What is pediatric dentistry?

Science and Profession

Dental education normally takes four years to complete. Courses offered at dental schools teach knowledge of anatomy, particularly of the head and neck. Students must also learn the properties of materials used in dentistry, such as metals, acrylic plastics, porcelains, and sealant resins. Prior to working on patients, students are trained to operate on diseased teeth using mannequins, plastic models, or extracted teeth. Then they treat patients under the close supervision of instructors. Students must treat patients in all specialties of dentistry before they can receive a degree in general dentistry. Postgraduate education is required to become a specialist in pediatric dentistry.

General dental care for children may be given by a family dentist or by a pedodontist. Pedodontists are dentists specializing in the practice of dentistry for children. They must understand the specific mechanics of children’s anatomy and have a thorough foundation in the treatment of congenital diseases. Many pedodontists also assist orthodontists by doing some preliminary straightening of teeth.

Diagnostic and Treatment Techniques

In the second half of the twentieth century, dentists did an excellent job of educating parents and children about the importance of regular dental care. It is now generally understood that regular dental care from early childhood through adolescence is essential for the proper development of children. The dentist will also take advantage of each visit to discuss with parents and children proper techniques for brushing and flossing. If good habits are developed at an early age, serious dental problems can be reduced in the future.

Many parents do not understand the central importance of deciduous teeth, or baby teeth. These
teeth appear in infants between eight months and two years and begin to fall out when children are about six or seven. By the age of two, most children have twenty deciduous teeth. If baby teeth are extracted too early, the other teeth will move, which will create orthodontic problems.

Dentists recommend that every child be examined by the age of three. If cavities or other problems are discovered, the affected teeth should be treated and saved. Fillings and even steel crowns are often required.

Since permanent teeth are located below baby teeth, abscesses in baby teeth can spread below the gums and damage permanent teeth. If x-rays reveal that there are no permanent teeth to replace baby teeth, the dentist will make every effort to preserve baby teeth for as long as possible. Frequently, a dentist will have to explain to parents that paying for fillings or crowns now will save a much larger amount of money in the future by shortening the period of time required for orthodontics.

As the permanent teeth begin to break through and replace baby teeth, the dentist may discover that there are too many teeth or not enough teeth. Extra teeth, called supernumerary teeth, must be extracted because they occupy space needed for the proper alignment of permanent teeth.

It is not uncommon for children’s teeth to be injured as a result of accidents. In such cases, a dentist may refer the child to an endodontist, who will perform a root canal to repair damaged dental pulp. After the root canal has been completed, the family dentist or pedodontist will put a crown on the affected tooth.

A major expense for parents is orthodontics, but straightening teeth is not purely cosmetic. If there is a significant overbite, the child may develop speech problems that will not disappear until the malocclusion, or improper positioning of teeth, is eliminated. If a pedodontist or family dentist concludes that braces are needed to straighten a child’s teeth, the child will be referred to an orthodontist, who will examine the child, take x-rays, determine whether the child is ready for braces, and decide how to straighten the teeth and, if necessary, realign the jaws. Orthodontic treatment often lasts two to three years. Parents are usually asked to make a large initial payment and monthly payments thereafter. This expense can be significant if parents have two or more children in braces at the same time. Parents often consult several orthodontists to compare prices.

Orthodontists must motivate children to cooperate with their instructions by using bands as directed and brushing their teeth carefully. Both orthodontists and pedodontists or family dentists must remind children that it is easy for tooth decay to take place under braces.

As children become adolescents, other dental problems may occur, including tooth decay. Pedodontists often perform fluoride treatments, and they may apply sealants to the surface of the teeth. Frequently, oral surgery is performed on older adolescents or young adults to extract wisdom teeth that are impacted, or trapped within the gums.

Perspective and Prospects

The quality of pediatric dental care available in economically advanced countries is excellent. Nevertheless, the cost of dental care concerns many parents, who wonder how they can afford to spend thousands of dollars for orthodontics and hundreds of dollars for a single crown or root canal. Dental insurance has become readily available in the United States, and most other countries have state-supported medical insurance programs that also cover dental treatment. Developing countries often have great difficulty paying for quality dental care. Efforts have been made to ensure that some of the international aid sent from developed to developing countries is used to improve dental care.

Bibliography

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. http://www.aapd.org.

"Dental Care—Child." MedlinePlus. Natl. Lib. of Medicine, 25 Feb. 2015. Web. 16 Feb. 2015.

"Dental Exam for Children." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Educ. and Research, 14 Feb. 2015. Web. 16 Feb. 2015.

Foster, Malcolm S. Protecting Our Children’s Teeth: A Guide to Quality Dental Care from Infancy through Age Twelve. New York: Insight, 1992. Print.

Moss, Stephen J. Growing Up Cavity Free: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention. New York: Ed. Q, 1994. Print.

"Oral Health." HealthyChildren.org. Amer. Acad. of Pediatrics, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2015.

Schou, Lone, and Anthony S. Blinkhorn, eds. Oral Health Promotion. New York: Oxford UP, 1993. Print.

Taintor, Jerry F., and Mary Jane Taintor. The Complete Guide to Better Dental Care. New York: Checkmark, 1999. Print.