Pediatric Dentistry (Pedodontics)

Pediatric dentistry is a branch of science that studies and solves problems related to oral and dental health from the time of birth through the end of adolescence. In dentistry, it is defined as pedodontics. The dental system of children goes through different periods from the time their milk teeth start to erupt until the permanent teeth erupt. It is a branch of science that includes various applications, such as the monitoring and prevention of eruption disorders (odontiasis) in this period, the treatment of decay in milk and permanent teeth, the protection of toothless areas that will occur as a result of early tooth extraction by applying different devices to not deteriorate, the application of prostheses in children born without teeth.

At what ages does pediatric dentistry treat patients?

Children in the 0-15 age group are included in the study area of pediatric dentistry. In children at this age, the edentulous period covers a long period, including the period when the milk teeth erupt, the period when the milk teeth in the mouth are completed, the mixed dentition process in which the teeth start to erupt continuously and the period when the permanent teeth are completed.

Pediatric Dentistry Practices

Infant Oral Health: It is important to continue these visits at six-month intervals for early treatment of caries lesions.

Caries Restorations: In decay lesions in milk teeth, the type of treatment to be performed depending on the age of the tooth falling out, the depth of the decay and the tissue loss.

Space Maintainers: If the deciduous tooth needs to be extracted before the age of falling, it should be decided to make a space maintainer to prevent loss of space.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay:  Feeding with fluids rich in carbohydrates (free sugar) while the first teeth are erupting can lead to severe decay of the teeth.

Dental Infections: The loss of vitality of the tooth can occur as a result of tooth decay or trauma to the tooth. Advanced cavities in the tooth may be a harbinger of infection.

Dental Traumas: With the treatment to be applied immediately, it becomes easier to eliminate the discomfort that may occur if the tooth does not lose its vitality.