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Costa Rica Dentists

Dentists are the medical practitioners of the soft tissues and the teeth in the mouth and is considered highly important for overall health. Medical doctors in this field of practice are called dentists. Other professional involved in the practice of oral health service are dental assistants, hygienists, technicians and therapists.

Dentists deal with the study and practice of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the mouth, the maxilla, and the face.

This specialty encompasses very important practices related to the oral cavity. The most common treatments involve surgery of the teeth as a treatment for caries or cavities. Decayed teeth can be filled with amalgam, composite, porcelain and precious or non-precious metals. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a more specialized form of oral surgery. Dentists can prescribe medication, radiographs (X-rays), and devices for home or in-office use. Most general practitioners of dentistry perform restorative, prosthetic, endodontic, periodontal and exodontias therapies, as well as examinations. Many treat complex cases, as well as placing implants and extracting third molars (wisdom teeth). All dentists must achieve a certain degree of skill in various disciplines in order to graduate from dental school and become accredited as dentist.

Dentists also teach prevention of dental cavities through proper hygiene (tooth brushing and flossing), fluoride, and tooth polishing. Dental sealants are plastic materials applied to one or more teeth, for the intended purpose of preventing dental cavities or other forms of tooth decay.

Dentists Specialize in the Following Fields

In addition to general dentistry, there are about nine generally recognized specialties Worldwide. To become a specialist in the United States requires training in a residency or advanced graduate training program. Once residency is completed, the dentist is granted a certificate of specialty training.

* Dental public health (study of dental epidemiology and social health policies),

* Endodontics (root canal therapy and study of diseases of the dental pulp),

* Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology(study, diagnosis, and sometimes the treatment of oral and maxillofacial related diseases),

* Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (study and radiologic interpretation of oral and maxillofacial diseases),

* Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (extractions, implants, and facial surgery),

* Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics (straightening of teeth and modification of midface and mandibular growth),

* Periodontics (study and treatment of diseases of the periodontium (non-surgical and surgical), and placement and maintenance of implants),

* Pediatric dentistry (i.e. dentistry for children, formerly known as "pedodontics"),

* Prosthodontics (dentures, bridges and the restoration of implants. Some prosthodontists further their training in "oral and maxillofacial prosthodontics"--a discipline focused on the replacement of missing facial structures—such as ears, eyes, nose, etc.)

Specialists in these fields are designated registrable (U.S. "Board Eligible") and can use professional designations such as orthodontist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, endodontist, pediatric dentist, periodontist, or prosthodontist by satisfying certain local (U.S. "Board Certified"), or registry requirements.

Other training programs in this specialty field exists where no postgraduate formal university training is required: cosmetic dentistry, dental implant, temporo-mandibular joint therapy. These usually require the attendance of one or more continuing education courses that typically last for one to several days. There are restrictions on allowing these dentists to call themselves specialists in these fields. The specialist titles are titles issued and controlled by the local dental licensing bodies.