A Dental Doctor (Dentist) is a specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of people's tooth and gum diseases and the aesthetic problems within the jaw and mouth. The dentist, who does not settle for only eliminating tooth and gum problems, also provides the necessary information and makes recommendations to protect oral and dental health.
Dentrum Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic offers a high-level service both in tooth and gum diseases and in aesthetic dentistry, with its experienced dentist staff that brings together academic expertise, professional success, and experience in Adana.
What Does a Dentist (Dental Doctor) Do?
The basic duty and responsibility of dentistry is to examine the dental and gum health of children and adults, treat existing problems, take precautions against possible problems, and carry out preventive treatments by raising the patient's awareness. For this purpose:
- To treat decay that occurs in the teeth and to close the cavities caused by decay with fillings,
- To apply the most appropriate anesthesia so that the patient does not feel any pain during treatment, and to prevent the person from developing a fear of the dentist or of dental treatment,
- To perform the treatments necessary for the patient to use their biting, chewing, and speaking functions,
- To extract traumatized (broken) teeth,
- To prescribe the medications deemed necessary in the treatment of dental diseases,
- To raise their patients' awareness about oral and dental care,
- To design and model intraoral equipment such as prostheses, take the measurements of the jaws, and make them most suitable for the patient,
- To closely follow and apply new technologies and approaches in the world regarding oral and dental health,
- Making the models and measurements of intraoral equipment such as prostheses suitable for the patient is among the duties of the dental doctor.
How to Become a Dentist?
Dental doctors graduate from the Faculty of Dentistry at universities, which provides 5 years of education. During their education at the Faculty of Dentistry, they receive theoretical and practical training. They complete their official internships in dental clinics. During the internship, they also begin to deal with the treatment of dental diseases in practice. Afterwards, they continue their educational processes by branching into specialties according to their professional interests.
Characteristics a Dentist (Dental Doctor) Should Have
Dentistry is a profession that requires meticulous and careful work, analytical intelligence, high manual dexterity, and a high ability to concentrate. Therefore, dental doctors;
- Should be able to detect the problems and changes occurring in the patient's mouth and study the case down to the finest detail.
- Should be able to correctly evaluate the symptoms occurring in patients' mouths, teeth, and gums, and should have the knowledge and ability to choose the most accurate treatment.
- Since they will exert physical effort by standing or sitting for a long time during treatment, they need the physical capacity to adapt to these demanding treatments.
- Should be able to establish effective, healthy communication with patients, patient relatives, and employees.
- Should have enough hand coordination to work with instruments in a small and narrow area.
- Treatments can be both long-lasting and require great care and meticulousness. They need the physical and mental strength to manage this process.
- Should make sure that patient records are kept correctly, and should have the attentiveness to carefully follow the patient's condition and developments.
What Does Dental Education Cover?
Dental education is a five-year undergraduate program. Throughout this education, basic knowledge and skills in medical sciences and the field of health are imparted to students. At the Faculty of Dentistry, students receive comprehensive training on oral health, gum diseases, and dental structures, in addition to basic training such as physiology, human anatomy, microbiology, and biochemistry. In addition, practical training is carried out in laboratories to give students clinical skills. In dental practice, students get the chance to develop their abilities in areas such as treatment methods, patient examination, and diagnostic methods.
Students also gain knowledge and experience in some special areas such as surgical treatments, orthodontics, and aesthetic dentistry. During this educational process, professional development is achieved through patient relations and dental practices. Students also get the chance to work on real cases through internships and clinical rotations. In this way, theoretical knowledge begins to be transferred into practice. Students who successfully complete this long and challenging educational process receive the title of dentist and begin to provide oral and dental health services.
What Treatments Do Dentists Perform?
Dentists perform various applications to protect oral health and treat diseases. Here are some treatments performed by dentists:
Dental Examination
Dentists comprehensively evaluate the oral and dental health of patients who come for an examination. They detect existing problems and possible health problems. The diagnosis of tooth decay and gum diseases is made thanks to these examinations. Many problems are prevented before they even occur.
Teeth Cleaning
Dental plaque and tartar are cleaned to prevent future tooth loss and to ensure oral hygiene. Thanks to professional teeth cleaning, dental and gum health is preserved and the risk of decay is largely prevented.
