- Dental ExaminationStudies and research have concluded on the importance of starting children early with good dental hygiene and oral care. It is recommended that children have their first dental examination by the age of 1.
- X-raysIt is recommended that children have a dental exam, dental cleaning and fluoride treatment every 6 months. It is recommended that children have dental x-rays yearly, or more often if there is potential decay. If treatment is needed, our dentists use a tooth colored filling material (composite) for all fillings, rather than silver (amalgam) fillings. These services may not be a covered benefit by your dental insurance plan. Percentage of treatment covered, your coverage year, and maximum coverage also vary among different dental insurance companies and plans. Each dental insurance company has an allowed amount for each procedure. This amount may not be the same as our fee.
- Teeth CleaningRoutine dental cleanings are recommended every six months. During your child’s cleaning, plaque is removed from the teeth, especially from places where a toothbrush can’t reach, such as underneath the gum line and in between teeth.
- Fluoride Treatment
- Dental SealantsFor very young children, we allow them to sit on their parent’s lap while our pediatric dentist does an examination. These early appointments help the children to become comfortable with our office, our staff and what to expect at a dental appointment. As the children become older, we allow them to come back to their very own chair where they can watch movies with the other children while we clean their teeth to remove any plaque or build up that may cause cavities. We recommend applying a topical fluoride in order to protect their teeth and make them more resistant to decay. We recommend digital x-rays yearly in order to view the health of the teeth where the visible eye cannot see. Our pediatric dentists will do a thorough examination of the teeth and gums. We will review any advice or concerns with the child and/or parent, and be available to answer any questions you may have. When a child’s permanent molars come in, we recommend placing dental sealants on the chewing surfaces of those teeth to help prevent decay in the hard to clean grooves of the molars.
- Space MaintainersChildren and adults are equally susceptible to plaque and gum problems- hence, the need for good brushing habits and regular dental checkups. Since primary teeth guide the permanent teeth into place, it is important to keep those teeth healthy and in place until it is time for them to come out naturally. Children with missing primary teeth may require a space maintainer, a device used to hold the natural space open. Without a space maintainer, the teeth can tilt toward the empty space and cause permanent teeth to come in crooked.
- Fillings
- CrownsIn the past my son has hated the going to the dentist, today he had to have his tooth fixed – new crown put on and he came out smiling Dr. Damon Thielen and his team did an awesome job with my son- he is even excited to go back for his cleaning! Thank you so much for taking the stress off of the situation!!
- PulpotomyIf decay invades the nerve of the tooth, it may be necessary to remove the pulp (nerve) of the tooth and place a medication in the tooth. This is done to encourage healing, prevent sensitivity, decrease the chance of infection, and save the tooth.
- Root Canal TreatmentAn abscess is an infection that looks like a pimple on the gum tissue next to a tooth. Your child may have pain, sensitivity or facial swelling. Pain may be relieved temporarily with ibuprofen or Tylenol. Often, an abscessed primary tooth will need to be extracted to relieve pain and prevent damage to the developing permanent teeth. An abscess in a permanent tooth will likely require a root canal or endodontic procedure. Call our office for an appointment as soon as possible.
- Tooth Extractions
- OrthodonticsAs your child grows, another important reason for regular dental checkups is to allow our dentists to monitor development of the permanent teeth and jaws to identify developmental progress that could potentially become a problem later in life. As a standard of care, the pediatric dentists at Children’s Dental Center recommend an orthodontic evaluation by our orthodontists at Parkway Orthodontics at age 7. Early minor orthodontic treatment can make later treatment less extensive or unnecessary.