Dental

Dental refers to anything related to the structure and care of teeth. It is a branch of medicine that involves the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity, commonly in the dentition but also the oral mucosa, and of adjacent and related structures and tissues, particularly in the maxillofacial (jaw and facial) area.

Anatomy of the Tooth

The tooth is divided into two basic parts: the crown, which is visible in the mouth, and the root, which is hidden inside the jaw. Each tooth has four kinds of tissues: the enamel, dentin, cementum, and dental pulp.

• Enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance of the body and is one of the four major tissues which make up the tooth. It is the normally visible dental tissue of a tooth and must be supported by underlying dentin.

• Dentin is the tissue that forms the bulk of the tooth and lies beneath the enamel and cementum. Dentin is produced throughout life and, unlike enamel, can regenerate.

• Cementum is a specialized calcified substance covering the root of a tooth. It is essential for the function of the tooth as it serves to attach the tooth to the alveolar bone by anchoring the periodontal ligament.

• Dental pulp is the central part of the tooth filled with soft connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerves. It nourishes the tooth and provides for tooth sensation.

Dental Health

Dental health is an important part of overall health. Dental diseases can lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning for children and can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes in adults.

Dental Treatments

There are various types of dental treatments available depending on the specific issue. These include fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, root canals, extraction, and orthodontics.

Dental Specialties

There are several specialties within dentistry, including endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

See Also

• Oral hygiene
• Dental surgery
• Dental implant
• Dental braces
• Dental care

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