- Dental ExaminationWith our very young children, we have a special room where we conduct our “lap exams”. The Infant Oral Exam Room is decorated and up-fitted with many things that a toddler would have in their own playroom. This is where we examine our youngest patients. The technique is very simple and is a standard procedure in Pediatric Dentistry. The mother or the father holds the child on their laps facing toward themselves. The child’s legs straddle the adult’s torso. The doctor and the parent face each other touching knees as the child is laid back gently on the doctor’s lap so that he or she may examine the child. This exam is very quick but thorough and is very non-threatening to the child as he or she may see the parent throughout the exam. The exam usually will take about 1-2 minutes.
- Teeth CleaningKeep up with your dental checkups. Tooth cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants are important preventive services for you.
- Fluoride TreatmentThis is the fluoride that your child receives through fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride swish at school, fluoride treatments in the dental office, or home fluoride rinses.
- Dental Sealants
- Space MaintainersSince primary teeth guide the permanent teeth into place, infants with missing primary teeth or infants who prematurely lose primary teeth may require a space maintainer, a device used to hold the natural space open. Without a maintainer, the teeth can tilt toward the empty space and cause permanent teeth to come in crooked. Missing teeth should always be mentioned to your pediatric dentist. The way your child cares for his/her primary teeth plays a critical role in how he/she treats the permanent teeth. Children and adults are equally susceptible to plaque and gum problems—hence, the need for regular dental care and dental checkups.
- BracesAll restorative (fillings, extractions, etc.) and orthodontic (putting on braces, etc) procedures are scheduled in the morning. Children as well as adults are more prepared and do better in the morning for these types of procedures.
- General DentistryDr. Heaney served as a surface warfare officer in the Navy aboard the USS Ross (DDG 71), a guided missile destroyer, after graduating from the Naval Academy. Dr. Heaney practiced general dentistry in Apex, North Carolina for one year after graduating from dental school and prior to specializing in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Heaney is on the professional medical and dental staff at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. In 2007, Dr. Heaney completed her board certification in pediatric dentistry and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.