We emphasize preventive care and education to help avoid or control common childhood dental problems such as dental decay, crowding of teeth, and harmful oral habits.
Regular 6 month exams
Tooth cleaning and polishing
Low radiation digital radiographs
Fluoride treatments
Brushing and flossing instruction
Dietary counseling
Nursing/ Baby bottle instruction
Thumb sucking / pacifier counseling
In order to treat most cavities, our clinic uses white fillings called composites. Composites contain no mercury and are made of durable plastics that are similar in color and texture to natural teeth. Because white fillings look more natural than other fillings, your child can smile, talk, and eat with confidence. They are also compatible with dental sealants so a tooth can be filled and sealed at the same time.
Sealants are an excellent treatment in the prevention of cavities. It is a plastic material which “seals” or fills in the grooves and crevices on the chewing surface of the teeth. This prevents plaque and food from getting caught in the teeth, causing cavities.
Sealant application is fast and comfortable. No drilling is required. The dentist will clean and dry the tooth, flow the sealant material on the tooth, and dry it with a special light.
With proper brushing and care, sealants last up to five years where they may be applied again.
Nitrous oxide is a very common, effective sedative used to calm dental fear in children. It a blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen delivered through a nasal mask and absorbed in the lungs.
Nitrous oxide is also called “laughing gas” because it creates a sense of well being and happiness. It also reduces the gag reflex and gently numbs the teeth and gums.
Nitrous oxide is safe, well tolerated, and non-allergic. The patient is fully conscious and able to respond to questions or requests. It has a rapid onset, is reversible, and can be adjusted to various treatment concentrations.
Due to age, extent of dental decay, or extreme anxiety, some children require their dental treatment to be completed while they sleep. In the past, this kind of treatment was restricted to a hospital setting which was inconvenient and often expensive. Now, medical anesthesiologists can bring their anesthesia supplies, equipment and drugs directly to the dental office providing a safe, reliable, and cost efficient service for the dental patients.
The anesthesiologist will evaluate each patient’s medical needs and determine the most appropriate type of anesthesia. He will provide continuous monitoring during the case, and give all the appropriate pre- and post-operative care for the complete treatment of your child.
There are several causes of discolored teeth including dental trauma, too much fluoride, poor oral hygiene, or severe illness or use of certain medications during infancy.
Teeth bleaching is the simplest treatment to whiten teeth since it can be done at home and requires no anesthetic or tooth removal. The dentist can customize the time, frequency, and concentration of bleaching material to best suit the age of the child and extent of the condition.
White or brown spots on the surface of teeth can often be improved with enamel micro abrasion, the removing of microscopic bits of discolored enamel with an abrasive and mild acid solution. Finally, more severe tooth discolorations, as seen in enamel fluorosis or tetracycline staining, might require white fillings or veneers to mask the color.
Oral habits such as thumb sucking, pacifier use, tongue thrusting, or lip sucking are a normal part of development; however, excessive or prolonged habits can create crooked, crowded teeth or bite problems and should be addressed as soon as they are recognized.
Most children will stop these habits on their own, but some will require help from their parents or the dentist. Encouragement and positive reinforcement helps most kids stop. If this approach fails, the dentist has appliances or retainers that can be placed in the mouth that effectively discourages and eliminates the habit.
According to the American Dental Association, a sports guard or mouth protector should be used by anyone participating in any sport which carries a significant risk of facial injury. Sports guards minimize the risk of broken or knocked out teeth, and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth and face by covering the upper teeth and cushioning blows to the face and jaw.
Pre-made sports guards or boil and bite guards are available in stores and are inexpensive; however, they often do not fit well, feel uncomfortable, and might not adequately protect during a facial trauma. Sports guards custom made in our office or dental lab will fit the child’s teeth precisely and comfortably to provide the most reliable protection as well as allow for normal speech.
As pediatric dentists, we monitor the child’s facial, jaw, and teeth development from a young age; therefore, we can spot or predict developing malocclusion such as bite problems, crooked or crowded teeth and intervene to guide the teeth properly as they emerge into the mouth.
Space maintenance: Space maintainers are appliances custom fit to your child’s mouth to hold open the empty space left by a lost tooth. This will prevent the remaining teeth from tilting or drifting into the empty space causing future orthodontic problems.
Minor tooth movement: Removable appliances and retainers that are custom fit to quickly and comfortably move specific teeth into proper alignment.
Bite correction: Appliances that are temporarily cemented in the mouth which expand the upper palate to correct cross bite problems.
Pediatric dentists are specially trained to work with patients with special mental, physical and emotional needs. These include patients with autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, Down’s Syndrome, speech and other developmental delays, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, cleft lip and palate, bleeding disorders, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, congenital heart defects, childhood cancer, and HIV.
