What is preventive dentistry?

Taking care of our teeth and gums is vital to protect our health, well-being and quality of life. Having healthy teeth facilitates functions as important as chewing and swallowing. In addition, a beautiful smile builds our self-esteem and consolidates self-confidence.

However, sometimes it is not enough to worry about our good oral hygiene or visit the dentist regularly, our teeth can be damaged by multiple causes. Cavities are the most common problem, but we can also suffer breaks due to trauma, experience dental wear and tear or suffer developmental disorders. In these cases, conservative and restorative dentistry comes into play.

Conservative dentistry, by definition, includes all those treatments that are used to preserve natural teeth and prevent their extraction, even if they are damaged. Basically, its main objective is to heal and "restore" the damaged hard tissues of the piece to return it to its normal anatomy, recover its function and improve dental aesthetics.

Conservative dentistry: what does it mean?

In conservative and preventive dentistry, different treatments are applied, depending on the degree of damage that the dental piece presents:

• Composite restorations: Through this treatment, the dental tissue that has been lost is replaced by cleaning the dental cavity and filling it with composite, a special type of resin that resembles tooth enamel.
• Composite veneers: Composite veneers are placed on top of the tooth, generally on broken or heavily worn pieces, avoiding having to carve them. It is a less invasive and painless treatment than crowns, providing an appearance similar to natural teeth.
• Dental inlays: This treatment is used when there is moderate tooth loss, usually in the back teeth that are more difficult to restore with composite. It is a more conservative option than crowns because it is not necessary to carve the piece and materials such as composite or ceramic can be used.
• Porcelain crowns: Also known as porcelain covers, it is a fixed prosthesis that is placed on the outside of the dental piece when it is badly damaged or has significant wear. Made with resins, ceramics or zirconium, they are cemented on top of the tooth, maintaining its root, to improve its shape and function.

What do you have to study to practice conservative and preventive dentistry?

Conservative, restorative, or preventive dentistry is part of the field of dentistry, so these treatments must be performed by a professional who has completed a degree in dentistry. At Universidad Europea, we offer the degree in dentistry in Valencia and the degree in dentistry in Madrid.

Although the dentist is the professional who performs conservative and restorative dentistry, they usually do not carry out the treatment alone. They generally have the help of clinical assistants and/or the intervention of dental technicians and hygienists, professionals who play a supporting role in treatment.

If you are interested in career opportunities in oral hygiene and would like to work in this sector, at Universidad Europea you will receive a modern and up-to-date training. Our academic model is based on experiential learning, meaning you will get the chance to put the theory into practice at every available opportunity. This is done via internships and work placements at our University Clinics, but also taking part in practical sessions at our Simulated Hospital on campus, for example.