Treatment
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the oral health of infants, toddlers, and adolescent children. Pediatric dentists are specifically trained to address children’s unique dental needs. Our pediatric dentist has specialty training and experience with erupting teeth, the proper development of the oral cavity, and behavioral issues that stem from or show the need for an oral appliance or dental treatment from infancy to adolescence.
Nitrous Oxide for Children
Nitrous Oxide is a common tool that is used in dentistry to relieve anxiety or stress from the patient. This not only makes them more agreeable, but it increases the safety of the procedure so that the patient does not harm themselves or move while state-of-the-art equipment is being used. Children are naturally more apprehensive, and some may be extremely frightened of what is about to happen.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are thin, plastic-like coatings that are painted onto the chewing surfaces of teeth, particularly the back teeth (molars and premolars), to prevent tooth decay. These sealants act as a protective barrier, shielding the grooves and pits on the teeth’s surfaces from the sticky acids produced by bacteria in plaque.
Palatal Expanders
Dentists and orthodontists frequently use palatal expanders, also known as orthodontic or palate expanders, to address a variety of dental and jaw-related issues, particularly in children and teenagers where the jawbones are still developing. Palatal expanders are particularly effective in growing individuals because their palatal bones have not yet fully fused. By applying gentle, consistent pressure, expanders stimulate bone growth and guide the development of a wider upper jaw. This early intervention can create a more balanced and symmetrical facial structure.
Teething
Teething is a natural developmental stage for infants, typically starting between 4 and 7 months of age, though it can begin as early as 3 months or as late as a year. During this period, a baby’s primary teeth push through the gums, causing discomfort and various symptoms. Even before the first tooth erupts, establishing good oral hygiene habits is crucial. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend scheduling your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing.
Thumb Sucking & Your Child’s Teeth
Thumb sucking is a common and natural self-soothing habit for infants and young children, often observed even before birth. It can provide comfort and security during stressful times or at bedtime. While generally harmless in early childhood, prolonged or vigorous thumb sucking beyond a certain age can significantly impact a child’s dental development and overall oral health. Pediatric dentists and orthodontists advise monitoring thumb sucking, especially as permanent teeth start coming in, typically around ages 5-7.
Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are custom-made dental devices that play a critical role in managing premature baby tooth loss. They are designed to preserve the space left by a missing primary tooth, ensuring that the surrounding teeth do not shift into the empty gap. Space maintainers are particularly valuable when a child loses a baby tooth before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. By holding the space open, they ensure that the permanent tooth has adequate room to erupt into its designated position, preventing overcrowding and minimizing the risk of future orthodontic complications.
Thumb & Finger Appliances
Thumb and finger sucking is a natural reflex in babies and young children, often providing comfort and security. While most children naturally outgrow these habits between two and four years of age, prolonged or vigorous sucking, especially past the age of five or six, can lead to dental complications. These issues include misaligned teeth, open bites (a gap between the upper and lower front teeth), narrowed dental arches, and problems with speech development. If efforts like behavioral modifications (e.g., positive reinforcement or a bitter-tasting substance on the thumb or finger) prove ineffective, dental appliances can help children break the habit and prevent further dental issues.
Digital X-rays
Dental radiographs, commonly known as dental x-rays, are extremely useful for the diagnosis of different ailments that could endanger the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Of course, these services are not just exclusive to adults. It is an extremely common need to view the healthy development of teeth and gums for children, particularly those that have not yet crowned above the surface. Children are at a much higher risk than adults of developing tooth decay, especially around the time they are losing their baby teeth and trading them in for their adult biters and molars.
Tongue-Ties
Tongue tie, officially called ankyloglossia, is a condition where the tongue is “tied” to the floor of the mouth. Tongue tie is a congenital condition, meaning that it exists at or dates from birth. Children don’t develop tongue tie. They are either born with it or will never have it. It’s important to note that the tongue is naturally connected to the floor of the mouth.
Intra-Oral Cameras
Intraoral cameras, small handheld devices resembling a pen, have significantly transformed modern dentistry by providing dentists and patients with a detailed, magnified view of the oral cavity. These cameras, equipped with a tiny lens and a built-in light source, capture high-resolution images or videos of teeth, gums, and other oral structures. They display these images in real-time on a monitor, allowing both the dentist and the patient to see clearly what’s happening inside the mouth.
Special Needs
Special Needs Dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry dedicated to providing comprehensive oral healthcare to individuals with physical, developmental, intellectual, medical, or psychiatric conditions that make routine dental care challenging. It recognizes that these individuals often face significant barriers to accessing and receiving adequate dental treatment, leading to poorer oral health outcomes compared to the general population.
