Dentistry: Contemporary Insights

Dentistry is a branch of medicine concerned with the treatment and prevention of oral diseases, including the diseases of the teeth, conditions of the soft tissues of the mouth and disorders of the supporting structures. The correction of any malformation of the jaw, birth anomalies of the oral cavity including cleft palate and misalignment of the teeth is also treated within the domain of dentistry. It has a number of subspecialties, such as orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, endodontics, maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, etc. Orthodontics encompasses the correction and prevention of the malocclusion of the teeth and dentofacial incongruities. The diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the periodontal tissues, such as jaws, gums and related contiguous structures, which surround the teeth and support it falls under the domain of periodontics. The correction of any condition to restore oral function and appearance by the replacement of contiguous tissues and replacement of missing teeth with prostheses and other artificial substitutes is under the scope of prosthodontics. This book attempts to understand the multiple branches that fall under the discipline of dentistry and how such concepts have practical applications. The various studies that are constantly contributing towards advancing technologies and evolution of this field are examined in detail. Students, researchers, experts and all associated with dentistry will benefit alike from this book.