Dentists In Las Vegas is an important part of overall good health. Dentists promote and maintain the oral health of their patients. They also diagnose and treat mouth, teeth, and jaw diseases. They also interpret X-rays.
If you want to become a dentist, start by talking with local practitioners and attending seminars. Also, take AP science courses.
Preventive care is a term used to describe the procedures that protect your teeth from developing dental problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and enamel wear. These practices include things you can do yourself, like practicing oral hygiene and others performed by your dentist, such as cleanings. This care can help you avoid more invasive treatments later and save money.
The first preventive practice is regularly brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and flossing. These habits are important for maintaining healthy teeth; the hygienist can teach you how to do it properly. The hygienist will also remove hard deposits from your teeth that are responsible for tooth deterioration and gum disease. This is known as a scale and polish, an important part of the preventive process.
Another preventive procedure is regular dental exams. These are important for identifying problems such as tooth decay or gingivitis before they become serious. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that can lead to more severe infections, including tooth loss, if left untreated. Regular dental exams can also identify other issues like bone loss or tumors.
X-rays are an important diagnostic tool for the mouth and can detect abnormalities that might not be visible to the naked eye. Your dentist may recommend further tests or treatments depending on your exam results.
While genetics play a role in your odds of developing cavities and other oral health problems, there are many things you can do to minimize them. Preventive dental care includes daily oral hygiene, routine dental cleanings, and limiting sugary foods and drinks. Having a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables is also important. Protect your teeth during physical activities by wearing a mouth shield, especially during contact sports.
The best preventive care starts at a young age. Studies show that kids who receive regular preventive dental care are more likely to have healthier, stronger teeth in adulthood. Taking your child to the dentist six months after their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday is an easy way to give them a solid foundation for a lifetime of good oral health.
Cosmetic dental treatment focuses on the aesthetic improvement of teeth and gums. This includes procedures that add or remove tooth material, such as composite fillings and porcelain veneers, and those that change the shape of teeth and gums, such as enameloplasty (gum reshaping) and gingivectomy (gum removal). It also involves whitening and other methods to improve tooth color. The goal of cosmetic dentistry is a balanced and harmonious smile. It follows the Greek idea of beauty, emphasizing lines (symmetry), the same coloring, and equal heights.
In the past, dental work was often made of gold or silver amalgam. Today, dentists are more likely to use composite materials that closely match the color of your teeth. These restorations may look more natural than the old metal ones and do not contain mercury.
The main difference between a restorative dentist and a cosmetic dentist is that while treatments are performed to alleviate pain and repair damage, cosmetic treatments are elective rather than necessary. For this reason, they are usually not covered by insurance. However, insurance may cover the cost if a health concern can justify the patient’s treatment choice or improve their appearance.
Although there is some overlap between restorative and cosmetic dentistry, most dentists specialize in one or the other. A cosmetic dentist will typically be more concerned about the appearance of your smile than a general dentist. For example, both dentists can fill a cavity, but the cosmetic dentist will use a composite that matches your tooth color.
A cosmetic dentist will also perform several other procedures that do not fall under restorative care, such as teeth whitening or gum depigmentation. They may also perform orthodontic work, such as removing an extra tooth or fixing a misaligned bite. However, a cosmetic dentist will usually refer you to a specialist, such as an oral maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist, for these procedures. A specialist can also help you find financing for these treatments.
If you have cavities, broken teeth, or gum disease, restorative dental procedures can help. These include fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures to repair or replace damaged teeth. They also treat jaw problems such as TMJ. The goal is to restore a healthy smile and return the patient’s ability to chew properly. Restorative procedures are typically covered by dental insurance, but the deductible or coinsurance will apply.
A basic treatment is a tooth filling, in which dentists pack decayed enamel with a composite resin or amalgam. This prevents further damage and makes a tooth more attractive. A crown is a more permanent solution to broken or severely decayed teeth. It’s a dental cap covering an entire tooth, and your dentist must alter the original tooth structure to fit it.
Dental implants are another option for replacing missing teeth. They are surgically placed into the jawbone and anchored to artificial replacement teeth or a dental bridge. Dentures are another common tooth replacement option, with both partial and full options. They can be removable or fixed and are reasonably natural-looking.
Several restorations are used for restorative care, including porcelain and gold. Some types of material are more durable than others, but they all restore a patient’s tooth structure and chewing function.
Other restorative treatments are more cosmetic, such as veneers and teeth whitening. These aren’t a part of the core scope of restorative care, but they can be useful for patients with discolored or worn teeth.
Other diagnostic and treatment tools that dentists use to perform restorative dentistry are digital X-rays and cone beam scanners. They may also use traditional putty impressions to create detailed molds of the patient’s mouth and teeth. These allow them to identify and address issues quickly and accurately.
Oral diseases are common, but they are usually easy to prevent if you practice good oral hygiene and have regular checkups. Most start in a mild form that may only affect your oral health, but if you let them go untreated, they can impact your overall health.
Tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancers, and other dental problems can seriously affect your quality of life. They can affect your ability to eat, speak, and even get or keep a job. They can also cause pain and discomfort and harm your self-image.
The bacterial infections that cause oral health problems can also lead to systemic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease (heart disease), respiratory ailments, and poor pregnancy outcomes. They can also lower the body’s resistance to infection, making it more susceptible to diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Oral bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to other body parts, including the heart valves and chambers. If this happens, the condition is called endocarditis and can lead to heart failure or stroke. Oral infections can also be a risk factor for other diseases such as osteoporosis, leukemia, and cancers of the mouth and throat.
Other conditions that can affect oral health include hormone fluctuations in women during pregnancy and menopause. The high levels of estrogen in pregnancy can increase the risk of gum disease, and the lower levels during menopause can result in a burning mouth syndrome. Certain medications can also have an effect, such as the bone-weakening drug glucocorticoids and an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth (Sjogren’s syndrome).
The majority of oral diseases are caused by lifestyle factors, such as smoking or eating a sugary diet. The burden of these diseases on individuals and society is huge, especially in low- and middle-income countries where most oral diseases remain largely untreated due to cost. Many of these health conditions are largely preventable through strategies such as community water fluoridation and school sealant programs. However, progress at the system level could be faster, mainly because dentistry operates independently of other healthcare systems and professionals, and most of the care dentists provide comes from private practices.
