Pediatric Dental Conditions We Treat

The board-certified pediatric dentists at Children's Hospital Colorado treat infants, kids and adolescents with a broad range of dental conditions, from cavities and periodontal disease to complex conditions, including cleft lip and palate anomalies. Some of the more common dental conditions treated at Children's Colorado include:

Cavities (dental caries)

Most of the activities of the dental clinic revolve around diagnosis and treatment of dental caries or “cavities.” Learn more about the symptoms of cavities and how we treat cavities in kids at Children's Colorado.

Orthodontics

At Children's Colorado's Dental Center, we provide early orthodontic treatment to selected conditions that impair proper growth of the teeth and jaws. Such interceptive orthodontic treatment may be indicated between 6 and 10 years of age as permanent teeth come in. Older children and adolescents requiring comprehensive orthodontic treatment are generally referred to orthodontic specialists.

Malocclusion

Malocclusion usually refers to crowded or misaligned teeth, a significant discrepancy in tooth-to-jaw size or in jaw-to-jaw relationship. Malocclusions are diagnosed using clinical examination and X-rays, dental arch analysis from plaster models made from teeth impressions, and radiographic analysis of the relationship of the facial bones to each other.

Malocclusions can be treated with removable or fixed orthodontic appliances, but difficult cases may require additional jaw surgery after orthodontic pre-treatment with braces.

Soft and hard tissue disease

These diseases can be caused by a host of conditions including infections (e.g., herpes or fungal infections), blood and/or immunological problems, genetic predispositions, cancers or local environmental factors. The conditions are diagnosed through clinical and radiographic examinations and, in some cases when legions or overgrowths are not visible, through laboratory studies such as cultures.

Oro-facial trauma

Traumatic injuries involving the head and face are relatively common; it is estimated that about 50% of the population has or will have some type of traumatic injury involving teeth. Most commonly the front, upper teeth are involved. Motor vehicle accidents, falls around the home or playgrounds, and injuries associated with sports or play activities account for the majority of injuries.

Traumatic injuries can be diagnosed and treated using a variety of techniques. Probably the most important aspect of maximizing long-term prognosis for dental injuries is to visit the dentist as quickly as possible after injury and follow-up faithfully as directed. Ideally, a tooth should be re-implanted immediately after an injury. The dentist usually repositions and stabilizes the injured tooth. If its nerve is injured, root canal therapy must be performed.

Milk is the best household product for transporting knocked-out teeth to the dentist, but commercially available kits provide the best preservation medium and are worth keeping around the house in case of a dental emergency.

Craniofacial anomalies

Children's Colorado provides comprehensive treatment of cleft lip and palate. We work closely with the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center to treat the teeth of patients who have craniofacial abnormalities.

Benefits of good oral health

The benefits of good oral health go far beyond your child's smile. Children with good oral health are:

• Less likely to suffer from chronic strep throat and ear infections

• Less likely to need expensive dental treatments

• More likely to attend, concentrate and succeed in school

• Less likely to suffer from speech development or early learning issues

• More likely to have healthy self-esteem

Encourage your kids to keep up their dental hygiene habits. A healthier mouth means a healthier child.