Pediatric dentistry (Pedodontics) is the branch of dentistry that aims to protect the oral and dental health of children from infancy to adolescence. Since a healthy oral structure in children is the basis of dental health in later life, regular dental check-ups and preventive applications are of great importance. In this article, we will examine in detail the scope of pediatric dentistry, the treatments applied, and the points that families should pay attention to.
What is Pediatric Dentistry?
Pediatric dentistry is concerned with the health of baby teeth and permanent teeth in children between the ages of 0-13. Although baby teeth are temporary, they are critical for the child's chewing functions, speech development, and the healthy eruption of permanent teeth. Pedodontists ensure the future dental health of children not only with curative but also with preventive dentistry applications.
Applications in Pediatric Dentistry
1. Preventive Dentistry Applications
These are applications made to prevent dental caries in children:
- Fissür örtücü uygulamaları: Closing the indentations and protrusions on the chewing surfaces of permanent molars.
- Fluoride applications: Made to strengthen tooth enamel and make it resistant to caries.
- Regular check-ups: Cavities can be detected at an early stage with check-ups every 6 months.
2. Baby Tooth Treatments
Since baby teeth in children are the guide for permanent teeth, it is very important to treat them:
- Baby tooth fillings
- Pediatric root canal treatment (pulp therapy)
- Stainless steel crown applications
3. Trauma Treatments
Dental trauma due to falls and impacts is common in children. In case of tooth fracture, loosening, or falling out, rapid intervention should be made by a pedodontist.
4. Early Orthodontic Intervention
If crowding in the tooth alignment or a disorder in the jaw structure is noticed early in children, long and difficult orthodontic treatments can be prevented in the future.
5. Treatment with Sedation and General Anesthesia
For children who are afraid of dental treatment or who cannot adapt to long treatments, treatment can be performed under sedation or general anesthesia.