PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

It is the field of dentistry that deals with the monitoring of health and the treatment of problems in the oral cavity of children and adolescents.

It is a good idea for parents to have their children come to the dentist early on, on a preventive level, so that the child becomes familiar with the dental clinic and to learn the concept of dental care in order to protect them from caries damages.

At the first visit for the purpose of prevention we make sure we teach the proper brushing method. We give parents guidance on proper supervision during brushing and at the same time we provide proper nutrition advice.

Preventive Work

Cleaning-Fluoridation

The teeth are first cleaned (where necessary) and polished with a soft brush. Then a fluoride gel is applied on all the surfaces of the teeth. In older children the gel can be placed in a special small mouth-tray.

This procedure is usually recommended to be done every 6 months from the age of 3 years.

By applying fluoride we achieve tooth decalcification as well as the strengthening of the material of the outer surface of the tooth against the caries.

Preventive sealings or sealants

The sealants are liquid composite resin which is placed to cover the grooves and the cavities of the tooth, the areas where it is easy for food to be trapped inside resulting in the creation of caries. It is placed on the first permanent molars that rise at the age of 6 and are never changed again.

It is a simple, fast and painless procedure that takes place without any need for surgery (grinding) on the permanent teeth.

Fillings

In the case of caries, we should remove it, clean the tooth and place a cavity filling.

Where fillings require dental anesthesia, a special anesthetic gel is used first and the procedure is handled with special care so as not to scare the young patient.

Pulpotomy

Where the caries damage is so great that the germs have passed into the pulp (nerve) of the tooth, then we must clean and disinfect the pulp to avoid any potential future pain and swelling.

The tooth over the pulpotomy can be restored normally (filling or crown).

Extractions

Neonatal teeth are removed when they are severely damaged and thus cannot be repaired or where they seem to present large abscesses (pus).

In this case it may be deemed necessary to install a special tool (bracer) to maintain the space (space conservation tool) until the permanent tooth rises.

Moreover, when the permanent teeth are coming out without the any pressure on the neonatal ones, then the latter must be removed immediately in order to make it possible for the permanent teeth to move in their respective correct position.