Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

Dentistry is a medical specialty that treats the teeth, gum, nerves, and jaw. Orthodontics is a subspecialty within dentistry that focuses on straightening teeth and correcting the way teeth contact each other.

Oral disease is the top unmet health issue for children with disabilities, and most community dental clinics are not equipped to treat children with complex medical needs. Gillette Children's is proud to partner with Apple Tree Dental to provide expert care for children and teens with complex medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, craniofacial issues, and more.

Children who have a wide variety of complex conditions might have a harder time getting pediatric dental and orthodontic care in a traditional setting. These disabilities and complex conditions might include:

• Cleft lip and palate
• Craniofacial abnormalities linked to injuries or medical syndromes
• Cerebral palsy
• Learning or communication disabilities
• Spinal muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy, and other neuromuscular conditions
• Other conditions that affect the mouth and teeth

The Apple Tree Dental Clinic at Gillette Children's is equipped to offer oral care to children and teens with these and other disabilities.

A pediatric orthodontist or dentist might recommend one or more of the following treatment options:

• General dentistry and orthodontic care for children who have disabilities and complex conditions.
• Special needs dentistry and orthodontic consultations for conditions that affect the mouth and teeth.
• Sedation dentistry services for kids who have difficulty with general dentistry or orthodontia procedures.
• The Gillette OrthoCleft^® retainer for cleft lip and palate.

If your child has a disability or complex condition, finding appropriate pediatric dentistry and orthodontics can be challenging. Pediatric dentists and orthodontists at Gillette Children’s understand the unique dental needs of kids who have conditions such as:

• Cerebral palsy
• Cleft lip and palate
• Hemifacial microsomia
• Other disorders that affect the mouth and teeth.

From sedation services to custom equipment, our specialists offer dental and orthodontic care primarily to kids who already receive inpatient or outpatient care at Gillette. To see a dentist or orthodontist at Gillette, the patient first needs a medical referral. 

As part of their treatment, your child might work with some of our experts in areas such as:

• Craniofacial and plastic surgery
• Speech and language therapy