Pediatric Dentistry
Dental care designed for children, from preventive treatments to a calm first experience that builds a lifelong positive relationship with the dentist.
Overview
From the moment a baby's first milk teeth appear, a check-up every six months matters a great deal in heading off the oral health problems that could otherwise follow. Paediatric dentists look after every aspect of oral and dental health, and all preventive treatment, from infancy through to young adulthood.
The first appointment: getting acquainted
Your child's first visit to the dentist should generally be an introduction. No treatment is carried out at that first appointment; after examining the mouth and teeth, the dentist gives advice on oral hygiene and diet and explains to both parent and child what will happen at the next visit. The child then knows what to expect, and a fear of the dentist never takes hold.
Paediatric dentists are specially trained in communicating with children and in keeping them at ease during treatment; where a child is already afraid of the dentist, they help them past it. Unless the child is very young, we prefer parents not to be in the room during treatment: children are distracted more easily, appointments run longer, and the rapport between child and dentist suffers.
Prevention: fissure sealants and fluoride
Fissure sealants are decay-preventing materials that cover the grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of milk and permanent teeth prone to decay, without removing any tooth substance. Because the first permanent molars come through at around age six, we recommend sealing them as soon as they appear.
Fluoride is an element that becomes part of the enamel and stops decay before it starts. Alongside regular brushing, fluoride varnishes or gels applied by the dentist every three to six months can protect children from decay.
What is MTA pulp capping?
MTA (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate) capping is a technique used above all in milk teeth and young permanent teeth to protect the pulp and keep the tooth alive. Where the pulp has been damaged by decay, trauma or something else, the aim is to preserve as much of it as possible rather than remove it entirely.
The tooth is first cleaned of decayed tissue; biocompatible MTA, which helps the pulp heal and reduces inflammation, is then placed in the prepared area. With the newer MTA systems the permanent filling can be completed in the same session, with no intermediate stage. Regular check-ups afterwards matter.
Why MTA capping is worth it
- It preserves the healthy part of the pulp and keeps the tooth alive.
- Less invasive than root canal treatment; it helps preserve the tooth's natural structure.
- Carried out properly, it has good long-term success rates.
- With newer MTA systems it can be finished with a permanent filling in a single session.
Ready to start?
Book a consultation and we'll walk you through it, gently, and with no pressure.