General dentistry involves preventing, detecting and treating diseases and injuries of the teeth and the mouth and jaw area (e.g. periodontal disease, tooth decay, tooth loss and jaw dysfunction).
Key areas include prophylaxis (dental hygiene), full and partial tooth replacement and aesthetic dentistry, as well as tooth realignment for adolescents (and increasingly for adults) and after accidents. Dentists mostly work closely with specialists in dental technology (dentures, crowns) and oral and maxillofacial surgery (especially after injuries).