Dentistry is the profession concerned with preventing and treating oral diseases, which include diseases of the teeth and supporting structures and diseases of the soft tissues of the mouth. Dentists also treat and correct any malformation of the jaw, misalignment of the teeth, and birth anomalies of the oral cavity, such as cleft palate. If you want to learn more about Dentistry, join us in this article from the Doctour website.
What Does a Dentist Do?
Dentists have many responsibilities, one of the most important ones being good dental hygiene. Dentists also wear protective equipment such as gloves, masks, and safety glasses to prevent the spread of germs or bacteria. Dentists will use modern technology such as machines, lasers, drills, brushes, scalpels, and other medical tools when performing dental procedures. They also diagnose and treat problems of the gums, teeth, and mouth.
Some common dentistry tasks include:
Teaching people about dental hygiene
Filling cavities
Removing buildup or decayfrom teeth
Repairing or removing damaged teeth
Reviewing X-rays and diagnostics
Giving anesthesia
Putting in fillings or sealants
Checking the growth of teeth and jawbones
Dentists also have a team including dental assistants, hygienists, and lab technicians. Together, they ensure that people get quality dental care.
How old is the profession of dentistry?
Dentistry, in some form, has been practiced sinceancient times. Some Egyptian skulls dating from 2900 to 2750 BCE contain evidence of small holes in the jaw in the vicinity of a tooth’s roots. Such holes are believed to have been drilled to drain abscesses. Also, evidence of dental treatment appears in Egyptian scrolls dating from 1500 BCE. It is concluded that Egyptians practiced oral surgery perhaps as early as 2500 BCE, although evidence for this is minimal. An early attempt at tooth replacement dates to Phoenicia (modern Lebanon) around 600 BCE, where missing teeth were replaced with animal teeth and were bound into place with a cord.
What are some of the dentistry specialties?
Cosmetic dentistry
Your face is your most recognizable feature. The mouth, which includes the lips, cheeks, jaws, teeth,and gums, makes up the lower third of the face. Cosmetic dentistry can offer benefits to your quality of life. Cosmetic dentistry may be skeletal or dental; skeletal changes may be achieved through oral surgery, which can change the position of the jaws. Dental changes may be achieved by either adding to, taking away from, or moving the teeth. Bonding, a tooth-colored plastic, is the most common material added to teeth to change their appearance, which is a type of ceramic. Drills are used to take away tooth structure. Moving teeth is accomplished with braces, which can be either fixed or removable.
Reconstructive dentistry
Reconstructive dentistry involves any major rebuilding of the mouth, typically with porcelain and metal. Which frequently involves a combination of all the dental specialties; patients may need multiple crowns (caps), gum therapy, root canal therapy, braces, or oral surgery, including dental implants. Reconstructions are planned to first stop the continuation of active disease and then repair the damage. It is critical for patients to understand that reconstructed teeth require frequent cleanings and maintenance.
Implant dentistry
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. It serves to attach artificial teeth to the underlying jawbone. Dental implants need to be placed in an adequate amount of bone that is free of infection. Sometimes surgical procedures are first necessary either to clean out existing infection or to create more bone for implantation procedures, such as bone ridge augmentation or nasal sinus elevation. The surgery to place the dental implants themselves is similar to that of tooth removal. Dental implant reconstructions can take 6 to 12 months to complete, mostly because of the healing time necessary between surgeries. A single dental implant may be used for one missing tooth. Four to eight dental implants may be placed in a jaw that is missing all the teeth.
When should I see a Dentist?
There are several reasonsto see a dentist, and it’s important to go for a dental checkup every six months.
What happens during a dental check-up?
First, your dentist will check for any signs of mouth cancer, gum problems, or dental decay. Checking on these things regularly helps to prevent more serious problems down the road. Your dental hygienist will also clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup, which are causes of tooth decay and gum disease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dentistry plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health and overall well-being. It encompasses the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity and associated structures. Dentistry ensures proper oral hygiene, which is key to preventing dental diseases like tooth decay and gum disease. It also involves restorative procedures such as fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants to replace or repair damaged or lost teeth. Cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening and orthodontics are also part of dentistry, aimed at improving the appearance of the teeth and smile. Furthermore, dentistry contributes to identifying early signs of certain systemic diseases that can manifest in the mouth. Therefore, dentistry does more than just keep your smile beautiful - it is a key component of overall health and wellness.
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