Helping Kids With Restorative Dentistry
When a little smile sustains a dental injury, or if your child complains about toothaches or discomfort when eating, then restorative dentistry may be necessary to stop discomfort and prevent tooth loss. Which is why we offer filling, crowns, and even a root canal alternative for kids. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about our approach to restorative dentistry, and how we can use our treatment options to repair teeth and protect smiles from major complications down the road!
When Children Need Dental Care
We recommend a visit every six months for a checkup and cleaning for all kids ages two and older. Serious oral health issues, such as tooth decay or infection, don’t form overnight. Which means a visit twice a year is a chance to catch these issues early, and treat them before your child experiences serious discomfort. Otherwise, you may not realize your child needs care until he or she reports a toothache or tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking. At this stage, the decay is advanced and treatment is necessary to avoid infection and the risk of premature tooth loss! We take time to help kids feel comfortable, and conduct a detailed examination with digital technology to make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy, so we can offer the best restoration for your little one.
Dental Fillings
A dental filling treats cavities in one visit using a biocompatible alternative to metal. With composite resin, we have a material that is safe for kids of all ages, and that can be shaded to match the tooth structure, so the restoration looks more natural than a metal one. Placement only takes one visit, as we numb your child’s tooth, remove decay, and then clean it before we add the material to the tooth. We shape the tooth as it cures beneath a light to ensure a properly balanced bite.
Dental Crowns
What if your child has a more severe case of tooth decay, or what if a tooth is cracked or chipped? In these situations, we may need to place a dental crown. The restoration covers the entire visible portion of each tooth, and can address an array of serious oral health concerns. For the side and rear teeth, which endure greater bite forces, we can create one from stainless steel. For the more front facing teeth, we could opt for NuSmile zirconia, which is more natural in appearance but still strong and durable. Again, we numb the tooth so treatment is comfortable as we remove structure and then connect a crown with a powerful bonding agent.
Pulpotomy
When a tooth becomes infected, treatment is crucial for not only stopping discomfort, but preventing premature tooth loss, which could increase the risk of dental misalignment. Our team will treat the issue with an alternative to traditional root canal procedures. We numb the tooth and may offer sedation to ensure your little one is calm and comfortable. We then open the tooth to remove a portion of the inner tissues. We add a medicated filling to complete the tooth. In some cases, we may also need to cap the tooth with a dental crown. This stops discomfort and protects your child’s smile from tooth loss.
Mouthguards
We also want to help your kids avoid the risk of a cracked or chipped tooth, or from one being knocked loose or out completely. We can offer mouthguards to help with this. A custom mouthguard can be worn when kids play full contact sports or martial arts, and can lower the risk of injuries by providing a layer protection far more secure than a standard boil-and-bite option. If you have any questions about our approach to restorative dentistry, or about the steps we take to repair a tooth or help protect it from injury, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help your children enjoy good oral health and smiles that make them feel confident!
Schedule Your Child’s Restorative Appointment Today!
With our custom and desirable dental restorations, we can help smiles stay healthy and strong. Restorative dentistry can safeguard little smiles against serious infections or tooth loss, and help protect the appearance of the smile as well. To learn more about how we repair and restore your child’s teeth, then please contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880. Don’t let your child’s oral health suffer and worsen, instead talk to our team about treatment options. Remember, a preventive approach is best, so be sure your child attends checkups and cleanings every six months.
filed under: Restorations for Kids