Baby Tooth Treatments

Keeping children's teeth healthy and pain-free with fillings, pulpotomy and root canal treatment for baby teeth, paediatric crowns and space maintainers.

Duration

20 to 40 minutes

Anaesthesia

Local; sedation or general anaesthesia if needed

Age

0 to 14

Check-ups

Every 6 months

Why treat baby teeth?

"They will fall out anyway" is the most common mistake. Baby teeth are needed for chewing, speech and jaw development, and they hold space for the permanent teeth growing underneath. A decayed baby tooth can cause pain, infection and developmental defects in the permanent tooth. When a baby tooth is lost early, the space closes and the permanent tooth comes through crooked.

Treatments

Fillings

Small cavities are filled with tooth-coloured composite or fluoride-releasing glass ionomer. The procedure is short.

Pulpotomy and baby tooth root canal

If decay has reached the nerve, the inflamed part is removed (pulpotomy) or the canals are cleaned and filled with a resorbable paste. The tooth stays healthy until it is due to fall out.

Paediatric crowns

Baby molars that have lost a lot of structure are fitted with stainless steel or tooth-coloured zirconia crowns in a single visit.

Space maintainers

When a baby tooth is lost early, a fixed or removable appliance holds the space until the permanent tooth comes through.

For anxious children

In the Paediatric Dentistry department treatment follows the tell-show-do method at the child's own pace. For very young children, many teeth needing treatment or severe anxiety, all treatment can be completed in one session under sedation or general anaesthesia in hospital conditions.

Care at home

Brushing from the first tooth, a rice-grain amount of fluoride toothpaste after age two and a pea-sized amount after three, and giving up the night-time bottle prevent most decay. The first dental visit should take place by the first birthday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medically reviewed by

Prof. Dr. Gamze ARENPediatric Dentistry (Pedodontics)