Dental Care Dental visits for toddlers focus on dietary
habits, hygiene and the prevention of oral trauma. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend routine dental care as medically necessary twice a year, un- less there is high-disease risk or other problem. Dental procedures during childhood and
adolescence depend on clinical fi ndings. Radio- graphs, which are diagnostic tools for planning treatment, are taken to check for disease and dental development, and are repeated at follow-up visits based on a visual exam and any symptoms. Today most dental practices use digital radiographs. Studies show they are safe and have low radiation exposure.
Goals & Procedures Dental procedures are categorized as preventa- tive or restorative. Preventative procedures include oral examination, diagnostic radio- graphs, cleanings, fl uoride varnish and sealants. Fluoride varnish topically applied to the teeth surfaces has proven effective in preventing and even reversing enamel decay. Sealants, a resin-based material applied to the anterior teeth, create a physical barrier from the acidic metabolic waste of decay-causing germs. Most cavities in kids occur in the posterior primary and permanent teeth. Sealants in high-risk children and adolescents can reduce the cavity rate by 58 to 86 percent over several years. Restorative procedures — drillings, fi llings,
capping and extractions — treat diseased teeth. Dental products, such as amalgam, composite, silver and porcelain crowns, as well as plastic- and-metal-combination space maintainers, are used to treat infected tooth areas or hold a
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Early dental care estab- lishes a rela- tionship with the dentist and early risk assessment for potential problems
space for permanent teeth when primary teeth are involved. The safety and effi cacy of these products have been researched by the American Dental Academy’s Council on Scientifi c Affairs. The goal of restorative treatment is the
maximum preservation of tooth structure, appearance and the child’s needs. AAP guide- lines for restorative dentistry emphasize tailoring treatment to the individual child. The choice of materials will depend on various factors: Stainless-steel crowns are the choice for durability or anchor for a space maintainer, while porcelain veneers may be picked for aesthetics for a permanent tooth.
Pain Prevention Restorative dental procedures may be painful, and the objective of pediatric dentistry is the prevention of pain and anxiety. Some kids can- not be treated under a local anesthetic alone — due to their age, immaturity, extent of treatment, medical condition or inability to cooperate. A local anesthetic may work for older children or those with limited treatment needs. A topical application of anesthetic with a rapid onset of
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