Filling
After the treatment of tooth decay, a filling is made for functional use. The filling process is the filling of the resulting cavities with dental filling material after the decayed tooth is cleaned. In this way, the person is saved from completely losing their decayed tooth, and the functionality of the tooth is preserved.
Root Canal Treatment
Cleaning the infected pulp tissue inside the tooth and then protecting it by filling the cavities is called root canal treatment. It is applied to save the tooth in cases of advanced tooth decay.
Tooth Extraction
When necessary, dentists may decide to extract teeth that cannot be saved. This occurs in irreparable tooth decay and in cases where the tooth threatens general health due to lack of space.
Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatments such as braces and clear aligners are applied to align the teeth. These procedures make the patient look more aesthetically proper.
Dental Prostheses
Dental prostheses are used so that people who lose their permanent natural teeth can regain their speaking and chewing functions. Dental prostheses can be applied in different forms, either completely artificial or like a bridge. There are two types of dental prostheses: fixed and removable.
Aesthetic Dentistry
Thanks to applications such as teeth whitening, laminate veneer, pink aesthetics, and smile design, the person both achieves oral and dental health and has an aesthetically flawless smile.
Gum Treatment
It covers the treatment of diseases and infections that occur in the gums. The health of the gum tissue is of great importance not only for oral and dental health but also for the patient's general health.
Implant
In the event of tooth loss, artificial tooth roots are placed in the jawbone. These screws, usually made of titanium, are called implants. In this way, dental function and aesthetics are restored.
Smile Design
Smile design is a set of procedures applied so that the person gains an aesthetic smile suitable for their own facial features. With smile design, all problems from the alignment of the teeth to shape and color problems are solved.
What Diagnostic and Treatment Tools Do Dentists Use?
Dentists use many different diagnostic and treatment tools while protecting patients' oral and dental health. These tools help make the correct diagnosis and treat the problems in question correctly. If we are to list the tools used by dentists:
X-ray Devices
Dentists use X-ray devices to correctly evaluate the patient's teeth and jaw structure. Thanks to this method, tooth roots, infections, and decay can be easily detected.
Oral Examination Instruments
Mirrors used to see the back surfaces of the teeth, and probes used to detect decay and check tooth surfaces, are among the examination instruments. In addition, the periodontal probe is used to measure the health and depth of the gums.
Teeth Cleaning Instruments
If tartar and plaque are not cleaned, it becomes inevitable to experience significant dental and gum problems. Therefore, manual instruments and ultrasonic cleaners are used to clean plaque and gums.
Restorative and Root Canal Instruments
Dental filling materials and instruments are used to repair decayed or damaged teeth. Root canal instruments are also used to remove the infected tissue inside the tooth and to clean the root canals.
Anesthesia Equipment
One of the most important instruments in dentistry for pain management is anesthesia. Many dental treatments are applied with local anesthesia. In this way, the patient does not feel any pain during treatment and the procedure is carried out much more comfortably.
Dental Implant Tools
When tooth loss occurs, your dentist needs special surgical instruments and techniques to place an implant. These procedures enable the dentist to place artificial tooth roots, i.e., implants, into the jawbone.
Orthodontic Instruments
Brackets, braces, plates, and similar orthodontic tools are used to ensure the correct alignment of the teeth. Thanks to all this orthodontic equipment, the patient's chewing function is improved and an aesthetic appearance is achieved.
Aesthetic Tools
Within the scope of aesthetic dentistry, special whiteners similar to laminate veneer are used for teeth whitening.
Digital Technologies
Today, computer-aided digital dentistry applications are constantly developing and becoming widespread. With three-dimensional scanners, digital imaging systems, and design modeling software, dental problems can be analyzed much more successfully. Especially before aesthetic dental treatments, projections about the appearance the patient will achieve after treatment can be presented.
Where Do Dentists Carry Out Their Work?
Dentists who have graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry can open their own private clinics, as well as continue their careers in other clinics and hospitals. They can work in both private hospitals and state hospitals. By taking the DUS (Dental Specialty Exam), they can receive specialty training in specific fields such as endodontics, orthodontics, and prosthetics.
