- Dental Examination
- X-rays
- Teeth CleaningOnce your child is back in a treatment room, he or she will receive a dental cleaning, fluoride, and dental radiographs (x-rays) will be taken when it is age appropriate and when necessary. If your child needs additional services such as fillings, the doctor or staff will discuss it with you in detail and the treatment will be scheduled for a later visit.
- Fluoride TreatmentYour pediatric dentist may also recommend protective sealants or home fluoride treatments for your child. Sealants can be applied to your child’s molars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces.
- Dental SealantsUnlike many of the health conditions faced by patients with special needs, dental disease is preventable. A special needs child will benefit from the preventive approach recommended for all children – effective brushing and flossing, limited snacking, adequate fluoride, sealants and regular visits with a local dentist.
- Fillings
- CrownsChildren need a lot of care and supervision after being given local anesthetic because they may chew or suck the numb lip, tongue or cheek which can later cause pain and discomfort. The numbness from the anesthetic can usually last up to two hours. The following are things to keep in mind after your child has been given local anesthesia: Your child should have no solids and should be on a liquid diet until the anesthesia wears out. If your child does bite their lip it will be very painful. It will usually turn white and swell looking the worst at day 3. Avoid salty, spicy, or hard foods and drinks like orange juice or soda since they can irritate the lip. Tylenol or Motrin can dull the pain (please use as directed). Your child should stay on a soft/bland diet for about a week. If a crown has been placed on any of your child's teeth they should not be allowed to eat sticky, chewy, or hard candy of any kind as it may cause the crown to fall out. The gums may be tender after the anesthesia wears off and Tylenol or Motrin may be used for pain. The gum tissue may bleed slightly around the crown for a day or two when brushing.
- 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 TreatmentHello! My name is Abby and I have been working as a dental assistant since 2017 and joined the team in 2020. I worked in Endodontics for a year and have spent the other 3 years working in Pediatrics. My heart belongs with the kiddos and I truly love coming to work every day to be surrounded by all of the positivity. I enjoy interacting with each and every patient who walks through the door. I have a busy two-year old son, Easton, and a two month old baby girl, Weslynn. In my free time I enjoy anything outside, watching my nephew play football or taking my Doberman, Murphy, for a walk.
- Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty
- Oral Surgery
- Tooth ExtractionsPlease follow the instructions below for the remainder of the day: No heavy spitting. Do not rinse your child's mouth for several hours. Afterwards have them gently rinse with water. Do not allow your child to drink very hot or cold beverages until the numbness goes down. Do not allow your child to drink any beverage containing carbonation. Do not allow your child to drink out of a straw (preferably a week). If your child smokes do not allow them to smoke (preferably a week). Do not allow your child to touch the socket with their fingers and tongue. Use children's Motrin or Tylenol for any discomfort (please follow the instructions as directed on the label). If pain begins to diminish but elevates after three to five days please contact our office. You should expect some bleeding following tooth extraction. Your child should bite firmly on the gauze given to them for thirty to forty-five minutes to stop the bleeding. If sustained bleeding occurs have your child bite down firmly on another piece of gauze (or a damp washcloth) over the socket for ten to fifteen minutes. Repeat as many times as necessary since the extraction site is expected to ooze for twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Bleeding may be increased with strenuous activity (i.e. playing in soccer game) or by drinking warm liquids. If the socket continues to bleed profusely after two hours please contact our office for further instructions. Use old pajamas, sheets, and pillowcase because the drool may be tinged red the first night following extraction. Continue to brush your child's teeth as usual and clean the extraction site by gently brushing it with the rest of your child’s teeth.
- Orthodontics
- BracesChildren should cease thumb sucking by the time their permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, children stop between the ages of 2 and 4. If a child stops around the age of 3 any effects from the sucking habit can usually self correct, but if they continue beyond this age the effects are more likely to remain permanent and may require braces to correct. Peer pressure causes many school-aged children to stop.