What is dentistry?
Dentistry is a dental professional specializing in oral health care, diagnosing and treating dental and soft tissue illnesses. Dentistry also includes treating and correcting jaw deformity, misaligning teeth, and congenital disabilities of the oral cavity, such as cleft palate. Dentistry has numerous subspecialties, such as orthodontia (misalignment of teeth), pediatric dentistry, and dental orthopedics (jaw and face structure) for children.
Furthermore, periodontics (inflammatory disease), prosthetics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pathology of the mouth and face, endodontics (dental pulp), and oral and maxillofacial X-rays are some subspecialties.
Who is a dentist?
A healthy mouth starts with regular visits to the dentist. Some of the issues they address are preventing and treating dental/oral disease, abnormalities, and dental/facial injuries. Dentists are medical doctors who also have scientific and clinical training. They are committed to maintaining the highest possible levels of health by focusing on diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral diseases and ailments.
Like all other medical professionals, dentists undergo significant training before obtaining certification. The majority of dentists engage in general dentistry.
A dentist with specialized expertise can diagnose and treat oral health problems affecting your teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth. They can also clean your teeth; however, this is more the responsibility of dental hygienists.
What is the educational background of a dentist?
A dentist is a doctor who follows a similar path of study to that of a physician. The first stage is to get a bachelor's degree in a science-related discipline such as chemistry, biology, health, or math. Next, they take a dental admissions test to apply to dental schools.
The program consists of four years of biomedical sciences schooling and four years of clinical experience. This training leads to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree.
The practitioner can obtain a dental license by demonstrating proficiency in the profession's written and practical areas.
After this, dentists can obtain certification by sitting for the National Board Dental Examination. A postgraduate residency for dentists can range from one to three years, depending on the area of specialty the dentist chooses to pursue.
What does a dentist do?
A dentist's role in caring for one's oral health is multifaceted. Checkups are vital to the work since they help patients maintain their dental hygiene routines. Additionally, routine treatments performed in a conventional dental office are part of general dentistry. These procedures include filling a tooth and performing minor surgical procedures like tooth extraction, cleaning, and polishing.
To avoid tooth decay and other dental illnesses, a dentist would advise their patients to brush, floss, and visit their dentist frequently.
Several specialties within dentistry require additional training to become experts in their respective fields. Specialties include, but are not limited to:
- Endodontics: Endodontics help repair the tooth's inner tissues, or "pulp," primarily composed of nerves and blood vessels. An endodontist uses various techniques and procedures that target the root canal system.
- Orthodontics: Orthodontics aims at teeth and jaw straightening. An orthodontist can put braces on patients who have problems with misaligned teeth and treat any underlying bone issues that may be causing these problems elsewhere in the body.
- Periodontics: Periodontists specialize in addressing gum disease and other gum disorders. They are also skilled in placing and repairing dental implants.
- Prosthodontics: Prosthodontics specializes in oral prosthetics and cosmetic dentistry. A prosthodontist is a medical professional who looks after the placement of dental implants to replace missing or decaying teeth.
- Pediatric dentist: A pediatric dentist holds expertise in treating children's teeth. They may collaborate with other specialists if the patient's condition involves certain areas (such as gum disease).
- Dental anesthesiology: This is where the practitioner gains skills in advanced sedation and general anesthesia methods to help patients who need dental and oral surgery.
- Dental public health: This specialty helps the dentist prepare for a role in public health programs and policies such as health care reform. With this specialization, practitioners could bring about change at the community, state, and national levels.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology: It involves studying and researching the causes, processes, and effects of diseases that originate in the mouth or jaw.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: This specialization helps diagnose and surgically treat conditions such as facial injuries, cleft lip and palate, cancers, and dental implants. Cosmetic surgery comes under the purview of this specialty.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology: Oral and maxillofacial radiology help train the practitioner in biology, radiation physics, safety, and hygiene. They gain skills in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. They also learn to interpret the results of these techniques.
- Oral medicine: This specialty deals with minor excisions, diagnostic biopsies, therapeutic injections, and other simple surgical procedures to manage conditions with systemic and topical medications.
