Pediatric dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on the oral health of children from infancy through adolescence. Pediatric dentists are specially trained to provide preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants, children, and adolescents. They are also trained to diagnose and treat any dental problems that may arise in children. Pediatric dentists use a variety of treatments to ensure that children's teeth and gums remain healthy.
Here are some of the most common types of pediatric dentistry treatments.
Preventive Care
Preventive care is the cornerstone of pediatric dentistry. It includes regular check-ups, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and dietary counseling. Regular check-ups allow the dentist to monitor the development of the child's teeth and gums and to detect any potential problems early on. Cleanings help remove plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to cavities and gum disease.Fluoride treatments help strengthen the enamel of the teeth, making them more resistant to decay. Sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay. Dietary counseling helps parents understand how certain foods can affect their child's oral health.
Restorative Care
Restorative care is used to repair damaged teeth or replace missing teeth. Common restorative treatments include fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants.Fillings are used to repair cavities caused by tooth decay. Crowns are used to cover a tooth that has been damaged or weakened by decay or trauma. Bridges are used to replace missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth between two healthy teeth. Implants are used to replace missing teeth with artificial roots made of titanium.
Orthodontic Care
Orthodontic care is used to correct misaligned teeth and jaws.Common orthodontic treatments include braces, retainers, and headgear. Braces are metal brackets that are attached to the teeth with wires and elastic bands. They help move the teeth into their proper positions over time. Retainers are removable appliances that help keep the teeth in their new positions after braces have been removed.
Headgear is a device that is worn around the head and neck to help correct severe misalignment of the jaw.
Surgical Care
Surgical care is used to treat more serious dental problems such as impacted teeth or cleft lip/palate. Common surgical treatments include extractions, root canals, and bone grafts. Extractions involve removing a tooth that is too damaged or decayed to be saved. Root canals involve removing the infected pulp from inside a tooth and replacing it with a filling material.Bone grafts involve replacing missing bone in the jaw with donor bone or synthetic material. These are just some of the most common types of pediatric dentistry treatments available today. It is important for parents to understand these treatments so they can make informed decisions about their child's oral health care.
