Dental and Oral Biology

Root canal therapy involves removing infected or decayed pulp tissue from the tooth's interior, cleaning the canals, and filling them to save the tooth. Endodontics is the specialty. Periodontitis affects gums, fillings restore cavities, and bridges replace missing teeth.

Scaling is the professional removal of hardened plaque (tartar/calculus) from tooth surfaces both above and below the gumline. This preventive procedure requires dental instruments and training. Bridges replace teeth, periodontitis is gum disease, and endodontics treats pulp.

An endodontist specializes in root canal therapy and treating diseases of the tooth pulp and tissues inside the tooth. They focus on saving natural teeth through procedures that treat infected or damaged pulp. Maxillofacial surgeons do extractions, orthodontists straighten teeth, and prosthodontists replace teeth.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dental specialists who extract teeth and surgically treat diseases, injuries, and defects of the jaw and mouth. They perform complex surgical procedures including wisdom teeth extraction, jaw surgery, and treating facial trauma. Their training extends beyond general dentistry to include surgical interventions.

Orthodontists specialize in correcting malocclusion (improper positioning of teeth) using braces, aligners, and other orthodontic appliances. They focus on straightening teeth and correcting bite problems. This is different from maxillofacial surgery (surgical), periodontics (gums), or prosthodontics (replacement).

Pediatric dentists specialize in providing dental care specifically for infants, children, and adolescents. They have additional training in child psychology and growth and development to address the unique dental needs of young patients. This differs from endodontics (root canals), orthodontics (straightening), or prosthodontics (replacement).

A periodontist specializes in treating diseases and conditions affecting the gums and other supporting structures of the teeth. Unlike orthodontists who focus on teeth alignment or endodontists who treat tooth pulp and root canals, periodontists specifically address gum disease, periodontal pockets, and dental implant placement in compromised bone.

A prosthodontist specializes in designing and fitting artificial devices that replace missing teeth or restore oral function. This includes dentures, bridges, crowns, and dental implants. Unlike periodontists who treat gum disease or orthodontists who align teeth, prosthodontists focus on prosthetic restoration and rehabilitation.

Trauma from occlusion causes widening of periodontal ligaments and thickening of lamina dura.

Trauma from occlusion does not affect epithelial attachment or marginal gingival. Though, it causes enamel wear, cemental tear and widening of PDL along with thickening of lamina dura.

Dental plaque is a also termed as a biofilm found on tooth surfaces.

Oblique fibres are the largest group among the principal fibres and they are also the ones which bear the brunt of vertical masticatory stresses. They convert them into tension on the alveolar bone.

Horizontal component of the furcation is the parameter that governs the major classification systems of furcation involvement. Naber's probe is specially designed to assess the horizontal component only.

All the above mentioned drugs can cause hyperplasia of gingival. Anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers and immune suppressants are the drugs commonly responsible for the same.

Stippling though a feature of attached gingival is seen in only 40% of the individuals.