Summary

Dear Colleagues,

Dentistry is a specialty of medicine. This branch studies the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity. The oral cavity contains the dentition (i.e., development and arrangement of teeth), the periodontal tissues, the oral mucosa, and adjacent and related structures and tissues, particularly in the associated maxillofacial area. The dentistry field includes teeth and other aspects of the craniofacial complex, including the temporomandibular joint and other supporting, muscular, lymphatic, nervous, vascular, and anatomical structures.

Oral health reflects the overall health condition, lifestyle, and oral hygiene. Naturally, therefore, the oral cavity hosts microorganisms that interact with the oral environment. This complex dynamic interaction results in microbial colonization and subsequent oral biofilm formation. When dysbiosis happens, biofilms are responsible for many oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis, and halitosis. Dental caries, commonly referred to as tooth decay or cavities, are among the most widespread human diseases today and are also some of the most preventable. Dental caries are caused by oral biofilms that metabolize carbohydrates and produce acids. The produced acids provoke demineralization of the tooth and eventually penetrate the tooth to the softer mineral within the dentin.

Dr. Rahiotis Christos
Collection Editor

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Editor
Christos Rahiotis

Institution: Faculty of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Goudi, Athens, Greece

Interests: dental caries; dental materials; dentin hypersensitivity; restorative dentistry, sports dentistry

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