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What is The Difference Between Children And Adult Dentistry?
Scott • Oct 24, 2017
Many people think that there are no differences between children and adult dentistry. We offer both services in our dental practice here in Fort Myers and I’d like to take this opportunity to explain the key differences between the two, as their needs do differ greatly.
Pediatric Dentistry
Dentists who have dealt with young children know their needs are different from those of adults. Kids ask a lot of questions and are often not too shy about showing their anxiety or fear. Because of this, they need a specialized approach. Dentists need to be able to make them feel at ease with the office and staff and also be able to establish a connection with them, by making the procedure fun. Here are some of the most common dental services that kids need:
- Early Dental Assessment
- Preventive Dentistry
- Teeth Cleaning
- Teeth Alignment
- Teeth Extraction
General Dentistry
Adults who require dental services often go to a general dentist. The services offered in general dentistry include:
- Teeth Cleaning
- Diagnosis of oral diseases/issues
- Root Canals
- Fillings
- Dental Crowns
- Bridges
- Veneers
- Preventive Education
Both pediatric and general dentists have education and experience in diagnosing, treating and managing oral healthcare issues. A general dentist is someone who has completed an undergraduate degree and four years of dental school. He or she possesses a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.
A pediatric dentist has completed all of the above, and also completed at least 2 years of full-time residency focusing on pediatric dentistry and surgery. A pediatric dentist has been trained in the following areas:
- Management of mouth, jaw, face, and head developmental and growth issues in children
- Treatment of kids with special needs and or medically compromised
- Preventive care
- Treatment of children under sedation or anesthesia
Essentially, while a general dentist can treat patients of all ages, he or she does not have the same specialized training that a pediatric dentist has.
Children and Adult Dentistry
Dentists are aware that kids have special needs which make them different from adults. Kids may be more anxious or afraid of going to the dentist and so they require a different treatment approach, such as using sedative medication or applying psychology.
Moreover, children have oral care needs that are not common in adults, since their jaws, teeth and mouth structures are still growing.
If you’re a family with kids and adults, seeing a family dentist is the best option. You can schedule all your dental appointments in a single visit, and our dentist will be able to determine the best dental care that is appropriate for each member of your family.
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