Editing Dentistry (section)

==Dental treatment==
Dentistry usually encompasses practices related to the oral cavity.<ref name=Gambhir2015>{{cite journal| author=Gambhir RS| title=Primary care in dentistry – an untapped potential | journal= Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care| year= 2015 | volume= 4 | issue= 1 | pages= 13–18 | pmid=25810982 | doi=10.4103/2249-4863.152239 | pmc=4366984 | type=Review | doi-access=free }}</ref> According to the [[World Health Organization]], oral diseases are major public health problems due to their high incidence and prevalence across the globe, with the disadvantaged affected more than other socio-economic groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/oral_health/disease_burden/global/en/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040630165431/http://www.who.int/oral_health/disease_burden/global/en/|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 June 2004|title=What is the burden of oral disease?|publisher=[[World Health Organization|WHO]]|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref>

The majority of dental treatments are carried out to prevent or treat the two most common [[Dental disease|oral diseases]], which are [[dental caries]] (tooth decay) and [[periodontal disease]] (gum disease or pyorrhea). Common treatments involve the [[dental restoration|restoration of teeth]], [[dental extraction|extraction]] or surgical removal of teeth, [[scaling and root planing]], endodontic [[endodontic therapy|root canal]] treatment, and [[cosmetic dentistry]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aacd.com/|title=American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry {{!}} Dental CE Courses|website=aacd.com|access-date=2019-10-21}}</ref>

By nature of their general training, dentists, without specialization, can carry out the majority of dental treatments such as restorative (fillings, [[crown (dentistry)|crowns]], [[bridge (dentistry)|bridges]]), prosthetic ([[dentures]]), endodontic (root canal) therapy, periodontal (gum) therapy, and extraction of teeth, as well as performing examinations, radiographs (x-rays), and diagnosis. Dentists can also prescribe [[Medications used in dentistry and periodontics|medications used in the field]] such as [[antibiotic]]s, [[sedative]]s, and any other drugs used in patient management. Depending on their licensing boards, general dentists may be required to complete additional training to perform sedation, dental implants, etc.

[[File:Enamel celiac.jpg|thumb|right|Irreversible enamel defects caused by an untreated celiac disease. They may be the only clue to its diagnosis, even in absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, but are often confused with fluorosis, [[tetracycline]] discoloration, acid reflux or other causes.<ref name=NIHCDdiagnosis>{{cite web|url=https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease/diagnosis |title=Diagnosis of Celiac Disease |publisher=National Institute of Health (NIH) |access-date=6 June 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515223010/https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease/diagnosis |archive-date=15 May 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=http://celiac.nih.gov/PDF/Dental_Enamel_Defects_508.pdf |title=Dental Enamel Defects and Celiac Disease |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305124250/http://celiac.nih.gov/PDF/Dental_Enamel_Defects_508.pdf |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |publisher=National Institute of Health (NIH)}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| vauthors=Pastore L, Carroccio A, Compilato D, Panzarella V, Serpico R, Lo Muzio L| title=Oral manifestations of celiac disease | journal=J Clin Gastroenterol | year= 2008 | volume= 42 | issue= 3 | pages= 224–32 | pmid=18223505 | doi=10.1097/MCG.0b013e318074dd98 | type=Review | hdl=10447/1671 | s2cid=205776755 | hdl-access=free }}</ref> The National Institutes of Health include a dental exam in the diagnostic protocol of [[celiac disease]].<ref name=NIHCDdiagnosis /> ]]

Dentists also encourage the prevention of oral diseases through proper [[hygiene]] and regular, twice or more yearly, checkups for professional cleaning and evaluation. Oral infections and inflammations may affect overall health, and conditions in the oral cavity may be indicative of systemic diseases, such as [[osteoporosis]], [[diabetes]], [[celiac disease]] or [[cancer]].<ref name=Gambhir2015 /><ref name=NIHCDdiagnosis /><ref>{{cite journal| vauthors=Estrella MR, Boynton JR| title=General dentistry's role in the care for children with special needs: a review | journal=Gen Dent | year= 2010 | volume= 58 | issue= 3 | pages= 222–29 | pmid=20478802 | type=Review }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| author=da Fonseca MA| title=Dental and oral care for chronically ill children and adolescents | journal=Gen Dent | year= 2010 | volume= 58 | issue= 3 | pages= 204–09; quiz 210–11 | pmid=20478800 | type=Review  }}</ref> Many studies have also shown that [[gum disease]] is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, [[heart disease]], and [[preterm birth]]. The concept that oral health can affect systemic health and disease is referred to as "oral-systemic health".