Pediatric Dentistry and Children's Dental Treatments
Childhood is a critical period where general growth and development are fastest, and lifelong health habits are acquired. Oral and dental health is one of the cornerstones of this development. The branch of dentistry that covers the process from the eruption of primary teeth to the completion of permanent teeth (0-13 age group) and deals with children’s dental health is called “Pedodontics” (Pediatric Dentistry). Pedodontics not only treats decayed teeth but also monitors jaw-face development, prevents cavity formation with preventive medicine practices, and develops psychological approaches to prevent the formation of dental phobia in children.
Today, with the integration of digital dentistry technologies, Children’s Dental Treatments have become much more comfortable, fast, and effective. Serving in the Thrace region, Kırklareli Dental Clinic Atlas Sea Dental applies current treatment protocols suitable for the physiological and psychological needs of tiny patients.
Importance of Primary Teeth and Preventive Dentistry
The thought widely held in society, “They will fall out anyway, no need to treat them,” is one of the biggest mistakes made in children’s dental health. Primary teeth are of vital importance for the child’s nutrition (chewing), speech (phonation), and aesthetic appearance. However, their most important task is to guide the permanent teeth that will come from underneath. Every primary tooth lost early can lead to deterioration in the jaw structure and orthodontic problems in the future. Therefore, priority is always given to keeping the natural tooth in the mouth within the scope of Children’s Dental Treatments.
- Fluoride Application and Its Importance
It is the most basic preventive procedure performed to increase the resistance of tooth enamel against acid attacks. Fluoride Application is performed in a clinical setting by the dentist using special gels, varnishes, or foams. Fluoride combines with hydroxyapatite crystals in the structure of tooth enamel to form a “fluorapatite” structure. This new structure is much more resistant to acids produced by cavity-causing bacteria.
Especially in children with a high risk of cavities, performing Fluoride Application every 3 or 6 months strengthens the tooth enamel and significantly prevents cavity formation. Kırklareli Dental Clinic Atlas Sea Dental physicians determine the frequency of topical Fluoride Application according to the child’s age and cavity risk group and also inform parents about fluoride toothpastes used at home.
- Fissure Sealant
There are thin grooves and pits called “fissures” on the chewing surfaces of molars. These areas are so narrow that toothbrush bristles cannot reach here, and food residues accumulate, causing cavities. The fissure sealant process is the sealing of these grooves with a fluid filling material. This completely painless procedure, which does not require anesthesia, is one of the most effective preventive methods among Children’s Dental Treatments.
Restorative Treatments and Caries Management
In children, the enamel layer is thinner and has higher organic content compared to adults. Therefore, Dental Caries progresses much faster in children and can reach the tooth nerve (pulp) in a short time, causing pain.
Early Childhood Caries (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay)
It is a widespread Dental Caries picture that usually starts in the upper front teeth as a result of night feeding (honey/sugary milk, fruit juice) and insufficient cleaning. If not intervened, the infection deepens, teeth break, and the child’s nutrition is impaired. In treatment, filling, pulpotomy (partial root canal treatment), or full root canal treatment is applied depending on the condition of the tooth. New generation compomer fillings used in Dental Caries treatment both chemically bond to the tooth tissue and help prevent the tooth from decaying again by releasing fluoride.
Root Canal Treatment and Pulpotomy in Children
When the infection reaches the nerve tissue in primary teeth, root canal treatment is applied to keep the tooth in the mouth instead of extracting it. Unlike permanent teeth, “resorbable” (dissolvable) root canal filling materials are used in primary tooth root canal treatment. Thus, as the permanent tooth coming from below melts the root, the root canal filling also melts, and the natural shedding process is not prevented. Atlas Sea Dental physicians may prefer “Pulpotomy” treatment, which removes only the nerve in the upper part and leaves the nerve in the root alive, in cases where the infection is only in the crown part.
Digital Dentistry and Its Place in Pedodontics
The development of technology has revolutionized treatment comfort for pediatric patients as well as adults. As stated in the provided resources (Coastal Dental Care, FDI World Dental, etc.), digital dentistry accelerates and facilitates diagnosis, planning, and treatment processes. Especially when it comes to Children’s Dental Treatments, digitalization provides the following advantages:
- Digital Impressions (Intraoral Scanners):
In the traditional method, large trays and dough-like materials (alginate) were placed in the mouth to take impressions from children. This situation caused gag reflex and fear in children. Thanks to digital scanners (camera-like tips), the inside of the mouth is scanned in seconds. It does not create a feeling of nausea, it is fast, and children adapt to the process more easily when they see their own teeth in color on the screen. Kırklareli Dental Clinic Atlas Sea Dental prioritizes the comfort of tiny patients by using digital workflows.
