In medical science and dentistry, what is the technical name for the study of teeth and their structure, development and diseases?

Introduction / Context:
Medical terminology often uses specialised Greek and Latin roots that can be confusing at first glance. Understanding these roots can help you quickly identify the meaning of many technical terms. This question asks specifically about the term used for the scientific study of teeth, which is important in dentistry and oral health research.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about the formal name for the study of teeth.
• Several other fields, such as pedagogy and ornithology, are listed as distractors.
• We assume the learner has encountered at least some of these terms in general science or medical awareness topics.

Concept / Approach:
The term odontology comes from the Greek word "odous" or "odont", meaning tooth. It refers to the scientific study of teeth, including their structure, development, function and diseases. Dentists and dental researchers rely on odontology to understand how to diagnose and treat tooth related conditions. Other listed terms belong to different disciplines: pedagogy concerns education, ornithology is the study of birds, orthoepy deals with correct pronunciation and dermatology is about skin. Only odontology is directly connected to teeth.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the common root "odont" as relating to teeth and dental science. Step 2: Recall that odontology is frequently mentioned in connection with dentistry and forensic identification using teeth. Step 3: Compare the other terms: pedagogy is used in discussions about teaching methods, ornithology appears in zoology chapters about birds, orthoepy is related to speech and pronunciation and dermatology is a medical specialty focused on skin. Step 4: Recognise that only odontology clearly matches the study of teeth. Step 5: Select odontology as the correct term for the scientific study of teeth.

Verification / Alternative check:
Medical dictionaries and dental science textbooks define odontology as the study of the teeth and their supporting structures. Forensic odontology is an established subfield where teeth are used to identify human remains. None of the other terms are used in dental contexts. This consistent use of the word odontology in association with teeth confirms that it is the accurate answer to the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Pedagogy is the science and art of teaching and has no specific relation to teeth. Ornithology is the branch of zoology that studies birds, not human teeth. Orthoepy is concerned with correct pronunciation and speech sounds rather than dental anatomy. Dermatology focuses on the skin, hair and nails, and does not primarily deal with teeth.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may confuse odontology with orthodontics, which is a dental specialty dealing with the correction of irregular teeth and jaws. While the words are related through the "odont" root, odontology is a broader scientific study of teeth, and orthodontics is a clinical branch within dentistry. To minimise confusion, remember that odontology ends with "logy", like many other scientific disciplines, indicating a general field of study, whereas "dontics" often appears in clinical specialties within dental practice.

Final Answer:
The technical name for the study of teeth is Odontology, which is the scientific study of teeth.