Dentistry is a booming field and with the number of people in the world living longer, it does not look like it will be slowing anytime soon. There are a variety of dental practices that dentists offer their patients. This article is about the different types of dentistry, what they do, and how they serve the population.
What is the difference between general and cosmetic dentistry?
General dentistry is the most common type of dental care. It includes all types of services, from routine dentistry to more complex procedures. Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized form of general dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance and function of teeth. This can include everything from restoring teeth to correcting severe dental problems.
5 types of Dentistry
There are five main types of dentistry: general dental practice, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, dental oncology, and implant dentistry. Each type has its own set of unique benefits and challenges that must be taken into account when providing care to the population.
General dental practice is the most common type of dentistry and covers everything from preventive care to treatment of major dental issues. General dentists have extensive knowledge about the oral cavity and can provide comprehensive care for their patients. They also often work with other specialists in order to provide the best possible service.
Pediatric dentistry is focused on the treatment of children and adolescents who need special attention due to their age or health condition. Pediatric dentists typically have more experience working with children than general dentists do, which allows them to provide better care.
Oral surgery is a specialized type of dentistry that focuses on procedures such as tooth extraction, jaw reconstruction, and gum surgery. Oral surgeons have extensive training in surgical techniques and are well-equipped to provide high-quality care for their patients.
Dental oncology is a growing field that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cancers in the mouth. Dentists who specialize in oral oncology often have additional training in radiation therapy and other cancer treatments. They are able to provide expert care for their patients who have cancerous lesions in their mouths.
General dental treatment
There are many different types of dentistry, which can be broadly categorized into two groups: general and specialized. General dentistry is designed to provide comprehensive dental care for the entire population, while specialized dentistry focuses on specific areas such as oral cancer treatment or endodontics (the treatment of teeth that have become stuck in their sockets).
General dentists typically treat all forms of dental problems and can prescribe various treatments such as fillings, crowns, root canals and braces. They may also provide preventive care such as cleanings and checkups. Specialized dentists, on the other hand, may focus exclusively on one type of problem such as treating oral cancer or correcting dental alignment. Some specialize in children’s dental care while others focus on adult patients.
Both general and specialized dentists use a variety of techniques to treat patients including:
- Fillings: Dentists use a variety of fillers such as porcelain, glass and composite materials to restore missing teeth or repair tooth damage. These materials are generally safe and effective but should be checked regularly for signs of wear or damage.
- Crowns: Crowns are custom-made pieces of artificial tooth that are placed over the original teeth to cover them completely. Crowns are often recommended when there is extensive tooth damage or when a tooth has been removed due to decay or injury. They are also used when a patient wants more attractive teeth without having to undergo extensive restoration work.
Cosmetic dentistry (Types of Dentistry)
Cosmetic dentistry is a type of dentistry that is used to improve the appearance of teeth. It can be used to fix problems with teeth, such as tooth decay and gum disease, or to correct cosmetic issues, such as crooked teeth or misshapen teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can also be used to change the look of a person’s smile.
Oral surgery (Types of Dentistry)
Oral surgery is the branch of dentistry that deals with the mouth and teeth. It can involve a wide variety of procedures, from simple dental cleanings to more complex surgeries like gum reconstruction or tooth removal.
There are several types of oral surgery, each with its own specific purposes:
Dental cleaning: This is the most common type of oral surgery, and it involves removing any plaque and bacteria from your teeth.
Tooth extraction: This is usually done if there’s a problem with your tooth, like an infection or decay. It may also be necessary if you want to replace a lost tooth.
Gum surgery: This involves repairing or replacing damaged gums. Common procedures include gum grafting (where tissue from another part of the body is used to replace damaged gums) and gum recession (when the gum line recedes).
Tooth restoration: If all of your teeth have been removed due to disease or accident, a dentist may perform a dental restoration (also called a crown or cap). This involves using either natural materials like porcelain or metal, or man-made materials like plastic or resin.
Prosthodontics (Types of Dentistry)
Prosthodontics is the specialty of dentistry that deals with the restoration, replacement, and reconstruction of teeth. The practice of prosthodontics can be divided into two categories: functional and esthetic. Functional prosthodontics focuses on restoring teeth to their original function while esthetic prosthodontics focuses on improving the aesthetics of a person’s smile.
There are several different types of prosthodontic treatments that can be used to improve a person’s smile. One type of treatment is dental implants. Dental implants are small titanium rods that are inserted into the jawbone and then secured in place with dental cement. They provide long-term support for teeth and can substitute for missing teeth in cases where they are temporarily or permanently unable to be restored or replaced by traditional methods.
Another type of prosthodontic treatment is dental veneers. Dental veneers are thin sheets of porcelain that are bonded to the front, back, or sides of your teeth. They can be used to conceal blemishes, restore lost tooth volume, or create a more natural-looking smile. Dental veneers can also be used to correct fontanel defects (a condition in which one or both sides of your child’s head fail to develop properly).
Periodontics (Types of Dentistry)
Periodontics is the branch of dentistry devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a condition that can affect any dental structure, but is most commonly seen in teeth near the gum line. Periodontal disease may cause pain, loss of tooth function, and even tooth loss.
There are several types of periodontics treatments that may be recommended by a dentist:
• Cleaning and restoration: This involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from around teeth and gums with a brush and floss, as well as filling any holes or gaps created by decay or recession. It also may include repairing damage caused by periodontal bacteria or other factors.
• Tooth extraction: When periodontal disease causes severe damage to teeth and surrounding gum tissue, they may need to be removed surgically. Implants or other dental replacement materials may then be used in their place.
• Dental implant therapy: In this type of treatment, a metal implant is placed into the jawbone where it will bond securely to the surrounding bone. This allows teeth that have been removed due to periodontal disease or other reasons to be replaced with implants rather than removable prosthetic devices like bridges or dentures.
