Approach to dentistry and its Branches

A better approach to dentistry and its branches.

Dentistry, also known as Dental Medicine/Oral Medicine,a branch of medicine that concerns with the study, examination, diagnosis, prevention and conditions of disorders of the oral cavity, dentition and its related structures mainly in the maxillofacial( jaw and facial) area. Basically, Bachelor in Dental Surgery (BDS) is a vast course that people actually know only a little about it.

According to a website reflected by the magazine of the US News and World Report's best jobs report on Jan 7, 2020, dentistry came out to be at the 2 ranks. However, in an Our country many students don't go after it as their first choice for a career, People assume that dentistry is all about works related to teeth and even students who want to choose BDS as preference don't seem to have knowledge of its vast scope. They are not acknowledged about the fact that it includes not just teeth but also other parts of the craniofacial complex including the temporomandibular joint, head and neck, jaw, tongue, salivary glands, etc.

As a greater bright, dentists can perform procedures like biopsies, diagnostic tests, salivary gland function and even screening tests for oral cancer. Nepal as a developing country is trying to reach advancement in every sector slowly. Many medical institutions don't have separate departments for all the branches of this field though they are taught theoretically about them. In fact, dentistry has various branches many are completely unaware of when they are introduced to this field the very first time.

1. Orthodontics

2. Pedodontics

3. Periodontics

4. Prosthodontics

5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

6. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

7. Endodontics

8. Public Health Dentistry

9. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Orthodontics

It mainly deals with the malocclusion of teeth as well as dentofacial incongruities. It involves the use of bands and removable appliances to correct the alignment of teeth and occlusion. Basically, children are best suited to be benefitted than an adult as human bone can provide movement best up to the 

agee group of 18. However, any age group can go fhe treatment for a better

appearance.

Pedodontics

Also known as pediatric dentistry, it mainly deals with dental care to children and adolescent s.Though it is mainly concerned with the control of caries buse ofof fluoride and dietary instructions, it also includes treatment of early deformities in tooth and jaalignmentsts in children.

Periodontics

It clearly tells us that it Is involved with everything related to periodontal tissues that surround and fix the teeth to the jaw socket. It mainly deals with periodontitis, also callepyorrheaea (inflammation of tissues) because of local irritants. It is also concerned with infections with related structures like

gums.

Prosthodontics

It concerns with thmaintenancece of oral structures and replacemenofif missing teeth or contiguoutissueses with orafriendlyly artificial substitutes.

They can be fixed or removable depending on desire and demand. They also deal with obturators and devices to close off defects in the roof othe f mouth ia n condition of cleft palate. A specific branch of it imaxillofacialal prosthesis that deals with replacing portions of face and jaw that have been damaged or lost.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Surgeries othe f human jaw and associated structures that may have been damaged due to diseas e,defects or injurcomees under this branch. It includes removal of infected teeth, cyst, tumours and lesions. Complex problems as jaw injuries, cleft palate and cleft lips are also designated in it.

Oral and MaxillofaciaPathologyay

One of the important branches that deals with the cause aneffectsts of oral disease and also its nature comes under it. It provides diagnosis which ireferreded to the specíalists later

Endodontics

It refertoth the treatment of disease and infection othe f pulp chamber, the pulp canal and contiguous structures. Root Canal Therapy anbleachingofrnon-vital teeth are done here.

Public Health Dentistry

It is considered as a basic speciality in Canada and the United States. It deals with public interaction and dentistry and helps to establish a relation between them.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

This refers to the use of X-rays of abnormalities imouthrh and jaw that can be used in treatment. Panographic X-ray as well and use of radiation are used commonly besides standard X-rays.

These all branches are however, co-related to each other. These are just a basic view to help us understand different scope of this wide field. There are also various other sub-branches like cosmetic dentistry, reconstructive dentistry, etc. But, the goal remains the same i.e. best oral health care to the patients.

Dentistry is definitely a marvellous approach and journey. We just need to provide a little brief to the ones who want to know more about it. And also why not explore it?