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A couple of articles are added each month with many more articles provided in the CAS's Maple Leaf Times (eMLT) magazine. To receive your eMLT magazine sent directly to your inbox (8 issues per year), become a member of the Canadian Association of Singapore. Visit the CAS website to register -- www.canadians.org.sg

Friday, November 1, 2024

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!