Pediatric Dentistry · Last reviewed May 2026
Children's Dental Care Done
Gently.
Picasso Dental offers free children's examinations, paediatric cleanings, baby-tooth fillings, paediatric crowns, baby-tooth root canals and Invisalign First children's orthodontics across our six branches in Vietnam. Children's appointments are scheduled with extra time, gentler protocols, and our hospital-partner branches at Vinmec Da Nang and Link General Da Lat are available for cases needing on-site emergency support.
What is Children's Dentistry?
Children's dentistry covers the dental care of patients from infancy through adolescence, including preventive care (cleaning, fluoride, sealants), restorations on baby teeth (fillings, crowns and root canals on primary teeth), and early orthodontic intervention (interceptive orthodontics, Invisalign First, expanders, habit-correction appliances). Picasso's children's exam is complimentary; treatment protocols are adapted for paediatric anxiety, behaviour and developmental stage.
Why Picasso for Children
Free Children's Examination
The first appointment is complimentary at every age. Goal: a low-pressure introduction so the child arrives at future visits without dread. Many children leave their free first visit asking when they can come back.
Tell-Show-Do, Extra Time
Paediatric appointments are booked longer than adult slots so the dentist can explain each instrument before using it, demonstrate on a finger, then use it gently. Parents are welcome in the operatory throughout.
Invisalign First: Children's Aligners
Designed for mixed dentition (some baby teeth, some permanent), Invisalign First addresses arch development, expansion and minor alignment in younger patients. Phase 1 and Phase 2 available, ClinCheck planning included.
Interceptive Orthodontics
From around age 7, our orthodontists screen the developing dentition and recommend early intervention only where genuinely indicated, crossbites, severe crowding, habit-driven changes, skeletal discrepancies. Most children do not need it; we tell you when watchful waiting is the right answer.
Crowns + Root Canals on Baby Teeth
A baby tooth lost early can disturb space for the permanent successor. Where a primary tooth has deep decay or has been damaged, paediatric root canals and metal or porcelain crowns preserve it until natural exfoliation.
Six Family-Friendly Branches
Six branches across Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat. Two of them: Vinmec International Hospital Da Nang and Link General Hospital Da Lat, provide hospital-grade facilities for any paediatric case requiring on-site medical support.
Children's Treatment Categories
Children's examinations are complimentary; preventive care is priced low; restorative and orthodontic treatments are quoted in writing after exam, never on the phone. For published rate cards across preventive, restorative, extractions and orthodontic appliances (Invisalign First, expanders, Twin Block, Forsus, habit-correction), see the dedicated cost guide.
For adult orthodontic transitions see Invisalign or fixed braces.
Paediatric Treatments Explained
Six common paediatric treatments and what they involve. Each is recommended only when the clinical case justifies it, not as a routine package.
First Visit (Free)
A short, low-pressure familiarisation appointment. Tooth count, soft-tissue check, parent education on brushing and diet. No treatment unless a parent specifically asks. Goal: a positive first impression.
Cleaning, Fluoride & Sealants
Six-monthly cleaning is the foundation. Fluoride is applied where caries risk justifies it. Sealants are placed in the deep grooves of permanent first and second molars as they erupt, Cochrane evidence supports a roughly 50% reduction in occlusal caries.
Fillings on Baby Teeth
Small to moderate decay is restored with composite or GIC (glass ionomer). GIC releases fluoride and is well suited to higher-risk paediatric cases. Filling a baby tooth prevents pain, infection and damage to the developing permanent tooth beneath.
Paediatric Crowns + Root Canals
Where decay has reached the pulp of a primary tooth that still has years to serve before natural exfoliation, a baby-tooth root canal followed by a metal or porcelain paediatric crown preserves the tooth and the space for the permanent successor.
Interceptive Orthodontics
Phase 1 treatment for crossbites, severe crowding, habit-driven changes or developing skeletal discrepancies, typically between ages 7 and 10. Goal: prevent a larger Phase 2 case later. Recommended only where genuinely indicated.
