Glossary of Terms [E-H]

Listed below are terms and definitions to help you better understand dental terminology when visiting Regents Dental Group.

Enamel
Durable, hard, white outer layer of the tooth that covers and protects the dentin, the layer just beneath it. The hard tissue covering the portion of tooth above the gum line.

Endodontist
Specialist who treats injuries, diseases and infections of the tooth pulp (nerve chamber).

Epidemiology
Study of the incidence of disease in a population.

Eruption
Process of teeth protruding through the gums.

Exfoliate
Process of shedding deciduous (baby) teeth.

Exodontia
Practice of dental extractions.

Explorer
Sharp instrument used to detect decay on the surface of teeth.

Extraction
Removal of a tooth.

Eyeteeth
The four upper and lower canine (cuspid) teeth.

Facing
Tooth colored overlay on the visible portion of a crown; may be acrylic, composite or porcelain.

FAGD
Fellowship Academy of General Dentistry.

Filling
Restoration of lost tooth structure with metal, porcelain or resin materials.

Fistula
Channel emanating pus from an infection site; a gum boil.

Fixed Bridge
For replacing a missing tooth, a fixed bridge is bonded to adjacent teeth which have been prepared to provide anchor supports.

Flap Surgery
Lifting of gum tissue to expose and clean underlying tooth and bone structures.

Freeway Space
Distance between the upper and lower teeth with the lower jaw in rest position.

Forceps
Instrument used for removal of teeth.

Forensic Dentistry
Practice of gathering legal evidence for body identification or judicial issues.

Fossa
Valley found on the sutrpface of posterior teeth.

Full Denture
Removable dental prosthesis (appliance) replacing all upper or lower teeth.

Full Mouth Reconstruction
Extensive restorations of natural teeth with crowns and or fixed bridges to manage bite problems.

Frenectomy
Removal or reshaping of thin muscle tissue that attaches the upper or lower lips to the gum, or the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

GTR
(guided tissue regeneration) A new technique for replacing bone tissue.

General Anesthesia
Controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by a partial or complete loss of pain sensation, protective reflexes, and the ability to respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command.

Geographic Tongue
Benign changes in the usual color and texture of tongue; does not require treatment.

Gingiva
The gum tissue.

Gingivectomy
Surgical removal of gum tissue.

Gingivitis
Inflammation of gum tissue.

Gum Boil
See fistula.

Gum Recession
Exposure of dental roots due to shrinkage of the gums as a result of abrasion, periodontal disease or surgery.

Halitosis
Bad breath of oral or gastrointestinal origin.

Heimlich Maneuver
Techinque employed by rescuer for obstruction of victim's airway.

Hematoma
Swelling of effused blood beneath tissue surface.

High Lipline
A High Lipline is when the widest smile meets the gum tissue above the teeth.

HMO or DMO
Health (dental) Maintenance Organization which specifies a health care (dental) provider a patient may see. Profitability depends on minimization of treatment.

Hydrogen Peroxide
Disinfecting solution used in dental irrigation procedures or as mouth rinse.

Hygienist
Dental auxiliary who cleans teeth and provides patient education; administers local anesthetic, nitrous oxide and performs periodontal scaling.

Hyperemia
Increased blood flow; may cause dental sensitivity to temperature and sweets; may precede an abscess.