Dentistry
Dentistry is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions, disorders, and diseases of the teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw.
What is Dentistry?
Dentistry, the profession concerned with the prevention and treatment of oral disease, including diseases of the teeth and supporting structures and diseases of the soft tissues of the mouth. Dentistry also encompasses the treatment and correction of malformation of the jaws, misalignment of the teeth, and birth anomalies of the oral cavity such as cleft palate. In addition to general practice, dentistry includes many specialties and subspecialties, including orthodontics and dental orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral and maxillofacial pathology, endodontics, public health dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial radiology.
Why Consider Dentistry?
Dentists are often the first health care professionals to recognize and identify a wide variety of diseases, ranging from hypertension to oral cancer. They diagnose and treat problems affecting the teeth, gingival tissue, tongue, lips and jaws. These oral diseases often reveal other health issues that may require a follow-up with the patient’s primary physician.
In the modern era of health care, dentists utilize new and advanced technology such as computers, digital radiography, cone beam computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing patients.
Dentists provide services that improve patients’ appearance and self-confidence through a wide variety of cosmetic dental procedures. These services can make patients feel better about their smiles. To repair, restore and maintain the dentition (teeth), gingival (gums) and oral tissues that have been lost or damaged by accidents or diseases, dentists perform trauma surgery, dental implants, tissue grafts and laser surgery.
Fields of Dentistry
Provide regular teeth cleanings and routine dental exams. Your general dentist will also refer you to other types of dentists if you need services and procedures that they’re not qualified to provide. General dentistry is one of the most common types of dentistry.
Specialize in dental care and treatments for children and youth.
Specialize in the treatment of oral diseases of the teeth and jaw. They are trained to perform surgery and may work closely with ear, nose, and throat specialists (ENTs).
Repair teeth and jaw bones. They provide cosmetic dentistry, or treatments to improve the appearance of teeth, such as teeth whitening and veneers. They also fit people with dentures, crowns and bridges.
