Pedodontics and Geriatric Dentistry

This specialized branch of dentistry mainly deals with the diseases and conditions that mainly affect the supporting structures of the teeth. Gingiva, alveolar bone, cementum and, periodontal ligament comes under supporting tissues of the teeth.

Fluoride is a mineral found in soil and water and various food materials. Fluoride has positive effect on oral health. It can prevent or reverse tooth decay.When the amount of percentage of fluoride is more than expected you will experience change in the appearance of the tooth, it is called dental fluorosis

Dental emergency is a broad term involving the issues associated with the teeth and supporting tissues. Many of the emergiencies are mainly due to the bacteria/fungal/viral infections. All dental emergencies should be treated under the supervision or guidance of a dental health professional in order to preserve the teeth for as long as possible.

1.Gum Emergencies: Gum Emergencies. Injuries and infections involving the soft tissues of the mouth may also require emergency treatment. The tissues of the gums: tongue: or cheek lining can be damaged by accidental bites: falls: sports injuries: and scalding liquids.

2.Orthodontic Emergencies: Mainly includes trauma or injury to the teeth: face or mouth. Infection or swelling of the gums: mouth or face: and severe: unmanageable discomfort or pain in these areas can also be orthodontic emergencies.

3.Tooth Pain: Acute or persistent tooth pain always signals a need for an urgent visit to the dental office. The most common cause of dental pain is tooth decay: a bacterial infection that can spread through many parts of the tooth: and even into the gum tissue

4.Traumatic Dental Injuries: Traumatic injury such as a tooth that has been moved or loosened: treatment needs to occur within six hours.

• Gum Emergencies
• Orthodontic Emergencies
• Tooth Pain
• Traumatic Dental Injuries

It mainly provides primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence. Early Childhood Caries which is also known as tooth decay can develop rapidly in children. Children can also be affected with some rare oral diseases like Gingival Fibromatosis which will eventually result in disturbance in overall health of a child. Common oral problems in children are Tooth Decay: Gum Disease, Teeth Grinding: Thumb Sucking etc.

• Tooth fusion & Concrescence
• Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis
• Shark Teeth
• Pediatric Bruxism
• Gum Diseases & Tooth Decay
• Tooth development

Restorative Dentistry is the management of diseases of the teeth and their associated and supporting structures. It mainly encompasses the dental specialties of endodontics: prosthodontics and periodontics.

• Inlays: Onlays & Veneers
• Porcelain Crowns & Fixed Bridges
• Root Canal Therapy
• Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings

It is a specialized branch in dentistry that mainly deals with the injuries and defect  in the head, neck, jaws and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions.

Key things involved in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is

• Removing impacted teeth and administering anesthesia
• Treating facial trauma and dental implants
• Oral pathological condition evaluation
• Performing orthognathic and cosmetic surgery

It mainly intended to improve the appearance of teeth: gums. It primarily focuses on improvement of dental aesthetics in color: position: shape: size alignment and overall smile appreance.

It is nonclinical branch of the dentistry.  It mainly involved in the assessment of key dental health needs and coming up with effective solutions to improve the dental health of populations. It mainly looks beyond the role of a dental practitioner in treating dental diseases.

Major areas of dental public health activity include:

• Policy and strategy development and implementation
• Oral health improvement
• Health and public protection
• Developing and monitoring quality dental services
• Dental public health intelligence
• Academic dental public health
• Role within health services

Dental materials should have certain characteristics to be effective in dental health maintenance. Characteristics which are particularly important are safety and compatibility with oral tissues. Dental materials and devices are regulated for safety and efficacy by the FDA.

Efficacy can be defined as the ability of a dental material to function as was intended within the oral cavity.

Following are the some of the ideal characteristics of dental materials

• Biocompatibility
• Cleanable
• Repairable
• Resistant to corrosion
• Longevity
• Esthetically pleasing
• Following are the common dental materials
• Composite : Direct Restoration, Veneers, Inlays
• Amalgam:  Direct Restorations
• Porcelain: Crowns, Bridges, Veneers, inlays and onlays
• Acrylic: Dentures, Partial dentures
• Gutta Percha : Root Canals
• Thermoplastics: Bleaching’s, Orthodontic appliances
• Meta Alloys: Partial Dental Claps
• Stainless Steel: Crowns
• Titanium: Implants
• Zirconium : Fixed prosthetics

It is mainly defined as a field of dentistry which will promote dental health and wellness instead of the treatment of dental diseases.  It is also termed as a Biological dentistry: Unconventional dentistry: biocompatible dentistry. Most of the treatment will be in nonsurgical way in Holistic Dentistry

Being pregnant puts you at higher risk for tooth decay, gum disease (also known as pregnancy gingivitis) and oral growths called ‘pregnancy tumour’s Most of these conditions are treatable. If pregnant lady is suffering from moderate to severe gum diseases. Higher risk chances for delivering a pre-term, low-birth weight baby. It can be easily diagnosed by dental X rays. Dental X rays are absolutely safe during the pregnancy. Anaesthesia during the first trimester may be linked to early miscarriage. Any dental work that requires anaesthesia such as a filling or root canal treatment, it is better to postpone the procedure until the second trimester of your pregnancy.

To keep your teeth healthy during pregnancy make sure to have following ingredients in your diet.

• calcium
• vitamin A
• vitamin C
• vitamin D
• protein, and
• phosphorous

Pregnancy mother with poor oral health have a risk of

• delivering a pre-term baby
• delivering a baby with a low birth weight
• having pre-eclampsia (pregnancy hypertension)
• Babies who are pre-term or have low birth weight have a higher risk of:
• developmental complications
• asthma
• ear infections
• birth abnormalities
• behavioural difficulties
• infant death

Pregnancy gingivitis, pregnancy tumours are common oral diseases encountered by most of the pregnant ladies.

It mainly encompasses the study and practice of the maintenance of the dental pulp. It also includes diagnosis: prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp along with associated periradicular conditions.

The main purpose of the endodontic treatment is to remove the pathological pulp and clean and shape the root canal system. Disinfect the contaminated root canal and prevent re-infection and promote healing. The main reason behind the dental pulp problems is related to bacterial contamination of the root canal.