Invisalign First & Habit Appliances
Invisalign First treats children in mixed dentition with clear aligners. Twin Block, Forsus, expanders, facemask and habit-correction appliances handle problems aligners cannot, skeletal discrepancies, severe expansion, prolonged thumb-sucking. The right tool is chosen by the orthodontist, not the catalogue.
How a Child's Dental Pathway Works
Four stages from first visit through orthodontic monitoring. Most children move through this pathway with very little active treatment.
Free First Visit
Familiarisation appointment. Parent and child meet the dentist together. Tooth count, soft-tissue check, brushing demo. No treatment unless asked.
Age 1+ · 30 minPreventive Plan
Risk-based plan: six-monthly cleaning, fluoride where indicated, sealants on permanent molars. Diet and oral habit review with parent.
Every 6 monthsTreatment if Needed
Restorations, paediatric crowns or pulp therapy on baby teeth performed under appropriate local anaesthetic with tell-show-do behaviour management.
As neededOrthodontic Watch
From age 7: orthodontist monitors eruption and skeletal development. Interceptive treatment or Invisalign First only when genuinely indicated.
Age 7+ · annualWhen to Bring Your Child, and When We May Refer
Children's dentistry covers most cases under one roof. A small subset benefit from referral to a hospital paediatric specialist; we tell you honestly when that is the right call.
Bring Your Child If
First teeth have erupted (around age 1) and they have not yet seen a dentist.
It has been more than six months since the last visit.
They are complaining of pain, sensitivity or have visible decay.
A tooth has been bumped, chipped or knocked out, call us immediately.
You see crooked emerging teeth, a crossbite, or a tooth missing at an expected age.
They are mouth-breathing, snoring, thumb-sucking past age 4–5, or have other oral habits you are concerned about.
We May Refer to a Hospital Paediatric Specialist If
Your child has severe special needs or extreme behavioural anxiety that makes routine treatment unsafe in a standard operatory.
Extensive treatment is required under general anaesthetic, we coordinate with hospital paediatric anaesthesia teams rather than perform GA in-clinic.
The case requires paediatric medical specialty input (e.g. craniofacial, oncology) beyond routine dentistry.
We are honest when a hospital paediatric specialist will serve your child better than we can.
Risks & Honest Tradeoffs
Children's dentistry is mostly preventive. Where treatment is needed, here is what the evidence supports and how we minimise risk for younger patients.
Why First Visit at Age 1 Matters
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by age 1, or within six months of the first tooth erupting. Early visits identify caries risk, support diet and brushing habits, and dramatically reduce the probability of a child's first dental experience being a painful one.
Sealants Reduce Caries Risk
The 2017 Cochrane systematic review by Ahovuo-Saloranta et al. found resin fissure sealants reduce occlusal caries in permanent first molars by approximately 50% in children at moderate or high caries risk, with the protective effect maintained over multiple years of follow-up.
Fluoride: Safety Profile
Professional fluoride application is well established and safe at clinical doses. Risks (dental fluorosis) are dose-related and tied chiefly to chronic over-ingestion in early childhood, not to in-office application. We assess each child's caries risk and total fluoride exposure before recommending it.
Why Phase 1 Orthodontics, When Indicated
Early orthodontic intervention can correct crossbites, severe crowding, harmful habits and developing skeletal discrepancies more easily than waiting. The evidence does not support routine Phase 1 for every child, only those whose case will be smaller, simpler and more stable if treated early.
Behaviour & Anxiety
Most paediatric dental anxiety is managed with tell-show-do, parent presence, distraction and longer appointments. Sedation is rarely needed. For genuinely high-anxiety children needing extensive treatment we discuss general anaesthetic at a hospital paediatric centre rather than in-clinic.
What We Will Tell You No To
Premature orthodontics on transient developmental issues that resolve naturally. Routine Phase 1 for every child whose teeth are still erupting. Cosmetic procedures on children before adult dentition is complete. Extracting a baby tooth that should be saved with a paediatric root canal. We say no when no is the right answer.
