiespalatal expander – orthodontic device used to widen the upper jawpalliative treatment – treatment for the purpose of pain relief onlypanoramic radiograph (x-ray) – radiograph that includes the full upper and lower teeth and jaws as a single flattened image, used for diagnostic purposespartial 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 bridgepediatric dentist – dental specialist focusing on the dental treatment of infants, children, and adolescentspediatric dentistry – dental specialty that focuses on preventive care and treatment for infants, children, and adolescents, includes care for special needs patientsperiapical (PA) – area at the end of a tooth rootpericoronal – area around the crown of a toothperi-implantitis – inflammation of the tissue surrounding a dental implantperiodontal – refers to the tissues that surround and support the teethperiodontal 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 curedperiodontal surgery – surgery to treat diseased gum tissue in the mouthperiodontal pocket – a feature of periodontal disease, pocket-like deformity in the gums at the toothlineperiodontics – 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 teethperiodontist – 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 teethperiodontitis – inflammation of the periodontal tissues, may include the development of periodontal pockets, bone loss, and tooth loss, can be treated but not curedpermanent teeth – the second and final set of teeth, also known as adult teeth, usually 32 in totalplaque – soft, sticky substance that can accumulate on teeth, generally made up of food debris and bacteriapontic – prosthetic tooth, part of a partial denture/bridgepost – thin rod that may be inserted into tooth root following root canal treatment, provides support for the tooth structurepreventive 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 issuesprophylaxis – professional cleaning to remove plaque, calculus, surface stains from tooth structures, helps to prevent tooth decay and periodontal diseaseprosthodontics – dental specialty focusing on the use of prosthetic tooth replacement and restoration of natural teethprosthodontist – dental specialist focusing on the use of prosthetic tooth replacement and restoration of natural teethpulp – connective tissue inside the tooth, contains nerves and blood vesselspulp cap – medicated covering placed over small exposed area of pulp to aid in healingpulpectomy – complete removal of tooth pulppulpitis – inflammation of pulp tissue, common cause of toothachespulpotomy – removal of diseased portion of pulp, leaving healthy pulp tissue intact