Restorative Dentistry Helps Kids Of All Ages
Tooth decay, dental injury, and other serious issues could form in smiles of all ages. With restorative dentistry, we can offer solutions to these issues to keep little smiles healthy and strong. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about helping kids with restorative dentistry, so they can enjoy full smiles and avoid worsening discomfort.
When Kids Need a Restoration
When should you bring your child in for a dental restoration? We recommend restorative dentistry when a tooth is chipped or cracked, or if one begins to ache, as this pain could be a sign of tooth decay or even an infection. Treatment is then administered to protect and save the tooth, so it is not lost prematurely. Remember, even though baby teeth do fall out, this could occur months or even years after the decay or injury occurs, and ignoring the issue could cause painful symptoms and the risk of tooth loss, which in turn increases the risk of dental misalignment.
Dental Emergency Care
Speaking of damaged teeth, when an injury happens to a tooth, your child should see us right away for an emergency dental visit. Remember, even if an injury happens outside of normal business hours, call us anyway. Leave a message and we will respond quickly to arrange a time to see your child for treatment. In the meantime, have them rinse with warm water, and use cloth or gauze to control bleeding. An ice pack to the side of the face can control facial swelling. You can give them an over-the-counter pain reliever as well.
Dental Fillings
When we discover a cavity, our team can offer a dental filling to treat the issue and preserve the tooth in only one visit. Our team will numb the tooth so your little one is comfortable as we remove decay and clean the tooth. Next, we continue the restorative treatment by adding the filling material. Instead of metal, we will use a composite resin that is safe for all ages and that bonds with the tooth. We apply this in several layers and then sculpt the tooth as the material cures under a light. The last step is to polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. In one appointment, we stop pain and prevent infection and tooth loss from occurring!
Dental Crowns
Our team can also offer treatment with a dental crown. The restoration covers the entire visible portion of the tooth, which means we can take on issues too severe for a filling alone. We could recommend a stainless-steel option for the side and rear teeth, which endure greater bite forces. For the front facing teeth, we may opt for a more lifelike NuSmile zirconia crown.
The placement process involves our team numbing the tooth and then removing structure from it to make room for the new dental crown. Our team will then check the fit and attach the crown with a powerful bonding agent. This can last for years to come, protecting the tooth and your child’s overall oral health.
Pulpotomies
When a tooth is infected in a grown up’s smile, the dentist offers a root canal. For kids, we have a conservative root canal alternative known as a pulpotomy. With this option, we will numb the tooth so your child is cozy as we open the tooth to remove the infected portions of the inner tissues, leaving healthy tissues behind. We add a special medicated filling. For some, this completes the procedure, while others may need the tooth to be capped with a dental crown. This halts pain and then prevents the tooth from being lost prematurely, or from infection reaching other parts of the smile.
If you have any questions about how our team will protect little smiles with restorative dentistry, or if they have a damaged or aching tooth that needs a dental restoration, then contact our team today to learn more and get started. We want to help return your child’s smile to full function, health, and beauty.
Ready to Schedule a Visit for Children’s Dentistry?
Our team wants to help kids enjoy strong smiles for years to come, which is why we offer restorative dentistry, including treatments like fillings, crowns, and pulpotomies. When possible, we want to preserve teeth and keep little smiles whole and healthy. Call the team at Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX, today at (214) 321-4880. Don’t ignore painful symptoms or damage, let us know right away so we can help safeguard your child’s smile.
filed under: Restorations for Kids