Dental Education

Digital dentistry may be defined in a broad scope as any dental technology or device that incorporates digital or computer-controlled components in contrast to that of mechanical or electrical alone. This broad definition can range from the most commonly thought area of digital dentistry - CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing) - to those that may not even be recognized, such as computer-controlled delivery of nitrous oxide.

The benefit of laser dentistry is that it offers a much less invasive alternative to many procedures. The light energy that is emitted from lasers results in a shortened and almost painless healing period. This option is commonly available for the treatment of benign tumors, cold sores, crown lengthening.

Oral sedation dentistry is now the most common technique used in the United States and Canada to quell patient fears. The technique is easy and requires no needles. It is as if they slept through the treatment. In reality, oral sedation dentistry maintains a level of consciousness in the patient for safety and cooperation. This local anesthetic will temporarily block pain impulses from affected teeth and gum tissue.

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, is a type of head and neck cancer and is any cancerous tissue growth located in the oral cavity.

It may arise as a primary lesion originating in any of the tissues in the mouth, by metastasis from a distant site of origin, or by extension from a neighboring anatomic structure, such as the nasal cavity. Alternatively, the oral cancers may originate in any of the tissues of the mouth, and may be of varied histologic types: teratoma, adenocarcinoma derived from a major or minor salivary gland, lymphoma from tonsillar or other lymphoid tissue, or melanoma from the pigment-producing cells of the oral mucosa.

Bonding is a procedure that uses a tooth-colored composite resin (plastic) to repair a tooth. Bonding can be used on teeth that are decayed, chipped, broken or discolored. Veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front parts of teeth. If most of the tooth remains, veneers can improve the look of the tooth without cutting it down enough to place a crown. They are similar to artificial fingernails. A dental inlay or on lay is bigger than a filling and smaller than a crown. It is bonded or cemented into place. The purpose is to change the length, shape or surface contours of a tooth. This is a relatively quick and painless procedure. It is also called tooth reshaping or odontoplasty. Tooth whitening lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discoloration.

Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery is a surgical specialty which involves the diagnosis, surgery and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. More simply put, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is the orthopedic surgeon of the facial region.

Pediatric dentistry is a specialty that adapts techniques and procedures from general dentistry and specialties to provide primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for children. Pediatric dentists treat a broad range of diseases in infants, children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs.

Restorative Dentistry is the study, diagnosis and integrated management of diseases of the oral cavity, the teeth and supporting structures. It includes the rehabilitation of the teeth and the oral cavity to functional, psychological and aesthetic requirements of the individual patient, including the co-ordination of multi-professional working to achieve these objectives. Restorative dentistry encompasses the dental specialist of Endodontics, Periodontics and Prosthodontics.