What are the treatment options for a child with a missing tooth?

 

If your child lost a tooth from a fall or injury, it's important to act quickly. Timely dental care is essential for the long-term health of an injured tooth. In fact, getting treatment within the first few hours can often determine whether the tooth can be saved or not. 

Tooth loss due to trauma is common in active children. Fortunately, there are treatment options to replace missing teeth. 

• For baby teeth: No immediate treatment is usually required if a baby tooth is lost. The adult tooth will usually develop on its own, but regular dental check-ups can ensure your child's teeth are developing properly. 
• For permanent teeth: If a permanent tooth is lost, the treatment options will depend on your child's age and how developed their jaw is. 
• A space maintainer helps to keep the gap open for the adult tooth to grow in later or in preparation for future treatments, such as braces. 
• A dental bridge involves placing a false tooth in the gap until your child is old enough for a more permanent solution, like a dental implant. 
• A removable partial denture is a non-invasive option. It's a temporary false tooth that your child can take out, offering a practical solution for both eating and appearance. 

As your child’s jaw fully matures, a dental implant might become an option. Implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth, but are typically recommended after teenage years, when jaw development is complete. 

The best treatment option will depend on your child's age, jaw development, and overall oral health. Consulting with your dentist is crucial to determine the most appropriate solution for your child's needs.

Dr Tan Kian Meng is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. He is also a Clinical Lecturer at the National University of Singapore and Diplomate with the American Board of Prosthodontics. He was formerly a Consultant at Singapore’s Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Fellow of Maxillofacial Prosthetics and Oncologic Dentistry Fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr Tan has special interest in prosthetic and implant restorative dentistry. 

You’re invited to a Magical Garden Party!

 

Looking for the perfect family day out that is fun and educational? Bring your little ones to the Magical Garden Party at Canadian International School (CIS), happening on Saturday, 23 November 2024, from 9:30am to 11:30am. 

Enjoy a range of fun-filled activities that are educationally designed for learners aged 2 to 8, led by CIS teachers. These activities incorporate CIS’s unique teaching approach to help their youngest learners develop essential skills such as critical thinking, language development, and problem-solving skills. 

Betty butterfly’s arts studio. 

Spread your creative wings and craft your very own butterfly or caterpillar crowns. 

Charlie caterpillar’s obstacle course. 

Learn about the PE programme as you venture into the caterpillar’s cocoon and work your way through exciting obstacle courses.

Iggy inchworms ice sculpture. 

Dive into the wonders of science by painting on ice and watch the artwork transform as the ice melts. 

Marty moth’s multilingual story corner. 

Listen to enchanting storytellers bring classic children’s stories to life in English, French and Chinese.

Sally spider’s web city. 

Explore art and maths concepts as you help Sally spider spin a web that is symmetrical and beautiful. 

Aunty ant’s mud & sand kitchen 

Explore maths and science concepts such as counting, measurement, shape and volume as you experiment and play in the mud and sand. 

Outdoor learning is at the heart of CIS’s kindergarten curriculum, and the 2,600-square-metre Outdoor Discovery Centre offers an inspiring environment for children to explore, experiment, and learn through play. 

The Magical Garden Party celebrates 9 years of outdoor learning at CIS’s Outdoor Discovery Centre (ODC), a first-of-its-kind in Singapore that was so groundbreaking it caught the attention of Sir Ken Robinson, British author and expert in creativity and education. CIS’s ODC was also honoured as one of Finland’s HundrED innovations, earning recognition in media worldwide 

The Magical Garden Party promises to be a fun-filled day for the entire family, and a perfect way to discover how CIS students discover, learn and thrive in a nature-filled setting. 

Register now to secure your spot. We can’t wait to see you at our Magical Garden Party!

CIS alumna scores debut with Singapore’s Lionesses

 

CIS alumna Kyra Taylor at her national team debut against Macau

(Photo by Football Association of Singapore)

“It's an indescribable feeling to have achieved my dream of representing Singapore at the international level. Playing against Macau, and scoring a goal on my debut match in front of my family is a moment I'll cherish forever,” says Canadian International School (CIS) alumna Kyra Taylor.

A rising star in the football scene, Kyra’s journey has been remarkable. She captained Singapore's under-17 team at just 15 and later represented Singapore in several tournaments. Her crowning moment came in summer 2024, when she made her debut for the Singapore Lionesses.

Her growing talent was quickly recognised in Singapore where she was awarded the Unleash the Roar! (UTR) scholarship. Kyra was one of five young athletes selected to study and train at the IMG Academy in Florida, USA—a top global sports school. 

Off the pitch, Kyra's ambitions extend into the field of sports psychology. Earlier this year, she accepted an offer to pursue a master’s degree in Psychology at the University of St Andrews. “I’m excited to deepen my understanding in human behaviour and performance, and potentially work with athletes to enhance their mental game,” she says.

Kyra credits CIS for providing her a solid academic foundation from young. “CIS prepared me well with its rigorous IB programme. When I transitioned to the American High School Diploma at IMG, I was able to tackle new subjects like Forensic Science, American History, and Composition easily,” she shares.

She also mentioned how incredibly supportive the CIS community was of her move overseas. “From the principal to the university advisory team, even after graduating, they continued to guide and encourage me as I navigated the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application process.”

Book a tour to learn more about the CIS experience. 

Ask the Dentist: How to treat gummy smiles?

 

A “gummy smile” refers to individuals who reveal a larger portion of their gums when they smile, making their teeth seem shorter in relation to their gums. 

Even though individuals with gummy smiles may have healthy teeth and gums, they might feel self conscious about their smiles, which can affect their confidence. Fortunately, there are treatments available to address this concern. 

Gummy smiles may arise due to: 

• Excessive display of gums due to the abnormal teeth eruption 

• Hyperactive lip muscles which cause the upper lip to rise higher than usual when smiling, showing more gum tissue 

• Prominent upper jaw 

• Prominent position of upper front teeth 

• Severely worn teeth, resulting in the teeth looking shorter relative to the gums.

There are a few treatment options, such as: 

1. Crown lengthening (gum surgery) reshapes excess gum tissue and underlying bone. Crowns or veneers may be used afterwards to achieve the desired aesthetic look. The process takes about an hour, followed by the removal of stitches after a week or two. 

2. Orthodontics (alignment of the teeth), crowns, and/or jaw surgery may be required if the gummy smile is caused by the front teeth positioned too far forward. 

3. Protein injections can treat the upper lips’ hyperactive muscles. The 10-minute procedure consists of a few tiny injections. 

If you require dental crowns, there is a waiting period of about 1-3 months before the final crowns are placed. If braces and/or jaw surgery are required, the treatment timeline may be extended. However, rest assured that you will consistently have a complete smile throughout the entire treatment duration. 

With meticulous planning and execution, the results of gum surgery can last for years.

 Professional follow-up will be essential for successful long-term treatment outcomes, ensuring your smile is well cared for. 

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Dr Daylene Leong is a Dental Specialist in Periodontics with Specialist Dental Group® She received her training in the specialty area of Periodontology from the University of Michigan, USA. Dr Leong is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. She has a special interest in periodontal regeneration, gingival aesthetic and plastic surgery, and dental implants. www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883