1.1 Dental Caries (Tooth Decay / Cavities)

Description: A progressive, bacteria-induced disease that demineralizes and destroys the hard tissues of the tooth (enamel, dentin, cementum), caused by prolonged exposure to acids produced by sugar-fermenting bacteria in dental plaque. Early caries is often asymptomatic, while advanced lesions cause tooth pain, sensitivity to hot/cold/sweet stimuli, and visible cavities on the tooth surface.

Common Treatments:

• Professional Fluoride Treatment: Topical fluoride application to remineralize early, non-cavitated enamel lesions and halt decay progression.
• Dental Filling (Restoration): Removal of decayed tooth tissue, followed by filling the cavity with biocompatible materials (composite resin, amalgam, glass ionomer cement) to restore tooth shape and masticatory function.
• Inlay/Onlay: Custom lab-fabricated indirect restorations for moderate-to-large caries that cannot be adequately repaired with direct fillings, bonded permanently to the tooth.

1.2 Pulpitis (Dental Pulp Inflammation)

Description: Inflammation of the dental pulp (the soft inner tissue of the tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue), most commonly triggered by untreated deep caries, dental trauma, or repeated dental procedures.

Categories:

• Reversible pulpitis: Mild inflammation, pain resolves once the stimulus is removed
• Irreversible pulpitis: Severe, persistent inflammation with spontaneous pain (worse at night) that cannot be resolved with conservative care

Common Treatments:

• Pulp Capping: For reversible pulpitis with minimal pulp exposure, a protective medicament is placed over the pulp to preserve its vitality and promote healing.
• Root Canal Treatment (RCT / Endodontic Therapy): The gold-standard treatment for irreversible pulpitis and pulp necrosis.

1.3 Periapical Periodontitis / Periapical Abscess

Description: An inflammatory/infectious condition affecting the tissues surrounding the tooth root apex, almost always secondary to untreated irreversible pulpitis or pulp necrosis.

Common Treatments:

• Root Canal Retreatment: Re-cleaning and re-sealing of the root canal system for failed previous RCT with persistent periapical infection.
• Apicoectomy (Surgical Endodontics): Minor surgery to remove the infected root apex and surrounding diseased tissue.
• Incision and Drainage (I&D): For large abscesses with significant swelling, to drain pus and relieve acute symptoms.

2.1 Gingivitis

Description: The earliest, mildest form of periodontal disease, characterized by inflammation of the gingiva (gums) caused by plaque and tartar (calculus) accumulation along the gum line.

Common Treatments:

• Professional Dental Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning): Full removal of plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces and the gum line.
• Antiseptic Mouth Rinse: Chlorhexidine or antimicrobial rinses to reduce bacterial load and resolve inflammation.

2.2 Periodontitis

Description: A progressive chronic inflammatory disease that extends beyond the gingiva to damage the underlying periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone — the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Common Treatments:

• Scaling and Root Planing (SRP / Deep Cleaning): Non-surgical gold-standard treatment for periodontitis.
• Periodontal Flap Surgery (Open Flap Debridement): Surgical procedure for moderate-to-severe periodontitis with deep pockets.
• Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) / Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR): Surgical techniques using barrier membranes and bone grafts.
• Periodontal Maintenance Therapy: Regular follow-up visits (every 3–6 months) to monitor periodontal health.

Tooth Loss

Description: Partial or complete loss of natural teeth, most commonly caused by severe periodontitis, untreated caries, dental trauma, or congenital tooth absence.

Common Treatments:

• Dental Implant: The gold-standard treatment for single/multiple tooth loss.
• Fixed Dental Bridge: A permanent restoration for 1–2 consecutive missing teeth.
• Removable Partial Denture (RPD): A removable appliance with artificial teeth attached to a metal/acrylic framework.
• Complete Denture (Full Denture): A removable acrylic appliance that replaces an entire arch of missing teeth.

Description: Misalignment of the teeth and/or jaws resulting in an improper bite relationship, classified by Angle’s system into Class I, Class II, and Class III.

Common Treatments:

• Fixed Orthodontic Treatment (Braces): Traditional metal/ceramic brackets bonded to tooth surfaces.
• Clear Aligner Therapy: A series of custom-made, removable, transparent plastic aligners.
• Orthognathic Surgery: Combined surgical-orthodontic treatment for severe skeletal dentofacial deformities.