What is pedodontics?
Pedodontics, a word of Latin origin, means “children’s teeth”. Pedodontics (Pediatric Dentistry) is the healthy protection and treatment of milk and permanent teeth of children aged 0-12.
Deciduous teeth usually begin to erupt in the 6th month after birth, and a total of 20 primary teeth are completed by the age of 2.5 years. Milk teeth show structural and anatomical differences compared to permanent teeth, and these differences make them more resistant to caries and abrasion. Although the most important function of these milk teeth is the nutrition of the child, they also have the duties of speech, aesthetics and space for the permanent teeth to follow. While the baby teeth with caries cause pain and related malnutrition during feeding in the child, at the same time, the decayed milk teeth lose their size and cannot hold enough space for the permanent teeth. This may invite space constraints that may occur in the future.
From the age of 6, permanent teeth begin to erupt, and in this period up to the age of 12, there are both milk and permanent teeth in the oral environment. In this mixed dentition period, if there are decayed primary teeth in the oral environment, it also poses a risk of caries for permanent teeth. At the same time, the treatment of newly erupted permanent teeth can be differentiated from mature permanent teeth, and this subject may require expertise. The pedodontist monitors the oral and dental health of children as well as their jaw and facial development from infancy, and performs all preventive and curative treatments and preventive applications according to the needs.
Who is a pedodontist?
After completing their 5-year undergraduate education in the Faculties of Dentistry, dentists who have received specialization or doctorate training in the Department of Pedodontics, affiliated to the Clinical Sciences of the Faculty of Dentistry, are called pedodontists or pediatric dentists.
What do pedodontists do?
They ensure that children do not have a fear of dentists (dental phobia) and turn dental treatment into an enjoyable game for children.
It determines the caries risk group of the child and organizes personal protective programs.
Informs both the child and the family about oral and dental care in children.
It regulates the child’s eating habits.
Arranges and applies preventive applications that can be applied before tooth decay occurs. (Fissure Sealant, Fluorine Applications)
Performs restorative and endodontic treatments of deciduous and young permanent teeth. (Fillings, Root canal treatments, Amputations)
They check the regular progress of the child’s jaw and tooth development.
Performs preventive orthodontic treatments.
Provides treatments for stopping bad oral habits. (Finger sucking, Nail biting, Pen biting etc.)
He makes the extraction of milk teeth and, if necessary, placeholder and child prosthesis.
If the child has experienced a dental trauma, he/she carries out the follow-ups and treatments.
Performs dental treatment of children who require special attention under sedation or general anesthesia in operating room conditions.
