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As one of the oldest medical professions, dentistry has been around for centuries. However, it became a more defined profession in the 1700s.
Dentistry is a branch of healthcare that is devoted to maintaining the health of your teeth, gums, and other tissues present in and around your mouth. A doctor who practices dentistry is called a dentist.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the world of dentistry, including what dentists are, what they do and the different specialized fields of dentistry.
What Are Dentists?
A dentist, sometimes known as a family dentist or a general dentist, is a healthcare provider who receives advanced training and education in diagnosing and treating oral health conditions. A dentist is focused on keeping your teeth and gums healthy with regular dental cleaning and dental checkups. Additionally, they can also offer a variety of treatments for dental concerns of patients of all ages and genders.
Typically, to become a dentist, one must receive an undergraduate degree and complete at least four years in an accredited dental school. An aspiring dentist either earns a DDS (doctor of dental surgery) or DMD (doctor of medicine in dentistry) degree. Adentist can also specialize in a particular field of dentistry, for which they receivean additionaltwo to three years of postgraduate training.
What Do Dentists Do?
Not only can a dentist treat a wide range of conditions affecting your teeth, jaws, gums, and other areas of the mouth but they also protect your teeth and gums from disease-causing bacteria, stopping issues before they start.They can prevent dental issues with dental exams, dental X-rays, dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants.
A dentist can also replace your damaged or missing teeth with restorative procedureslike fillings, crowns, bridges, and dental implants. Should you need emergency dental care, a dentist can also offer you treatments like root canal treatment, tooth extractions, and others.
Specialized Areas of Dentistry
The field of dentistry encompasses various specialized fields beyond general dentistry. A dentist may receive additional education and training inseveral areas of dentistry, including:
Orthodontics
This is a specialized field of dentistry that is focused on diagnosing, preventing, and treating orthodontic problems such as crowded, missing, or extra teeth, bite problems, and jaw misalignments.
An orthodontist can alsostraightenteeth by using braces, wires, retainers, and other removable or fixed corrective appliances. Theyaddress the orthodontic problems of people of all ages who wish to improve their smile and bite.
Periodontics
Periodontics is a specialized field of dentistry in which your dentist diagnoses,treats and prevents diseases of soft tissues of the mouth, such as gums, and supporting structures like bones of the teeth. Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (disease ofgums and bone) are the most common issues that a periodontist treat. Additionally, they can also perform procedures like simple and deep pocket cleanings, crown lengthening procedures, gingival or flap procedures, and many others.
Endodontics
Endodontics is focused on performing root canal therapy. Many dentists who practice general dentistry can perform root canal procedures; however, for a complex case, you might need the expertise of an endodontist.
Prosthodontics
A dentist who practices prosthodontics is called a prosthodontist. They specialize in creating natural-looking dental restorations, such as bridges, dentures, and dental crowns,repairing natural teeth, and/or replacing missing teeth.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery involves many types of surgical procedures in and about the mouth, jaw area, and entire face. A surgeon who specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery treats accident victims who suffered facial injuries, people born with structural abnormalities, and offers reconstructive surgery and dental implant surgery.
Dentist in Eugene, Oregon
At 360 Dental, our family dentist, Dr. Ari Binder, is a highly experienced and compassionate family dentist who practices general dentistry, restorative dentistry, emergency dentistry, and preventive dentistry. He sees patients of all ages, including pediatric patients and older adults.
Our family dentist can also perform emergency root canal therapy and tooth extractions as well as install dental implants, crowns, bridges, fillings, and sealants.
To know more about the dentistry services our dentist offers or to make a one-on-one consultation with our dentist, use our convenient online request form or call our office today at (541) 689-1645. We look forward to serving you!
