halitosis: bad breath of oral or gastrointestinal origin.
handpiece: the instrument used to hold and revolve burs in dental operations.
hard palate: the bony front portion of the roof of the mouth.
hygienist: a licensed, auxiliary dental professional who is both an oral health educator and clinician who uses preventive, therapeutic, and educational methods to control oral disease.
hypersensitivity: a sharp, sudden painful reaction in teeth when exposed to hot, cold, sweet, sour, salty, chemical, or mechanical stimuli.
immediate denture: a complete or partial denture that is made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the natural teeth are removed.
impacted tooth: a tooth that is partially or completely blocked from erupting through the surface of the gum. An impacted tooth may push other teeth together or damage the bony structures supporting the adjacent tooth. Often times, impacted teeth must be surgically removed.
implant: a metal rod (usually made of titanium) that is surgically placed into the upper or lower jawbone where a tooth is missing; it serves as the tooth root and anchor for the crown, bridge, or denture that is placed over it.
impression: mold made of the teeth and soft tissues.
incision and drainage: surgical incision of an abscess to drain pus.
incisors: four upper and four lower front teeth, excluding the cuspids (canine teeth). These teeth are used primarily for biting and cutting.
inlay: similar to a filling but the entire work lies within the cusps (bumps) on the chewing surface of the tooth.
jawbone: The hard bone that supports the face and includes alveolar bone, which anchors the teeth.
leukoplakia: a white or gray patch that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek. It is the mouth’s reaction to chronic irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth.
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