What is a Pediatric Dentist?    |    Sealants   |   Composite (White) Fillings   |   Pulpotomy   |   Stainless Steel Crowns

Extractions   |   Fluoride Analysis  |  Post Op Instructions  |   Space Maintainers
What is an Orthodontist?   |   Orthodontics 

What is a pediatric dentist?

Pediatric dentistry is one of the nine recognized specialties of the American Dental Association. After completing four years of dental school, a pediatric dentist has completed two or three years of advanced training in a plethora of areas specific to the health of children from infancy through adolescence, such as, child growth, development and psychology, advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures, behavior guidance, care of special needs patients and treatment of children under conscious sedation and general anesthesia. The pediatric population has very unique needs and the pediatric dentist is best qualified to meet them.

Sealants

Sealants are a material made of clear or opaque plastic that are placed in the pits and grooves of the back teeth (molars and premolars) to seal out food and plaque to prevent the development of cavities. Research shows that sealants can last for many years if properly cared for. If your child has good oral hygiene and avoids biting hard objects, such as ice cubes or sticky foods that are detrimental to oral health, sealants will last longer. We will check the sealants during routine dental visits and can recommend reapplication or repair when necessary.

Composite (white) fillings

Tooth colored plastic that is used to repair the surfaces of a tooth that have to be removed due to cavities. These are distinguished from silver fillings as there is no mercury in composite fillings and you do not have to remove as much tooth structure to hold the composite filling in place. It is chemically bonded to the tooth. In many cases if a cavity is small the tooth may not need to be numbed. If your child has received a composite filling, it may become stained or discolored if the patient frequently drinks dark sodas or teas. If the filling is on the front teeth depending on its location it can fracture off if your child bites into hard foods with their front teeth.
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Pulpotomy

This procedure is sometimes performed if decay has reached the nerve or is adjacent to the nerve. The top portion of the root is removed and a medicine is placed.
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Stainless Steel Crowns

This is used to restore tooth structure on a tooth that has received a pulpotomy or on a tooth that has too many surfaces of decay to be restored with a filling. If your child has received a stainless steel crown, it is important that he/she does not eat sticky foods such as fruit snacks or tootsie rolls as this can pull off the crown. Also, it is very important to maintain proper oral hygiene and brushing by the gumline. If plaque accumulates in the area where the crown was placed the gums may become irritated or sore.
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Extractions

Some of the reasons a tooth may need to be taken out are if there is an infection present, if a tooth has a cavity present but will fall out relatively soon or if a tooth has so much decay once the decay is removed there will not be enough healthy tooth structure remaining to hold a crown or filling. If your child has had an extraction, please follow the post op instructions.

Fluoride Analysis

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Space maintainers

When a back tooth is lost due to decay, depending on the age and dental development of the child it is sometimes necessary to place a device to preserve the space the previously lost tooth held. This is done to prevent any of the teeth from shifting which can cause spacing issues for your child in the future. If your child has received a space maintainer it is important that he/she does not eat anything chewy or sticky as this can dislodge the space maintainer.
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What is an orthodontist?

Orthodontics is one of the nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. After completing four years of dental school an orthodontist has completed two to three years of advanced training in biomedical, behavioral and basic sciences; oral biology; and biomechanics and as such are trained to prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities.
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Orthodontics

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children get a check up with an orthodontist no later than age seven. The convenience of having a pediatric dentist and orthodontist in one office is since we evaluate your child's growth and development at every check up, we have a unique opportunity to evaluate your child for abnormal growth tendencies that may cause problems. We will let you know about any developmental concerns and the best time to start correction.
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