Dentistry, which is a part of stomatology, is the branch of medicine that is involved in the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and surgical or non-surgical treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body.
Dentistry is widely considered necessary for complete overall health. Those who practice dentistry are known as dentists. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services, which includes dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, and dental therapists.
Dentistry usually encompasses very important practices related to the oral cavity. Oral diseases are major public health problems due to their high incidence and prevalence across the globe with the disadvantaged affected more than other socio-economic groups.
Although modern day dental practice centers around prevention, many treatments or interventions are still needed.The majority of dental treatments are carried out to prevent or treat the two most common oral diseases which are dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease (gum disease or pyorrhea). Common treatments involve the restoration of teeth as a treatment for dental caries (fillings), extraction or surgical removal of teeth which cannot be restored, scaling of teeth to treat periodontal problems and endodontic root canal treatment to treat abscessed teeth.
The laws in the United States about dental practices are strict and comprehensive so you can be assured that your dentist is competent and skilled. Dentists in the United States need to have the Doctor of Dental Medicine certificate or D.D.S. in order to practice their profession. This means that every dentist that is practicing in the United States have at least eight years of studying this subject. These dentists can then be considered to be expects in this field because of their extensive exposure. The eight years of training that each licensed dentist in the United States has undergone is composed of four years undergraduate degree and another four years of doctoral training in dentistry.
By nature of their general training they can carry out the majority of dental treatments such as restorative (fillings,crowns, bridges), prosthetic (dentures), endodontic (root canal) therapy,periodontal (gum) therapy, and exodontia (extraction of teeth), as well as performing examinations, radiographs (x-rays) and diagnosis. Dentists can also prescribe certain medications such as antibiotics, fluorides, and sedatives but they are not able to prescribe the full range that medical doctors can.
Dentists need to take additional qualifications or training to carry out more complex treatments such as sedation, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and implants. While the majority of oral diseases are unique and self limiting, some can indicate poor general health,tumors,blood dyscrasias and abnormalities including genetic problems.
