Services

Your child's first visit to our office is very important with regard to establishing their oral health baseline. We will begin by carefully reviewing medical and dental histories and taking special note of all dental concerns, as well as any symptoms that your child may be experiencing.

We take pride in creating and maintaining beautiful and healthy smiles for our younger patients in an environment that is lighthearted and fun. We focus on establishing oral health habits that last a lifetime, with education and prevention as our primary tools.

The role of fluoride is especially important for children as it improves the quality of dental enamel in their developing teeth and makes their new teeth more resistant to decay. As part of your child’s preventive dental care program at our office, fluoride varnish is applied during their routine checkup appointments and if indicated at regular intervals between these visits.

Fluoride varnish is a topically applied product that is brushed onto all sides of your child’s teeth. It is a completely safe and painless procedure that takes just a couple of minutes from start to finish. Once applied and in contact with your child’s saliva the fluoride hardens. The fluoride component is now absorbed into the dental enamel and begins its job of strengthening the tooth.

Following the application of the fluoride varnish, your child does not have to wait to eat or drink. The only restriction is that foods are soft and not crunchy for the rest of the day. Brushing and flossing may be postponed for several hours.

While fluoride varnish can help prevent cavities and slow their progression, it is not a guarantee against dental decay. Optimal dental health for your child involves an excellent oral hygiene regimen at home, routine dental care and eating a healthy diet.

Tooth Colored Fillings

When tooth structure is eaten away or otherwised damaged by dental decay, cracks or fractures, it can often be repaired by means of the placement of a dental filling. While traditional fillings were typically composed of amalgam, a mixture of different metals, today’s fillings are frequently tooth-colored. These “white fillings” invisibly restore the form and function of the involved tooth so that it seamlessly blends in with the remaining tooth structure. Tooth colored fillings are made of the latest generation of composite resin materials in which filler particles are bound together when set by a hard matrix material. Strong and durable, tooth colored fillings are chemically bonded to fill and rebuild a tooth once the decayed or damaged tooth structure has been removed. First placed as a putty-like material, tooth colored fillings are carefully shaped to restore the contours of a healthy natural tooth and then cured (set) with a light wand. In addition to restoring teeth affected by damage or decay, composite resins can also be used to cosmetically change the size, color or shape of teeth with imperfections or minor alignment issues such as spacing.

Inside of every baby (deciduous) and permanent adult tooth is a central chamber that contains connective tissue, a nerve supply, and blood vessels. Collectively these core tissues, known as the dental pulp, help the tooth to grow and mature before it emerges into the mouth. Once your tooth is in place, the dental pulp provides nourishment, keeps the tooth vital, and alerts you of problems. Unfortunately, cavities and dental trauma can damage the dental pulp inside of a tooth. When one of these factors has involved the dental pulp of a primary or deciduous tooth and there is no evidence of an infection at the root of the tooth, a procedure known as a pulpotomy may be performed. The purpose of a pulpotomy on a “baby” tooth is to maintain it until its permanent successor tooth erupts. This is because deciduous teeth that are lost prematurely can result in space loss for the permanent tooth and other consequences. During a pulpotomy procedure, the exposed or affected pulp tissue within the crown of the deciduous tooth (the visible portion of the tooth) is carefully removed and a special medication to disinfect the area and calm the remaining nerve tissue is placed. Once the procedure is complete, the baby tooth is then restored. Depending on the amount of tooth structure remaining and how much time is left before the baby tooth is to fall out, the type of restoration is selected. Typically, the most effective restoration to seal the tooth and restore function, is a stainless steel crown.

Sometimes it is necessary to extract a tooth. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Extractions are commonly performed in cases where a deciduous “baby” tooth is reluctant to fall out, a severely broken down and non-restorable tooth is present, or “wisdom tooth” is poorly positioned and unable to fully erupt into place.

To reduce any anxiety and insure patient comfort whenever a tooth extraction is necessary, the procedure, the post surgical instructions, as well as any restorative follow-up care will be carefully and completely explained.

Sometimes, due to tooth decay or a traumatic injury, a child may lose a primary tooth early, before the permanent one underneath is ready to come into place. When this happens, the dentist will consider the best way to hold the space left by the baby tooth in order to maintain a clear path for the succeeding adult tooth. While not every situation where a baby tooth is lost early needs an intervention to maintain the space, many times a small dental appliance known as a space maintainer is required to make sure the permanent tooth does not become crowded out of the dental arch or impacted by shifting adjacent teeth.

