Reviewer

(Perspectives in Dentistry)

1. General Dentistry – by definition, dentistry is the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of
diseases and conditions of the body’s oral and maxillofacial region.
2. General Dentists – provide a wide array of services that are vital to your continued health.
General Dentistry Services Includes:
3. Dental exams – are used to help find tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems early,
when they're easier to treat.
4. Oral Prophylaxis – procedure in which bacterial plaque and tartar is removed from the surface of the
teeth with the help of scaling and polishing.
5. Dental X-ray (radiographs) – are images of your teeth that your dentist uses to evaluate your oral
health. May seem complex, but they’re actually very common tools that are just as important as your
teeth cleanings.
6. Cavity Fillings – is a treatment for tooth damaged by decay that restores back to its normal function
and shape while preventing further decay. It's also the one of the most common procedures that takes
place in the dental office.
7. Dental Extraction – also referred to as tooth extraction, exodontia, exodontics, or informally, tooth
pulling) is the removal of teeth from the dental alveolus (socket) in the alveolar bone.
8. Root Canal Treatment – also known as endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure in which the
diseased or damaged pulp (core) of a tooth is removed and the inside areas (the pulp chamber and root
canals) are filled and sealed.
9. Gingivectomy – is surgical removal of gum tissue, or gingiva. Can be used to treat conditions like
gingivitis. It's also used to remove extra gum tissue for cosmetic reasons, such as to modify a smile.
10. Pulpectomy – it is the removal of the pulp of a tooth.
11. Teeth whitening – also called “teeth bleaching,” this procedure can brighten and whiten teeth from
discoloration and/or staining.
12. Dental Veneers – are a thin shell made out of porcelain or composite material. They're custom made
and cemented to the front side of the tooth. A veneer can be used to treat dental conditions such as a
slightly crooked tooth, discolored teeth, chipped teeth, or even to cover spaces in between the teeth.
13. Dental Crowns – also referred to as caps, are custom made to fit over your whole tooth after the
cosmetic dentist has prepared it. They are usually made out of acrylic or porcelain that has been fused
to metal to withstand biting pressure. Crowns can be used in cosmetic dentistry to treat teeth that are
 poorly shaped, badly decayed, broken, chipped, or have had large fillings, or to cover spaces in between
teeth.
14. Cosmetic Teeth Shaping – also referred to as “enamel shaping,” the dentist can reshape the tooth by
filing or removing some of the enamel. This process is usually not painful and can produce immediate
effects.
15. Tooth bonding – is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves applying a custom- tinted composite
resin to your teeth. It can repair a range of common complaints, including Gaps between teeth.
Irregularly shaped or chipped teeth. Fractured or cracked teeth.

Why is dental history important?

The primary purpose of maintaining dental records is to deliver quality patient care and follow-up.
Dental records can also be used for forensic purposes and have an important role in teaching and
research, as well as in legal matters.

Why is taking a medical history important in dentistry?

A medical history helps to identify conditions relevant to your dental health or which could have
an impact on how treatment is carried out. Information about certain medical conditions such as
diabetes, epilepsy, allergies, or heart disease could be vital if a medical emergency occurs in the
dental practice.

Let's start with the 4 basic instruments needed at a clinic:

1. Dental Examination Mirror – the mirror is an essential dental instrument that allows dentists to
explore the patient's oral cavity, both for direct viewing and indirect vision techniques, as well as to act
as a mouth separator. Its little size and adaptability make it a basic but highly practical instrument for a
perfect working vision.
2. Cotton pliers – are used for handling cotton pellets, cotton rolls, small instruments, or other small items
placed into or withdrawn from the mouth.
3. Spoon excavator – in dentistry, an instrument, generally a small spoon or curette, for cleaning out and
shaping a carious cavity preparatory to filling.
4. A dental explorer or sickle probe – is an instrument in dentistry commonly used in the dental
armamentarium. A sharp point at the end of the explorer is used to enhance tactile sensation. In the past
it was usual for dentists to use the explorer to probe teeth for the presence of cavities.
5. Periodontal probe – This is a more classical but equally practical instrument used to determine the
level of bacterial plaque, caries, etc.
6. A dental drill or handpiece – is a hand-held, mechanical instrument used to perform a variety of
common dental procedures, including removing decay, polishing fillings, performing cosmetic
dentistry, and altering prostheses.
7. The Dental Chair – is a specially designed medical device intended to support a patient's whole body,
like a recliner, but articulated, so that the dentist can recline patients to virtually any position.
8. Panoramic radiography, also called panoramic x-ray – is a two-dimensional (2-D) dental x-ray
examination that captures the entire mouth in a single image, including the teeth, upper and lower jaws,
surrounding structures and tissues.
9. Periapical X-rays – show the whole tooth — from the crown, to beyond the root where the tooth
attaches into the jaw. Each periapical X- ray shows all teeth in one portion of either the upper or lower
jaw. Periapical X-rays detect any unusual changes in the root and surrounding bone structures.