Children’s Dentistry
Our dentists believe that a trip to the dentist should be fun, lighthearted, and not something to fear. The way your child is exposed to dentistry lays the groundwork for how they view dental care and dental visits for the rest of their lives.
Our Providers and team love caring for each patient, and work hard to make sure each child is spoken to gently, treated with respect, and cared for as if they were our own child. We use simple words to explain procedures to our patients and make sure each parent or guardian is aware of the process as well.
SDF or Silver Diamine Fluoride
The use of Silver Diamine Fluoride in dentistry is well documented for its ability to stop decay noninvasively. Using SDF is a conservative approach to treating decay, especially in baby teeth that will be lost in a few years. Our providers and team can discuss with you if Silver Diamine Fluoride treatment is right for your child.
What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Silver Diamine Fluoride, or SDF, is an FDA-approved antibiotic liquid that, when applied topically, can stop decay from progressing. While this treatment probably won’t prevent the need for a restoration in the future, it has been proven effective in stopping further decay until either the baby tooth is lost, or a more permanent means of repair, like a filling or crown, can be performed.
The Procedure
After the treatment area is isolated and dried, the doctor applies the Silver Diamine Fluoride to the decay using a small brush. Then, a fluoride-infused sealer is placed over the Silver Diamine Fluoride so it can work its magic undisturbed.
After your child’s procedure, daily home treatment with a fluoride rinse (like ACT) is recommended, as is twice daily brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste.
What to Expect After Treatment
After your child’s appointment, you may notice some discoloration where the SDF made contact with the surrounding tissue of the gum, skin or an existing restoration. The decayed area where the Silver Diamine Fluoride was applied will also turn dark. This is an indication that the SDF is working and is perfectly natural.
Silver Diamine Fluoride is a safe, FDA-approved, effective way to stop decay. However, if your child has a silver sensitivity, please let us know before their appointment.
Children with Special Needs
When caring for children with special needs, our overall approach to dentistry doesn't change, but the treatment plan may be slightly different to accommodate any issues you may be facing at home; e.g., brushing, flossing, dietary concerns and addressing aversions to food textures and tastes, etc. We are always empathetic to the needs of the caregiver as well as the child and show support in any way we can.
Our providers’s empathy and advanced training allow them to read a child’s body language to help them even when your child can’t express those feelings themselves. The team at Care for Kids Pediatric Dentistry has been trained to help every child remain as calm as possible throughout their visit.
Our office’s treatment rooms are designed to accommodate children with special needs so we can administer care in an environment that's accessible and comfortable for your child.
By visiting Care for Kids Pediatric Dentistry, you can rest assured that your child will be in the care of someone who can understand them and give them the gentle, respectful treatment they deserve.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Studies have shown that almost 33% of children aged 2 to 5 have had a cavity. Even though baby teeth are only around for a few short years, it’s still important to keep them healthy because they hold the space for your child’s adult teeth. They also help develop proper speech patterns and help your child chew.
The procedure is the same for a child as it is for an adult. Depending on the size of the decayed area, a local anesthetic may be given, and if your child has any anxiety over the procedure, we have some sedation options available to make the procedure more comfortable.
After the decay is removed, a special gel is used to clean and etch the surface. Once the filling material is in place, it is light cured, polished, and adjusted to make sure it doesn’t interfere with your child’s bite. Tooth-colored filling material is much like a natural tooth in texture and is matched to your child’s tooth color.
After treatment, it’s important to maintain a regular homecare routine of brushing and flossing twice daily, so your child’s restorations stay healthy and prevent any more decay.
Restorative Dentistry
If your child needs restorative treatment in the form of a filling or crown, our providers and team will create a custom treatment plan for your child and review all options with you before treatment begins. We believe a conservative approach to children’s dentistry is usually the best course of action.
Fillings are placed in the tooth following decay removal to preserve natural tooth structure. Nowadays most fillings are made of a composite resin that is matched to your child’s natural tooth color.
Crowns can be made of many different materials depending on where in your child’s mouth they are to be used. Stainless steel, resin, and zirconia are all durable choices and require very similar preparations.
Why Does My Child Need a Crown?
Sometimes an area of decay is too large for a filling or the decay has compromised the whole side of a tooth, so there is not enough tooth structure to support a filling. If your child has an accident that results in a heavily damaged tooth or if your child is at high risk for developing cavities, the doctor may decide it’s best to preserve the entire remaining structure.
If you are concerned that your child needs a crown, our providers and team are happy to answer all your questions.
Pulp Therapy
If a baby tooth has decay that has entered the nerve, or pulp, of the tooth, or if the tooth has suffered trauma, it may cause hot and cold sensitivity or constant pain. A pulpotomy might be recommended to preserve the tooth until it is ready to come out on its own and be replaced by its permanent counterpart.
Saving a baby tooth instead of extracting it can help prevent issues with self-confidence, chewing, speech development, and bite alignment.
If your child has a broken tooth with exposed pulp, complains of hot/cold sensitivity or pain in a tooth, suffers trauma to the mouth, or if you notice a sudden change in your child’s eating habits, call Care for Kids Pediatric Dentistry as soon as possible.
The Procedure
Just like a root canal on an adult tooth, the doctor will remove the diseased pulp tissue from the tooth, disinfect the area, and fill the root chamber with MTA, a rubber-like natural material.
After the pulpotomy, a small crown or other restoration will placed on the tooth to help support the remaining tooth structure until it is ready to fall out on its own.
There may be some slight post-procedure sensitivity. Make sure to maintain a regular home care schedule to prevent the need of a pulpotomy on any other baby teeth.
Tooth Extractions
An extraction can make both children and parents anxious, but they are a common procedure in most dental offices. Sometimes a child’s tooth has too much decay to restore, or they need a tooth or teeth removed to make room for orthodontic treatment.
Regardless of the reason, our providers will make sure you and your child are comfortable with the treatment plan.
After some local anesthetic, the doctor will remove your child’s tooth. If it is impacted or if it is a complicated removal, the doctor will discuss with you if sedation options are recommended.
Once the tooth is removed, our dentist will give you post-op instructions, and place a small piece of gauze over the extraction site to stop any bleeding and to help a clot form. Check and replace the gauze every 20 minutes until bleeding stops.
Here are some recommended tips for the first 24 hours after your child’s extraction:
Use over-the-counter or prescribed pain reliever if recommended by the dentist.
Give your child soft foods for the first 24 hours after their extraction.
DO NOT allow your child to drink from a straw, rinse their mouths out, spit, or brush that area for at least 24 hours after tooth removal. This could dislodge the blood clot and cause a very painful issue called dry socket.
Place an ice pack wrapped in a towel over the area for about 20 minutes to relieve swelling and discomfort.
Immediately call our office if your child experiences fever, immense pain, or chills.
Care for Kids Pediatric Dentistry always considers your child’s comfort regardless of the type of treatment they are receiving. The dentist will discuss their unique situation with you to determine the best way to help them receive the treatment they need.