Occlusal: Pertaining to the biting surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth or contacting surfaces of opposing teeth or opposing occlusion rims.

Occlusal Radiograph: An intraoral radiograph made with the film being held between the occluded teeth.

Occlusion: Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth.

Odontoplasty: Adjustment of tooth length, size, and/or shape; includes removal of enamel projections.

Oral: Pertaining to the mouth.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, deformities, defects and esthetic aspects of the oral and maxillofacial regions.

Oral Pathology: The specialty of dentistry and pathology concerned with recognition, diagnosis, investigation and management of diseases of the oral cavity, jaws, and adjacent structures.

Orthodontist: A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the interception and treatment of malocclusion of the teeth and their surrounding structures.

Osteoplasty: Surgical procedure that modifies the configuration of bone.

Osteotomy: Surgical cutting of bone.

Overdenture: A removable prosthetic device that overlies and may be supported by retained tooth roots or implants.

Palate: The hard and soft tissues forming the roof of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities.

Partial Denture: Usually refers to a prosthetic device that replaces missing teeth.

Pontic: The term used for an artificial tooth on a fixed partial denture (bridge).

Post: An elongated projection fitted and cemented within the prepared root canal, serving to strengthen and retain restorative material and/or a crown restoration.

Posterior: Refers to teeth and tissues towards the back of the mouth (distal to the canines) maxillary and mandibular premolars and molars.

Premolar: See bicuspid.

Prophylaxis: Scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus and stains.

Prosthesis: Artificial replacement of any part of the body.

• Dental Prosthesis - Any device or appliance replacing one or more missing teeth and/or, if required, associated structures. (This is a broad term which includes abutment crowns and abutment inlays/onlays, bridges, dentures, obturators, gingival prosthesis)
• Definitive Prosthesis - A prosthesis to be used over an extended period of time
• Fixed Prosthesis - Non-removable tooth or implant-born dental prosthesis which is solidly attached to abutment teeth or roots or implants
• Interim Prosthesis - A provisional prosthesis designed for use over a limited period of time, after which it is to be replaced by a more definitive restoration
• Removable Prosthesis - Dental prosthesis designed to be removed and reinserted by the patient.

Prosthodontist: A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the restoration of the natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth with artificial substitutes.

Pulp: Connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue which occupies the pulp cavity of a tooth,

Pulp Cavity: The space within a tooth which contains the pulp.

Pulpitis: Inflammation of the dental pulp.

Pulpotomy: Surgical removal of a portion of the pulp with the aim of maintaining the vitality of the remaining portion by means of an adequate dressing; pulp amputation.