- Dental ExaminationThe dental hygienist will begin your child’s cleaning by exploring the surface of the teeth to determine if there are any cavities and to examine the quality of existing fillings. The dental hygienist will then perform a periodontal exam to make sure your child’s gums adhere tightly to the teeth, and no periodontal disease or bone loss is present.
- X-rays
- Teeth CleaningYour child’s exam will take about 45 minutes. Each regular exam includes a detailed teeth cleaning, in which we will clean, polish, and rinse the teeth to remove any tartar and plaque that have built up on the tooth’s surface.
- Fluoride TreatmentFluoride is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay and in preventing plaque from building up and hardening on the tooth’s surface. A fluoride treatment in a dentist’s office takes just a few seconds. We typically use a fluoride varnish which leaves a sticky film on the teeth for several hours after it's application. Patients can eat and drink right away and are asked to refrain from brushing and flossing for 4-6 hours to allow for absorption of the fluoride by the enamel surface. Depending on your child’s oral health, risk of decay or decay present the doctor will make a proper recommendtion on frequency of fluoride application.
- Dental SealantsSometimes brushing is not enough, especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach spots in your child’s mouth. It is difficult for a toothbrush to get in between the small cracks and grooves on your child’s teeth. If left alone, those tiny areas can develop tooth decay. Sealants give your child’s teeth extra protection against decay and help prevent cavities.
- Fillings
- Resin CompositeIf your child has a cavity which needs to be filled have no fear!! We typically use composite resin ("white fillings) to restore teeth, as it enables us to preserve healthy tooth structure surrounding the decayed areas. Parents usually prefer the white fillings because of their cosmetic appearance. We fill teeth for children the same way that adults have their teeth filled but we talk about the procedure in a "child friendly" manner so as to keep our patients from being anxious about it. If needed we utilize nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") and local anesthesia ("novocaine") to make our patients more comfortable.
- VeneersBonding is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and can usually be completed in one visit to our office. However, bonding can stain and is easier to break than other cosmetic treatments, such as porcelain veneers. If it does break or chip, tell your doctor. The bonding can generally be easily patched or repaired in one visit.
- CrownsIf your child’s tooth has been knocked out of the mouth, find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap), taking care to only touch the crown of the tooth (the part you can see when it’s in place). Place the tooth in a clean container with milk. Call us immediately and/or head to the hospital. If you act quickly it's possible to save the tooth.
- Dental BondingBonding is a conservative way to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. During dental bonding, a white filling is placed onto your child's tooth to improve its appearance. The filling “bonds” with the tooth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your child's natural teeth.
- Oral SurgeryMost children lose all their baby teeth by age 13, and by the end of their teen years, the jaw bones will harden and stop growing. Orthodontic procedures for adults often take more time and can involve tooth extraction or oral surgery. Receiving early orthodontic treatment as a child can help prevent the need for orthodontics as an adult, leaving little to no chance of extraction or surgery in the future.
- Jaw SurgeryThe main difference to remember when treating adults or children and teens, is that in younger patients the jawbones are still developing. For adults, these bones have stopped growing, which may mean the possibility of orthognathic surgery to align the jawbones. Other differences include...
- Tooth Extractions
- OrthodonticsNY Kids Dentistry and Orthodontics has truly combined the specialties of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. The practice was founded in the mid 1980s as a “dental home” for children, to promote comprehensive dental care for patients from an early age.
- Invisalign OrthodonticsNo two teen cases are the same, which is why Align Technology is constantly advancing its Invisalign digital treatment solutions. This allows our office to deliver a unique, customized teeth-straightening solution that’s more precise and keeps your teen moving forward.
- BracesWhen you have braces, it's very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.