Your child’s teeth will be cleaned to remove plaque and calculus (bacteria) that can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Topical fluoride will be applied to the teeth to help them remineralize and become more resistant to tooth decay. A thorough cleaning and fluoride treatment every six months has been shown to be an extremely effective way to prevent dental disease.
The chewing surfaces of children’s teeth are the most susceptible to cavities and least benefited by fluorides. Sealants are applied to the tops or chewing surfaces of back teeth and are highly effective in preventing tooth decay. Sealants last generally 3-5 years. Dietary habits such as chewing ice or hard candy can shorten the life expectancy of a sealant. No numbing is required to place them.
Tooth-colored fillings are used to restore front or back teeth or where cosmetic appearance is important. Tooth-colored fillings are used to repair fractured teeth and/or areas of decay. The shade of the restorative material is matched as closely as possible to the color of the natural teeth.
Space maintainers are used when a primary tooth has been prematurely lost, to hold space for the permanent tooth. If space is not maintained, teeth on either side of the extraction site can drift into the space and prevent the permanent tooth from erupting.
Tooth decay (cavities or caries) is a progressive disease that often begins in very young children. Decay is a result of the interaction between bacteria that are normally on our teeth and sugars in the everyday diet. The bacteria use those sugars to produce acid. A tooth exposed to this acid will lose mineral, and that loss is the first step toward tooth decay.
The dentist can remove the decay and use modern materials such as tooth-colored fillings to restore the tooth to a healthy state. If tooth damage is very severe, there may be nerve damage and a stainless steel crown might be required.
Pulp therapy is the treatment of infected nerves and blood vessels in teeth. Pulp therapy generally becomes necessary for two reasons: Either as a result of extensive tooth decay (dental cavities) or as the result of tooth injury.
Failure to provide the necessary pulp therapy could result in your child experiencing pain, infection, swelling or loss of the root. With the proper treatment, the tooth can be preserved for chewing food and maintaining proper space for permanent teeth. This will help your child preserve a healthy, happy smile.
Stainless steel crowns are used to restore teeth that are too badly decayed to hold silver or white fillings. They are used as an alternative to silver and tooth coloured fillings. They are made to fit the exact size and shape of a child’s molar and are used to cap teeth with large or deep cavities.
It’s never too early to keep an eye on your child’s oral development. The dentist can identify malocclusion (crowded or crooked teeth or bite problems) and actively intervene to guide the teeth as they emerge in the mouth. Orthodontic treatment early can prevent more extensive treatment later.
Children smile when they are proud of their teeth. At school and at play, they feel more confident.
Ask your dentist about aesthetic dentistry to restore or enhance your child’s smile.
Extractions are done only as a last resort. If a primary molar is removed prematurely, a space maintainer will be placed. Some extractions are needed for orthodontic reasons to help facilitate tooth alignment.