Pediatric Dentistry / Pedodontics

Pediatric dentistryPedodontics deals with oral and dental problems of children between the ages of 0 and 15. In this context, pedodontic specialists apply many treatments. Oral and dental treatments and related areas evaluated in terms of pediatric dentistry are as follows;

Fluorine Applications

To reduce tooth decay in children, fluoride treatment should be administered by specialists in the field of pediatric dentistry. Fluoride makes the enamel layer into which it penetrates very sensitive to tooth decay. Fluoride is a mineral used to strengthen the tooth enamel of children or adults. This is done because the enamel layer is thinner in milk teeth than in permanent teeth. Since children have a high tendency to caries, the tooth structure is strengthened with fluoride applications. Fluoride is applied to the teeth in the form of a gel and after about 4 minutes, the fluoride accumulated in the mouth is sprayed. Fluoride application is applied to children over the age of 4. In addition, the teeth with the highest risk of decay in children are the six-year-old teeth. It can also be applied to premolars if necessary. Fluoride is an element that prevents tooth decay and strengthens the structure of teeth. 

Fissure Sealant Application

Fissure is the name of the grooves on the tooth surface where bacteria accumulate because they are difficult to clean. The application is performed by physicians specialized in pediatric dentistry. The grooves called fissures on the tooth surface are covered with gel.  

Placeholders

In case of early loss of deciduous teeth, placeholder paste is used so that the alignment of the surrounding teeth does not change and permanent teeth can erupt without space problems. In the absence of missing teeth, a placeholder is applied to protect the area. Depending on the number of missing teeth and the condition of the teeth, the brackets are fixed or removable.

Filling

Milk teeth fillings are preferred to protect both milk teeth and permanent teeth. The belief that deciduous teeth do not require treatment is wrong and if left untreated, it will cause serious problems in the long term. For this reason, sensitive milk teeth filling is a treatment method that cannot be ignored, prioritizing not to damage other teeth during intervention.

Orthodontic Treatments

Early orthodontic treatment may be preferred by pediatric dentists if necessary. Orthodontic treatment can be planned before all the child's milk teeth fall out or before all the permanent teeth erupt. In some cases, it is not necessary to wait for all of the child's milk teeth to erupt before starting orthodontic treatment in children. Although orthodontic treatments can be used at any age, the duration of treatments started in the early stages is shortened. 

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is a type of treatment that can be done to save milk teeth in children. It can be treated on the basis of preventing the loss of milk teeth. Root canal treatment should be done very precisely. Since the roots of milk teeth are sensitive and much shorter than milk teeth, the treatment should be done carefully and by pediatric dentists.

Amputation Treatment

Unlike root canal treatment, in this treatment the infected, inflamed or decaying part is removed and the remaining part is left. If amputation treatment is not effective in children, root canal treatment or tooth extraction is performed. 

Oral and dental problems can often be seen in children during the age of growth and development. Oral and dental problems frequently encountered by specialists specializing in pediatric dentistry are as follows:

Baby Bottle Bruise

Bottle decay is one of the most common problems in pediatric dentistry. Babies sometimes develop brown spots on their teeth shortly after the teeth erupt. These teeth may break and fall out. In fact, these stains are actually decayed teeth and broken teeth due to decay. The cause of caries at such an early stage is called "bottle caries".

Finger Sucking

Another common problem that pediatric dentists see is thumb sucking. Finger sucking is quite common and can become a habit in young children. It usually lasts until the age of four. If this habit continues into the age of permanent teething, it leads to deterioration of the structure of the teeth and palate. These disorders are caused by the pressure of the fingers on the incisors and palate. To prevent such a habit, children should be actively encouraged, rewarded and guided without pressure. If your child does not stop this habit by the age of 6, it is strongly recommended that you seek professional help from a dentist specialized in pediatric dentistry.

Tooth Sensitivity

Another dental problem that pediatric dentists often encounter is early tooth sensitivity. Children's tooth enamel is thinner than adult tooth enamel. For this reason, tooth enamel in children is much more sensitive to abrasion and sensitivity. As a result of the enamel wearing down to a great extent, the problem of tooth decay begins. It causes nutritional problems as well as tooth loss in children. 

Early diagnosis and diagnosis is important in pediatric dental treatment. It is very important for families, children and the doctor to diagnose some dental and oral problems seen in children at the earliest stage. Early diagnosis of a dental problem by a pedodontist reduces the financial and moral burden of families. Children may tend to go to the doctor with higher motivation as the treatment period will be shorter. Early diagnosis also increases the success and satisfaction rate in treatment.

The development of the mouth and teeth starts in childhood. Some genetic factors can cause various oral and dental disorders. For this reason, it is very important to diagnose this condition in a pediatric dentistry clinic in time to detect disorders in the tooth structure and jawbone and to apply early treatment. 

Pediatric dentists monitor the oral and dental development of children at regular intervals and not only intervene in the tooth structure, but also closely monitor the bone development in the maxillofacial region from early childhood. This regular monitoring and diagnostic process reveals the importance of pediatric dentistry. Oral and dental problems can be closely monitored, diagnosed at an early stage and future problems can be prevented. Pediatric dentistry observes and treats not only bone, jaw or tooth structure disorders, but also decayed teeth, milk teeth and general examinations related to oral care. 

At Klinik34, where dentists specialized in pediatric dentistry are located, the latest and up-to-date treatment methods are applied for pediatric patients. You can get support from our pediatric dentists who have received international education and can apply it to all patients with years of experience. You can come to Klinik34 for all dental and oral health treatments and professional applications required for your child and have all the necessary procedures done safely.