This document provides an overview of the various branches of dentistry, including oral pathology, oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pedodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, conservative and endodontics, prosthodontics, community dentistry, forensic odontology, and cosmetic dentistry. It describes the focus and procedures involved in each specialty area. The document was written by Dr. Manjula, a dental surgeon, as an informational overview of the field of dentistry.

1. Dentistry It is defined as the branch of medicine dealing with the anatomy and development and diseases of the teeth .

2. BranchesOral Pathology.Oral Medicine & RadiologyOral & Maxillo Facial Surgery.Pedodontics.Periodontics.Orthodontics.

3. Conservative & Endodontics.Prosthodontics.Forensic Odontology.Cosmetic Dentistry.Community Dentistry.

4. Oral Pathology Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and pathology which deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions.

5. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes research, diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical or other examinations, and management of patients.

6. Oral Medicine & RadiologyOral Diagnosis is the art of using scientific knowledge to identify oral disease processes & to distinguish one disease from another. Oral Medicine is concerned with the oral health care of medically compromised patients & with the diagnosis & non-surgical management of conditions affecting the oral & maxillofacial region.

8. Oral & Maxillo Facial SurgeryOral and Maxillofacial surgery is surgery to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. It is an internationally recognized surgical specialty.

10. Pedodontics The branch of dentistry that deals with the care and treatment of children's teeth.

11. PeriodonticsPeriodontology or Periodontics is the specialty of dentistry that studies supporting structures of teeth, diseases, and conditions that affect them..

13. Orthodontics Orthodontics, is the first specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both.

14. Orthodontic treatment can focus on dental displacement only, or can deal with the control and modification of facial growth. In the latter case it is better defined as "dentofacial orthopaedics". Orthodontic treatment can be carried out for purely aesthetic reasons with regards to improving the general appearance of patients' teeth.

16. Conservative & EndodonticsA branch of dentistry that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the diseases affecting dental pulp, root and periapical tissues. Restoring a tooth portion affected by dental caries, root canal treatment of the tooth whose dental pulp is infected etc. are some of the commonly performed treatment procedures in Endodontics.

18. ProsthodonticsA branch of dentistry that deals with the restoration and maintenance of oral structures with structures and materials such as dentures and bridges. This branch deals with restoration of the missing teeth, either by using fixed or removable dentures, dental implants etc.

20. Community dentistryBased on community management of dental health, and mass education of dental hygiene, conducting surveys and researching about the dental health in large communities, organizing dental camps etc.

21. Forensic dentistryForensic dentistry or forensic Odontology is the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence, which will be then presented in the interest of justice. The evidence that may be derived from teeth, is the age (in children) and identification of the person to whom the teeth belong. This is done using dental records including radiographs, ante-mortem (prior to death) and post-mortem photographs and DNA.

22. Thank you…Dr.Manjula BDS. Dental Surgeon.