Meaning of Dentistry (What is it, Concept and Definition)

What is Dentistry:

Dentistry is the branch of health sciences that is responsible for the study, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tooth diseases and , in general, of those that affect the stomatognathic apparatus.

The word, as such, is composed of the Greek word ὀδούς, ὀδόντος (odous, odontos), which translates 'tooth', and the root -logia , which means 'treated', 'study' or 'science'.

Dentistry is not limited to intervening in diseases of the teeth, but also covers everything which makes up the stomatognathic apparatus, consisting of teeth, oral cavity, jaws, muscles, skin, vessels and nerves of that part of the body.

Some of the most common conditions of the Dental patients are cavities, malocclusion, periodontal diseases and dental injuries, among others.

The dental professional receives the name of dentist, stomatologist or dentist; It is the doctor, therefore, who deals with everything related to the oral cavity, also has knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology.

See also Dentist.

Branches of dentistry

General dentistry

General dentistry, also called integral dentistry, is one that studies, diagnoses and treats dental conditions.As it is not considered a specialty, it is basically responsible for performing the first diagnosis of a patient to refer to a specialist.

Pediatric dentistry

Pediatric dentistry, also called child dentistry, is one that studies, prevents, diagnoses and treats diseases of teeth in children.

Preventive dentistry

Preventive dentistry is the one that focuses primarily on preventive-type treatments.It uses non-invasive techniques, specifically, to put pit sealants and fissures, make dental cleanings, apply fluoride cuvettes top ico or systematic, perform polishing, between procedures.

Forensic dentistry

Forensic dentistry is a branch of medical sciences that handles dental evidence for judicial processes, mainly, to clarify the identity of people.

Legal dentistry

Legal dentistry is responsible for the study of dentistry and its relations with the law, mainly, in relation to the duties and rights of both the patient and the dentist.

Periodontics

Periodontics, also known as periodontology, is a specialty of dentistry that is responsible for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases periodontals, that is, of the tissues that support the teeth.

Endodontics

Endodontics is that specialty that acts specifically on dental pulp and its conditions.correct diseases inside the teeth by replacing the pulp with u n inert material.

Restorative dentistry

Restorative dentistry is one that aims to rehabilitate the teeth, so that they recover their physiological and aesthetic function., mainly uses the installation of dental prostheses, among other things.

Orthodontics

The orthodontics that studies, prevents and diagnoses malpositions and malformations in teeth and bites, with in order to treat and correct them.

See also Orthodontics.

Aesthetic dentistry

Cosmetic or cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on problems of aesthetic harmony of the mouth, treats and corrects them.