Author: Dr. Siri P.B.

Dentistry is associated with nine specialties. Each branch is unique in its own sense and carries its own importance. Read here to know more on the branches of dentistry.

Oral Medicine and Radiology

This particular branch of dentistry deals with diagnosis, radiographs and making the treatment chart. At first, they diagnose the oral health problem. Later, whenever indicated, radiographs are taken. Radiographs come in various forms. From the basic intraoral periapical radiographs to Come Beam Computed Tomography which is used in dentistry. The specialist read the radiographs and give a diagnosis and help making further treatments by other specialties simple.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

This branch of dentistry deals with surgery related to head and neck region. They are specialised in carrying out wisdom tooth extraction in particular, nose surgery called rhinoplasty, they surgically treat oral cancer, they correct cleft patients, they help to enhance the look by correcting surgically the improper jaws, dimple creation and many more.

Periodontics

This branch of dentistry deals exclusively with the gum health. The tooth is supported beneath by something called as periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone. Without this, the tooth falls from the tooth socket. These specialist help to maintain the health of supporting structures of the teeth. They also deal in placing and management of implants. They basically try to save a teeth before it goes for extraction.

Prosthodontics

This branch of dentistry deals with making of dentures or in simple terms teeth set. They replace the missing maxillofacial structures. They provide prosthesis. Missing tooth or any part of the face is replaced by these specialists. They also place implants, they correct joint disorder present in the facial region and help to restore the normality and confidence of the patient. They also deal with smile designing and improving the esthetics of the patient through veneers etc.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

This branch of dentistry helps patient get their teeth aligned in a proper way in the oral cavity. They treat malpositioned teeth by braces. They also deal with prevention of tooth malalignment in the growing stage of the child. They intervene in younger ages to minimize the future ill effects. They also correct the improper growth of the jaws along with oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics

This branch of dentistry deals with conserving the tooth structure. Initial stages deals with stopping the decay process of the tooth by removing the decay and restoring with suitable restorative materials. Later on, severe cases, they perform root canal treatment when needed i.e. when the pulp of the tooth is infected. They also enhance the esthetics of the patient by performing bleaching, veneers, laminates, smile designing, providing suitable crowns/cap to the teeth.

Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry

This specialty deals with maintaining exclusively the oral health of children. They are experts in handling a child and giving appropriate treatment. They perform all the procedures carried out in adults in children when indicated. They are trained to deal with a child and get the child treated.

Oral Pathology

They deal with histological and microscopic examination of various disorders related to head and neck region. They take the sample or biopsy of the oral lesion, they have a closer look into the cells and help in diagnosing the pathology/disease. They have a major role and of great help in diagnosing the disease.

Public Health Dentistry

They are trained to deal with large scale population, their oral health burden through camps and other ways. They are trained to perform most of the basic dental treatment. They also conduct lot of research activities which is of great help to the literature. They conduct lot of studies on various diseases.

Thus, these are the various branches of dentistry. All the branches are closely intertwined with each other. They depend greatly and a combined approach helps to provide a better treatment approach to a patient.