DENTISTRY

Dentistry is a branch of medicine which deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the teeth, gums, and mouth. Dentistry is an essential field for maintaining overall human health. Those who practice dentistry are known as dentists or dental practitioners. Dentists are aided by paramedical staff such as dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, and dental therapists.

Dentistry has a history spanning several millennia. Archeological evidence from the Indus Valley Civilization indicates dentistry being practiced as far back as 7000 BC. Early forms of dentistry involved curing disorders related to teeth by using bow drills and other rudimentary instruments. Reconstruction of ancient dentistry techniques indicates that these methods were very reliable and effective.

Some form of dentistry also existed in other civilizations. Sumerian texts dating back to 5000 BC describe a “tooth worm” as the cause of dental caries. Similar discoveries have also been made in ancient India, Egypt, Japan, and China. References about the tooth worm are also found in the writings of Homer. Even as late as the 1300s AD, notable surgeons such as Guy de Chauliac still promoted the idea that worms cause tooth decay.

Dentistry has several fields and specializations. Cosmetic dentistry is one such field that is gaining more popularity these days. While traditional dentistry deals with oral hygiene and the prevention and diagnosis of oral diseases, cosmetic dentistry deals mainly with the improvement of appearance of a person’s teeth, mouth and smile. To put it differently, restorative, and family dental practices deal with dental problems that need necessary treatment, while cosmetic dentistry provides desired treatments or services aimed mainly at aesthetics.

Cosmetic dentistry also provides restorative benefits. For instance, dental fillings are commonly used to treat teeth cavities. Earlier dental fillings were usually made from gold, amalgam and other materials that didn’t blend well and left visible spots on the teeth. However, now better materials are available that restore natural appearance of the teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry has created a number of options for people who are unhappy with their smile and want to improve their appearance.

Teeth whitening is one of major and most popular cosmetic dental procedures. Today, different whitening treatments are available that cater to every budget, time frame and temperament.

There are many teeth whitening options available to the patient. These can range anywhere from one-hour bleaching sessions at the dentist’s clinic, to home-use whitening kits that can be purchased at the local drugstore. Despite the popularity of cosmetic surgery, only 15 percent of the population has opted for it and there is plenty of misinformation on the subject.

One of the major reasons behind the success of teeth whitening is that it works and brings positive results. Virtually everyone who goes for the treatment will see positive results in improving their smile. However, teeth whitening is not a long lasting solution and mandates maintenance effects to be evident for longer time.

Another commonly employed cosmetic solution is dental braces. Dental braces (or orthodontic braces, or just braces) are used to align teeth properly in place to rectify misalignments.  Braces are used to correct malocclusions, crooked teeth and other flaws of teeth and jaws, both for cosmetic and structural purposes. Braces are commonly used along with other orthodontic devices to widen the palate or jaws or to shape teeth and jaws. While braces are commonly used on children and teenagers, they can also be used on adults.

To correct dental flaws, veneers are used. A veneer is a thin layer of material that is placed over the tooth surface to improve the appearance of the tooth or to protect the tooth surface if it has been damaged. Veneers are usually manufactured from composites and dental porcelain. Composite veneers are directly placed i.e. built-up in the mouth or indirectly manufactured in a dental laboratory, and then bonded in place to the tooth using resin cement such as Panavia. On the other hand, porcelain veneers are indirectly fabricated i.e. fabricated in a laboratory and then bonded in place.

Veneers are also used for aesthetic purposes to resurface teeth in order to make them appear straighter and better alignment. Veneers are a good way to improve the appearance of malposed teeth without having to resort to orthodontic surgery. However, veneers can’t be used in all situations, especially if the amount of malposition of teeth is very large. In such cases orthodontics may be used, either alone or in combination with veneers. The dental surgeon who places the veneers must be careful as they can increase the thickness of the front face of the teeth and alter overall facial appearance. If the teeth are thick, they may appear to protrude and push out the lips. Veneers must also be fabricated such that the person bites into them with lowest force. Otherwise, it can cause damage to the veneer. In patients with protruding lower jaw veneers are not effective because the teeth of the lower jaw may bite into the teeth of the upper jaw and dislodge the veneers.

When compared to ordinary veneers, Lumineers are more advantageous. Lumineers are a special kind of veneers manufactured by the Den-Mat Corporation. These are made of a material called Cerinate which is essentially a strong porcelain-like material. Lumineers are very thin and so the teeth don’t have to be “ground down”. Additionally, they can also be placed directly over unprepared teeth.

The procedure for implanting Lumineers is simpler than traditional porcelain veneers. At the same time, Lumineers are also cheaper. Typically, they cost about ¾th the price of comparable porcelain veneers. However, the cost will vary from dentist to dentist and depend on other factors as well.

Dental procedures are usually costly. Thus, it is essential to invest in either an insurance plan or in a dental discount plan. However, it should be noted that many insurance companies will not cover cosmetic procedures. They only provide coverage for basic dental checkups, fillings and minor surgery.

If you don’t visit the dentist often, a discount plan may be more suitable when compared to an insurance plan. Discount plans are offered by networks of dentists. You will have to pay a small amount to avail the facility. Usually, this will be around $150 per year. Once you subscribe to the discount plan, you can get discounts of up to 50 percent on the total fees. Discount plans will differ from place to place and dentist to dentist. Contact your dentist for more information.