- Low Radiation Imaging:
Children are more sensitive to radiation than adults. Digital radiography systems emit 70-80% less radiation compared to traditional films and reflect the image to the screen instantly. In this way, the waiting time for diagnosis is eliminated.
- Single Visit Treatment (CAD/CAM):
Children’s sitting times (tolerances) in the chair are limited. CAD/CAM technology (Computer-Aided Design/Manufacturing) allows fillings or veneers to be designed and produced in a single session. The child does not need to come to the clinic repeatedly, and the treatment process is shortened.
Early Tooth Loss and Space Maintainers
If a primary tooth has to be extracted long before its falling time due to trauma or advanced infection, a serious problem arises: Loss of space. Neighboring teeth tip towards the gap and close the place of the permanent tooth that will come from below. This situation leads to serious orthodontic deteriorations (crowding, impacted teeth) in the future.
Appliances called Space Maintainers are used to prevent this problem.
- Fixed Space Maintainer: Metal mechanisms cemented to the neighboring tooth in single tooth deficiencies that cannot be removed by the patient. It does not require child compliance, and there is no risk of loss.
- Removable Space Maintainer: Removable prostheses used in multiple tooth deficiencies.
The purpose of a Space Maintainer application is to protect that space until the permanent tooth erupts. When the permanent tooth appears in the mouth, the appliance is removed. This simple and economical measure saves the child from long and costly wire treatments they might face in the future. In Kırklareli Dental Clinic Atlas Sea Dental pedodontic procedures, space analysis is definitely performed after every early extraction, and a suitable appliance is designed.
Dental Trauma in Children
Children are frequently exposed to falls and impacts due to their active structures. Tooth fractures, tooth displacement, or complete avulsion (tooth coming out of its socket) are situations requiring urgent intervention.
- Fracture: If the broken piece can be found, it should be kept moist in milk or saline and taken to the dentist immediately. The broken piece can be glued back in place with bonding methods.
- Avulsion: If a permanent tooth has come out completely, it should be washed under running water without touching its root and placed back in its place (socket). If this cannot be done, it should be transported in milk and the dentist should be reached within 1 hour at the latest. If primary teeth have come out, they are generally not placed back in order not to damage the underlying permanent tooth germ.
Children’s Dental Treatments applied in such emergencies aim to preserve the vitality of the tooth and continue root development.
Dentist Fear and Behavior Management
One of the most important parts of pedodontics is managing the child’s psychology. The first experience determines the child’s perspective on the dentist for a lifetime. Therefore, the “Tell-Show-Do” technique is frequently used. The physician explains the instrument to be used in a language the child can understand (for example, calling the saliva ejector “Mr. Thirsty”), shows it on their hand or model, and then applies it.
Also, distracting attention during treatment, using a reward system, and deciding whether the parent will be in the room according to the child’s age increase the success of Children’s Dental Treatments. In individuals who are very young, cannot communicate, or have disabilities, all procedures may need to be performed at once under sedation or general anesthesia. Approaches within Atlas Sea Dental are based on atraumatic treatment principles.
Nutrition and Oral Health
Dental health starts in the kitchen. Sugary, sticky (Turkish delight, jelly beans) and acidic foods are the biggest enemies increasing cavity risk. The duty falling on parents is to control snacks. Consumption of tooth-friendly foods such as cheese, yogurt, and nuts should be encouraged. Also, brushing teeth or at least drinking water after night feeding is critical to prevent early-stage Dental Caries formation.
Children’s Dental Treatments is a long-term health journey that starts with the eruption of primary teeth and continues until permanent dentition is completed. In this journey; preventive methods such as fissure sealants and Fluoride Application act as shields, while fillings and root canal treatments repair the damage. Space Maintainer applications performed in early losses guarantee future tooth alignment.
Digital dentistry, replacing traditional methods, has made a great contribution to children overcoming their chair fear and gamification of treatments. For families in the Thrace region, Kırklareli Dental Clinic Atlas Sea Dental is a center where they can entrust their children’s oral health with both its technological infrastructure and pedodontic approach. It should not be forgotten that; a healthy childhood is the guarantee of a healthy adulthood. Introducing your child to the dentist for regular check-ups, not when they have pain, is the most beautiful health gift you can give them.
