Dentistry is one of the oldest medical professions, dating back to 7000 B.C. with the Indus Valley Civilization. However, it wasn’t until 5000 B.C. that descriptions related to dentistry and tooth decay were available. At the time, a Sumerian text described tooth worms as causing dental decay, an idea that wasn’t proven false until the 1700s!
In ancient Greece, Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry, specifically about treating decaying teeth, but it wasn’t until 1530 that the first book entirely devoted to dentistry—The Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities of the Teeth—was published.
A dentist is a doctor, scientist and clinician dedicated to the highest standards of health through prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases and conditions.
Dentists play a key role in the early detection of oral cancer and other systemic conditions of the body that manifest themselves in the mouth. They often identify other health conditions, illnesses, and other problems that sometimes show up in the oral cavity before they are identified in other parts of the body.
Evaluates the overall health of their patients while advising them about oral health and disease prevention.
Performs clinical procedures, such as exams, fillings, crowns, implants, extractions and corrective surgeries.
Identifies, diagnoses and treats oral conditions.
Performs general dentistry or practices in one of nine dental specialties.
Advances in dental research, including genetic engineering, the discovery of links between oral and systemic diseases, the development of salivary diagnostics and the continued development of new materials and techniques, make dentistry an exciting, challenging and rewarding profession.
Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing or replacing teeth. The main goal of restorative dentistry is to improve oral health and chewing function.
General dentists — sometimes called family dentists — perform restorative dentistry. Examples of restorative dental procedures include crowns, bridges, implants and dentures.
You may need restorative dentistry if you have:
Cavities/tooth decay.
Damaged or broken teeth.
Missing teeth.
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