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What Is Pediatric Dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry is a specialization that focuses on the treatment of children ranging from infancy until they reach their teen years. From the time babies start to get their baby teeth at six months, it is important that they get proper dental care to ensure that they get strong and healthy permanent teeth, and enjoy good oral health throughout their lives. If they do not get dental care from an early age, children risk developing dental problems such as early childhood dental caries, which can result in problems such as cavities and tooth decay continuing to haunt them throughout their adult lives.

The types of treatment the pediatric dentist provides include:

- Preventive care, including regular check-ups, fluoride treatments to strengthen teeth, and cleaning (prophylaxis). The dentist will also provide diet and nutrition recommendations to help keep teeth healthy.

- Oral health exams, including screening for diseases such as dental caries, for both the child and the mother.

- Early assessment to determine if the child will need to undergo orthodontic procedures to straighten their teeth.

- Counseling on habits that can have an impact on the childâs dental health, such as thumb-sucking.

- Diagnosis of dental conditions developing due to diseases such as asthma, diabetes and congenital heart defect.

- Management of dental problems such as gum disease and pediatric periodontal disease, as well as repair of defects and cavities.

In order to become a pediatric dentist, apart from completing dental school, the dentist must also complete a minimum 24-month residency program, which must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Certain states may also impose other requirements that your credentials must meet in order for you to be allowed to practice.

In addition, the pediatric dentist can adjust their specialization to focus on a particular age group, such as focusing on the specific dental needs of adolescents or infants. They can also specialize on dealing with the needs of children who are developmentally challenged.

Why should parents choose a pediatric dentist over a general dentist? Specialists are more qualified to deal with the specific dental needs of children in a way that general dentists may not be able to. They are trained to be able to put children more at ease during appointments, to ensure that visits are as pain-free as possible, and that children do not develop dental phobia. Their clinics are designed to be child-friendly, and they have equipment specifically made to ensure the comfort of children.

These days, pediatric dentists are also focusing more on aesthetics, so that children who need to have fillings or crowns do not need to have silver put in their mouth, as well as introducing sedation into their practice so that young patients would not experience distress or pain during their visit.

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

The primary goal of restorative dentistry is to bring back the function of damaged teeth. But aside from that, restorative dentistry is also a way to address other cosmetic imperfections that can be found in your teeth.

Read the full article to know the different ways on how restorative dentistry is achieved:

1. Dental Bridgesv

If you have missing teeth resulting to gaps in your smile, one of the solutions is the use of dental bridges. These dental appliances are tooth replacements placed on the tooth gap, and literally act as a bridge to close this gap. This new tooth is supported by the two normal teeth adjacent to the missing tooth. Dental bridges can be made from metal, steel, ceramic, porcelain, plastic, or combinations thereof.

2. Dental Implants

Dental implants are considered the most sophisticated solution in restorative dentistry. They are made of titanium steel, and are embedded into the jawbone just like how a normal tooth is. On top of the implant is a dental crown that mimics a real tooth.

3. Dental Crowns

Another dental appliance used to replace missing, damaged, and decayed teeth are dental crowns. As its name implies, the crowns only act as replacement of the uppermost visible portion of the tooth. If the teeth is damaged or decayed, the affected portions are removed or sanded away. The crowns are then cemented over them. This will result in brand new looking healthy teeth.

4. Dentures

A more common and cost-effective way of replacing missing teeth is the use of dentures. They are removable dental appliances that can be adhered to the gums to replace a full set of teeth or just a few missing teeth.

5. Dental Fillings

Another restorative dentistry procedure is the use of dental fillings. They are made of composite resins that can match the color of the surrounding teeth. They are placed inside pre-cleaned tooth cavities to prevent further decay and damage to the tooth. Dental fillings can last between 5-10 years depending on your oral health practices.

6. Onlays and Inlays

Onlays and inlays are made from the same porcelain materials that dental crowns are made of. Inlays are used to fill holes found in a tooth while onlays are placed on gaps or holes on the tooth surface. They are also good cosmetic dental appliances since they can make the teeth appear uniform and flawless.

7. Full Mouth Restoration

In cases where there is severe dental damage due to trauma or decay, a full mouth restoration may be required. This procedure often involves multiple treatment plans, and the patient will likely have dental bridges, implants, fillings, and in some cases, even jaw surgery.

Those are the different restorative dentistry techniques. Ask your dentist about them and get ready to have a perfectly-restored set of teeth.