A dehiscence is an opening or splitting in tissue, usually of an organ. In botany, this typically refers to when a seed pod on a plant splits open to release the seeds inside. In medical terms, it is most often used to describe the reopening of an incision after surgery or a wound that has been otherwise closed. This can be either internal or external. In dentistry, the term is used to describe an entirely different process: the loss of alveolar bone on the front side of the tooth. This results in the appearance of an oval-shaped root-exposed defect underneath the gingiva. This condition is characterized by the degradation of alveolar bone, gum recession, and exposure of the tooth root. Dehiscence can cause patients severe pain, especially when the root of the tooth has become exposed to hot and cold temperatures. It can also result in aesthetic changes and self-esteem issues.