Pediatric dentists are dental specialists who receive additional training beyond general dentistry. This training equips pediatric dentists to address concerns and conditions that are common in infants and children while creating a welcoming, comforting environment that helps calm young patients and normalize the idea of going to the dentist. While there are some conditions specific to children that pediatric dentists are particularly equipped to treat, there are also some common procedures performed by pediatric dentists simply due to the nature of their patients’ needs. Experienced pediatric dentists grow more and more adept at these common procedures throughout their careers, making sure their patients are in expert hands from infancy to adolescence.
One common pediatric dental procedure is the placement of stainless steel crowns. These crowns are used on the back teeth and restore teeth that are too severely decayed to support tooth-colored fillings. When damage caused by tooth decay goes untreated, the outer and inner layers of the tooth become extensively damaged and the inner dental tissues need to be protected from invasive bacteria and potentially painful outer elements. Prefabricated stainless steel crowns are fitted and cemented onto significantly decayed primary teeth, preventing additional damage and infection until the teeth naturally fall out. Pediatric dentists also use tooth-colored composite resin fillings to repair damaged or decayed teeth when the damage is less significant and when aesthetics are important.
Because children’s bones are steadily developing throughout their childhood and adolescence, there are regular changes to their mouths and jaws, necessitating more frequent x-rays than adult patients might need. Children with higher risk of tooth decay might get x-rays at every six-month dental checkup, while children with lower risks won’t need as many x-rays. Contemporary digital technology has removed a significant amount of radiation from traditional x-rays, and dentists take proven precautionary measures to ensure children are safe from radiation. Even if your child is considered lower risk for tooth decay, it is recommended that children visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning. Pediatric dentists and their hygienists help their young patients learn how to brush and floss properly and teach them about the risks of poor oral hygiene while examining and cleaning their mouths and teeth in a comfortable, safe environment.
During the routine dental examination, your child’s pediatric dentist will monitor tooth development, referring to an orthodontist or other specialist as needed. As part of this evaluation, the dentist will check for areas of dental tissue that feel weaker than others. If these evaluations indicate the need, the dentist will prescribe fluoride treatment to reduce the risk of tooth decay. If the teeth seem particularly susceptible to trapping bacteria because of their texture and shape, the dentist will apply sealants to the teeth to help prevent cavities from forming in the first place. When cavities do form, early treatment can spare future difficulties. If a cavity has grown too deep to be repaired with a composite filling, the dentist may need to extract pulp from the tooth and cap it with a stainless steel crown, or they may have to extract the tooth entirely. Thankfully, with effective oral hygiene practices, balanced fluoride, and a healthy diet, pediatric cavities can be prevented.