Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety in children for minor dental procedures.
If your child is slightly more anxious, after proper assessment and discussion, he/she may be a candidate for oral sedation. At the sedation appointment your child is given a medicine to drink which will help him/her to relax during the treatment in the office. Your child will be awake and responsive throughout the appointment.
Tooth colored (white) fillings mimic the appearance of natural teeth. The filling material (composite resin) is used mostly in the front as well as on the back teeth depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay. Sometimes if the cavity is too large or enamel is weak, dentist may recommend a crown.
A stainless steel crown is a “full coverage” restoration and it makes tooth strong by covering it all around. These are very durable and easy to maintain. White (Zirconia) crowns are also available.
Often large cavities get close to the nerve of the tooth and require a nerve treatment. Tooth is then restored with stainless steel crown.
If a baby tooth has an abscess or infection, extraction is required. If the tooth is lost early, depending on the position of adult tooth, space maintainer may be necessary.
Fluoride is a mineral, which in recommended amounts, makes tooth enamel harder. Fluoride applied at regular intervals is very valuable in fighting tooth decay.
Chewing surface of teeth often have wrinkles (grooves). Bristles of toothbrush are not always able to clean these grooves. Sealants are thin coatings which fill up these grooves making the surface smooth giving your child’s teeth extra protection.
In case a baby tooth is lost early, a space maintainer (holder) may be required to hold the space until the adult tooth grows in its place. After evaluation of growth and position of the adult tooth, space maintainer may be planned. They can be valuable in preventing crowding of back teeth.
Sport related injuries to teeth and jaws are some of most common injuries in young athletes. Custom mouthguards can protect smile of your champ.
We like to educate the parents and children about the role of diet in oral health. A simple habit can go a long way in keeping teeth cavity free.
Based on your child exam our dentist thoroughly examines your child’s teeth, gums and jaws to check for signs of cavities, gum disease and other dental problems. For very young children, we use a knee-to-knee technique to make them more comfortable.
Our dentist and dental assistants will carefully clean your child’s teeth with a variety of instruments to remove plaque and build-up. They will also floss your child’s teeth and apply fluoride.
Using a comfortable size special sensor, we take care to keep the radiation as low as reasonably achievable. X rays help to observe hard to visualize area in between the teeth.
A 6 month recall visit is highly recommended to re evaluate your child’s teeth and gums. We also go over brushing techniques and diet. Polish and fluoride application are sometimes accompanied by X rays based on need.