Many parents know the important role that pediatric dentistry plays in the health of their children. However, you may not know what happens if the dentist finds a problem. For example, a cavity in a baby tooth can be problematic. Read on to learn about some of the most popular kinds of treatments in pediatric dentistry.
Orthodontic treatments
In pediatric dentistry, more dentists are recognizing how important early intervention is. Some children as young as seven or eight are receiving treatments now. One of the main benefits of this early treatment is that it can shorten other orthodontic treatments later. The child’s jaw is still developing and the teeth are still coming in. This makes it more effective to treat potential issues now.
A palatal expander is one of the most common types of orthodontic treatments for children. This can help expand the upper jaw as it is growing, reducing crowded teeth. In pediatric dentistry, palatal expanders can also stop the jaw from growing unevenly. This treatment works well when the jaw is still growing.
Each day, the screws on the device must be turned to gently push apart the bone on the roof of the mouth. A child will often wear an expander for nearly a year. After this time, a dentist may give a child a retainer as bone in the upper jaw stabilizes. This will prevent collapse.
Cavity treatments
Even though the baby teeth will eventually come out, cavities still must be treated. The bacteria that cause cavities can spread to other teeth, including permanent teeth. A dentist will generally treat a cavity in a baby tooth with a filling. Sometimes, a crown is needed. If this is the case, then the crown will come out with the baby tooth when it is lost.
Extractions are used as a last resort for severely decayed teeth. A dentist can remove a baby tooth if it is ready to come out but is stuck. Sometimes, children need teeth extracted if there is crowding in the mouth. It is very rare for a child’s permanent tooth to need to be extracted from decay, however.
If a child loses a baby tooth too early, the surrounding teeth can move into the space. When the permanent tooth tries to erupt, there will not be room for it to come to its proper position. If a child loses a baby tooth, then a space maintainer might be used. This is attached to the two surrounding teeth and keeps them in their places. When the permanent tooth comes through, the dentist can remove it.
Choose pediatric dentistry
There is a range of treatments available in today’s pediatric dentistry. Whether it is a simple cavity treatment or early orthodontic treatment, your child has much to gain from your pediatric dentist. Depending on your child’s current oral health, these treatments can prevent other issues later in life. Visit a pediatric dentistry practice today to find out which treatment is right for your child.
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