Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  Depending on the age and tolerance of your child, the first visit will consist of an oral examination, cleaning, x-rays, and fluoride varnish.  If your child is an infant or toddler, or requires some extra hand-holding, the exam will likely take place in a private consultation room. Preschool-aged children through adolescents typically receive their exam and complete cleaning in our kid-friendly dental chairs.
• X-rays
  Radiographs (x-rays) are a necessary part of your child’s dental diagnostic process.  Without them, certain cavities will be missed. They also help survey developing teeth, evaluate results of an injury, or plan for orthodontic treatment.  If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable for your child, and more affordable for you.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
• Fluoride Treatment
• Dental Sealants
  Is a clear white plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where most cavities in children can form.  The sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque, and acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth. However, cavities between the teeth cannot be protected by sealants.  As long as there is no cavity in the tooth, sealants are recommended for all children.

Restorative

• Fillings
  An amalgam filling is generally less expensive than a composite filling, which is tooth colored. Neither filling is better or worse. That being said, most insurance companies opt to pay for treatment that carries a lower price tag.
• Crowns
  Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth, but DO NOT wipe or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures, if there are no fractures, try to reinsert it into the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze or a paper towel.  If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk. If there is no milk, place the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s own saliva. DO NOT place the tooth in water. Call our office immediately or go to your nearest emergency room. Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.

Endodontics

• Pulpotomy
  May be recommended or the tooth may need to be removed.  If the decay touches the nerve, but an abscess has not yet formed, it may be possible to save the tooth by performing a nerve treatment called a pulpotomy, and enclosing the whole tooth in a stainless steel crown.  A crown will wiggle out adhered to the baby tooth, when it is time for your child to lose his or her tooth.

Periodontics

• Deep Cleaning

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Tooth Extractions

Orthodontics

• Braces
  There are certain types of irregular bite patterns that may allow the front teeth to be prone to injury. These types of malocclusions, or teeth misalignments, require orthodontic treatment and should be treated by braces.

General

• General Dentistry
  Dr. Kelly is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Minnesota Dental Association.  She lives in Duluth with her husband Jesse, and their three children. They are thankful to call Duluth “home” and love to spend time outdoors in all seasons.