- Dental Examination
- X-rays
- Teeth Cleaning
- Fluoride TreatmentAround the age of 3 years 3 months to 3 1/2 years is a good time to attempt the first checkup (cleaning teeth, doctor’s exam, and fluoride treatment). We say “attempt” because not all 3-year olds allow us to do this. It is much more important to us that your child have a positive 1st experience than to complete the cleaning appointment. If we only get an exam or just the cleaning, or nothing at all, that’s OK!
- Dental SealantsThe biting surfaces of the back teeth are the most common areas of decay. A sealant is a plastic material which can be “painted” on these surfaces to prevent decay from developing. Applying sealants is completely comfortable and quick. There are two keys to sealants...
- Space MaintainersA lower lingual arch is a space maintainer for the lower teeth. It maintains molar positioning and does not move them. It's by placing bands on the molars and connecting them to a wire that fits up against the inside of the lower teeth. It keeps the molars from migrating forward and prevents them from blocking off the space of teeth that develop later. This is used when baby teeth are lost early, or when lower teeth are slightly crowded in a growing child and you want to avoid removing any permanent teeth to correct the crowding.
- Fillings
- CrownsKnocked Out Permanent Tooth: If possible, find the tooth. Handle it by the crown, not by the root. You may rinse the tooth with water only. DO NOT clean with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze or clean cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk, NOT water. If the patient is old enough, the tooth may also be carried in the patient’s mouth (beside the cheek). The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
- PulpotomyDental caries (cavities) and traumatic injury are the main reasons for a tooth to require pulp therapy. Pulp therapy is often referred to as a "nerve treatment", "children's root canal", "pulpectomy" or "pulpotomy". The two common forms of pulp therapy in children's teeth are the pulpotomy and pulpectomy.
- Root Canal TreatmentA pulpectomy is required when the entire pulp is involved (into the root canal(s) of the tooth). During this treatment, the diseased pulp tissue is completely removed from both the crown and root. The canals are cleansed, disinfected and, in the case of primary teeth, filled with a resorbable material. Then, a final restoration is placed. A permanent tooth would be filled with a non-resorbing material.
- Oral Surgery
- Jaw SurgeryDoing orthodontic treatments in two steps provides excellent results, often allowing the doctor to avoid removal of permanent teeth and jaw surgery.
- OrthodonticsThere is a long standing belief at Alpharetta Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics that using restraint to complete a cleaning is NOT AN ACCEPTABLE FORM OF DENTAL TREATMENT and is NEVER necessary. Our doctors and staff have found that through patience and caring, all children will let us clean their teeth and do other routine checkup things when they feel comfortable with it AND if we do not create bad feelings by pushing too much early on. This is what makes our practice so unique!
- Invisalign OrthodonticsInvisalign® can give you the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted. It works through a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing so you can smile more during - and after - treatment. Invisalign® has been proven effective in clinical research, and in dental and orthodontic practices nationwide.
- BracesResearch has shown that serious orthodontic problems can be more easily corrected when the patient’s skeleton is still growing and flexible. We can prepare the mouth for the eventual eruption of the permanent teeth by correcting the skeletal problems at a younger age. If the permanent teeth have adequate space to erupt they will come in fairly straight. If the teeth erupt fairly straight, their tendency to get crooked again after the braces come off is diminished significantly. After the permanent teeth have erupted - usually from age 12-14 - complete braces are placed for final alignment and detailing of the bite. Thus, the final stage of treatment is quicker and easier on the patient. The last phase of treatment usually lasts from 12 - 18 months and is not started until all of the permanent teeth are erupted.