Oral and Dental Health
Oral and Dental Health
Oral and Dental Health: The Key to Our Overall Well-being
Oral and dental diseases are linked to many conditions that directly affect our overall health. Therefore, maintaining oral and dental health is crucial for our general well-being and quality of life. Our mouth and teeth, which we actively use as tools of communication while smiling, speaking, and making facial expressions, also have a significant impact on our self-confidence and social relationships. Preserving and improving oral and dental health requires a multidisciplinary team effort. This team includes dentists, oral and dental health technicians, dental prosthetics technicians, physiotherapists, and, when necessary, nurses. There are also various specialties such as endodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, implantology, prosthetics, and orthodontics.
Oral Implantology: Modern Solutions for Tooth Loss
Oral implants range from a single tooth implant to complex dental appliances that include multiple dental implants. Dentists and prosthetics specialists collaborate in the creation and application of implants. After comprehensive X-rays, computed tomography, measurements, and examinations, the surgeon decides which type of implant will be applied. The types of implants are as follows:
Endosteal Implants: These implants are placed in the jawbone and can be used for a single prosthetic tooth or multiple prosthetic teeth. They are the most commonly used type of implant.
Subperiosteal Implants: These implants are placed under the periosteum, the outermost layer of the bone, and are suitable for supporting prosthetics by distributing the force across the entire bone.
Transosteal Implants: These implants pass through the jawbone and can be placed along the length of the jawbone, creating a base for prosthetic teeth. They are typically used when other implant options are insufficient.
Endodontic Implants: Also known as endodontic stabilizers, these implants are usually applied to unstable and loose teeth. A screw system is placed in the tooth root to stabilize the tooth.
In cases where the jawbone is too thin or weak to place an implant, bone grafting procedures can be used to prepare the bone for treatment. Implant pins and frameworks can be made from various materials such as titanium, zirconia, polymers, and composites. Implant surgery is a process completed in stages, usually as an outpatient procedure that does not require hospitalization. The recovery time can vary depending on the implant used and the patient's condition.
Implant Process: Stages and Recovery
The surgeon removes the problematic tooth and prepares the bone tissue where the implant will be placed. After the implant is placed, a healing period is required for the bone to cover the implant and create a solid base for the prosthesis. During this period, a temporary dental prosthesis may be used for aesthetic purposes. Once healing is complete, a piece called an abutment is placed on the implant. The patient and the dentist will decide together whether the prosthesis will be fixed or removable. Implant surgery generally proceeds without complications, but factors such as smoking and poor oral hygiene can negatively impact the healing process.
Oral, Dental, and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Broad Specialty
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the mouth, jaw, face, and neck. This field includes the treatment of head and neck cancers, salivary gland diseases, facial asymmetry, facial fractures, facial trauma, correction of facial pain, and congenital abnormalities such as cleft lip and palate. It also deals with various issues affecting the oral mucosa, including temporomandibular joint disorders, impacted tooth extractions, jaw cysts, and tumors.
Surgical Procedures and Recovery Process
Before the surgical procedure, the patient's symptoms, medical history, and current medications are evaluated. Detailed examinations such as dental X-rays or 3D scans are conducted. Some surgeries are performed in an outpatient setting, allowing the patient to return home the same day, while others may require multiple surgeries as part of the treatment plan. The surgeon determines the type of anesthesia to be used and may use sutures to close the surgical wound. Post-operative side effects such as short-term bleeding, bruising, and swelling may occur. These side effects are usually temporary and heal under medical supervision.
Endodontics: Preserving the Inner Structure of the Tooth
Endodontics is a branch of dentistry focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases affecting the dental pulp, root, and surrounding tissues. The treatment of pulpitis is planned based on the condition of the tooth's internal tissues. If the dental fibers are still alive, the inflammation of the pulp tissue can be treated. However, necrotic pulp tissue is an irreversible condition. Endodontic treatment is the most common method used to save the tooth, with root canal therapy being the most common procedure in this field.
Root Canal Therapy: A Procedure to Save the Tooth
Root canal therapy is used to treat inflammation in the center of the tooth. This procedure is painless and can save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted. Inflammation requiring root canal therapy can occur in teeth damaged by cavities, leaking fillings, or trauma. Symptoms such as sensitivity to hot and cold, pain when biting or chewing, are signs of the need for root canal therapy. As the inflammation progresses, the pain may decrease, but this indicates that the infection has spread to the root canal. During root canal therapy, local anesthesia is used to ensure a painless procedure. After the bacteria are removed, the tooth is sealed with a filling, and the surrounding inflamed tissue heals. Root canal therapy allows the tooth to function without problems for a long time.
Professional Support for Your Oral and Dental Health
Oral and dental health is a fundamental part of our overall health. Each dental specialty is important for maintaining a healthy and aesthetic smile. You can benefit from personalized solutions by contacting our team of professional dentists for the treatment and care you need. We provide all the services necessary for a healthy mouth and an aesthetic smile.