Pediatric dental
treatments
Pedodontics is the branch of dentistry that involves the most challenges, but also offers the most satisfaction. In addition to the professionalism and training of the doctor, pedodontics treatments rely equally on the cooperation and training of the child patient. To ensure quality treatment at any age and to prevent the occurrence of severe and complicated oro-dental conditions, the training of parents and children in hygiene, prevention, diet, and regular check-ups plays an important role. At Clinica Rotar, we provide a comprehensive and preventive approach to dental care for children, which helps prevent many complex treatments.
Our pedodontics team at Clinica Rotar has 2 specialists dedicated exclusively to dental treatments for children: Dr. Irina Lupșe and Dr. Patricia Vințeler, united by the affection they have for their profession and for the little ones.
How does the first visit go, when and what is recommended?
The first visit to the dentist should ideally occur at the earliest age possible, between 6 months and 1 year, allowing the child to acclimate to the new environment, instruments, techniques, and professionals. It is essential for this initial visit to occur in the absence of any medical emergency or pain, so that the child's attention can be focused on discovering new things, playing, and engaging in pleasant activities. During the first dental visit, besides accommodating the child, the parent will also receive instructions on oral hygiene methods, diet, methods of preventing dental caries, and preparing the child for future dental visits, tailored to their specific needs.
Reducing a child's anxiety related to new experiences can be achieved by creating an attractive and interesting environment in the dental office. The presence of a television can make the dental visit more enjoyable, especially since watching cartoons is a familiar activity for children. Toys, rewards, and sunglasses (colored glasses for protection during treatments) are other important elements that are indispensable in pediatric offices, as they can help focus the patient's attention on pleasant activities. For patients with significant anxiety, headphones are crucial. Listening to music, cartoons, or movies through headphones can block out the sounds of dental equipment and distract the patient from less pleasant aspects of the visit. Music therapy, a form of psychotherapy that uses music for communication or relationship building, also acts on the neuro-muscular system, allowing patients to keep their mouths open for longer periods without fatigue.
How to treat dental problems in small children without sedation?
Depending on the age and cooperation of the child patient, the psychologist will also find his place in the doctor-patient-parent team. They will assist in preparing the patient to manage anxieties and fears, which may be too great to handle at home. This extra support helps parents teach their children to manage emotions and cope with various situations, beyond those specific to dentistry. Ultimately, these efforts aim to gradually reduce the need for sedation methods such as inhalation sedation, analgesia, or general anesthesia
When is it necessary to consult a pediatric dentist, based on age, and for what reasons?
The importance of dental sealants
When teeth erupt and come into contact with the environment in the oral cavity, the risk of developing cavities increases exponentially. Young permanent teeth exhibit accentuated morphology, with deep grooves and pits that allow dental plaque to stagnate, making it difficult to remove. Sealant, a hard protective layer that releases fluoride, fills these deep grooves and pits to prevent food retention. It is crucial to apply sealant within the first two years after tooth eruption, as this is when the tooth is young, immature, and poorly mineralized, increasing the risk of cavities.
Caries in children - Causes, prevention and treatment
The cavities of temporary teeth are very similar to those of permanent teeth, but they have some particular characteristics: they evolve much faster, reaching the nerve in a few months, most of them are deep, with painful symptoms at the time of presentation to the dentist, and their treatment depends largely on the patient's cooperation, which complicates the treatment.
It is important for the parent to bring the child to the dentist when they notice a carious lesion. A cavity discovered in an early stage is much easier to treat and depends less on the patient's age and cooperation than treating a cavity with nerve involvement, in which case treatments are more complex and difficult to perform.
The treatment of cavities in temporary teeth follows the same steps as those of permanent teeth. The same instruments are used, applying biocompatible materials with fluoride release to strengthen the teeth. Because temporary teeth hurt as much during treatment as permanent teeth, most of the time, local anesthesia is needed, both for the comfort of the patient and the dentist.
All stages of dental caries treatment in children will be completed sequentially, tailored to the patient's age, and include preliminary training sessions for both the doctor and the parent.
What are and when are dental crowns recommended for children?
Prefabricated pediatric crowns are made of a biocompatible material (stainless steel or zirconium) and are available in multiple sizes, thereby eliminating the need for the impression and fabrication steps in the dental laboratory. These crowns are recommended for cases of extensive caries or teeth that have undergone nerve treatment, where significant dental tissue loss precludes restoration of strength, functionality, and optimal aesthetics through simple filling procedures.
The importance of periodic dental checks
In addition to the importance of preventing dental conditions in children and treating them in an early stage, periodic check-ups play an important role. Depending on the patient's caries risk - defined by the European Association of Pediatric Dentistry - it is recommended that periodic visits be made every 3 months (patients with high caries risk) or every 6 months (patients with high caries risk). Thus, any dental problem can be detected in time, before complications appear.
Furthermore, through regular check-ups, the bond between doctor, child, and parent is strengthened, leading to more pleasant visits for the patient. This helps avoid the need for complicated treatments, eliminating negative associations with the dentist, such as unpleasant experiences or pain.
Orthodontics in children
Many parents wonder when the first orthodontic consultation is necessary. The answer lies in prevention and regular visits to the pediatric dentist. Parents typically begin bringing their children to the pediatric dentist from the age of 6 months to 1 year and continue with periodic check-ups. During these visits, the dentist evaluates the child's development and growth, allowing for timely correction of any anomalies, benefiting from the flexibility of the jaw bones. Some abnormalities can be identified and treated during childhood. Information on preventing dento-maxillary anomalies induced by harmful childhood habits will be provided during the first visit to the pediatric dentist.