Preventive Treatments
A. Routine Scaling & Polishing
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Problem Addressed: Tartar buildup or staining from poor hygiene or diet. -
How to Check: Yellow/brown teeth or bleeding gums; dentist can confirm. -
Specialist: General Dentist. -
Home Care Tip: Brush twice daily for better plaque removal. -
Milestone: Continue every 6 months during teen years.
B. Topical Fluoride Treatments (especially for braces)
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Problem Addressed: Increased cavity risk around braces.
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How to Check: White spots or decay near brackets.
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Specialist: General Dentist or Orthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Strictly follow oral hygiene instructions.
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Milestone: Common during braces (ages 9–19).
C. Sealants (for newly erupted permanent molars)
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Problem Addressed: Cavities in deep grooves of new molars.
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How to Check: Dark spots on molar surfaces; dentist can apply.
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Specialist: General Dentist.
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Home Care Tip: Avoid sticky foods near sealed teeth.
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Milestone: Apply when second molars erupt (ages 11–13).
D. Oral Hygiene Education (specific to ortho patients)
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Problem Addressed: Plaque buildup around braces causing gum issues.
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How to Check: Red gums or difficulty cleaning.
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Specialist: Orthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Use floss threaders or water flossers.
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Milestone: Ongoing during braces treatment.
E. Custom Mouthguards (for sports activities)
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Problem Addressed: Risk of tooth injury during sports.
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How to Check: No protection during contact sports.
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Specialist: General Dentist.
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Home Care Tip: Clean and store dry after use.
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Milestone: Fit before starting sports (ages 12+).
Restorative Treatments
A. Composite Fillings
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Problem Addressed: Cavities in permanent teeth.
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How to Check: Tooth pain or visible holes; dentist uses X-rays.
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Specialist: Endodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Avoid chewing hard items like ice.
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Milestone: Common as permanent teeth mature (ages 13–19).
B. Onlays/Inlays (for larger cavities)
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Problem Addressed: Extensive decay not fixable with fillings.
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How to Check: Large damaged areas..
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Specialist: Endodontist or Prosthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Maintain good oral hygiene to protect.
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Milestone: Needed if decay worsens (ages 14–19).
C. Root Canal Treatments (for permanent teeth)
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Problem Addressed: Infected nerve due to deep decay or trauma.
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How to Check: Severe pain, swelling, or sensitivity; X-rays needed.
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Specialist: Endodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Avoid extreme temperatures post-treatment.
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Milestone: Possible from age 13 if permanent teeth are affected.
D. Post and Core (if RCT-treated tooth needs support)
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Problem Addressed: Weak tooth after root canal needing a crown.
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How to Check: Crumbling tooth; dentist will assess.
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Specialist: Endodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Protect with a crown soon after.
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Milestone: Follows root canal (ages 13–19).
E. Crowns for Permanent Teeth (Zirconia/Ceramic)
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Problem Addressed: Broken or heavily decayed permanent teeth.
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How to Check: Visible damage or pain; dentist can diagnose.
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Specialist: General Dentist or Prosthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Avoid grinding habits with a night guard.
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Milestone: Common in later teens (ages 15–19).
F. Management of Traumatized Teeth
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Problem Addressed: Injury causing cracks or displacement.
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How to Check: Recent injury with tooth issues; seek immediate care.
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Specialist: General Dentist or Endodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Save knocked-out tooth in milk and rush to dentist.
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Milestone: Peaks during active teen years (13–19).
G. Bleaching for Discolored Non-Vital Teeth
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Problem Addressed: Dark teeth after trauma or root canal.
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How to Check: Noticeable discoloration; dentist can confirm.
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Specialist: General Dentist or Endodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Avoid staining foods (coffee, soda) post-treatment.
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Milestone: Optional from age 14 for cosmetic reasons.
H. Management of Dental Fluorosis or Enamel Defects
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Problem Addressed: White spots or pitting from excess fluoride or development issues.
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How to Check: Visible spots or weak enamel; dentist will diagnose.
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Specialist: Endodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Use remineralizing toothpaste.
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Milestone: Noticeable by age 12–14 with permanent teeth.
Orthodontic/Interceptive Treatments
A. Comprehensive Orthodontics: Metal/Ceramic Braces, Clear Aligners (Invisalign Teen or equivalent)
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Problem Addressed: Crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth.
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How to Check: Visible misalignment or bite issues; orthodontist uses X-rays.
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Specialist: Orthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Wear aligners 20–22 hours daily if applicable.
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Milestone: Start between ages 11–14.
B. Functional Appliances (for jaw growth correction)
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Problem Addressed: Jaw misalignment affecting bite or face shape.
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How to Check: Uneven jaw or difficulty chewing; orthodontist assesses.
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Specialist: Orthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Wear as directed (often 12–16 hours/day).
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Milestone: Used ages 10–14 during growth spurts.
