Dental Technology is a branch of medicine that is involved in the study of the prevention and treatment of dental disorders, conditions and diseases. This also includes the study and the diagnosis of the same for the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and other associated parts. This usually seeks to ensure that one is healthy and the relevant parts perform their function well. A doctor in the field of dentistry is called a dentist and has a support team that includes dental technicians, dental therapists and dental assistants among others.
For one to practice dental technology, they must finish a bachelor degree, which is then followed by an additional four years for one to qualify as Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). There is need for more training to ensure that a dentist carries out complex treatments especially in a certain specialty. After completion of education and training, dentists receive licenses that allow them to practice. A dentist cannot go into dental technology practice without a license.
Dental technology involves important practices that relate to the oral cavity. Majority of treatments are done to ensure the prevention of two main diseases. These are the periodontal disease, which is a gum disease or pyorrhea and dental caries, which is tooth decay. The procedures involved can be such fillings, tooth extraction and surgical removal of completely damaged teeth, scaling to prevent gum disease and root canals to treat teeth with abscess.
Nine different specialties are recognized by the American Dental association. These are:
Public health dentistry
Maxillofacial and oral pathology
Maxillofacial and oral surgery
Maxillofacial and oral radiology
Orthodontics
Periodontics
Pediatric dentistry
General dentistry
Endodontics
Dentists therefore can choose to specialize in any of these fields in dental technology, which will allow them to handle patients whose problems relate to their field. Dental technology uses dental equipment and dental medicine in the performance of different dental procedures on patients. For every procedure, there is specific equipment and some are even in use for more than one procedure. This practice seeks to provide patients with the chance of having healthy, functional and appealing maxillofacial and oral cavities.
