2016 Glossary - 25

embrasure n: (1) the space created when proximal
surfaces are positioned away from each other; (2) in
dentistry, the space set up by the diverging mesial or
distal surfaces of 2 teeth that are next to each other.
emergence angle n: the incline created by a dental
implant's transitional shape as determined by the
correlation of the long axis of the implant body to
the implant abutment or prosthesis.
emergence profile n: the axial contour of a crown on
a tooth or a dental implant abutment as it correlates
to the adjacent soft tissues.
eminence n: the projecting prominent part of an object, especially on the surface of a bone.
emphysema n: (1) a pathological swelling caused by
accumulation of air or gas in tissue spaces. In the oral
cavity and facial regions it may be initiated by the unintentional introduction of air into a tooth socket or
gingival crevice with an air syringe, an air-driven dental handpiece, a continuous positive airway pressure
or bilevel positive airway pressure machine, coughing, or nose blowing; (2) a chronic respiratory disease
where there is a perpetual dilation of the respiratory
alveoli in the lung, causing a reduction in lung function and frequently breathlessness.
empty mouth movement n: voluntary or involuntary
changes of the mandible's position when the jaws
are not engaged in incising or chewing.
enamel n: in dentistry, the hard, thin, translucent layer
of calcified material that covers the coronal portion
of a tooth. It protects the dentin located directly underneath it and is known to be the hardest substance
in the body.
enamel pearl n: a developmental abnormality that
results in a small localized mass of enamel formed
apical to a tooth's cementoenamel junction. It is frequently found in the bifurcation of molar teeth.
enamel projection n: an apical extension of a tooth's
enamel that is often found at the root furcation.
enameloplasty n: see occlusal reshaping.
enarthrosis n: a joint in which the rounded (ball-like)
head of one bone fits into the socket form of another
bone (eg, hip joint).

endocarditis n: exudative and proliferative inflammation of the endocardial surface of the heart. Infective
endocarditis is a bacterial infection of the endocardial surface of the heart, most often involving the
heart valves. Previously was categorized as acute,
subacute, or chronic bacterial endocarditis but is
now categorized by the offending microorganism
(ie, streptococcal infective endocarditis).
endodontic-endosseous implant n: see under implant, oral.
endodontic endosteal dental implant n: a pin that is
intended to perform as an implant; it may be smooth
or threaded and is placed into the root canal space
of an endodontically treated tooth with an extension
into periapical bone. The intent is to stabilize a mobile tooth; also known as an endodontic stabilizer.
endodontic pin n: a metal pin that is intentionally
placed through the apex of a mobile tooth and into
the surrounding apical bone for stabilization.
endoscope n: an instrument with a flexible or rigid
tube used for examining the interior of a canal or
hollow space.
endosseous blade implant n: see blade endosteal
dental implant.
endosseous implant n: see endosteal dental implant and implant, oral.
endosteal dental implant n: a manmade device positioned into the alveolar and/or basal bone of the
mandible or maxilla that transects a cortical plate.
It is made up of an endosteal dental implant body
that provides anchorage when positioned and integrated within the bone and the endosteal dental implant abutment that retains the prosthesis. Multiple
adjectives are used to describe the endosteal dental
implant. It can be described by its shape (eg, cylinder,
screw, conical, blade, or basket) or can refer to the
materials from which the implant is constructed (eg,
titanium, titanium alloy, or ceramic).
endosteal dental implant abutment n: the part of
the implant that passes through the oral mucosa
and allows for the connection between the body
of the implant and the restorative prosthesis. The
abutment is often referred to as an implant eleJOI Glossary

2016 Glossary

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2016 Glossary