Cavities are common tooth problems among children and adolescents which are due to piled up bacteria that owe its presence to plaque. The food consumed is converted to acid by the plaque that sticks on the teeth which erodes tooth enamel leading to cavities. Pediatric dentist might recommend fillings or dental crowns to treat cavities as the severity of situation might demand.
Dental filling is common for toddlers where tooth decay is removed and replaced with composite with a view to preserve the tooth and avert improper development of permanent tooth. Pediatric dentist may also execute fluoride treatment in early stages to control erosion of enamel before it is too late. Children require two to four fluoride treatments per year and the frequency depends upon oral health condition and susceptibility to develop cavities.
The fluoride treatment includes highly concentrated rinse, foam and gel which are applied with swab, brush and mouthwash. Flouride restores minerals lost during erosion of enamel and prevents further cavities.
Plastic dental fillings or bonding is done for kids by the pediatric dentist to solve issues like cavities, discolouration, broken teeth and to close gaps between teeth. Dental bonding is a non invasive approach for many dental issues in kids which is also cheaper than crowns and veneers and requires just a single visit. It does not require local anaesthesia and does not require exclusive care after bonding except for good oral hygiene.
However dental bonding is not advisable if the fallen tooth is likely to be replaced by adult tooth. It is a temporary solution and not a permanent one.
Pulp capping is done by the pediatric dentist when the decay is severe and reached proximity to the nerve before filling is done. The pulp comprises tissue, nerves and blood vessels when exposed leads to pain and inflammation. Pulp capping is done to preserve the supporting tissue and preserve health and integrity of the tooth. The pulp treatment might be pulpotomy or pulpectomy.
The affected pulp is removed in pulpotomy, given that the pulp root is healthy and unaffected. Pulpectomy is performed when entire crown and root canals are affected leading to removal of entire diseased pulp. After cleansing and disinfecting the canals, the crown is placed to give support to the tooth.
Placing porcelain or stainless steel crowns, root canal treatment and dental extraction are other treatments employed on kids to treat cavities and tooth decay. Children need crowns since they enable permanent teeth to grow in right place and besides filling the place, they ensure oral health and promote speech development. Stainless steel crowns are easily customized, strong and durable and are cost effective.
Defying the myth that root canal is only for adults, the procedure is also performed for kids when the tooth is damaged by accident or due to infection. When tooth loss threatens speech, eating and functionality of jaws, root canal is executed.
While executing treatment for kids, one must be aware of the numbness that local anaesthesia might cause and should cautiously prevent children from sucking or chewing numb area which in turn might result in laceration.