- Orofacial pain: Orofacial pain is quite a new specialization dealing with pain symptoms or dysfunction of the head and neck region. These specialists treat pain disorders of the jaw, neck, mouth, face, head, temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders (TMJ), and neuropathic pain.
Types of dental services
Dentists offer care in three primary categories – preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, and emergency dental care.
- Preventive dentistry safeguards your teeth from disease-causing bacteria and prevents oral problems. Dental exams, cleanings, dental X-rays, sealants, and fluoride treatments are all part of preventive care.
- Restorative dentistry involves replacing or repairing damaged or missing teeth. Restorative procedures include crowns, bridges, fillings, and dental implants.
- Emergency dental care is available round the clock, and treatments under this category include root canals and tooth extractions. Emergency dental services also include treating knocked-out teeth.
When should you visit a dentist near you?
Dental problems come announced. However, such dental issues often result from poor oral health, bad mouth hygiene, and lousy eating habits. While preventing them at its core can be challenging, getting the proper treatment at the right time can make all the difference. So, if you have witnessed any of these signs, it's time to visit your dentist.
- Frequent toothache: It can be due to various reasons which are difficult to diagnose for a layperson. In the case of a toothache that won't go away, it's best to visit a dentist as soon as possible.
- Constant headaches and migraines: These might be signs of jaw disorders that you should not overlook. There may be a relationship between headaches and jaw discomfort; both diseases require medical treatment.
- Bleeding gums: It can indicate severe gum disease if your gums start bleeding every time you brush or floss. If you haven't flossed in a while, you may detect a speck of blood when you finally do. Having a small amount of blood in your system for a few days is not a big deal, but it needs attention if this is a constant affair.
- Tooth damage: It occurs when you notice a tooth has been broken or chipped. In such cases, immediate assistance can help find a solid solution.
- Loss of a tooth: It happens due to decay or trauma. You must seek dental care immediately if you lose one of your permanent teeth.
- A crown or filling has come off: It calls for an immediate replacement to maintain the previously done treatment. Using fillings and crowns prevents tooth decay and other dental problems.
- Extreme swelling and an abscessed tooth: These are indications of a dental infection that are treatable with the help of medicine, procedures, and proper dental care.
What conditions do dentists treat?
Dentists diagnose and treat various conditions, including the following:
- Cavities: Cavities (tooth decay) are a common ailment. It occurs when plaque combines with the starches and/or sugar in the food you eat to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. To prevent tooth decay, brush twice a day, floss daily, avoid high-sugar food and drinks, and get regular dental check-ups.
- Tooth erosion: Tooth erosion refers to the loss of tooth structure caused by acid attacking tooth enamel. Its symptoms range from tooth sensitivity to more severe problems like cracking. While tooth erosion is common, proper oral care can easily prevent it.
- Root infection: Root infections develop if tooth decay is not treated correctly, allowing bacteria to weaken the root of your teeth. Long-lasting, throbbing tooth pain is one of the main symptoms of this condition. If you have a root infection, your dentist will perform root canal treatment to remove the bacteria from the canal and seal your tooth with a crown or filling.
- Halitosis (bad breath): Halitosis is usually a symptom of dental conditions like cavities, gum disease, dry mouth, and oral cancer. While mouthwash can temporarily mask the odor associated with this condition, you should see a dentist if you have chronic bad breath. They can help detect the root cause of the problem and treat it accordingly.
- Periodontal (gum) disease: Periodontal disease, a major cause of adult tooth loss, is an infection in the gums around your teeth. Its symptoms include pain while chewing, tooth sensitivity, bad breath, and swollen or tender gums.
Importance of dental checkups
Dental checkups involve comprehensive oral exams and teeth cleanings. Generally, it is a good idea to go for these routine dental visits every 6-12 months or as your dentist recommends. If you're wondering why it's essential to do so even when nothing is visibly wrong with your teeth and gums, you need to read the following benefits:
- Prevention and early detection of dental conditions: During a visit, your dentist will thoroughly inspect your teeth, gums, and mouth for dental problems, including gum disease, cavities, tooth decay, and oral cancer. They may also take X-rays to check for issues such as impacted teeth or bone loss, which they may not be able to detect during the visual exam.
