Going to the dentist, colloquially known as the dentist, is nowadays a very essential measure to make a great contribution to one’s health care. A visit to the dentist is not only crucial to ensure the vitality and functionality of the chewing apparatus. The dentist can also do a lot in terms of dental aesthetics for an attractive smile.
What is a dentist?
A dentist deals with various prophylactic and therapeutic measures related to the teeth, jaw and mouth. The training to become a dentist is extremely extensive and intensive. The study of dentistry, which lasts several years, includes pre-clinical and clinical studies. The dentist deals with various prophylactic and therapeutic measures related to the teeth, jaw and mouth. These also include all diagnostic procedures as well as consultation and referral to other dental specialties. Subjects of study such as biochemistry, the structure and functioning of the human body. The study of tissues as well as dental materials is also important, as are dental prosthodontics and general branches of knowledge such as biology, chemistry and physics. Further clinical training of the dentist takes place in internal medicine, dermatology, radiology, dental conservation and pharmacology. Important for the dentist are hygiene and sterilization, general and specific surgery and periodontology. Subfields of dentistry are orthodontics and surgery, as well as implant care and the so-called cariology.
Treatments
The measures carried out by the dentist include prophylactic therapy of the teeth in the context of fluoridation to reduce the development of caries, as well as the targeted removal of tartar. In addition, the restoration of decayed teeth and the ozone treatment of teeth are central tasks. The dentist also carries out pregnancy and nutritional counseling. A dentist performs complex root canal treatments, separation of inflamed root tips and microsurgical root canal therapy. In the case of diseases of the periodontium and teeth caused by periodontal disease, a dentist can perform various procedures that affect exposed tooth necks and receding gums themselves. Laser-assisted procedures are typical in this context. The dentist is the right person to contact when it comes to the selection and provision of dental prostheses and when grinding or anti-snoring splints have to be used. Depending on the training, the dentist can pull diseased teeth or surgically remove wisdom teeth. Measures for aesthetic beautification can also be realized by the dentist. In the case of small and practical outpatient procedures, the dentist is able to perform local anesthesia and provide appropriate medication aftercare following a limited surgical procedure.
Diagnostic and examination methods
The dentist is not only preventive and therapeutic. Using high-quality and sensitive diagnostic equipment, the dentist can detect diseases of the teeth, gums and bone substance of the jaw. He uses conventional and digital X-rays or the so-called intraoral camera for this purpose. Various test procedures, such as the saliva test and computer tomography, are also useful technical and diagnostically meaningful aids of the dentist. When treating patients, the dentist relies on dental lasers, powerful drills and grinders that are ultrasound-assisted and combined with water cooling. It is also possible to determine the color of the teeth with digital equipment. The CEREC technique is a variant to process required dental crowns, inlays and veneers directly during the treatment by the dentist. This procedure is based on a computer- and camera-assisted method of operation and enables the dentist to provide these dental replacement elements to patients immediately.
What should the patient pay attention to?
When choosing a dentist, word of mouth is predominantly the deciding factor. In addition, it is indispensable to pay attention to the range of services as well as the information about the dentist’s education. These can usually be seen in the waiting room. The staff at the reception desk will also be happy to provide information about the possibilities. The ambience in the practice should be appealing.The practice should make a clean impression and the waiting room should offer some distraction. This also applies to the appearance of the staff. Friendliness, patience and an understanding approach are ideal. Pain patients should be able to be treated by the dentist promptly and at short notice. Expertise and a professional approach focused on the well-being of the patient are important in order to be able to deal with patients with anxiety. The appropriate skills of the dentist with anxiety patients are equally relevant.
