Glossary

Category: P

  • Partial removable dental prosthesis (PRDP)

    A dental prosthesis that artificially supplies teeth or other associated structures in a partially edentulous jaw and can be removed and replaced at will.  

  • Partial dislocation

    A condition of the temporomandibular joint characterized by a displaced articular disk and partial displacement of the condylar head from its normal, healthy, resting position. As a result of these pathologic changes, the joint function is disrupted either unilaterally or bilaterally to varying degrees.  

  • Partial denture

    Partial denture

    Fixed or removable dental prosthesis supported and retained by teeth or implants for the replacement of less than a full complement of natural teeth and related hard and soft tissues. Called also partial prosthesis. Part of a set of false teeth, replacing only a few teeth. A dental appliance made of an acrylic base, porcelain…

  • Paroxysmal trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux)

    A severe paroxysm of pain occurring, usually unilaterally, in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve (especially the second and third divisions). Seen in middleaged to elderly adults. The pain may be precipitated by a slight stimulus in a “trigger area.”  

  • Paroxysm

    A sharp spasm or convulsion. A sudden outburst of emotion or action, a sudden attack, recurrence or intensification of a disease. A sudden attack or recurrence of symptoms. A sudden movement of the muscles. The sudden re-appearance of symptoms of the disease. A sudden attack of coughing or sneezing. Sudden, violent attack, especially a seizure…

  • Paresthesia

    Paresthesia

    Morbid or perverted normal sensation, such as tingling or burning. The abnormal sensation is usually caused by injury to a nerve and is sometimes a complication after surgical procedures. Is an abnormal sensation of the skin, such as burning, numbness, itching, hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity) or tingling, with no apparent physical cause. Abnormal tactile sensation, often…

  • Parenteral administration

    A technique of administration in which the drug bypasses the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (i.e., intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), intranasal (IN), submucosal (SM), subcutaneous (SC), intraosseous (IO)). Administration by intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular routes. Administration of medicinal substances by injection (i.v.= intravenous; i.m. = intramuscular; s.c. = subcutaneous) or intravenous drip. Administration of drugs by routes…

  • Parallel‐sided implant (syn)

    Parallelwalled implant, straight implant. An endosseous, root‐form dental implant, with the body of the implant having the same diameter at the coronal and apical ends. The coronal diameter does not necessarily match that of the platform, which may be of a larger diameter.  

  • Parallel‐fibered bone

    Repair bone deposited onto woven bone and old bone surfaces in a healing situation as parallel layers of bone. The collagen fibers run parallel to the surface but are not organized in a lamellar fashion.  

  • Parafunctional habit

    A detrimental habit characterized by abnormal function often related to occlusion, such as nocturnal bruxism.