Pediatric Dentistry
Just as adults have their own special dental needs, so do children. And it’s important that children see the dentist early on – while they’re still toddlers – so they’ll feel good about oral health care.
Routine Cleanings and Exams
Our dental team begins the teeth cleaning process with an exploration of the surfaces of your child’s teeth, gums, tongue, and lips. They will gently and carefully clean their teeth with tools designed to remove any tartar buildup, before flossing and finally applying a polishing compound and fluoride.
The dentist will take the time to thoroughly inspect and examine your child’s mouth, looking closely for any signs of tooth decay or gum disease. She may take X-rays to get a better picture of what’s going on beneath the surface. She will also consider steps that can be taken to prevent problems, like applying sealant to teeth.
At the conclusion of the appointment, if it is determined the child needs additional treatment, a second appointment will need to be scheduled to complete the work.
Sealants
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that protect the chewing surfaces of children’s back teeth from decay (cavities). Because they have small pits and grooves, these surfaces are rough and uneven. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and grooves and stay there for a long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away. Sealants fill in the grooves and keep the food out.
Children should get sealants on their molars as soon as they come in–before decay attacks the teeth. Sealants, daily brushing and flossing, drinking fluoridated water, and regular dental check-ups are an important part of your child’s oral health and the best defense against tooth decay.
For more information download this article from the American Dental Association on dental sealants.
Restorations
Fillings: We offer both traditional silver fillings as well as tooth-colored fillings.
Pulpotomies: Sometimes referred to as baby tooth root canals, pulpotomies are a very common procedure performed in our office. This is usually required when severe decay is present, but we want to save the tooth. These are generally accompanied by a silver crown and is proven to be very effective in fighting infections that could develop as a result of severe cavities.
Pediatric Crowns
Crowns: We have many different crown types available to our patients. Traditional silver (stainless-steel) crowns can be selected for both posterior and anterior teeth. Tooth colored composite-based crowns can also be placed on the front teeth for both baby teeth and adult teeth. They are easy to use and look beautiful on your child’s front teeth!
Extractions
Dental extractions are most often performed because a tooth has sustained damage or decay, it is abscessed, or cannot be saved. Some other times the removal of a baby tooth may be necessary for orthodontic treatment, or simply because a baby tooth “does not want to come out” on its own.
In the event you child needs a dental extraction, our doctors will discuss treatment alternatives to keep your child comfortable during the procedure.
Space Maintainers
Space Maintainers are a common pediatric dental treatment option. The job is a space maintainer is to keep the space between two or more baby teeth open to allow the permanent tooth to erupt and come into place. There are different types of space maintainers for different situations and locations in the mouth. The procedure is very simple and routine and can be completed in one or two office visits, depending upon the treatment needed.
Examples of Space Maintainers:
Early removal of specific baby teeth to facilitate the proper eruption of permanent teeth
Maintaining space for permanent teeth after the premature loss of a baby tooth