4 Prudent Procedures Of Restorative Dentistry Used For Kids
Restorative dentistry is a field of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral disorders. It's an important part of dental science as it focuses on preserving natural teeth and replacing those beyond saving. As parents, we want nothing but the best for our children, so learning more about prudent procedures and preventive measures used to maintain their oral hygiene will help them have healthy smiles now and later in life! This blog post mainly looks at how pediatric restorative dentistry should be practiced to ensure children get optimal dental care while also maintaining a safe environment in the dentist's office.
We have come up with detailed information about the four common pediatric restorative procedures you can get at Joyful Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.
Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy is performed to restore the infected baby (primary) teeth in kids. Most commonly, untreated tooth decay causes baby teeth to become infected (cavities). This occurs when the cavity destroys the outer layer of the tooth and then attacks the soft pulp inside your kid's teeth. Since this pulp is full of nerves, it frequently results in severe pain and discomfort. However, oral trauma can lead to teeth infection too. If your child slips and falls and cracks or breaks a tooth, harmful bacteria can enter the inside of the tooth and cause an infection. Therefore, it is always vital to go for professional emergency dental care if your kid faces an oral injury.
No matter how the infection happens, the outcome is the same. Over time, the bacteria in your kid's mouth will attack the pulp inside the tooth, ultimately killing the blood vessels and nerves inside the tooth. If you don't seek assistance, your child's tooth will eventually die and fall out.
As mentioned before, a pulpotomy is used to prevent the loss of teeth due to infection. A pediatric dentist will open up your kid's tooth and remove the damaged and infected pulp from the upper part of the tooth. After that, any tooth pulp that is still present will be given specific medication to help prevent infection. The procedure is considered to be over when your kid's tooth is protected with a crown or a filling.
Silver stainless steel crowns or White Crowns
Pediatric restorative dentistry offers many choices for dental crowns, including silver stainless steel and white crowns. Silver stainless steel crowns are an economical choice for pediatric patients who have a primary molar that is infected or broken, often due to trauma. On the other hand, white crowns can be used for both baby and permanent teeth when a more esthetic option is needed. Both silver stainless steel and white crowns offer numerous benefits, such as protection from decay, superior strength and durability, increased bite pressure tolerance, and improved esthetics over time. As pediatric dentists continue to innovate in pediatric restorative dentistry, parents have the peace of mind that they are making the best decisions on behalf of their child's oral health needs.
Silver or white fillings in a tooth or teeth
Pediatric restorative dentistry is one of the specialties within pediatric dentistry, and it's that branch that deals with repairing decayed or otherwise damaged parts of a pediatric patient's teeth. This can include placing silver and/or white fillings in a tooth or teeth for kids. White fillings, also known as composite fillings, are created from resin composite material. Silver amalgam fillings are produced from a combination of metals and mercury composite materials. In both cases, the pediatric dentist will select the filling type based on factors such as decay size, location, and estimated cost-effectiveness. Composite fillings cost slightly more than silver amalgam but may last longer over time due to their unique properties.
Extractions (removing teeth)
Tooth extraction is a surgical procedure often recommended by pediatric restorative dentists to restore the smile of kids with severely decayed or damaged teeth. While this procedure can sound scary, it's important to note that the pediatric dentist is experienced in this field and has special training to ensure your child remains comfortable. In fact, pediatric dental offices are usually designed to be less intimidating than regular dental offices, with colorful themes and fun decorations. Additionally, pediatric dentists routinely administer anesthesia or laughing gas for kids who may experience pain during extraction so that they feel calm and relaxed during their appointment. Ultimately, parents should trust that their pediatric dentist has their child's best interest in mind when recommending tooth extraction.
We hope you now clearly understand the four most important restorative dental procedures used in the case of kids. If you feel that your child is suffering from any dental problem, get in touch with a reliable pediatric dentist nearby.
