Our team of skilled and specialized dentists will provide your family with exceptional dental care when it comes to your child’s primary teeth. From resin crowns to pulpotomies, we ensure that you are in good hands. Learn more about the specialized care that primary teeth could potentially require.
Resin Crowns
Resin crowns are stainless steel crown which have a tooth colored resin surface. Resin crowns may be required when a child has developed large areas of decay on his/her front teeth. This decay (nursing/bottle carries) can be caused when a child sleeps with a bottle in his/her mouth.
Until recently, stainless steel crowns were placed on the tooth, but now more aesthetically pleasing resin crowns are available. Crowns sometimes remain on a child’s teeth several years (front teeth generally do not come out until the age of 6 or 7), so the new aesthetic option is the choice of most dentists and parents.
Resin Composite Fillings
Silver amalgam used to be the norm when it came to materials for restorations, such as fillings. However, silver fillings do not have much aesthetic appeal to the patient and can even cause damage to your tooth years down the road. The amalgam can break down the tooth, causing a fracture and the need for a crown to salvage the tooth.
After much research, some new tooth-colored materials have been developed that are stronger, longer lasting and more aesthetically pleasing to our patients. Composed of porcelain and composite resin, these new tooth-colored restorations bond directly to the tooth, strengthening it by restoring most of its original shape. The restorations can even be custom-colored to match your teeth to help give you the most natural-looking smile possible.
These new restorations require less removal of your healthy tooth structure to place than those with amalgams and especially with new cavities. Dramatically smaller holes are needed with a tooth-colored restoration. They are also healthier because no traces of mercury are used, unlike silver amalgam.
Pulpotomy
When a primary (baby) tooth’s nerve becomes infected, a pulpotomy (baby root canal) is necessary to save the tooth. A pulpotomy involves removing the infected part of the nerve and placing a sedative medication inside the tooth to encourage healing and prevent sensitivity. Following the pulpotomy, a crown or filling will be placed over the tooth to protect it from further decay. We will use a local anesthetic to numb the targeted area an ensure your child is as comfortable as possible throughout their treatment.
Space Maintainers
Baby or primary teeth are significant to your child’s current and future dental health. They promote normal development of the jaw bone and muscles, preserve space for the eruption of permanent teeth and guide them into their proper positions. If your child loses baby teeth due to injury or decay, your doctor may recommend space maintainers.
Made of metal or plastic, space maintainers are small and unnoticeable in appearance. They are customized to fit in your child’s mouth. Space maintainers hold open the empty space left by a lost baby tooth. They stabilize the remaining teeth by preventing movement until the permanent tooth erupts; taking its proper place in the jaw. Space maintainers are affordable and comfortable.
Avoid giving your child sticky sweets or chewing gum. Do not allow them to push or tug on the space maintainer with their tongue or fingers. Assist your child with brushing and flossing daily. Your child should continue to see your doctor regularly for dental visits.
Hours of Operation
Mon-Thu: 8:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sat-Sun: Closed
