Periodontology
Periodontology is the specialty of dentistry that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases.
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by bacterial infection that affects the periodontal tissues, primarily the gums and the bone surrounding the teeth to which they attach. Periodontitis is an advancement of gingivitis, as bacteria from dental plaque accumulate and progress deep into the periodontal pockets, causing varying degrees of tissue loss that support the teeth.
The treatment of periodontal disease aims to eliminate the bacterial burden and halt the progression of the disease. Periodontal therapy can vary depending on the extent of destruction of the periodontal tissues and may involve surgical and non-surgical techniques aimed at restoring the health of the soft (gums) and hard (bone) tissues. Once the disease is stabilized and there is no longer inflammation, emphasis is placed on repairing the damage caused by periodontal disease.
Endodontics
Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of damage to the pulp of the tooth.
Endodontic therapy, also known as root canal treatment, aims to address these issues and consequently preserve the function of the tooth in the oral cavity.
Common causes that lead to the need for endodontic treatment include dental caries, trauma, and periodontal disease. Often, teeth with acute pain or abscesses require endodontic treatment. Even teeth that have already undergone root canal treatment may exhibit these symptoms if the treatment was not performed correctly or if not all roots of the tooth were treated. In such cases, retreatment of endodontic therapy is required.
After the completion of the treatment, the tooth is restored with either a filling or a crown.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a distinct specialty in both Medicine and Dentistry that deals with the surgical management of pathological conditions of the oral cavity.
The scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery includes, among other things:
- Tooth extractions
- Surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth and other teeth
- Surgical removal of tumors and cysts of the jaws and oral cavity
- Exposure of impacted teeth for orthodontic reasons
- Placement of dental implants
- Bone grafting for the reconstruction of bone defects and soft tissue deficiencies
- Sinus lift procedures
- Apicoectomy
- Preprosthetic surgery
