Dental science, also called dentistry and oral surgery, is an advanced branch of dentistry that includes the study, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dental disorders, diseases, and injuries of the teeth. Dentists are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent dental diseases using various methods including basic and clinical dentistry procedures. There are different types of dental treatments including preventive dental services, specialty dental services, emergency dental services, cosmetic dental procedures, laser dentistry, dental implants, tooth restoration, periodontal surgical services, orthodontic services, reconstructive dental procedures, dental surgeries, gum disease diagnosis and management, orthodontic surgery, sedation dentistry, cosmetic surgery, reconstructive dental procedures for adults, and pediatric dental services. Apart from treating and preventing dental disorders, dentists also provide care for children, meet dental needs of individuals with disabilities, perform dental prophylaxis and arrange for in-house clinics where children can be seen and pediatric dental patients can be treated.
A patient undergoing dental procedure may require two different types of dental procedures. One of them is referred to as the direct present procedure (or DPSP) and the other one is known as the indirect present procedure (or IPP). The DPSP is usually done on a patient who has a cavity or if the root canal cannot take care of the decay and needs immediate extraction of a tooth. If the decay is severe, the patient may need a root canal treatment as well.
Dental fillings are used to fill up the cavity left by decayed tooth. Fillings do not come with the same aesthetic appeal as bonding but they do offer lasting protection and do not require extensive preparation before placement. Dental fillings come in variety of materials such as metal fillings, composite materials, ceramic fillings, composite resins, gold fillings, amalgam fillings, tungsten, and others. Dental fillings also vary based on their use; some are suitable for certain teeth while others are suitable for all teeth.
Dental floss plays an important role in oral hygiene as it is used to remove food that may cause plaque and thus plaque build up. Dental flossing can help in removing food remnants that may cause bacterial infestation in the mouth. Some of these bacteria are capable of causing mouth sores and cavities. Dental floss is generally used in combination with another basic oral hygiene tools such as a mouthwash, a fluoride mouth rinse, and a pre-floss brush. Flossing can also help to prevent tooth decay, which can lead to cavities and other oral problems. Many dentists recommend performing flossing after every meal.
The last mentioned dental procedure is called x-ray dentistry. This is generally done on patients who have tooth loss that occurred due to decay or injury or after any kind of accident. X-rays will help in taking pictures of damaged or missing teeth; however, they cannot determine if the affected tooth is stable or not.
Regular check-ups and cleaning are necessary aspects of dental hygiene. Dental professionals recommend having every person visit a dentist every six months for a minimum of two cleanings. This is to ensure that no tooth cavity or gum disease is left behind after the tooth has been removed. Regular check-ups also help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease from developing. Dentists advise that all patients should visit them for at least two cleanings every six months.