Common Questions
At what age should my child first see a dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by age 1, or within six months of the first tooth erupting. The visit is short, gentle and primarily about making the child comfortable. At Picasso, children's examinations are complimentary at every age.
Does my child really need fluoride?
For caries-active children and those drinking non-fluoridated water, professional fluoride application reduces decay risk and is well supported by the dental literature. We assess caries risk first and recommend fluoride only where benefit is genuine.
Are dental sealants worth it?
Yes, for the deep grooves of permanent first and second molars where toothbrushes cannot reach. The 2017 Cochrane review (Ahovuo-Saloranta et al.) found resin sealants reduce occlusal caries by roughly 50% in children at moderate or high caries risk.
Why would a baby tooth need a root canal?
Because losing a baby tooth too early can disturb space for the permanent successor and shift the whole bite. When a primary tooth has deep decay reaching the pulp but the root is still intact, a paediatric root canal preserves it until natural exfoliation. See our root canal page for the equivalent adult procedure.
When should orthodontic treatment start?
An orthodontic screening is recommended around age 7. Most children do not need any treatment then, but a small subset benefit from early (Phase 1) intervention to correct crossbites, severe crowding, harmful oral habits or developing skeletal discrepancies. Most other cases wait for full adult dentition.
Invisalign First versus early braces, which?
Invisalign First is designed for children with mixed dentition (some baby teeth, some permanent teeth) and addresses arch development, expansion and minor alignment. Fixed appliances (expanders, Twin Block, Forsus) handle different problems, skeletal discrepancies, severe expansion needs, habit correction. The right tool is decided after orthodontic exam, not from a website. See our adult Invisalign page for older patients.
My child sucks their thumb, when should I worry?
Most thumb-sucking resolves naturally before age 4. Beyond age 4–5, prolonged sucking can shift erupting front teeth and shape the upper arch. We recommend gentle behavioural strategies first; a habit-correction appliance is offered only when habits persist past around age 6 and are causing measurable changes.
Cavities in baby teeth, fix or wait?
Fix. Untreated decay in baby teeth causes pain, infection, and can damage the developing permanent tooth beneath. Small cavities are filled with composite or GIC; deeper decay may need a paediatric crown or pulp therapy. Waiting for natural exfoliation is rarely the right answer. See our dental fillings page for the equivalent adult procedure.
Will my child be afraid?
Some children are anxious; most settle quickly with our tell-show-do approach. The free first visit is intentionally low-pressure, no treatment, just a meeting. Parents are welcome in the operatory. For genuinely high-anxiety children we discuss alternatives, including referral to a hospital paediatric specialist where general anaesthetic is needed for extensive treatment.
Can I bring my child if a tooth has been knocked out?
Yes, call us immediately. For a knocked-out permanent tooth, every minute matters: keep the tooth moist (milk or saliva, not water), avoid touching the root, and bring the child in within 30–60 minutes if possible. Knocked-out baby teeth are usually not re-implanted. Outside hours, our hospital-partner branches in Da Nang and Da Lat have on-site emergency support.
How are paediatric prices structured?
Children's examinations are complimentary. Cleaning, baby-tooth fillings, paediatric crowns (metal and porcelain), baby-tooth root canals and Invisalign First are quoted in writing after the free first visit. There are no hidden lab or follow-up fees on routine paediatric work. For published rate cards, see the full pricing index.
What if my child has special needs?
Many children with mild special needs are treated comfortably in our standard operatories with extra time, sensory accommodation and a familiar parent present. For severe special needs or extensive treatment requiring general anaesthetic, we refer to a hospital paediatric specialist team, and tell you honestly when that is the right call.
Start Here
Book Your Child's
Free First Visit.
The first appointment is complimentary at every age. We will meet your child, count their teeth, and explain what (if anything) they need, in writing, before any treatment is booked.