- Aesthetic maintenance of your teeth: Dental cleanings are a part of preventive care, wherein dentists use specialized dental tools to clear the plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. This process can help prevent oral issues like tooth decay, gum inflammation, and bad breath. It can also remove stains and promote a brighter smile.
- Status check of past dental procedures: Dental checkups pose an excellent opportunity to assess the condition of dental fillings, crown fittings, implants, and other dental procedures. If anything is damaged, the dentist can fix it before it becomes more complicated.
- Oral health tips: Your dentist will discuss your lifestyle habits, diet, and oral hygiene practices, as these factors can significantly impact your dental well-being. They will suggest practical ways to improve and sustain your oral health lifelong.
- Lower healthcare expenses eventually: With advanced dental conditions and complicated dental procedures, healthcare costs naturally increase. The critical proactive step to avoid such a scenario is regularly visiting your dentist. In the long run, investing in routine dental checkups twice a year will prove more cost-effective than taking out a substantial amount from your savings when your condition becomes more complicated.
Finding a dentist near you in East Lansing, Michigan
Are you ready to see a dentist to resolve your dental health problems and end your discomfort? At Zocdoc, you can easily schedule an appointment with one of the skilled dentists in the neighborhood.
Enter your zip code, medical condition, symptoms, insurance provider, and plan into the Zocdoc website. A list of highly respected dental professionals in your area will be generated based on your search parameters. You may, for example, filter the search results to reveal just those relevant to you based on the time of day, gender, or language the doctor speaks.
With Zocdoc, you can learn about the training, qualifications, awards, specialization, and education of each dentist near you. You can also check the doctor's credentials by reading verifiable patient testimonials.
Furthermore, the top drop-down menu and Zocdoc's insurance detector help you see if your chosen provider is in-network, i.e., whether they accept your insurance carrier and plan. Adding your insurance information to your Zocdoc account can make the process of finding a doctor who accepts your plan quick and easy. Many doctors' offices require you to bring your insurance card despite you adding your details online. So, remember to carry it to your in-person appointments. For other insurance-related queries, check Zocdoc's patient help center.
Once you've decided on the ideal dentist near you, you can arrange an appointment between in-person and virtual consultations. Aside from typical business hours, patients can schedule appointments 24 hours in advance, same day, after 5 p.m., and on weekends, depending on the doctor's availability.
All bookings made through Zocdoc are safe, secure, and completely free.
Statistics on dentistry in East Lansing, Michigan
Dental problems are a prominent health concern for people globally. Increased awareness about good health, hygiene, and healthy eating has brought some relief, but it has not been enough. Dental caries, oral cancer, periodontal (gum) disease, and tooth loss are some common oral diseases in Michigan.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics show that more than a quarter of the adult population (26%) has untreated dental decay in the United States. Gum disease affects about half (46%) of all individuals over 30, and severe gum disease affects approximately 9% of adults. Untreated tooth decay affects 26% of US citizens between the ages of 20 and 64.
A 2020 Michigan State Oral Health Plan report states that, in 2014, there were 1,281 new instances of oral cancer identified in Michigan, at a rate of 10.6 cases per 100,000 people. Compared to females (6.0 per 100,000), males (15.8 per 100,000) reported the highest cases of oral cancer in Michigan.
In 2012, just 13% of people 65 and older in Michigan reported complete tooth loss. In 2014, however, (31%) of those aged 65-74 and (42%) of those aged 75 and more reported loss of six or more teeth due to dental decay or gum disease. In Michigan, over half of the individuals (47%) aged 30 and older have periodontal disease, which worsens with age. Periodontal disease affects more than 70% of persons aged 65 and older.
While dental issues are not only prevalent in adults, in 2012, (21%) of children aged 6 to 11 and (18%) of teenagers aged 12 to 17 had at least one oral health concern (toothache, decaying teeth, or unfilled cavities).
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Career Explorer
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Whistler Dental
Aetna
Michigan State Oral Health Plan
American Dental Education Association
Cleveland Clinic
Golden State Dentistry
Trophy Smile Studio
Verywell Health
