About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics are specialized branches of dentistry. Based on recommendations by the American Dental Association, a pediatric dentist should evaluate a child, before their seventh birthday, for possible orthodontic treatment. To become specialized in either field, a dentist needs to complete at least two more years of training after graduating from dental school.
Pediatric Dentistry
- Pediatric dentists are concerned with children’s oral health. They specialize in treating children from infancy through their teen years. Pediatric dentists take care of baby teeth, as well as their secondary teeth.
- Pediatric dentists provide infant oral health exams, dental cleaning and fluoride treatments, nutrition, diet, pacifier counseling and thumb sucking, early assessment for orthodontic treatment, treating tooth cavities, management of gum disease and pediatric periodontal disease, caring for dental injuries and diagnosing oral conditions associated with diabetes, asthma, hay fever and congenital heart defect.
- A pediatric dentist knows how to treat children so they feel comfortable.
Orthodontics
- Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry concerned with correcting teeth and jaw alignment improperly. Teeth that do not fit together correctly can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease, as well as cause extra stress on chewing muscles that can lead to headaches, TMJ, even neck and shoulder pain.
- Orthodontics treatment has many benefits, including improved appearance and teeth likely to last longer.
- Fixed and removable appliances are used to move teeth. The appliances work by placing gentle pressure on the teeth and jaws. Fixed appliances include braces. Special fixed appliances, attached to the teeth by bands, are used to control thumb sucking. Fixed space maintainers are used when a baby tooth is lost prematurely. Removable appliances include invisible aligners, removable space maintainers, jaw repositioning appliances, removable retainers and headgear.
- Orthodontics treatment usually lasts two years. A patient may be required to wear a retainer following treatment.