Pediatric Dentistry (Children’s Dentistry)

Pedodontics (Pediatric Dentistry)

Pedodontics, or pediatric dentistry, is the branch of dentistry that aims to protect the health of children’s primary (milk) and permanent teeth between the ages of 0–14, and to treat diseases caused by cavities, trauma, hereditary, and other factors.

At our center, the pedodontics unit not only treats oral and dental diseases in children but also provides preventive methods to protect against these conditions. The primary responsibilities of pediatric dentistry include preventing dental problems and ensuring optimal oral and dental health conditions. In line with this goal, preventive applications such as patient education, topical fluoride application, fissure sealants, and space maintainers are provided in our clinic.

Preventive Pediatric Dentistry

Fissure Sealants

Fissure sealants are liquid filling materials applied to the chewing surfaces of molar teeth to protect them against decay. They cover deep fissures (grooves) on permanent teeth and prevent bacteria from penetrating, reducing the risk of decay. Sealants should be checked every six months.

Fluoride Applications

When permanent teeth first erupt, the enamel is not fully mature and is more prone to decay. Fluoride strengthens enamel, protects teeth against acid attacks, and helps prevent cavities. Topical fluoride application is a preventive method performed only by dentists and should be repeated every six months.

Space Maintainers

Primary teeth (20 in total) are crucial not only for nutrition and proper speech development but also for guiding permanent teeth into place. Premature loss of baby teeth can cause misalignment of permanent teeth. In such cases, space maintainers are used to preserve the area until the permanent tooth erupts. These appliances prevent neighboring teeth from drifting into the space and reduce the risk of future orthodontic problems.

Specialized Treatments for Children

Our pediatric dentists, who are trained in child psychology and growth and development, provide all dental treatments for children using special techniques. Treatments range from tooth extractions to pediatric prostheses, root canal therapy, and managing traumatic dental fractures.

For children with behavioral difficulties, anxiety, or special needs, treatments can be performed under sedation or general anesthesia in our fully equipped operating room, under the supervision of our anesthesiology and resuscitation specialist.

Common Treatments

Cavity Treatment

Decayed areas are cleaned and filled with temporary or permanent fillings. For large cavities that cannot be restored with fillings, other treatments may be recommended. To help children feel comfortable and reduce anxiety, colored fillings are often used in pediatric dentistry.

Fracture Treatment

Dental fractures, especially of the front teeth, are common in children due to falls, sports, or accidents. Custom-made mouthguards can be provided for activities such as football, basketball, skiing, or cycling to prevent dental injuries.

The most successful method for fracture repair is bonding, where the broken fragment is reattached with strong adhesives.
If the fragment is missing or too small, composite fillings in tooth-colored material are used.
In larger fractures, composite laminates or, in older patients (17+), porcelain laminates may be applied for durable and aesthetic results.

Tooth Displacement or Avulsion

If a tooth is displaced but still in the socket, it should be gently repositioned without force and stabilized with gauze until reaching a dentist.
If a tooth is completely avulsed, it must be kept moist in milk, saline solution, or even saliva and brought to the dentist within 30 minutes for possible reimplantation.

Tooth Extraction

Primary Teeth: When infection reaches the roots of baby teeth and causes swelling and severe pain, extraction may be necessary. If the permanent tooth is close to eruption, no problem occurs. Otherwise, a space maintainer must be placed.
Permanent Teeth: Extraction in children is critical and only considered as a last resort. If extraction is unavoidable, orthodontic treatment should follow to prevent misalignment and bite problems. Otherwise, adjacent and opposing teeth may drift into the space, disrupting the entire dental structure.

Education

Education is essential in pediatric dentistry. Parents and children should be informed about oral hygiene and nutrition. At our center, we provide practical training on proper brushing techniques, oral hygiene habits, common mistakes, and best practices to maintain healthy teeth.

Dental Cleaning

In some cases, bacterial plaque may accumulate on children’s teeth. If it cannot be removed by normal brushing, professional cleaning is performed. This prevents long-term problems such as tartar formation and cavities.