Most of us have made a trip to a dentist's office at least once, either to tend to an aching tooth or to get a solution to your problem of bad breath.
While a dentist is famous for these services, they offer many other specialized services to give you that million dollar smile.
Here's a roundup of the varied responsibilities of a dentist.
Oral health and hygiene - This is the primary responsibility of a dentist.
It includes preventive care as well routine cleanings.
Dentists advise and guide patients on the different aspects of tooth and gum care.
He also performs routine cleanings at a patient's request getting rid of plaque and tartar buildup.
During routine cleanings, dental professionals examine the teeth and gums for signs of decay or disease and offer solutions for the same.
Tooth Extractions and Fillings - Cavities are a common result of eating foods rich in sugar and acids.
In many cases, it is the result of poor oral care.
Deep holes develop on the surface of the affected tooth.
If cavities are left untreated, they worsen and cause immense pain and discomfort.
Tooth extraction and filling are two main dental procedures to solve this problem.
After cleaning, the decay is filled either with zinc, silver or amalgam (a composite of zinc, mercury, tin, silver and copper).
If the tooth is beyond repair, it is extracted.
Root Canal - Dental procedures for a decaying tooth are not limited to fillings and extractions.
There is another slightly complex procedure called the root canal treatment or Endodontics in dental jargon.
Almost all dentists offer this service.
Compared to fillings and extractions, it is a better and more effective solution as it tackles the infection at the root dispensing with the need to extract it.
Thus, there is no difference in the bite.
After the procedure is completed, the remainder tooth is fitted with a crown.
It makes the tooth stronger.
Not only this, it preserves the natural look of the tooth making it hard to see it has been worked on.
Crowns are available in different materials.
Teeth Alignment - Misaligned teeth including crooked ones, widely-spaced teeth or crowded teeth can spoil the most beautiful, dimpled smile.
Dentists offer orthodontic treatments to correct teeth alignment and give you a decent set of pearly whites.
There are traditional braces made of metal, plastic and ceramic.
There is another more modern orthodontic treatment on the same lines called Invisalign.
It is a 3D imaging technology.
Invisalign are clear aligners and make a suitable alternative for traditional braces.
Bridges, Dental Implants and Dentures - These services are offered by professional dentists called periodontists.
Bridging is a dental procedure recommended to replace a missing tooth.
Fitting dental implants is a surgical procedure in the field of dentistry.
It involves fixing an artificial tooth permanently into a person's jaw.
Dentures on the other hand, are mostly chosen by senior members who have lost all their teeth due to old age and need a complete set to bite and talk with ease.
Unlike dental implants and bridges, dentures are removable.
Teeth Whitening - Yellow and stained teeth can be a major embarrassment in public.
Dentists offer teeth whitening and polishing services enabling you to flaunt your pearly whites.
They clean the tartar and bleach the teeth thereby achieve a set of pure white teeth.
Although the list mentions quite a number of services, again these are just the important and popular ones.
If suffer dental problems and want to find out which procedure will work for you, you should consult your doctor at the earliest.