What Is Dentistry
What Is Dentistry
What Is Dentistry
What Is Dentistry
To understand what is dentistry, the first thing to consider is the etymology, or origins, of the word itself. The root of the word comes from the Latin dēns, meaning “tooth”. It wasn’t until the mid-1700′s, that the French began calling someone specialized in the removal of rotten teeth a dentiste, and by extension the practice of such eventually became known in English as dentistry.
Dentistry has been practiced for thousands of years, but the earliest practices are nearly impossible to compare to the techniques used today. This area of personal health has evolved into a strictly formalized discipline involving very comprehensive attention to the anatomy, development, and diseases of the teeth, jaw, and mouth. The highly skilled individuals in dentistry have received rigorous training in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatments that promote and monitor optimal oral health.
While most dentistry takes advantage of the latest advances in medical science and technology, there are other innovative approaches to oral health, such as a natural approach, which may use dental acupuncture or homeopathic remedies, or a holistic approach, which incorporates the entire mind, body, and spirit to promote dental health and wellness beyond just the treatment of disease.
What Is Dentistry – Specialty Practice Areas
There are nine formally recognized specialties in dentistry, the most commonly known being orthodontists, oral surgeons, and pediatric dentists. Additionally, niche specialties within the field of dentistry such as cosmetic dentistry, sports dentistry, and forensic dentistry are gaining attention for their very specific focus.
Sports dentistry is primarily concerned with the prevention of injuries and adequate preparation to participate in a sport. Prevention involves wearing properly fitted protective equipment, such as mouth guards and head gear. Preparation encompasses not only regular examinations to ensure there are no missing teeth, loose teeth, or unsecure crown and bridge work, but also includes teaching the proper athletic skills and techniques that would help one avoid the risk of injury in a contact sport.
Forensics is becoming a valuable expertise within the realm of what is dentistry. The main goal of forensic dentistry is to quickly and uniquely identify human remains for law enforcement officials, sometimes within a matter of minutes.
What Is Dentistry – Future
Since 1990, lasers have become more prominently used for certain dental procedures. Dental lasers produce biological effects, which can remove, vaporize, or reshape tissue. Dental lasers can be used to uncover wisdom teeth, remove decay from a cavity, treat abscessed gums and infections in root canals, and activate whitening chemicals that are used to brighten teeth. If you have been recommended for laser treatment, be sure to find out the extent of laser education and training of the practitioner.
Remarkably, the application of nanotechnology is finding its way into dentistry practice. An increasingly popular application is using nanotechnology to protect the teeth against cavities at the atomic and molecular levels, by polishing the teeth with silica made from nanoparticles that are 90,000 times smaller than a grain of sand.
New applications are discovered regularly, as research is still continuing on the uses of new technologies in what is dentistry.
