Pediatric dentistry, analogous to pediatrics in medicine, deals with the dental care of children and adolescents. Periodontics deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of periodontal tissues, the tissues that surround and support the teeth. These tissues are mainly composed of the gums and jaws and their related adjoining structures. Advances in periodontics have mainly focused on treatment techniques.
Bacterial plaque, a soft layer of bacteria-rich substances that adheres to teeth, is thought to be responsible for most of the destruction of the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth. Periodontists advocate for the removal of this plaque through a specific controlled hygiene regime. Prosthodontics is concerned with the restoration and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance and health by replacing missing teeth and adjacent tissues with artificial substitutes or prostheses. Prosthodontists have special training in building and placing fixed (stationary) and removable appliances to replace missing teeth.
They also build obturators, prosthetic devices designed to close defects in the roof of the mouth in cases of a cleft palate. A subspecialty of prosthodontics is maxillofacial prosthesis, which consists of the creation of devices composed of latex, silicone or other modern materials, designed to replace parts of the face and jaw that have been lost due to surgery, illness, congenital disorders or an accident. As in Level 3, dental care is performed in stages or stages over time, always focusing on preventing any new disease and taking gradual steps to reduce risk in one or more areas of the oral system. People who choose this level of care want to receive treatment only when something is uncomfortable or breaks.
At this level, patients perform a risk assessment of the four key areas of the oral system; a comprehensive evaluation of the gums and the supporting structure of the teeth; the teeth themselves, the function of the jaws, muscles and joints, any aesthetic or aesthetic risks and, of course, their overall assessment of general health risks. People who receive this level of care are serious about maintaining and protecting their oral health throughout life with good-to-great comfort, function, longevity, and appearance. Feel free to ask questions about the complexity and severity of your oral health problems and about your dentist's comfort and level of experience in treating your problem. Patients at this level are interested in what they can personally do to improve their dental health and stop any active pathological processes.
But did you know that there are dentists you can go to besides your general dentist who have received advanced training and specialize in specific areas of dentistry? In fact, the ADA now recognizes twelve different dental specialties.
Leave Message