Pediatric Dentistry

This textbook provides dental practitioners and students with all the knowledge required in order to treat optimally the oral conditions encountered in children and adolescents and to offer appropriate guidance on subsequent oral health self-care. The opening chapters are designed to assist readers in providing empathic care on the basis of a sound understanding of the processes of physical and psychological maturation. The use of sedation and anesthesia is then discussed, followed by detailed information on such key topics as tooth eruption and shedding, preventive and interceptive orthodontics, and control of dental caries. Restoration procedures and pulp treatment necessitated by dental caries, trauma and/or developmental anomalies are clearly described, with reference to relevant advances in dental technology and materials. Subsequent chapters focus on conditions compromising dental or general oral health in the pediatric age group, such as periodontal diseases, dental wear, dental anomalies, TMJ disorders, and soft tissue lesions. The book concludes by examining treatment approaches in children and adolescents with disabilities, syndromes, chronic diseases, craniofacial abnormalities, and generally advocating children centered dentistry as it affects their quality of life.