Clinical dentistry involves medical procedures on teeth and other structures in the mouth. Dentists, assistants, and technicians work in clinics to perform exams, procedures, and teeth cleaning. Specializations include implant dentistry, periodontics, and oral surgery. Certification requires advanced education and a degree from an accredited dental school.
Clinical dentistry involves the study and implementation of medical procedures that are performed on the teeth and other structures in the mouth. Most of these procedures are performed in a dental clinic with a staff of dentists and various assistants. The discipline covers a broad field of subspecialties, including implant dentistry, periodontics, and oral surgery.
A typical clinic will house one or more dentists, who may work in general dentistry or work as a specialist in one of the subdisciplines. A general dentist performs tooth and gum exams, diagnoses, and performs procedures on patients. Dental assistants, technicians and hygienists provide support to the dentist. Most employees will be proficient in the use of various dental tools, such as x-ray machines, scalpels, and dental mirrors.
Restoration of damaged teeth is one of the main goals of clinical dentistry. If a patient has holes in their teeth, for example, the dentist might fill the cavity with durable material or place a protective covering called a crown over the tooth. Individuals who show damage to the delicate tissues inside the tooth, on the other hand, may require a root canal in which a tooth’s nerves are removed.
Clinical dentistry professionals also emphasize maintaining healthy teeth. Therefore, many dental offices offer teeth cleaning to patients. Employees also educate patients on proper self-care procedures such as flossing and brushing teeth. Doctors who detect crooked or excessively spaced teeth or a misaligned bite in a patient may refer the individual to another subspecialist of clinical dentistry: the orthodontist.
Another area of common interest in clinical dentistry is the creation and installation of dental implants. Individuals with advanced decay or lesions may require one or more false teeth. Implantology is responsible for these devices. Partial tooth-like materials can also be implanted into a patient as a bridge.
Teeth are not the exclusive focus of clinical dentistry. Other supportive structures in and around the mouth, such as the gums and jaw bones, can also be studied and treated by dentists. Clinical periodontology is a dental subdiscipline dedicated to these areas. Several diseases and conditions of the mouth area, such as wisdom tooth removal, also require surgery, and these procedures are the domain of oral or maxillofacial surgeons.
Certification in clinical dentistry typically requires advanced education and a degree from an accredited dental school. Additional education and certification may be essential to specialization. Upon graduation, many dentists choose to open private clinics, while others look for work in a larger organization.
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