Background & Scope
Dentistry focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. Aside from diagnosis and treatment, dentists and dental subspecialists are concerned with promotion of good oral hygiene and overall dental health for both adults and children. The scope of dentistry includes a wide range of services, from preventive care to restorative treatments.
Preventive care includes cleanings and regular check-ups to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Dentists take x-rays to check for any underlying issues that need to be addressed and also provide advice on proper brushing and flossing techniques, as well as diet and lifestyle choices that can help maintain good oral health.
Qualifications, Training, and Certifications
The qualifications required to become a dentist are extensive and demanding. A minimum of 8 years of college-level education is required, including a bachelor’s degree, followed by 4 years of dental school. Once the educational requirements have been met, dentists must pass both a written and practical exam in order to receive their license.
Dentists must complete four years of dental school during which they are exposed to the fundamental principles of dentistry and the clinical skills necessary to practice in the field. Courses include anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and oral surgery. Students also learn about dental materials and techniques and practice clinical procedures on patients.
Dentists may choose to pursue additional training in subfields such as orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, pediatric dentistry, or oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Conditions, Diseases, Treatments, and Procedures
Dentists are responsible for diagnosing and treating a wide variety of pathology and illness affecting the teeth, gums, and jaw. For restoration, dentists and dental subspecialists use fillings, crowns, implants, bridges, and other treatments to replace missing teeth or repair damaged ones.
Some common conditions treated by dentists include cavities, gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth decay, enamel wear, mouth sores, and misaligned bites. Although endodontists perform root canals, some general dentists do also. Although oral surgeons perform dental implants, some general dentists do also. Although orthodontists utilize treat misaligned or crooked teeth, some general dentists do also.
Aside from reparative work, dentists also offer cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance of teeth. These treatments include tooth whitening, veneers, and bonding.
Dentists use fillings, crowns, implants, bridges, retainers, root canals, and other treatments to replace missing teeth, or to cover, repair, and replace existing ones.
Cosmetic procedures such as bonding and veneers are common procedures to cover existing teeth and improve the appearance of teeth. These treatments are often used in combination with other restorative work to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Related Medical Specialties
Again, Dentists may choose to pursue additional training in subfields such as orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, pediatric dentistry, or oral and maxillofacial surgery. Each of those subfields interact with general dentistry as patients may be sent to dental subspecialists for diagnosis and treatment outside of general dentistry.
Endodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on root canals and other treatments to save teeth from infection or decay.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions of the face, mouth, and jaw.
Prosthodontists specialize in prosthetic treatments such as dental implants, bridges, and dentures.
Orthodontists focus on correcting misaligned bites or crooked teeth.
Pediatric dentists provide specialized care for infants, children, and adolescents.
Periodontists specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease.
Oral pathologists are charged with diagnosis of oral illness and injury.
Medical-Legal Cases Involving Dentistry
Medical-legal cases involving dentistry typically involve allegations of failure to diagnose and treat but also performing treatment on an incorrect tooth.
Failure to diagnose cases can also include abscesses and cancer.