Dentistry, also known as dental medicine or oral medicine, is a branch of healthcare focused on the study, diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the mouth. This includes the teeth, gums, and the oral mucosa.
Here are some key aspects of dentistry:

• Scope: Dentistry encompasses a wide range of issues, most commonly focusing on the dentition (the development and arrangement of teeth) and the oral mucosa (the lining of the mouth). It can also involve other parts of the craniofacial complex, such as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
• Practitioners: A dentist leads a dental team, which may include dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental technicians, and dental therapists.
• Specialties: Dentistry has several recognized specialties, including:
• Orthodontics: Focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malocclusions (bad bites) and jaw alignment issues using braces, retainers, and other appliances.
• Pediatric Dentistry (Pedodontics): Specializes in the oral health of children from infancy through adolescence.
• Periodontics: Deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, as well as dental implants.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Involves the surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the head, neck, face, jaws, and oral cavity.
• Endodontics: Concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) and surrounding tissues, often involving root canal procedures.
• Prosthodontics: Focuses on the replacement of missing teeth and the restoration of oral structures using dentures, bridges, crowns, and implants.
• Dental Public Health: Deals with the prevention and control of dental diseases and the promotion of oral health through organized community efforts.
• Other recognized specialties in some regions include Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Oral Medicine and Pathology, Dental Anesthesiology, and Special Needs Dentistry.
• Treatments and Procedures: Dentists perform a variety of procedures, including:
• Preventive care: Regular check-ups, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
• Restorative dentistry: Fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants to repair or replace damaged or missing teeth.
• Cosmetic dentistry: Teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, and reshaping to improve the appearance of teeth.
• Orthodontic treatment: Braces and aligners to straighten teeth and correct bite issues.
• Endodontic treatment: Root canals to save teeth with infected pulp.
• Periodontal treatment: Scaling and root planning, and gum surgery to treat gum disease.
• Oral surgery: Extractions, dental implants, and other surgical procedures.
• Dentistry plays a vital role in overall health, as oral health is closely linked to systemic health. Maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are essential for preventing dental problems and ensuring a healthy mouth.