Understanding Dentistry
Dr. Jayme A. Oliveira Filho (Dr. O) was born in Brazil on 1976. He finished his dental school at Federal University of Ceara School of Dentistry in 1999. Dr. O practiced dentistry in Brazil for 5 years until, where he did his post-graduation in dental prosthetics. He moved with his family to the United States in 2003 to... more
Dentistry is a broad field that encompasses various specialties, each focusing on specific aspects of oral health and dental care. Here are some of the main specialties in dentistry and a brief overview of what they entail:
- Orthodontics: Orthodontics specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists use braces, aligners, and other appliances to correct misaligned teeth and jaws, improving the patient's bite and overall dental aesthetics.
- Periodontics: Periodontics focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums and bones. Periodontists address conditions such as gum disease (periodontitis), and gingivitis, and perform procedures like scaling and root planing, gum grafting, and dental implant placement.
- Endodontics: Endodontics involves the diagnosis and treatment of dental pulp and root canal-related issues. Endodontists perform root canal therapy, which involves removing infected or damaged dental pulp, disinfecting the root canals, and sealing them to prevent further infection or tooth loss.
- Prosthodontics: Prosthodontics specializes in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth. Prosthodontists use dental prostheses such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants to enhance the function and appearance of a patient's smile.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgical procedures on the mouth, jaws, face, and skull. They can extract impacted teeth, perform complex tooth extractions, treat facial trauma, reconstructive surgery, jaw realignment (orthognathic surgery), and perform procedures related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
- Pediatric Dentistry: Pediatric dentistry focuses on providing dental care to children from infancy through adolescence. Pediatric dentists are skilled in handling the unique dental needs of children, including preventive care, oral hygiene education, and treatment of dental issues specific to younger patients.
- Oral Pathology: Oral pathology involves the study and diagnosis of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. Oral pathologists examine tissues, perform biopsies, and analyze oral lesions to determine their nature and develop treatment plans.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: Oral and maxillofacial radiologists specialize in the interpretation and diagnosis of diagnostic imaging (such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs) related to the head and neck region. They play a crucial role in identifying and diagnosing dental and maxillofacial conditions.
- Dental Public Health: Dental public health focuses on promoting oral health and preventing dental diseases at a population level. Dental public health professionals work in areas such as community dental health programs, epidemiology, policy development, and research.
It's important to note that general dentistry serves as the foundation for all these specialties, providing comprehensive dental care, including preventive treatments, restorative procedures, and basic oral health maintenance. Dentists may choose to specialize in any of these fields through further education, training, and certification to provide specialized care within their chosen area of expertise.
