Dr. Phani Kumar

A: A dentist is a doctor who practices dentistry. Dentistry involves the mouth, teeth, gums, and related areas. A dentist takes care of the overall oral healthcare. Common procedures performed at the dentist are tooth filling, tooth extraction, cleaning and polishing of teeth, and minor tooth surgeries like root canal treatment. Within dentistry, there are many specializations that require further training.

A: A doctoral degree in the field of dental medicine or dental surgery is required to become a dentist. The pre-requisite for doing a dental course is a 4-year bachelor’s degree in a science related field. Qualifying in the dental admission exam and enrolling in a dental school are the next steps.

A: Bad breath is often due to lack of oral hygiene. In some cases, it may be an indication of some underlying health issue. Consulting a dentist for bad breath is the most logical step. A dentist will perform thorough examination of your teeth and gums to determine the cause of bad breath. Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath.

A: Root canal treatment is a dental procedure followed for advanced decay of tooth that cannot be repaired by filling. In this treatment the tooth pulp is removed, the space is cleaned and filled, and finally a crown is placed on the tooth. The number of sittings for a root canal treatment varies depending on the extent of tooth decay.

A: People who develop wisdom tooth may require extraction at a later time. A dentist is the right person to perform extraction of wisdom tooth. Once you book an appointment for tooth extraction, the dentist will appraise you of the entire procedure and after care. Sedation, numbing, tissue removal, bone removal, and tooth extraction are the steps of wisdom tooth removal.