Dentists use lasers in many different procedures inside of the mouth. Lasers can be used to remove overgrown tissues, whiten teeth, or reshape the gums. Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the supporting tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place.
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What are the 4 types of tissues in a tooth?
· This includes the soft tissues that support and surround the teeth in the mandibular (lower) and maxillary (upper) jawbones. Periodontists focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the supporting structures of teeth. These dental experts also specialize in the function, overall health, and aesthetics of tissue ...
What are the treatment options for damaged teeth?
Dental Health Services Victoria provide public dental services through the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and community dental clinics, for eligible people. For more information about public dental services, Tel. (03) 9341 1000 or 1800 833 039 outside Melbourne metro. Australian Dental Association ‘Find a Dentist ’, or Tel. (03) 8825 4600.
What does the dentist use to fill a cavity?
· Osseointegrated dental implants revolutionized dentistry as they provide restoration of lost function without affecting healthy teeth . Although current dental implants mark notable advantages in osseointegration and soft tissue adaptations, the concept of the treatment is based on the usage of inert materials in direct contact with bone tissue and absence of …
What are the 3 main layers of a tooth?
Dental enamel offers a protective cover to the entire top of the tooth with its thickest point at the cusps of the tooth. It becomes thinner at the edges of the tooth closer to the gum line, up to the cement-enamel junction (CEJ) where it is substituted by the cementum that covers the root.
What is the field of dentistry that deals with the soft tissues that support and surround the teeth in the mandib
1. Periodontists . This field of dentistry deals with the periodontium, which are the soft tissues that support and surround the teeth in the mandibular (lower) and maxillary (upper) jawbones. Periodontists focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the supporting structures of teeth.
What are the different types of dentistry?
The most common types of dentistry include general dentistry, family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and specialty dentistry.
What percentage of dentists are general dentists?
Eighty percent of dental practitioners are general dentists. They are concerned with the overall health of teeth and oral hygiene. Instead of specializing in one specific area, general dentists offer:
What is general dentistry?
They are concerned with the overall health of teeth and oral hygiene. Instead of specializing in one specific area, general dentists offer: Restorative dentistry, which includes dental implants, dental bridges, dental bonding, inlays, onlays, and dentures. Simple tooth extractions (baby teeth and adult teeth)
What is family dentistry?
Family Dentistry. Similar to general dentistry, family dentistry focuses on the health and oral hygiene of teeth. Common procedures and treatments include cavity fillings, sealants, teeth cleanings, and gum disease treatment. Family dentists treat people during every stage of life.
Why do dentists treat people?
Family dentists treat people during every stage of life. This is because people require different dental care throughout life, depending on their age. For example, oral care for a baby or child is different from that of an adult: Dental care for pregnant women and babies. Dental care for teens and young adults. Dental care for adults.
Is cosmetic dentistry a new practice?
Cosmetic dentistry is not a new practice. However, esthetic treatments are becoming more popular because having an attractive and healthy smile is important to many people. Common cosmetic procedures and treatments include: Teeth whitening treatment.
What is the treatment for tooth decay?
Tooth decay that has caused a cavity (hole) is treated with dental fillings. The dentist uses a drill and other tools to remove the decay. The cavity is cleaned, dried and sealed with a filling material. A variety of materials are available for filling the cavity.
What is a dental filling?
Dental fillings. Tooth decay that has caused a cavity (hole) is treated with dental fillings. The dentist uses a drill and other tools to remove the decay. The cavity is cleaned, dried and sealed with a filling material. A variety of materials are available for filling the cavity.
How can tooth decay be reduced?
The risk of tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss can be reduced with good oral hygiene, a low-sugar and low-acid diet, wearing a mouthguard when playing sport, and regular visits to the dentist.
How long do permanent teeth last?
Permanent teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. The risk of tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss can be reduced with good oral hygiene, a low-sugar diet, use of a mouthguard when playing sport, and regular visits to the dentist or other oral health professional. It is recommended that everyone, including young children, visit the dentist at least once every six months. Modern techniques mean that dental treatment can be carried out with no, or very little, discomfort.
What to ask a dentist for a dental check up?
When you go for a dental check-up, your dental professional will start by asking questions about your general health and medications. Many health conditions have an effect on your oral health and vice versa. And some medicines can affect your mouth or need to be taken into consideration before treatment.
What does it mean when a dentist takes x-rays?
