Good dental health signifies a healthy body. Still, we often ignore this vital part of our health until its severity increases. Regular visits to a dentist help detect diseases as soon as possible, prevent severe dental issues, and save money, time, energy, and a lot of pain.
But who are dentists? What do they do? What type of treatment do they provide? Read below to know before you decide.
Who are dentists? What are the qualifications of a dentist?
Dentists are healthcare professionals who provide treatment for dental problems. They specialize in treating misaligned teeth, tooth decay, bleeding gums, cavities, and more. They use advanced medical equipment such as lasers, drills, and others to perform dental procedures. Some other treatments offered by dentists include:
- Prosthodontics
- Periodontics
- Root canal treatment
- Correction of misaligned teeth
- Teeth whitening treatment
- Fixing crooked and chipped teeth
- Sealants
- Daily dental hygiene care
To become a certified dentist, one must complete a four-year undergraduate degree from a dental college. Many dentists also have Doctor of Dental Medicine and Dental Surgery degrees. Dental healthcare doctors also get two years of residency training, where they learn about dental procedures and patient care.
To become a specialist in specific dental procedures, some dentists further study to gain specialization in different disciplines, such as:
- dental public health
- endodontic,
- oral and maxillofacial surgery,
- dentofacial,
- pediatric dentistry,
- periodontics,
- prosthodontics
Dentists must pass licensure exams like the National Board Dental Examination to work in their states.
Different types of dentists
Similar to other healthcare professionals, some dentists also have specialties. Some of the dentists are as follows:
- General dentists: They provide routine oral care treatment such as tooth fillings, bridges, dental cleaning, and crowns. A general dentist also performs dental screening tests to diagnose diseases. You can see a general dentist for a routine check-up and disease diagnosis.
- Orthodontists: These dentists commonly treat misaligned teeth and fix crooked teeth. Patients with chewing problems, over-crowded teeth, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction can visit orthodontists for the proper treatment.
- Pediatric dentist: Pedodontists provide dental services to children. They have special training to provide this medical care and help children achieve good dental health.
- Endodontists: These dentists specialize in root canal treatment and cavities that damage nerves beneath the teeth. They can perform surgeries such as apicoectomy (a procedure to remove the damaged root end of teeth to prevent infection) and provide treatment to fix the damaged tooth.
- Periodontists: These dentists mainly emphasize the treatment of gum diseases. Sometimes, they provide therapy like skin grafting and are closely associated with general dentists.
- Prosthodontics: Specialists in prosthodontics create oral prosthetics to replace broken or missing teeth, enhancing dental function and aesthetics. Crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants are examples of oral prosthetics. When necessary, prosthodontics collaborates closely with dental practitioners and endodontists to offer these dental implants.
What conditions do dentists treat?
Dentists diagnose and treat various medical conditions, such as:
- Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease occurs due to gum infections. It can cause tooth loss, and studies have linked it to heart problems as well. Symptoms of this disease include bad breath, sensitive teeth, and red and swollen gums.
- Tooth erosion: Acid in foods can cause the protective outer layer of teeth to wear away, leading to the loss of tooth structure. This process is known as tooth erosion. Its symptoms include discoloration, tooth sensitivity, minor dents near teeth, and cracked teeth.
- Tooth abscess: A tooth abscess results from a bacterial infection in your gums. It is a pus-filled pocket that is red and swollen, resembling a pimple or a boil. Abscesses can spread to the surrounding teeth and the bones supporting them if unchecked. You could likely develop a tooth abscess if you have a weak immune system, smoke, or have poor oral hygiene.
- Mouth sores: Mouth sores or lesions can occur on the tongue, gums, palate (roof of the mouth), inner lips, and cheeks. They come in different types, including cold sores, canker sores, and thrush. All are red around the edges, painful, and can cause discomfort while speaking and eating.
- Root infection: Throbbing, prolonged tooth pain might indicate a root infection. This condition can result from tooth decay or a damaged tooth without proper medical care. Root canal treatment, where your dentist removes the bacteria from the canal and seals the tooth using a filling, is necessary to treat such infections.
- Bruxism: Bruxism (teeth grinding) occurs when you grind your teeth together without realizing it. The grinding can exert tremendous force on your teeth and jaws, leading to jaw pain, cracked teeth, headaches, and flattening of the jaws. While dental splints and mouthguards can prevent teeth damage, they do not stop the grinding. Since stress can often cause bruxism, cognitive behavioral therapy or medications to help you manage stress can sometimes prevent this condition.
What are the different types of dental crowns?
Dental crowns come in various types, and the one that is suitable for you depends on your oral health needs and personal preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:
- Metal crowns: Made from metals like gold, palladium, nickel, or chromium, these crowns are extremely durable and resistant to breaking or chipping. They require minimal enamel removal and can handle chewing and biting forces, making them ideal for back molars. The metallic color is the primary drawback of this crown type and is a more suitable choice for out-of-sight molars.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns: These crowns combine the strength of metal & the natural appearance of porcelain and can be color-coded to your existing teeth. Although durable, the porcelain layer can chip over time, and it may wear down opposing teeth. Dentists can use PFM crowns for both front and back teeth.
- Pressed ceramic crowns: Similar in appearance to PFM crowns, these have a ceramic core instead of metal. A technician creates the inner structure by pressing melted ceramic at high temperatures, then applies layers of porcelain. Dentists use these for both front and back teeth. Similar to all-porcelain crowns, pressed ceramic crowns replicate the translucency of natural tooth enamel; however, the ceramic layers can chip away over time.
