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Dentistry

The branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity, including teeth, gums, and supporting structures.

Tooth Anatomy

Tooth Anatomy is an essential biology topic covering living systems, from cellular processes to ecosystems.

Key points: Structure and function, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based management.

Dental Caries

Dental Caries is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal Disease is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Structure and function, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based management.

Dental Materials

Dental Materials is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Oral Pathology

Oral Pathology is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Endodontics

Endodontics is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Oral Surgery

Oral Surgery is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Key Formulas & Equations

Dean's Fluorosis Index: 0 = Normal; 1 = Questionable; 2 = Very Mild; 3 = Mild; 4 = Moderate; 5 = Severe
DMFT Index: DMFT = Decayed + Missing + Filled Teeth
Caries Risk Assessment: Risk = f(Bacteria, Diet, Saliva, Fluoride, Time)
Pharmacokinetics (Local Anesthesia): Max dose (mg) = Weight(kg) × Dose(mg/kg)
Lidocaine max: 4.4 mg/kg (with epi: 7 mg/kg)
Percent Solution: % = (grams of solute / 100 mL solution)
Radiography Exposure: Exposure ∝ kVp² × mA × time
Inverse Square Law: I₁/I₂ = (d₂/d₁)²
Film Speed: Faster film → Lower radiation dose required
Periodontal Screening: PSI Code 0-4 based on bleeding, calculus, pocket depth
Community Periodontal Index (CPI): 0 = Healthy; 1 = Bleeding; 2 = Calculus; 3 = 4-5mm pocket; 4 = ≥6mm pocket

Core Concepts

Tooth Anatomy

Structure of teeth: enamel (hardest substance in body), dentin, pulp (nerves and blood vessels), cementum, and periodontal ligament. Each tooth type has specific morphology and function.

Dental Caries

Tooth decay caused by acid-producing bacteria (mainly Streptococcus mutans) that demineralize enamel. Progresses from enamel to dentin to pulp if untreated.

Periodontal Disease

Inflammation and infection of the supporting structures of teeth. Gingivitis (reversible) can progress to periodontitis (irreversible bone loss).

Dental Materials

Materials used in restorative dentistry: amalgam, composite resins, glass ionomer cements, ceramics, and gold alloys. Each has specific properties, indications, and limitations.

Oral Pathology

Study of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. Includes infections, tumors, autoimmune diseases, and developmental anomalies.

Orthodontics

Diagnosis and correction of malpositioned teeth and jaws. Uses braces, aligners, and other appliances to apply controlled forces for tooth movement.

Endodontics

Treatment of the dental pulp and tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. Root canal therapy removes infected pulp and seals the canal system.

Oral Surgery

Surgical procedures including tooth extractions, implant placement, bone grafting, and treatment of jaw fractures and pathology.

Worked Examples

Example 1: DMFT Index Calculation

Problem: A patient has 3 decayed teeth, 2 missing teeth, and 5 filled teeth. Calculate DMFT score.

Solution:

DMFT = Decayed + Missing + Filled = 3 + 2 + 5 = 10

Interpretation: Moderate caries experience (average adult DMFT ≈ 6-12)

Example 2: Local Anesthesia Dosage

Problem: A 70 kg patient needs lidocaine. Calculate maximum safe dose (4.4 mg/kg).

Solution:

Max dose = 70 kg × 4.4 mg/kg = 308 mg

2% lidocaine = 20 mg/mL → 308/20 = 15.4 mL maximum volume

Example 3: Radiography Exposure

Problem: If exposure time is doubled while keeping kVp and mA constant, how does patient dose change?

Solution:

Exposure ∝ time → Doubling time doubles the patient dose

Practice Problems

Problem 1

A child has 2 decayed, 0 missing, and 4 filled teeth. Calculate the dmft score.

Answer: dmft = 2 + 0 + 4 = 6

Problem 2

Calculate maximum articaine dose for a 50 kg patient (7 mg/kg max).

Answer: 50 × 7 = 350 mg

Problem 3

A patient has 5 teeth with periodontal pockets ≥6mm. What is their CPI score for those teeth?

Answer: CPI = 4 (severe periodontal disease)

Problem 4

Convert 5% sodium fluoride solution to mg/mL.

Answer: 5% = 5 g/100 mL = 50 mg/mL

Problem 5

If the distance from radiation source doubles, how does intensity change?

Answer: Intensity decreases to 1/4 (inverse square law)

Problem 6

A patient needs 1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine. How many mg of lidocaine will they receive?

Answer: 2% = 20 mg/mL → 1.8 × 20 = 36 mg

Problem 7

Calculate the DMFT for a patient with 0 decayed, 1 missing, 3 filled teeth.

Answer: DMFT = 0 + 1 + 3 = 4

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