Pediatric Dentist vs. General Dentist - Who’s More Expensive?

Every dentist starts in the same place: an authorized dental school program. A general dentist begins practicing dentistry after graduating from dental school and completing at least one year of residency. A pediatric dentist, on the other hand, completes an extra two to three years of specialized training. During this training, a pediatric dentist will learn about children's specific dental requirements and challenges. This involves learning how to cope with the behavior of children, especially those with special needs, as well as how to establish a pleasant and inviting atmosphere for even the youngest patients.

General dentists may treat patients of all ages, but the majority of their education is focused on adults, therefore their practice is geared toward them. As a result, children make up a small fraction of their patient population. As a result, they may not always have the appropriate temperament or expertise to treat kids and assist them in understanding the procedures that will be followed. 

Pediatric dentists, on the other hand, work primarily with children and are more equipped to handle their dental needs. For the same reason, most pediatric dental patients are 18 or younger, unless they have a particular condition.

Pediatric Dentistry Treatments

Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children, so you can be confident that no matter what problem your kid is experiencing, a kind, competent, and experienced dental expert will provide the finest treatment possible. 

Treating children frequently involves dealing with particular challenges, such as anxiousness. Pediatric dentists learn how to make youngsters feel safe and comfortable because they understand that a pleasant dental experience may lead to a lifetime of good oral health. 

Dental crowns

Although dental crowns are widely used in adults, some children benefit from them. Some children's teeth will be permanently damaged, whether due to dental decay, grinding, or an accident. To restore their gorgeous smiles, pediatric dentists use dental crowns to cover and support the injured tooth. 

The method of installing dental crowns is rather simple. First, your pediatric dentist will take x-rays of the injured tooth and its surrounds to look for any additional problems. They will next file down the tooth so that the dental crown may fit over it without jutting out. They will next take an imprint of your filled-down tooth to ensure that your dental cap fits snugly over it. Finally, your pediatric dentist will cement the crown in place, giving your kid a new, attractive, and healthier smile.

Tooth extractions

During this operation, pediatric dentists take x-rays of the tooth to determine how to proceed with the extraction. They then explain the operation to the kid patient to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible with it. You may be confident that your children will not be in any pain due to the use of anesthetic, and that the pediatric dentist in charge will ensure that your kid has the best possible experience.

Remember to take proper care of the wound after the tooth extraction, including eating soft meals for the first several days of recuperation.

Pulpectomy

A pulpectomy is a technique in which the dentist removes the pulp in a patient's crown and root and replaces it with a stronger filling. If a child has significant pulp inflammation, tooth decay, or other issues, a pulpectomy may be necessary. Failure to remove all of the diseased pulp from a patient's teeth might cause the infection to spread, causing more pain and injury to the patient.

Dental Insurance

Ultimately, pediatric dentistry can be more expensive than general dental. However, the cost-benefit analysis clearly demonstrates that your children's dentist's additional training, specialized equipment, and expertise are well worth the investment. When you invest in your child's dental treatment, you gain peace of mind that ordinary dentists cannot provide.

In addition, any parent can use dental insurance or dental discount programs to keep dental care costs low. Insurance policies can cover anywhere from 50% to 100% of the cost of a dental surgery, whereas dental discount plans cover up to 60% but at a lower monthly cost than insurance.