If a suspected dental problem is difficult to see (for example, possible decay between two touching teeth, or an infection), the dentist may need to take x-rays. If a problem exists, your dentist will explain the treatment options and give you an estimate of the cost and likely waiting time.
What causes gum disease?
This may include food particles, soft plaque (bacterial growth) or hard calculus (caused by the continual accumulation of plaque and minerals from saliva, sometimes called tartar). Plaque and calculus are the main causes of gum disease.
What is the outer layer of the tooth structure for the root part of the tooth which lies under the gum line?
The Cementum. Cementum is the outer layer of the tooth structure for the root part of the tooth which lies under the gum line. It is a bonelike material, almost as hard as enamel, but with a less inorganic composition. Cementum is light yellowish in color, slightly lighter than dentin. It is not translucent as the enamel.
What is the material that covers the root of a tooth?
Dentin is a bone-like material that makes up most of the tooth's structure. It is covered by the enamel in the crown and by the cementum in the root area of the tooth. It engulfs and protects the living part of the tooth, the pulp tissue.
What is the hardest layer of the tooth?
All human teeth consist of 3 main layers. The external and hardest of all layers is the enamel, underneath of enamel there is dentin, and at the center of the tooth lies the softer and live part of the tooth, the pulp. A basic knowledge of the internal anatomy of the tooth and its structure is necessary in order to understand the development ...
Why is it important to know the anatomy of a tooth?
A basic knowledge of the internal anatomy of the tooth and its structure is necessary in order to understand the development of several dental conditions, their causes and their treatments. If we take a section of a human tooth we will be able to distinguish 4 different types of tissues, enamel, cementum, dentin, and pulp tissue.
What is the hardest tooth structure?
Enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth structure of the crown, the part of the tooth that is above the gums. Dental enamel is the hardest and most mineralized substance in the human body. It looks like bone but it is much harder, denser, and its composition is 96% inorganic.
What is the outer layer of the tooth structure?
Cementum is the outer layer of the tooth structure for the root part of the tooth which lies under the gum line. It is a bonelike material, almost as hard as enamel, but with a less inorganic composition. Cementum is light yellowish in color, slightly lighter than dentin. It is not translucent as the enamel.
Why is my tooth pulp so painful?
If bacteria manage to reach the pulp, e.g. due to tooth decay or through a crack of the tooth, they cause inflammation which is usually very painful due to the high pressure that is developed inside the enclosed space of the pulp chamber.
What is the most common type of trauma to the tooth?
Fracture of Teeth: This is the most common type of Traumatic injury of the tooth, fracture of the tooth refers to breaking of the tooth structure into pieces due to a fall or blow to the teeth. In this case as well the most commonly affected teeth are the Maxillary central incissors seen most commonly in children.
What is traumatized tooth?
Traumatic Injuries are caused due to an external force exerted on the teeth which lead to injury or damage to the tooth. Depending on the type of injury, teeth, jaws or soft tissue might be involved. Depending on the type and extent of injury the severity of the trauma is seen and based on that the Treatment plan is decided.
What is trauma to teeth?
Traumatic Injuries are caused due to an external force exerted on the teeth which lead to injury or damage to the tooth. Depending on the type of injury, teeth, jaws or soft tissue might be involved. Depending on the type and extent of injury the severity of the trauma is seen ...
Why is radiographic assessment necessary?
For proper diagnosis clinical features, Radiographic assessment is necessary to formulate the best Treatment plan for the injury.
What is luxation of teeth?
Luxation of Teeth: It is the loosening or dislocation of the tooth due to trauma resulting in loss of periodontal ligament. There are three types of Luxations of teeth depending on the side the tooth moves. Intrusive Luxation: When the tooth moves or is luxated towards the alveolar boneor into the socket. In this types of luxation, the crown length ...
What is the term for the complete displacement of the tooth out of the socket?
Avulsion: It is the complete displacement of the tooth out of the socket and hence it is also called as exarticulation. Most commonly affected teeth are Maxillary central incisors which are directly in the line of trauma from a fall or blow.
What is it called when a tooth is completely displaced?
It is the complete displacement of the tooth out of the socket and hence it is also called as exarticulation. Most commonly affected teeth are Maxillary central incisors which are directly in the line of trauma from a fall or blow. The socket will be filled with blood clot as the tooth is completely displaced from the socket. Clinical assessment is usually enough to determine avulsion but in some cases, Radiographic assessment is required to rule out the displacement of the tooth or pieces of the tooth into the adjacent soft or hard tissues.