Dentistry
Dentistry is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and other conditions that affect the teeth and gums, especially the repair and extraction of teeth and the insertion of artificial ones.
The field of dentistry or dental medicine is not limited to teeth but includes other aspects of the craniofacial complex including the temporomandibular joint and other supporting, muscular, lymphatic, nervous, vascular, and anatomical structures.
Understanding the scope of dentistry is very important. In recent years, Prevention is becoming increasingly important and Dental related diseases are largely preventable. The rate of dental problems is increasing each year and has put a burden on health care systems for cure. Hence, the scope of dentistry is also increasing day by day.
There are nine main dental branches. The field of dentistry offers many specialties to further in studies, training, and treatment that can help individual patients or community-based populations with preventative and maintenance of oral and dental health care. Each division can require more training and education than others, but it is a rewarding experience when you see the change and impact you make on a patient.
Dental problems like bad breath, gum disease, yellow teeth can occur due to bad oral hygiene but they can also be prevented very easily by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, eating properly and regular dental check-ups. The basics of good dental hygiene are taught from a very early age. Similarly, knowledge on common dental problemsand their causes is also very important as they can a go a long way in prevention.
Advanced technologies are overhauling the future of dentistry, making tremendous growth in the diagnostic devices and treatment options.
CAD/CAM Dentistry
Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing is one of the modern dental treatment methods which is used to improve the design and creation of dental restorations especially dental prostheses, including crowns, crown lays, veneers, inlays and inlays, fixed bridges, dental implant restorations, dentures (removable or fixed), and orthodontic appliances.
3D Virtual Imaging is one of the most significant tools for orthodontists to evaluate and record size and form of craniofacial structures. Orthodontists regularly use 2-dimensional (2D) static imaging procedures, but deepness of structures cannot be acquired and restricted with 2D imaging. Three-dimensional (3D) imaging has been developed in the early of 1990's and has gained a prized place in dentistry, particularly in orthodontics. In 3D diagnostic imaging, a series of anatomical records is gathered using certain technical equipment, processed by a computer and later presented on a 2D monitor to present the illusion of deepness.
Surgery of the teeth and jaw bones to artificially modify the dentition is called the dental surgery. However, dental medicine isn’t only about fixing your teeth but also covers other aspects of craniofacial complex, such as the temperomandibular structure and other supporting structures. In turn, dental surgery procedures don’t only cover root canals and removal of wisdom teeth that are impacted.
It is a surgical speciality that deals with the treatment of acquired deformalities of the head, skull, face, neck, jaws and associated structures. Defects typically treated by craniofacial surgeonsinclude craniosynostosis, rare craniofacial clefts, acute and chronic sequellae of facial fractures, cleft lip and palate, micrognathia, Treacher Collins Syndrome, Apert's Syndrome, Crouzon's Syndrome, Craniofacial microsomia, microtia and other congenital ear anomalies, and many others.
A phase change from traditional techniques to digital methods has massively advanced the dentistry field widening the scope of dental treatments and procedures. Robotic and digital dentistry, Dental radiography/informatics, Forensic dentistry, Laser applications, Imaging techniques for the craniofacial hard and soft tissues, Dental implants & occlusal analysis, etc. are some of the advanced tools and techniques used in digital dentistry.
Dental products can be classified into various subcategories like diagnostics, drugs and pharmaceuticals, equipment and materials, whitening products, etc. Over the counter products include toothpaste, powered toothbrushes, manual toothbrushes, water in devices and mouthwashes. The quality of treatment depends on the quality of product used for the treatment.
