Dictionary of Dental Terms & Services

A
A Philosophy of Full Denture Service
Alternative Medicine--The relationship between dentistry and alternative care.
Amalgam-- Mercury and alloy metals used as fillings which are not offered by Dr. McBride and recommended for replacement, especially when large in size.
Anesthesia-- Local "numbing" and/or Nitrous Oxide "gas"
Athletic Appliances-- See Sportsguards

B
Bacteremia-- an infection of oral bacteria in the blood stream which causes health risks
Bioesthetic Diagnosis and Treatment
Bleaching--  See Whitening
Bridges-- Fixed (Permanently Cemented) replacement of a lost tooth
Brushing-- the removal and disruption of bacterial plaque from the teeth and gums, see Home-care instructions
Bruxism--the grinding and wearing of the teeth, see also Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction ("TMJ").

C
Cancer--see Oral cancer
Cancer Treatment, and Oral Complications of
Cavity Repair--  The cleansing of the tooth's decay and a restoration to fill the empty space
Chewing Tobacco, Dangers of
Children's Dentistry-- exceptional, preventive dentistry with a focus on fun and education
Cleanings
Composite Fillings-- Composite-Resin, tooth-colored
Crowns-- (a.k.a. 'Caps') A gold or porcelain fused to metal covering on the crown of a tooth

D
Decay--  A hole (cavity) that starts in the enamel of a tooth due to the exposure of bacterial acids that burn into the enamel, see Cavity repair.
Dental Anesthesia
Dental Emergencies
Dental Induced Headache and Neck Pain-- look here for more information, see also bioesthetics.
Dental Insurance Misnomer
Dental Radiographs
Dental Sealants
Dentures-- Get your smile back with skillfully designed prosthetic teeth and achievement of lip support, eating, talking and confidence in a natural appearance. Also see: A Philosophy of Full Denture Service
Desensitization-- Permanent and Semi-Permanent Correction of Root Sensitivity
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

E
Education-- See Home-care instructions, Periodontal disease
Endodontic Therapy-- "Root Canal" therapy, the removal of the inside soft tissue (the root's canal) of a dying tooth
Exams--New Patient Examination, Periodic Examination, see also Periodontal therapy, Children's Dentistry

F
Facts on Flossing
Fixed Bridges
Fillings-- the restoration of a tooth's decay (cavity) with Composite Tooth-Colored Bonding, Gold or Porcelain Inlays
Flossing-- using a string to remove and/or disrupt bacterial plaque from between the teeth and under the gum, see Home-care Instructions.
Fluoride-- a mineral found in our food,  water and dental products that can insulate the dental enamel to strengthen a tooth against decay
Fluoride & Your Health
Fluorosis-- a condition of staining or discoloration of the teeth caused by excessive amounts of ingested fluoride, (not from topical fluorides).
Fractured tooth repair--  May be a simple filling or more involved treatment, it depends, see also Crowns, Veneers.

G
General Dentistry-- look here for description of what a general dentist is and what Dr. McBride does.  You might be surprised to learn he is a specialist!
Geriatric Dentistry--see Senior Dental Care
Getting to the Heart of Dental Disease
Gingivitis-- an infection in the gum tissue around the teeth, most notably displaying swollen, red, bleeding gums. See Gum Disease
Gold-- Inlays, Onlays, Crowns, Bridges

H
Heart, Dental Disease and
Heart, Oral Health and Your
Home-care Instructions-- Flossing, brushing, rinsing, irrigating, desensitizing, managing toothaches and other dental discomforts until treatment, nutrition, pre-operative and post-operative tips and more!
Home-care Products-- Research-based recommendations for plaque removal tools, anti-bacterials, nutraceuticals, homeopathic aids, etc. Also see Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
Hygiene--  Periodontal Therapy, see also Home-care instruction, or Home-care Products

I, J, K, L
Implants--  Root/Tooth Replacement Therapy
Inlays-- Gold or Porcelain Precision Fit 'Fillings'
Latex Allergies

M
Master of the Academy of General Dentistry-- this is what Dr. McBride is.  Many hours of extra training and qualifications...!
Materials and Techniques Used in Restoring Back Teeth
Materials and Techniques Used in Restoring Front Teeth
Mouth Rinses

N
Nutritional Advisement--  Suggestions to fight and prevent dental infections or symptoms of deficiencies

