Children and teens have oral health needs and problems that can differ significantly from the needs and problems of adult patients. Pediatric dentistry is a specialty area of dentistry that’s focused specifically on the needs of kids, from the toddler years all the way through the teens. From routine cleanings and checkups to fillings and wisdom teeth extractions, we help kids maintain optimal oral health while establishing important habits that can help them enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Plus, our staff is trained in helping kids stay relaxed and comfortable during their visits so they can avoid “dental anxiety” that can end up preventing or delaying important care.
Routine Dental Cleanings
Routine dental cleanings are just as important for kids as they are for adults. During a cleaning appointment, we use special techniques and tools to carefully clean each tooth, looking for areas where brushing and flossing are falling short and providing kids with the tips they need to improve their home care routine. Twice-yearly cleanings help prevent tartar buildup and gum disease in addition to identifying decay and other problems in their early stages. Plus, keeping baby teeth clean and free of disease- and decay-causing bacteria helps ensure the adult teeth forming under the gums will stay healthy too.
3D Teeth Scanner
Dental impressions provide a three-dimensional model of teeth that can be used for a wide number of treatments, including orthodontic treatment and some preventive treatment options. While traditional impressions use a sticky “goop” or clay-like substance to obtain molds of the teeth, our office uses a state-of-the-art 3D scanner and computer-aided design technology to create detailed digital images of the teeth, avoiding the need for messy, uncomfortable impressions. Plus, the results of 3D scanning can be seen right away and shared on a computer screen, so you and your dentist can begin developing your custom treatment plan without delay.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, and that means there’s often not enough room for them to emerge properly. As a result, they emerge sideways or become “stuck” or impacted under neighboring teeth, causing pain and threatening the health of other teeth. Even when wisdom teeth have enough room to erupt properly, their location makes them very difficult to keep clean, and before long, tartar and bacteria begin to collect, increasing the risk of decay, disease, and infection. Wisdom teeth removal helps avoid all these problems, and the techniques we use help patients remain completely relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure.
Dental Fillings
Today’s dental fillings don’t just repair a tooth damaged by decay or trauma — they use advanced materials to restore the tooth, providing a durable surface designed to withstand the rigors of chewing and biting while also creating a strong bond with the surrounding tooth material, so future decay can be avoided. Plus, tooth-colored fillings can be tinted and shaped to blend seamlessly with your child’s natural tooth material, providing a result that’s virtually impossible to detect. Tooth-colored fillings (or white fillings) contain no harmful mercury or other metals, and they won’t turn dark over time.