C. Retention Appliances (Hawley, Essix)
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Problem Addressed: Teeth shifting after braces.
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How to Check: Gradual misalignment post-treatment; orthodontist monitors.
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Specialist: Orthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Clean nightly and wear as instructed.
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Milestone: Worn after braces (ages 13–19+).
D. Orthodontic Mini Screws (TADs) for complex movements
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Problem Addressed: Difficult tooth movements requiring extra support.
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How to Check: Severe crowding; orthodontist will determine need.
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Specialist: Orthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Avoid touching the area; follow care instructions.
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Milestone: Used during complex cases (ages 12–17).
E. Jaw Growth Analysis / Orthognathic Surgery Consultation (for skeletal cases)
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Problem Addressed: Severe jaw misalignment needing surgery.
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How to Check: Significant underbite/overbite; orthodontist refers to surgeon.
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Specialist: Orthodontist and Oral Surgeon.
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Home Care Tip: Prepare for recovery with soft foods.
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Milestone: Considered after age 16 when growth is complete.
F. Braces Treatment
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Problem Addressed: Crooked teeth, crowding, gaps, or bite issues.
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How to Check: Notice misaligned teeth, difficulty chewing, jaw discomfort.
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Specialist: Orthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Brush carefully around brackets, floss daily with floss threaders.
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Milestone: Best started between ages 12–16.
G. Invisalign Treatment
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Problem Addressed: Mild to moderate crowding, spacing, crooked teeth.
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How to Check: Look for gaps, overlapping teeth, or bite irregularities.
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Specialist: Orthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Wear aligners 20–22 hours daily, clean them regularly.
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Milestone: Ideal between ages 12–18.
Specialized/Other Treatments
A. Wisdom Teeth Evaluation/Extraction
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Problem Addressed: Impacted or crowded wisdom teeth causing pain.
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How to Check: Swelling, pain, or crowding; X-rays needed.
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Specialist: Oral Surgeon.
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Home Care Tip: Rest and use prescribed pain relief post-extraction.
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Milestone: Evaluate around age 16–19.
B. TMJ Disorder Management
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Problem Addressed: Jaw pain or clicking from temporomandibular joint issues.
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How to Check: Jaw pain or locking; TMJ specialist can evaluate.
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Specialist: Orthodontist or TMJ Specialist.
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Home Care Tip: Apply warm compresses and avoid hard chewing.
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Milestone: Common in teens (ages 13–19).
C. Night Guards for Bruxism
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Problem Addressed: Teeth grinding causing wear.
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How to Check: Worn out teeth.
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Specialist: Orthodontist or TMJ Specialist.
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Home Care Tip: Clean nightly and store in a case.
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Milestone: Diagnosed in teens (ages 13–19).
D. Laser Treatments (soft tissue corrections, depigmentation)
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Problem Addressed: Gum issues or dark gums affecting appearance.
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How to Check: Uneven gums or discoloration; dentist assesses.
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Specialist: Periodontist or General Dentist with laser training.
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Home Care Tip: Maintain gum health with antiseptic rinse.
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Milestone: Optional from age 14 for cosmetic goals.
E. Cosmetic Dentistry (Minor reshaping, diastema closure)
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Problem Addressed: Gaps or uneven teeth affecting smile.
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How to Check: Visible gaps or shape issues; dentist can evaluate.
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Specialist: Endodontist or Prosthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Use whitening toothpaste sparingly.
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Milestone: Popular in later teens (ages 15–19).
F. Dental Implant Planning (if missing teeth)
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Problem Addressed: Missing permanent teeth affecting function or appearance.
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How to Check: Long-term missing teeth; dentist uses X-rays.
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Specialist: Oral Surgeon and Prosthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Protect adjacent teeth with good hygiene.
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Milestone: Considered after age 17 when growth is complete.
G. Emergency Care (avulsion, fracture, abscesses)
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Problem Addressed: Knocked-out, broken, or infected teeth.
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How to Check: Sudden injury or swelling/pus; seek immediate care.
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Specialist: General Dentist or Emergency Dentist.
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Home Care Tip: Rinse and apply cold compress; save tooth if possible.
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Milestone: Possible anytime (ages 13–19).
H. Mouth Breathing / Snoring Treatment
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Problem Addressed: Persistent mouth breathing or snoring due to airway blockage.
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How to Check: Watch for open-mouth posture, dry lips, daytime fatigue, noisy sleep.
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Specialist: Orthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Encourage nasal breathing, follow proper sleep routines.
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Milestone: Evaluate between ages 12–17.
I. Teeth Grinding Treatment
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Problem Addressed: Night-time or daytime grinding/clenching (bruxism).
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How to Check: Look for flattened or chipped teeth, jaw soreness.
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Specialist: Orthodontist.
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Home Care Tip: Reduce stress triggers, limit caffeine, maintain a relaxing bedtime routine.
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Milestone: Monitor between ages 13–18.
