Fluor (Fluoride) Applications
Scientific findings show that fluoride applications are crucial in preventing dental decays and inhibiting the pre-developed decays in children. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry declares fluoride application for children as a safe and effective procedure.
When fluoride is applied, it joins the tooth structure. It resists acid attacks when necessary and acts to prevent decay by disrupting the system of decaying bacteria. It has been scientifically proven that fluoride treatments applied under the control of a dentist do not cause any harm and are the most critical application in preventing and inhibiting decay.
Fluorine applications are applied in varnish or gel form, with the recommendations of the dentist, every 3,6 or 12 months. By preventing decays that may occur with fluoride applications, the need for treatments such as fillers and root canal treatment decreases.
Fissure Sealants
The cavities on the chewing surface of the milk tooth or permanent tooth are called” fissures”. These cavities are prone to decay surfaces due to the accumulation of food residues and the fact that these areas are difficult to clean. Special fillings that form a physical barrier on these cavities are called fissure sealants. There is no loss of dental tissue in these applications. It can be applied to all milk teeth and permanent teeth. Especially with children who are highly prone to decays, preserving the locations of the tooth, which are most prone to decay, can prevent decay development.
Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are used to preserving the milk tooth’s space lost due to decay, trauma, or any other reason. When space maintainers are not applied following a milk tooth extraction, space will be closed by the adjacent teeth. This causes the requirement for long-term and expensive orthodontic treatments in the future. Space maintainers can be fixed or removable.
Fixed space maintainers are placed for one-sided tooth loss or when only a few teeth are missing. It can only be attached and detached by a dentist. It is easy to be used by children.
Removable space maintainers are primarily used for several teeth that are missing. Also, they re-provide the chewing function when placed on the teeth in the back while re-providing aesthetic appearance for the front. They can be easily detached and re-attached by the patient, and the cleaning is performed outside of the mouth.
Preventive and Inhibitory Orthodontic Treatments
It requires early orthodontic treatment in children to solve problems that may prevent growth and development and prevent future orthodontic problems or facilitate orthodontic treatment.