Dental Specialities

More and more trend is toward specialisation. Dentistry is no exception. If you about different dental specialities (about 10 ) then it will help you to know which type of dentist can solve your problem most effectively. Most dentists still do allround work but because of extra training specialist will do a better job for problems in his field.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Orthodontics
Prosthodontics
Periodontics
Endodontics
Pediatric Dentistry
Oral Pathology
Public Health Dentistry
Forensic Odontology
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Esthetic Dentistry

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
This branch of dental practice deals with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of any disease, injury, malformation, or deficiency of the jaws or associated structures. An important aspect of oral surgery is the removal of teeth, which may be complicated by their location, peculiar formation, or attachment to the jawbone. Teeth that are embedded in the jawbone or soft tissue are said to be impacted. In such cases the surrounding bone or tissue may have to be removed in order to reach the tooth. Oral surgery also includes the removal of cysts and growths in the jaws and mouth, the setting of fractures of the jaws, and operations for the correction of cleft palate and harelip.

Orthodontics

This division of dentistry deals with the correction of badly aligned and protruding teeth. If your child has habits like thumb sucking etc. or even a cut in the mouth (cleft palate or Lip) or projecting lower jaw this specialist will be able to guide and help you.

It deals with the detection, study, prevention, and correction of the condition known as malocclusion, which involves irregularities in tooth position and jaw relationships and which can lead to deformities of the jaws and face. Malocclusion may be hereditary or may be an acquired defect caused by faulty habits or early loss of teeth as a result of decay. By applying special devices and appliances to the teeth, sometimes in combination with surgery, a proper occlusion of the teeth can be effected by the orthodontist.
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Prosthodontics

These specialists deal with the various methods of providing artificial substitutes, or dentures, for missing teeth, the replacement of which ensures the even distribution of the forces involved in chewing and thus prevents the loss of other teeth as a result of undue stress. The nature of the replacement depends on the health of the remaining teeth and supporting structures. If feasible, a fixed bridge is used to replace missing teeth. This type of replacement is accomplished by constructing crowns, which cover all or a large part of the adjacent teeth, and then by attaching the artificial teeth to the crowns. A fixed bridge made of gold covered with porcelain or acrylic (a plastic material) is lifelike and cannot be readily removed. If sufficient adjacent teeth do not remain to support a fixed bridge, then a removable partial denture is constructed. This type of prosthetic device is usually secured by clasps, which embrace several of the remaining teeth. The clasps may be made of gold or of a cobalt-steel alloy. This type of appliance must be removed frequently to be cleaned. When all teeth must be replaced, a full denture is made. The retention of this type of denture depends on the firmness of the underlying tissues and the adhesion provided by the saliva in the mouth. Full dentures are usually made of acrylic, reinforced occasionally with metal. Prosthodontists also replace portions of the oral cavity that are missing because of malformations or deficiencies.

Another surgical approach to tooth replacement is the dental implant, which can take a number of forms. Screws may be drilled into the jawbone to serve as anchors for caps, a metal blade may be fixed to the bone and teeth can then be cemented to posts on the blade, or a metal frame may be placed below the gum for tooth support when the bone itself is too fragile. A full set of teeth may be implanted by such means. These expensive processes are not favored by all dentists, but a growing number of patients are choosing implant surgery. Implantology is now fast developing into a field by itself.

Periodontics

Gum disease is the major casue of tooth loss in the thirties. Over 90% people suffer from it in India. And now it has been shown that people having gum disease are at higher risk of getting heart problems. If you have gums bleeding then this is the Doctor to see. This branch of dentistry is concerned with the study and treatment of the supporting structures and tissues surrounding the teeth. The gums, or gingivae, and the underlying bone are subject to many disorders. Calculus encrustations on the teeth, which form over and under the gum, act as an irritant to the underlying tissues. Food accumulating on the neck of the tooth and irregularities such as cavities, malocclusions, or poorly constructed dental appliances also act as irritants. In addition, imbalance of tooth-cusp relationships may force food particles into the gums. When subjected to irritants, such soft tissues as the gingivae become inflamed, and eventually the adjacent bone may be destroyed. Thus, the tooth ultimately becomes loosened because of the loss of bone around its roots.

Inflammation of the gum is called gingivitis, and infections destroying the gum tissue and bone are called periodontitis. Although gum diseases are the greatest single cause of tooth loss after the age of 21, these conditions also occur in children. Another common gum disorder is necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, known commonly as trench mouth, or Vincent's infection. When untreated, it destroys the interdental papillae (small protuberances) of the teeth and causes loosening of the teeth; it is often associated with widespread infection. Other common diseases of the mouth include thrush and viral infections.

Periodontal treatment includes the removal of calculus with curettes (tools for scraping) and scalers and the application of medicines to the soft tissues. Loosened teeth may be splinted together for support during the healing process; infected or necrotized gum tissue is excised; and malocclusions are corrected by grinding the teeth to obtain effective occlusal relationships.

Endodontics

This division deals with surgical and therapeutic procedures involved in the protection of the pulp (commonly known as the nerve) or its removal from the pulp cavity when diseased or injured, and root canals. Bleaching of front teeth is also included in this specialty. The treatment commonly done by these specialist is known as Root Canal Therapy.

Pediatric Dentistry

Children have milk teeth and have special problems and thus special people take care of children known as Pedodontist or pediatric dentist. The field of pediatric dentistry (formerly called pedodontics) deals with the general practice of dentistry for patients under 20 years of age and, in general, patients possessing wholly deciduous or mixed dentition-that is, both primary and permanent teeth. Such practice may include the use of such appliances as space maintainers and bite plates for the prevention or treatment of malocclusion. Another pediatric procedure sometimes practiced is to apply a sealant to protect the chewing surfaces of a child's molars from bacteria. The teeth are first treated with a solution to make them more porous to the plastic resin that is then applied, making them more resistant to decay.

Oral Pathology

This field is concerned with the nature of oral disease, its causes, processes, and effects, together with the alterations of function and structure. Diagnosis of oral disease is accomplished through the use of laboratory tests of sputum, blood, and other body fluids, as well as through the microscopic examination of tissues. The oral pathologist, who usually works in the laboratory of a hospital, serves the patient only indirectly through consultation with the general practitioner.

Public Health Dentistry

This field is concerned with the prevention and control of dental diseases and the promotion of dental health through organized community efforts. It relates to three basic career areas in dentistry: dental public health, research, and clinical dentistry. Each of these career areas may involve practice, teaching, or administration.

Forensic Odontology

These specialist help in the forensic investigation by idetifying the victims by help of teeth and associated structures.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

These specialist specialise in taking all kinds of x rays and their interpretation.

Esthetic Dentistry
Because of incresing awareness and demand for dental treatment for cosmetic reason, this field of dentistry is also gradually gaining importance.