Did you know that one in four children between the ages of 2 and 5 has at least one cavity?

Despite all of the advances in dental care, statistics still show that 78% of children have experienced cavities by the age of 17. Treatment of decay is as important in "baby" teeth as it is in adult teeth. The oral health of children is paramount in their physical and oral development. "Baby" teeth play an important role in eating, speaking, oral-facial development, and positioning of permanent teeth.

It is our goal to provide care with current techniques and materials so you can rest assured that your child is receiving excellent treatment.

Sealants

Sealants reduce the risk of cavities on the chewing surface of the teeth in the back of the mouth.

Why?

Some molars and premolars have deep grooves and pits in the chewing surface. This irregular structure may collect food, plaque, and cavity-causing bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities.

How Do They Work?

A sealant is composed of a plastic-like material that, when applied to the teeth, acts to fill in the pits and grooves and essentially "seals" out food debris, plaque, and bacteria.

Advantages

There is around an 80% reduction in the occurrence of cavities on the chewing surface of back teeth.

Disadvantages

Unfortunately, sealants are not permanent and will typically last 3-5 years under the best of circumstances. It is also important to understand that sealants do not protect the areas between the teeth. This means flossing is just as important as before the sealants were placed.

Fillings

Fillings are an effective way of repairing average-sized cavities.

Why?

Once bacteria have established themselves in the mouth, they will produce acidic by-products that create holes (cavities) in your teeth. The weakened tooth structure and bacterial infection must be removed to prevent the process from progressing. After removal of the infected tooth structure, we typically use the following ADA (American Dental Association)-approved material:

Composite Resin (White Fillings)

Composite is a tough plastic-like material that allows us to keep that bright white smile that we all strive to maintain. It bonds (adheres) to the tooth, which means we remove less tooth structure in order to place it so your tooth will remain strong. Furthermore, composite does not contain mercury, which is better for our environment. This is our material of choice in most instances.

Advantages

These tooth-colored fillings look much nicer than the silver counterparts. They also help to preserve more tooth structure during placement.

Disadvantages

The process of placing a white filling is more difficult and time-consuming, resulting in an increased cost to our families. Also, the material has some limitations when placed in larger cavities.

Crowns

What is a crown?

Also known as a "cap," a crown covers a tooth to provide added strength. After removal of the decay, the tooth is shaped to allow the placement of the crown.

Why?

When a tooth breaks or a cavity gets very large, the overall integrity of the tooth becomes compromised, requiring more protection.

Advantages

Crowns are very durable because they cover the entire tooth. The complete coverage strengthens and protects the remaining tooth structure. They are the best chance for survival of a tooth that has had a baby root canal.

Disadvantages

A notable disadvantage is that most crowns for children are silver. We do provide the option for a more aesthetic tooth-colored crown. Ask for more details at your next visit.

Alternatives

If the cavity is large enough to require a crown, the best prognosis will be achieved by placing a crown. Placing a filling on a tooth that has been weakened extensively will likely result in fracture, recurrent decay, and loss of that tooth.

Baby Root Canal (Pulpotomy)

Why?

Once a cavity reaches the nerve of a tooth, it creates a bacterial infection that can cause extreme discomfort that must be treated.

What is a Pulpotomy?

The procedure differs from the typical adult root canal. After accessing the nerve of the tooth, we will remove the infected tissue and place a medicine that helps the remaining nerve tissue heal. Because these procedures are simpler than the adult version, they take very little time to complete.

Advantages

This procedure will often help in situations where your child has been having dental pain. It is can be a great alternative to removing the tooth in certain situations.

Disadvantages

While this procedure carries an 85%-90% success rate, there are situations where the nerve is so badly infected by the cavity that it does not respond to this treatment. In these cases, it becomes necessary to remove the tooth and discuss the need for space maintainers.

Alternatives

The only alternative to this treatment is removal of the offending tooth. Because the natural tooth is responsible for keeping space for the permanent tooth we recommend saving it if possible. In cases where extraction is chosen, we will discuss the need for a space maintainer.

Extractions

Taking out a tooth for the Tooth Fairy.

Why?

There are only a few instances when removal of a tooth is indicated:

• Broken teeth or teeth with severe infections
• Removal for orthodontic reasons
• Stubborn baby teeth that just don't want to go yet

Disadvantages

Because baby teeth are necessary to protect the space needed for their successors (permanent teeth), premature loss of a baby tooth can lead to spacing problems in the future. To remedy this, it is often appropriate to place a device called a space maintainer.

Spacers

What Are They?

Space maintainers are devices made of metal and acrylic that are designed to hold space for erupting permanent teeth after premature loss of a "baby" tooth

Why?

Placing a space maintainer after premature removal of a "baby" tooth will give your child a better chance of avoiding the orthodontic problems associated with premature tooth loss.

Advantages

Protection of important space that is required for permanent teeth to fit in the mouth.

Disadvantages

• The device must remain in the mouth until the permanent tooth erupts
• The device may come loose and require replacement/re-cementation
• If not kept clean, your child can develop decay around the device

Bleaching

Our tooth whitening service is targeted at our teenage patients. We know how important it is for children to develop positive self-esteem and find that some of our patients can benefit from this service.

After a thorough evaluation and discussion of your needs and expectations, we will begin by taking impressions and creating plastic trays that are customized to your teeth. You will also be given prescription-strength bleaching gel to use in the trays. Dramatic results can be seen in a matter of 4-6 weeks.

Disadvantages

• Tooth whitening is not for everyone.
• Some may develop tooth and/or gum sensitivity. These symptoms usually subside within a few days after stopping.
• Tooth whitening may not be effective with certain types of discoloration.