Pediatric dentistry
Is it necessary to prepare for tooth treatment?
Yes, it is a must! Parents must prepare the child for the visit at home. In the clinic, the child meets the doctor, gets to know the dental equipment. The procedures and their process are explained. Sometimes more than one visit is necessary to prepare the child psychologically. Visits continue until the child starts to trust the dentist and allows to start tooth treatment.
Why should primary teeth be treated?
· Primary teeth are necessary to chew food and for proper digestion.
· Primary teeth are important for proper jaw growth and bite development; untreated primary teeth can damage the developing permanent teeth.
· An acute infection dues to untreated primary teeth can spread into other areas of the head.
· Primary teeth are important for development of pronunciation.
· They are important esthetically, so that the child does not get bulled for “black” teeth.
Does the child feel pain during treatment?
No. Primary teeth, just like permanent teeth, have roots and innervation (there is pulp inside of the tooth composed of nerve bundles, blood vessels and other cells), therefore local anesthesia is also necessary for children so they do not feel pain.
Primary teeth treatment procedures
Primary tooth fillings are done when the primary tooth is not severely damaged by decay, the cavity is cleaned and restored using a restorative material in a single visit. The type of filling material depends of the patient's oral hygiene and the remaining tooth hard tissues. Children like colored fillings (e.g., green, blue, pink).
Complicated primary tooth treatment (pulpotomy) is performed when the cavity is deeper, and superficial pulp tissues are affected, so it is necessary to prepare not only the coronal cavity, but also the infected part of the pulp (the “nerve”). Usually, the tooth is restored in a single visit.
Primary tooth root canal treatment is done when the tooth is severely decayed or symptomatic, usually root canal treatment is necessary. Primary teeth, just like permanent ones, have roots. Inflamed pulp must be removed from the root canals. This treatment is usually performed over two visits. The tooth is restored using a filling material or a crown.
Primary tooth crown is done when the tooth is severely damaged and cannot be restored using restorative materials. Standard stainless-steel crowns are used for children, they increase resistance, provide sealing and long-lasting durability.
Primary tooth extraction is done when the tooth is no longer treatable, when the disease (inflammation) risks damaging the developing permanent tooth. Primary teeth may also be extracted when they do not allow for a permanent tooth to erupt.
Sealant is a sealing material used to coat the chewing surfaces of permanent and primary teeth to seal the largest and smallest pits and fissures. It is a preventive measure to protect a newly erupted tooth from decay. The procedure is short and not painful - the tooth only needs a careful clean and application of protective materials.
Fluoride varnish is a special material, which reduces the incidence of decay and strengthens tooth enamel. The frequency of fluoride varnish applications depends on the prevalence of decay in the mouth and patient's oral hygiene skills.
Don't primary tooth fillings fall out?
When patient's oral hygiene habits are correct and if the filling material is chosen properly, fillings do not fall out.
What if the child is afraid of tooth treatment?
If the child is uncooperative, pharmacological treatment methods are used (oral sedation, mask sedation, general anesthesia). Treatment method is determined personally during a consultation.