What Is Cosmetic Pediatric Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry covers dental services that improve the appearance of your teeth. Effective cosmetic dental care can boost your confidence because it improves your smile. However, many cosmetic services overlap with restorative dental care because they also resolve oral health issues, or prevent dental problems.
Pediatric dentistry is the field of dentistry that involves treating children. Pediatric dentists treat babies, children, and teenagers; in some cases, people continue to see their pediatric dentist until they’re in their early twenties.
Cosmetic pediatric dentistry involves improving how a child’s teeth look by administering cosmetic treatments.
Common Cosmetic Procedures For Kids
Pediatric dentists may recommend many cosmetic dental procedures. Some are routine, and can be performed during regular dental exams, while others require extra appointments.
Bonding To Correct Chips Or Cracks
A tooth can be chipped or cracked from impact with an object during an accident or fall. Chipped and cracked teeth are harder to keep clean. The chip or crack can cause a buildup of debris from food particles, and in time, the bacteria from those particles produces acid that weakens the tooth’s enamel, and can cause a cavity.
Cavities that aren’t treated can lead to infections in the gums and jawbone.
Cosmetic pediatric dentists use resin to fill the chip or crack. They can make the resin match the tooth’s enamel to make the tooth look whole and healthy. The resin prevents debris from building up on the tooth, which helps prevent cavities.
Braces
Braces move teeth to resolve gaps, alignment issues, and malocclusions. Although braces are considered cosmetic because they improve the appearance of teeth, they also help prevent oral health issues because misaligned teeth are harder to clean, and kids with misaligned teeth are more likely to get cavities.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a natural mineral. Using toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride benefits you because this mineral strengthens tooth enamel, helping prevent cavities.
Fluoride treatments are typically included in routine dental exams, so your child may not need a special appointment for a fluoride treatment. Your dentist can treat your child’s tooth with fluoride varnish as soon as it breaks through the gums.
Pediatric Crowns For Damaged Teeth
Your child may need pediatric dental crowns if a cavity or injury has weakened a tooth. Dental crowns are restorations that are applied to the tooth. They provide extra support, so the tooth can function effectively. They also conceal damage and discoloration, improving the tooth’s appearance.
Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are dental appliances. They’re placed between teeth to preserve space in your child’s mouth. They’re used once baby teeth begin falling out to ensure there’s enough room for permanent teeth to erupt.
Teeth Whitening For Enamel Discoloration
Trauma can cause tooth discoloration. Your pediatric cosmetic dentist can provide teeth whitening for kids to conceal this discoloration, and improve the tooth’s appearance.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Fillings are inserted into teeth to treat existing cavities, and prevent new ones. Tooth-colored fillings for kids make teeth look as good as new.
