Fixing Children’s Teeth
What are the differences between children’s teeth and adult teeth?
Children’s teeth (baby teeth), decay more easily than adult teeth.
Children’s teeth need root canals more often than adult teeth. The nerves inside children’s teeth are relatively larger than in adult teeth and are more prone to infection.
Here are more details on the differences in the
way baby teeth form:
The outside surface of baby teeth, known as enamel, is much thinner than the outside surface of adult teeth. This means that cavities have an easier time going through the outer layer of children’s teeth.
It is easier for cavities to damage the nerves in baby teeth than in adult teeth. Once a baby tooth nerve is infected, cleaning out the infected nerve is a challenge due to the the large size of the nerve and the ease with which infection has spread through the entire baby tooth.
How to decide when to remove a baby tooth:
When a baby tooth is ready to fall out, its roots begin to dissolve or ‘disappear’. This is a sign that if there is pain or infection in a baby tooth that is ready to fall out, then it should be treated by taking the tooth out.
When the dentist notices infection or serious decay in a baby tooth that is ready to fall out, the dentist will recommend to take the baby tooth out. The key thought to remember is: when the roots of a baby tooth disappear, it means the tooth is ready to fall out, and the adult tooth is ready to grow in.
Try not to take out a baby tooth before it is ready to come out naturally. If a baby tooth has a cavity but is not yet ready to fall out, then the dentist will make every effort to place a filling. If the baby tooth is taken out too soon, the adult tooth growing underneath will not grow in properly and there is a greater chance that the adult teeth will be crooked.
In what way are children’s teeth the same as adult teeth?
Cavities in adult and children’s teeth are caused by sugar loving bacteria.
These bacteria feed on sugary foods and then produce tooth decaying acids. This bacteria acids do the same destruction in adult teeth except that the decay spreads more rapidly and is more destructive in baby teeth. The bottom line is: sugar is bad for baby teeth and adult teeth.
Adult and children’s teeth are repaired with the same type of fillings. Both can get white fillings, silver fillings, crowns and (with some variations) both can have root canal.
Don’t rush to extract any tooth. Both adult and children’s teeth should be kept as long as possible. When baby teeth or adult teeth are taken out too soon, crooked teeth or problems with adult tooth growth can occur.
Baby teeth and adult teeth are both essential for proper chewing and health and, very importantly, both are important for esthetics and self esteem.
Both adult and children’s teeth become stained. Adult teeth, however, can also have more difficult to remove deep (permanent) stains. Care must be taken when giving children certain antibiotics or excess fluoride due to their ability to stain the developing adult teeth underneath. Check out the link below.
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Acrylic (plastic) crowns are less expensive than porcelain and may prove sufficient.
Treating a broken tooth after a fall:
After a fall, a broken or loose baby tooth has to be removed. A new acrylic tooth can be placed in the form of a removable tooth (see image below) but it has to be remade over and over again as the child grows.
If a broken baby tooth is not loose it might be saved with a pulpotomy (see below) which is a treatment to clean out an infected nerve and by the placement of a white crown made of zirconium (a type of ceramic) or acrylic (acrylic is cheaper - ask your dentist). Remember, this is doable only if enough tooth still remains after the break.
Types of fillings for baby teeth:
White fillings: White fillings are common and reliable for adult teeth, however, it is difficult to place a white filling in a baby tooth.
These fillings tend to break and fall out. If the decay in a baby tooth has grown large, then consider a crown.
About silver fillings: Unfortunately, silver fillings have lost popularity, mostly on the false notion that there is a danger from mercury content. The fact is, there is no danger of mercury entering the child's system. Silver fillings are stronger and more reliable than white fillings and are the best choice for cavities in the back teeth.
Crowns: When necessary, crowns can be placed on baby teeth. Often for the back teeth, stainless steel crowns (silver crowns) are used. They are healthy and reliable and don't pose an esthetic issue. Acrylic (plastic) crowns are sufficient for front teeth.
How to treat a baby tooth with an infected nerve:
Pulpotomy: When decay first enters the nerve of a baby tooth, the dentist will treat the tooth by removing the infected part of the nerve and treating the tooth with an anti-septic medication (formocresol or formalin). This is called a pulpotomy. The treatment will be followed by placement of a medicated filling made of cement.
If the infection has spread into the root then the chance of saving the tooth decreases. The dentist might try a baby tooth root canal (pulpectomy).
Unlike an adult root canal, the root is filled with a paste (such as calcium hydroxide for instance). Baby tooth root canals are a bit of a long shot but are worth doing to try and save the tooth.
