G Walled Lake, MI Dentist general anesthesia – the use of medication to induce a controlled unconscious state in a patient during treatment, allows reduced or eliminated sensation of pain and reflexive motion gingiva – also called gum tissue, soft tissue that surrounds teeth within the mouth gingivectomy – surgical removal of gum tissue/gingiva gingivitis – stage of periodontal disease where gum tissue is inflamed and/or infected, but loss of tissues has not occurred graft – surgical addition of natural or synthetic tissue to repair or reinforce tissues with defect or deficiency Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) – advanced surgical technique used to enhance bone regeneration/regrowth gum recession – shrinkage of gums due to periodontal disease, surgery, or other cause resulting in exposure of teeth roots