- All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns: These crowns offer the best aesthetic match to natural teeth and are a great option if you’re allergic to metals. A popular material for these crowns is zirconium dioxide (zirconia), known for its high strength and minimal wear on opposing teeth. These are both strong and visually appealing.
- Same-day crowns: Created using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/manufacturing) technology, dentists can fit these crowns in one dental visit. The process involves taking digital impressions and milling the crown on-site from a ceramic block. While convenient, same-day crowns may not be suitable for every case, so consult your dentist before opting for these.
- All-resin crowns: Made entirely of resin, these crowns are an affordable option but are more likely to break as compared to PFM crowns. Dentists often use these for temporary solutions, typically lasting around three to five years.
Your dentist can help you choose the crown type that best suits your clinical needs, budget, and aesthetic preferences.
Why should you visit a dentist?
A regular dentist's visit can help to deal with dental issues such as bleeding gums and tooth decay as soon as possible. Moreover, a regular visit can help maintain good oral hygiene and prevent tooth damage and bacterial growth in the mouth. The dentist also provides tips such as flossing, plaque removal, and more for good oral health.
Even if you don't have any dental problems, you can still visit a general dentist for plaque removal, strengthening treatment, damaged tooth replacement, or simple flossing. In addition to regular visits, see a dentist if you notice visible signs such as mild pain, gum swelling, mouth ulcers, and bleeding gums. They provide better treatment according to your condition and prevent the severity of dental issues.
How often should you visit your dentist, and what do they do?
If you do not have any dental problems, you can visit a dentist near you at least twice or thrice a year for a general check-up. It helps to check dental issues and get appropriate treatment before they worsen. Kids or teenagers can get a regular dental check-up at least once every six months. Regular visits help to avoid dental issues such as tooth decay.
During routine visits, dentists provide some preventive care treatment and examine teeth to prevent bacterial infections that can potentially damage teeth.
Furthermore, they do the following screening tests:
- Gum checking: Dentists use tools to detect swelling, bleeding, and tissue damage. They also check the pockets under the tooth that develop due to damaged teeth.
- Tooth decay detection: They perform tooth decay diagnosis procedures according to the signs. In the meantime, they check if the tooth enamel becomes soft or damaged.
- Bite problems: Dentists check the bite to determine the plausibility or diagnosis of several conditions developing from crowding, spacing, missing teeth, protrusion, etc. Generally recommended methods for correcting bites include braces and even modern technology like Invisalign.
- Fluoride treatment: Fluoride treatments help keep teeth brighter, stronger, and healthier. They protect the enamel from erosion, prevent bacteria, and prevent oral cavities.
- Teeth development check-up (kids): They monitor tooth eruption and its pattern in kids.
Foods to avoid for healthy teeth
The worst foods that you must avoid to keep your teeth healthy include the following:
Potato chips have a lot of starch, which sticks to the crevices between your teeth, forming plaque and resulting in tooth decay. Therefore, avoid eating chips or other fried products.
Any type of candy is unhealthy for the teeth and gums. Sour candies contain different acids that can affect your teeth. They are chewy and can stick to the teeth for extended periods, causing plaque build-up and tooth decay.
Carbonated soda increases the acidity levels in the mouth, affecting the tooth enamel. Moreover, the mouth becomes dry, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Dark-colored soda can even stain or discolor teeth.
Alcohol is unhealthy for the body, including the teeth and gums. Saliva keeps your teeth healthy by washing away leftover food particles and preventing food from sticking to the teeth. Alcohol intake makes the mouth dry, which increases the chances of gum disease, oral infections, and tooth decay.
Chewing ice can hurt your tooth enamel and increase the chances of a dental emergency. Chewing complex substances can result in broken, chipped, or cracked teeth or loose crowns.
Bread and saliva mix in the mouth to form a gummy or sticky substance that could enter the crevices between the teeth. The saliva also breaks down the starch into sugar. If the mouth is not cleaned correctly after eating, the leftover sugar deposits on the teeth could cause cavities.
How to find the best dentist in Columbia, South Carolina?
With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best dentist near you. We have a simple navigation bar where you can type your requirements, location, specialty, and other things to find a dentist. You'll get a customized list of top dentists with their specializations and further details.
On Zocdoc, you can easily read a dentist's profile to make an informed decision. We provide verified reviews and ratings given by previous patients. Moreover, you can search for dentists by applying filters such as age-specific, language preference, license, specialization, and more.
If you want to find a provider who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your insurance provider and plan) to the Zocdoc search. It will help you see in-network providers who accept your plan. You can see accurate results of in-network dentists in Columbia, South Carolina.
Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
Booking an in-person or online appointment with the best dentist near you through Zocdoc is very straightforward.
Finding a dentist on Zocdoc is safe, secure, and free!
Statistics about dentists in Columbia, South Carolina
According to the 2017 California Department of Public Health report, tooth decay is the most common chronic illness among children with asthma and hay fever. Around 54% and about 70% of third graders and kindergarteners experience tooth decay. Less than 50% of pregnant women have access to proper dental care.
The report found a strong link between oral diseases and smoking. Still, experts advise that only about 10% of people take oral care. Children have missed more than 800,000 days of school due to dental problems.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Cleveland Clinic[5]
Legacy Community Health
WebMD
California Department of Public Health
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
Healthline