O
Onlays-- Gold Precision Fit Partial Crowns
Oral Beauty and Function
Oral Cancers-- cellular mutations of  various origins and appearances, look here for pictures, self-examination pointers and "quit- tobacco" tips
Oral Health and Your Heart
Oral Health for Seniors
Oral Piercings and your Health--  how to care for your mouth, prevent infection in the piercing site and warnings to prevent damage to teeth and bone as a result of oral piercings.
Orthodontics-- The movement or straightening of teeth

P, Q
Periapical Abscess-- a puss filled lesion in the bone at the root tip of a tooth due to an infection originating in the tooth, see endodontic therapy.
Periodontal Abscess-- a puss filled pocket deep between the tooth and the gum caused by bacterial infection, see periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease-- a bacterial infection of the gums, Periodontitis, "Pyorrhea"
Periodontal Therapy-- Non-surgical treatment and prevention of bacterial infections
Porcelain Crowns/Veneers-- see Crowns, Veneers, Inlays, Restorative Materials
Pregnancy--  The hormones associated with pregnancy can cause changes in periodontal health and your needs, see also Bacteremia, Gingivitis, and Oral Health
Premedication-- The use of prescriptive medications prior to dental treatment
Prevention--  proper home care suited to the patient's unique situation. See Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

R
Radiographs-- see X-rays
Recession-- the loss of the attachment of gum to the tooth so that the underlying root now can be seen, see also Sensitive Root, Desensitization.
Restorations--  A general description of fillings, inlays, onlays, crowns, bridges
Root Canal Therapy -- Endodontic Therapy
Root/Tooth Replacement Therapy-- the replacement of a missing tooth with a titanium implant which acts as a new root for a tooth to be added to (a crown), see implants.

S
Sealants-- A protective barrier that is bonded to teeth in their grooves where they are most susceptible to decay, most successful on children's teeth, especially after eruption, but beneficial to adults as well.
Self Care-- see Home-care, Nutrition
Senior Dental Care--  As we age, our health changes, hormones changes, saliva changes, dexterity changes so our care must change.
Sensitive Root-- usually a cold or touch sensitivity which feels like a "zing", caused by exposed nerve endings through the "dentin", see also desensitization
Sensitive Tooth-- Varying from soreness to a  sharp "zing", it is important to identify if it's sensitive to Hot, Cold or Touch, the duration of time it remains sensitive and the intensity with which it is sensitive, see also Toothache
Snoreguards-- An Appliance Worn at Night Designed to Reduce Snoring
Sportsguards-- An Appliance Worn During Sports to Prevent Injury

T, U
TMJ Dysfunction-- a condition of the Temporomandibular Joint(s) mostly commonly associated with one or all of the following symptoms head, neck, ear or jaw pain, jaw clicking or popping, tooth wear, recession and abfractions. See also TMJ Therapy.
TMJ Therapy-- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction diagnosis and correction, see Bioesthetic Diagnosis and Treatment
Tobacco and oral cancers--  see oral cancers
Toothache-- an ache or sharp pain of a tooth, can be from decay, fracture, dying nerve, exposed root (recession), periodontal abscess, periapical abscess, see also sensitive tooth
Toothbrushes-- Also see Toothpaste
Tooth-Colored Restorations-- the use of composite acrylic bonding materials or porcelains to restore the teeth to a natural appearance.
Tooth Decay-- see Decay or Cavity Repair
Toothpaste
Tooth Wear-- the wearing, flattening of a tooth or teeth often due to a discrepancy between your most comfortable position of your bite, the most comfortable position of your jaws in the joints and how your jaw moves when it's in function (eating, speaking, sleeping).
Tooth Wear Prevention-- Bioesthetic Diagnosis and Treatment
Traditional Hygiene vs Wellness Hygiene

V
Veneers-- A Conservative Alternative to Crowns

W
What is a General Dentist?
Whitening-- (a.k.a. 'Bleaching') the removal of stains from within enamel microtubules
Why Can't I Have My Teeth Cleaned?
Wisdom Teeth Extraction--  Removal of 3rd molars when there isn't proper room for them to grow in without interference of the bite or cleaning
Women's Dental Care and Health--  The hormones of women, especially during pregnancy and menopause present unique conditions

X, Y, Z
X-rays-- (Dental Radiographs) diagnostic pictures that use x-ray radiation to assess dental decay, jaw bone health, etc., undetected by any other means of examination.

If you have questions about a term not listed here, please email us.