Glossary

Category: P

  • Plaque control

    Preventive measures directed to remove/control dental plaque and prevent it from recurring.  

  • Plaque

    Plaque

    An organized mass, consisting mainly of microorganisms, that adheres to teeth, prostheses, and oral surfaces and is found in the gingival crevice and periodontal pockets. Other components include an organic, polysaccharide‐protein matrix consisting of bacterial by‐products such as enzymes, food debris, desquamated cells, and inorganic components such as calcium and phosphate. A clear zone in…

  • Planning software

    Computer program specifically designed for use with virtual surgical planning and guided surgery.  

  • Placebo

    An inactive substance resembling one having therapeutic value; used in controlled studies to determine the effect of drugs without the influence of bias. A substance with no medicinal effect, used as a control in testing new medicines. A material without pharmacological activity but identical in appearance to an active drug. Used in pharmacological research as…

  • Place

    To set in or position an implant in a desired location.  

  • PLA (abbrev)

    Polylactic acid.  

  • Pixel

    Abbreviation of picture element: the smallest possible element of a picture. A digital image is defined by a discrete number of pixels arranged in a 2D grid or mosaic. Many very small pixels blend together in the human eye and brain to give the illusion of a continuous, unbroken image. Abbreviation for a picture element,…

  • Pilot osteotomy

    The initial penetration in the bone by several millimeters with a drill in the sequence of preparing an osteotomy for dental implant placement.  

  • Pilot drill

    Drill used to enlarge the coronal aspect of a dental implant osteotomy, thereby directing the path of the subsequent drill.  

  • Pigmentation

    The deposition of coloring matter; coloration or discoloration of a part by a pigment. Coloration of the skin as a result of the presence of a color in the tissues. The colouring of the body, especially that produced by deposits of pigment. Coloration of the skin, hair, and eyes with the pigment melanin. Melanin acts…