An overview of departments in dentistry

The evolution of dental operations and procedures over the centuries has radically transformed the care as well as treatment of oral well-being. Over the course of time, dentistry has advanced from a primitive form of medicine to present day use of preventive dental care, state-of-art diagnostics and modern age procedures. Different departments have branched in dental operations to administer the oral health of the patients. Below are enlisted the heads under which a complete dentistry care is provided to the patients along with the instruments used in these departmental procedures.

Endodontics

Endodontists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of issues involving the tooth pulp, which is the soft inside of your tooth.

The recommended products which are used in endodontics are endo refrigerant spray, Flex Files, C-Files, K-Files, Hedstrom Files, Gates Glidden Drills, Digital Apex Locator Kit, Reamers, Barbed Broaches, K-Files, 28 mm K-Files, 31 mm K-Files, Digital Apex Locator Kit, Absorbent Paper Points, Gutta Percha Points, Hand Pluggers, Hand Spreaders and temporary Crown and Bridge Kit.

Orthodontics

Orthodontists specialize in malocclusion and teeth straightening, provide treatment that corrects an individual’s bite and realigns teeth over time and recommend special treatment for kids and teens whose smiles have gaps, crowding or other misalignment issues.

The products used in orthodontics are clear aligners, brackets, bands and attachments, buccal tubes, intraorals- arches, elastic packs, expansion screws, hooks and stops, ligatures, spring and push rods, temporary anchorage devices, orthodontic adhesives, mouth mirrors, placement and removal instruments, pliers, scissors and cutters, orthodontic wires, preventive care- rinses, toothpastes, gels, powders, varnishes and sealants and curing light.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is one of the branches of dentistry that deals with the replacement of missing teeth and damaged oral tissues to properly function by prostheses (crowns, bridges, dentures) which may be fixed or removable, or may be supported and retained by implants.

Restoration of teeth is done using crowns, bridges, onlays, inlays and veneers. Besides, replacement of all of the missing teeth (Complete dentures) or may be of some of the teeth (Partial dentures) solely made of plastic (acrylic) or combination of metal and plastic can be used. A dental implant is an artificial device usually made of titanium or titanium alloys.

Periodontists

Periodontists focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting soft tissues that support and surround the teeth in the mandibular (lower) and maxillary (upper) jawbones. They also perform dental implant placement and cosmetic procedures like gingival sculpting, ridge augmentation, regeneration, pocket reduction, and gingivectomy.

The instruments used in these dental procedures are mouth mirror, probe, explorer, gingival scaler, sonic and ultra sonic scalers, curettes, rubber caps, bristle brushes, dental tape, air powder polishing, excisional and incisional instruments such knives and blades, electrosuction, electrocoagulation, electrofulguration, electrodessication, sickles, periosteal elevator, surgical chisels and hoes, surgical files, scissors and nippers, needle holder and more.

Oral and maxifocal dentistry

Oral surgeons specialize in treating the esthetic and functional features of the oral and maxillofacial region. Oral and Maxillofacial procedures aim to treat disease and to restore, alter, replace, or reconstruct defects in the head, neck, jaw, and mouth because of accidental injury, trauma, diseases, deformities, periodontal issues, dental caries and tooth loss.

Instruments commonly used in these procedures include awls, chisels, mallets, osteotomes, and rasps, calipers, clamps, curettes, elevators, forceps and needle holders, retractors and speculums, rongeurs, scissors, suction tubes, wire and pin instruments.

Pediatric dentistry

Pediatric dentists treat infants and children. These dental practitioners provide both comprehensive dental treatments and preventive therapies. For example, tooth sealants and fluoride treatment.

Dentistry, as per the forecasts of dental practitioners, will continue to develop but the culture of dental profession is likely to change in tune with the medical and health environment, thus will continue to be an intriguing, interesting and engaging profession.