Dentistry: Treatment, Effect & Risks

Dentistry has been practiced for more than three thousand years, as even the ancient Egyptians applied it successfully. What is meant by dentistry? What is the range of treatments it offers? And what examination procedures are there in dentistry?

What is dentistry?

Dentistry is the medical specialty dedicated to the health of teeth. Dentistry is the medical specialty that is dedicated to the health of teeth. It is not only about the preservation or replacement of already damaged teeth, but also about prevention and aesthetics, as well as the treatment of gum or jaw problems. Within dentistry, a distinction is made between the sub-areas of oral surgery, orthodontics and, increasingly, implantology. In addition to specializations in certain sub-areas, there are also experts in dentistry for special patient groups, such as specialists in pediatric dentistry.

Treatments and therapies

The treatment spectrum of dentistry is wide-ranging and, in addition to tooth-preserving and prophylactic measures, also features treatments that involve aesthetic improvement of the teeth. However, the majority of services in dentistry are related to the preservation of damaged teeth. The fight against caries and periodontitis plays a decisive role in this. Inadequate dental care and the consumption of high-sugar foods lead to caries or gingivitis in many patients. In both cases, bacteria nourished by food debris and vestiges are the cause of discomfort. Without appropriate dental treatment, this can cause serious damage to the teeth, which can even lead to tooth loss. Since caries and also periodontitis can be stopped, but their damage cannot be reversed, tooth replacements are often necessary after the pathogens have been thoroughly removed. It depends on how much of the natural substance of the tooth could be preserved. For minor procedures, a filling or inlay is sufficient. In other cases, a crown is necessary. In case of tooth loss, dentistry offers the possibility of dentures, partial dentures, bridges or implants. These forms of dental prosthesis not only serve an aesthetic purpose, but at the same time serve dental health. They fit perfectly between the remaining teeth and thus ensure that the jaw and teeth do not shift. In addition to treating pain caused by tooth decay and gum problems and providing dentures, dentistry also takes care to prevent such problems from occurring in the first place. For this reason, many dental practices offer their patients regular professionally performed dental cleanings, which, in conjunction with good nutrition and home dental care, have a preventive effect and maintain dental health. In recent years, the aesthetic aspect has also become increasingly important within dentistry. For example, patients can have their teeth whitened (bleaching) at the dentist. In addition, an optical optimization of the dentition through adhesive shells made of all-ceramics (veneers) is becoming increasingly popular in dentistry.

Diagnosis and examination methods

In dentistry, the initial diagnosis is made by the patient reporting his or her complaints and the dentist then performing an initial optical examination. If, for example, root inflammation is suspected, then an X-ray machine is used. Depending on the need for treatment, various dental devices are used. For example, caries must be removed with a special drill. In order to provide the patient with an almost painless treatment, various anesthetics are used in dentistry. In addition to local anesthesia, some dentists also offer their patients treatment under general anesthesia or twilight sleep. These forms of anesthesia are used, for example, when removing all four wisdom teeth or when placing several dental implants. Basically, there are new technical developments in dentistry every year, which offer special advantages in addition to conventional devices such as the drill. For example, dental prostheses can be designed in three dimensions using a CEREC device based on a patient photo.The data of the design is then forwarded to a milling machine, which then produces a precisely fitting inlay or crown from a ceramic block. Such technical developments within dentistry make a significant contribution to enabling the most lifelike and durable dental prosthesis possible. In addition, dentistry still depends very much on the experience and skill of the attending physician to whom the patient entrusts his or her dental health.