A dentist is a profession within the healthcare field. These doctors work in hospitals and private practices. They are trained to study, prevent, diagnose and treat diseases, conditions and disorders of the oral cavity and maxillofacial area. Dental therapists, hygienists, assistants and technicians aid with the work.
There is evidence that dates this practice back to 7000 BC. The earliest form of this practice involved cutting tooth-related disorders out of the mouth. Often craftsmen performed these procedures with bow drills. Greek scholars Aristotle and Hippocrates, wrote about the practice, but the first book written about the topic appeared in 1530. It was called Artzney Buchlein. The science of our modern dentistry began developing between 1650 and 1800.
There are education and training requirements. Qualifications vary with region. Most countries expect candidates to graduate from a university with a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine. In the United Kingdom and British Commonwealth countries, a Bachelor of Dental Surgery or Baccalaureus Dentalis Chirurgiae will suffice. Most western countries require at least four years of postgraduate study. In the European Union the minimum is five years. Internships and residencies are not mandatory, but they are recommended for those who have received their dental degree.
These doctors may be assigned a variety of responsibilities. They are trained to diagnose oral problems. They often do this through performing x-rays. They can extract teeth that are causing problems or have decayed. Dentists also have the ability to prescribe medications to patients for treatment of conditions or for pain relief following a procedure.
Generally they handle restorative work such as crowns and bridges. They can treat oral-related issues such as gingivitis and periodontitis and restore some structures within the mouth with procedures such as root canals. Some of these doctors have been trained to administer general anesthesia, perform oral surgery and install dental implants. They handle cosmetic issues to. They can realign the teeth and jaws by installing braces. For those who suffer from tooth loss, they provide dentures. They can perform teeth whitening or bleaching procedures, which remove stains and build up from enamel.
Teeth whitening or bleaching is a form of cosmetic dentistry. It can be performed using at-home kits, but many individuals go to their dentist in order to receive fast and professional results from the treatment. The process will vary, but generally a formula that includes peroxide is applied to the teeth. The solution soaks into the teeth, removing stains caused from coffee, rich-colored foods and smoking or tobacco use.
There are special fields within dentistry. Besides work within the general field, there is public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial, orthodontics, pediatrics, periodontics and prosthodontics. Dentists who work within these specialties have tailored responsibilities.
Those who work within the public health field study social health policies and dental epidemiology. Doctors in endodontics focus their studies on diseases within the dental pulp and root canal therapy. Those in the oral and maxillofacial area work on pathology, radiology and surgery of those structures. Orthodontists primarily handle straightening of the teeth or jaw. Pediatric dentists work specifically with children patients. Those in periodontics study and treat gum diseases. They also handle the surgical and non-surgical placement and maintenance of implants. Prosthodontists handle restorations of dental implants and handle bridges and dentures.
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