Parents of children (aged six or under)

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Filling

Please refer to Oral Treatments/Filling

Extraction

Extraction is the removal of tooth using simple extraction instruments such as forceps or elevators.

Purpose of extraction in children

To remove teeth that cannot be restored
To remove teeth that are not necessary to restore
To remove potentially problematic teeth
To remove teeth necessary for orthodontic treatment
Removal of teeth with infected pulps can prevent infective endocarditis for the patients who are suffering from some forms of heart disease.

Procedure

Apply local anaesthetics to the tooth and oral structures to make them numb
Using appropriate instruments to extract the tooth.
Tightly bite on cotton roll or gauze to help stop bleeding.

Note for parents

The proper alignment of teeth depends on the size of the jaw bone. If deciduous teeth are extracted prematurely, the early loss of deciduous teeth may have an adverse result in irregular alignment of permanent teeth.
Deciduous teeth will shed naturally during tooth transition. Even though they are loose, there is no need to extract the deciduous teeth.
Never frighten a child by a threat to have their teeth extracted if they don't behave. It will cause fear towards dental treatment and will increase difficulty in oral treatment in the future.

Points to note after extraction

For the next 24 hours, you should :

Not rinse your mouth vigorously
Not disturb the wound with your tongue or fingers
Not drink alcoholic beverages
Not do heavy exercise
Not smoke
Take pain control medication as recommended

Painful and swollen wound after extraction
Generally, discomfort in the wound will be felt within 3 to 4 days after the extraction. The level of discomfort will decrease as the wound heals. If you follow the dentist's advices to take medications and keep your mouth clean, the wound should gradually heal. If the condition hasn't improved or has even worsened 3 to 4 days after the extraction, you should get a detailed check-up by the dentist.

Scaling

Purpose
Scaling removes the accumulated dental plaque, calculus, and stain from the surface of our teeth, which can prevent periodontal disease.

Procedure

Use dental instruments or ultrasonic scaling machine to remove calculus.
Polish the surface of teeth to remove stain and keep the surfaces smooth.

Points of notes after scaling

There may be slight discomfort and minor gingival bleeding in the first few days after scaling. Please do not worry. You only need to thoroughly clean your teeth daily, and the discomfort and gingival bleeding will gradually disappear. The gum will become healthy as well.

Orthodontic Treatment

Please refer to: Oral Treatments/Orthodontic treatment

Temporary denture

If a child loses his/her permanent teeth due to an accident, his/her dentist needs to fabricate a temporary denture for him/her.

Purpose
To improve aesthetics by filling the gap left by the missing tooth. To wait until the child's jawbones are fully developed (around 20 years old) to insert a permanent denture/bridge/implant.

Material
Plastic and stainless steel wires.

Procedure

Impressions of the teeth are taken, and the occlusion is recorded
The temporary denture is fabricated in the dental laboratory
The temporary denture is fitted

Points of notes

During tooth transition period, permanent teeth of a child have not fully erupted, and the jawbones are still growing. Therefore, you must bring your child to the dentist for regular dental check-up and have the denture adjusted. A new denture should be made when necessary.
After fitting a temporary denture, extra attention should be paid to keep good oral hygiene in order to prevent dental caries and periodontal disease.
Thoroughly clean the denture and teeth every morning and before bed at night.
When the temporary denture is not worn, it must be soaked in plain water.
If severe discomfort is felt when wearing the temporary denture, you must bring your child to the dentist immediately.

Pulp Treatment(Root Canal Treatment)

Please refer to Oral Treatments/Pulp (Endodontic) Treatment

Leong's Premolar

The difference between a 'Leong's premolar' and a normal premolar is that a 'Leong's premolar' has a projected and fragile portion of tooth structure. If the projected structure has fractured and no proper treatment is done, there will be chances for bacteria to infect the pulp of the tooth. The pulp may become necrotic or may even result in periapical abscess. Preventive treatment is needed to protect the tooth from the above situation.

According to individual needs, the dentist will either strengthen the fragile structure, or remove the structure and restore the tooth by composite resin.

Method 1:Strengthen the projected portion
Method 2: Remove the projected portion and apply filling to the cavity

If the child has already joined the School Dental Care Service, he/she can receive treatment in the respective School Dental Care Service Clinic.

Orthodontic Treatment

Please refer to: Oral Treatments/Orthodontic treatment