Space maintainers are fixed or removable appliances that are designed to keep the integrity of the space left by the lost tooth. Simple and comfortable to wear, the type and design of your child’s space maintainer will be determined by our dentist. Once the permanent tooth begins to emerge, a space maintainer is no longer necessary.

Dental emergencies in children can arise for a number of reasons. Recognizing the fact that children have active lifestyles, means there is always a chance an accident involving a hit or blow to the mouth or teeth can occur. These traumatic injuries can happen at home, in the playground or on the playing field. Common injuries to the teeth and oral cavity seen in a pediatric dental office include everything from soft tissue lacerations of the lips, cheeks or tongue to chipped, fractured, dislodged or “knocked out” teeth. Equally frequent reasons for children to require urgent dental care are painful toothaches, dental infections, and mouth ulcerations. Whatever the dental emergency may be, prompt and effective care is required to alleviate a child’s discomfort and to prevent more serious consequences to their oral health and overall well-being.

Pediatric dentists are trained in all facets of dental care for children and are well equipped to handle a wide range of dental emergencies. They provide skilled and compassionate care, helping children to feel comfortable and safe while restoring their oral health and function.

Digital radiography utilizes computer technology and digital sensors for the acquisition, viewing, storage, and sharing of radiographic images. It offers several advantages over the older traditional film based methods of taking x-rays. The most significant of theses advantages is that digital radiography reduces a patient’s exposure to radiation. Other benefits are that images can be viewed instantly after being taken, can be seen simultaneously as needed by multiple practitioners, and can be easily shared with other offices. Digital x-rays are also safer for the environment as they do not require any chemicals or paper to develop.

An electronic pad, known as a sensor is used instead of film to acquire a digital image. After the image is taken, it goes directly into the patient’s file on the computer. Once it is stored on the computer, it can be easily viewed on a screen, shared, or printed out.

All parents want their children to receive the best comprehensive dental treatment possible. Even a skilled pediatric dentist may occasionally have limited success completing dental treatment for a fearful or pre-cooperative child as well as for a child with special needs. Younger children typically experience a degree of stranger anxiety, a short attention span, and a limited tolerance for keeping their mouth open. The complexity and magnitude of the dental treatment may also reduce the success of behavior management or non-medication strategies by the dental team. Subsequent delays in receiving proper dental care can lead to oral pain, infections, loss of teeth and loss of space for future eruption of permanent teeth.

In these circumstances, anesthesia services are available for your child’s dental treatment. A qualified anesthesiologist who uses medications and monitors equal to those currently used in hospitals can provide this care. Children are often given a sedative prior to receiving their primary inhalation or intravenous anesthetic. Each child receives an individually prepared and titrated anesthetic with close and continuous monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and patient awareness. They remain in a general anesthetic state with profound amnesia and pain control throughout their dental treatment. This enables the treating dentist to efficiently and safely complete all planned dental or surgical treatment in the shortest amount of time. Most children are ready to return home soon after the completion of their dental treatment.

As part of your child’s dental prevention program, dental sealants are often recommended to protect their permanent back teeth from developing dental decay. In fact according to the American Dental Association, dental sealants reduce the risk of cavities in molars by approximately 80%.

While establishing a good oral hygiene regimen, maintaining proper toothbrushing habits, and avoiding sticky sweets are essential for the prevention of dental decay, children’s teeth often need more protection. The reason for this is that the deeply grooved chewing surfaces of the back permanent teeth can be difficult for a child to keep free of leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria. Moreover, young children do not always brush their teeth, as often or as thoroughly as they should, making them particularly vulnerable to dental decay.

Dental sealants afford additional protection from dental decay by providing a strong plastic-like protective coating for the chewing surfaces of a child’s permanent back teeth. They basically fill in the pits, fissures and grooves on these teeth to seal out harmful bacteria and food particles. Beyond preventing the development of cavities, sealants may also be useful over areas of incipient dental decay to stop further damage from occurring.

Applying dental sealants is a relatively quick and painless process. They are simply brushed on in a series of steps during a child’s dental visit and then cured (set) with a light wand. Sealants are strong and durable and can last for several years. The condition of your child’s dental sealants will be evaluated at each checkup and reapplied if the need arises.

Invisalign® Clear Aligners

A Modern, Nearly Invisible Way to Straighten Teeth

Clear aligners are one of the most advanced orthodontic solutions available today. This treatment uses a series of custom-designed, removable aligners to gradually shift teeth into proper alignment.

Unlike traditional orthodontic systems, clear aligners do not rely on brackets or wires. Instead, they use smooth, transparent trays that fit snugly over the teeth and apply gentle, controlled pressure to guide movement over time.

How Clear Aligners Work

Treatment begins with detailed digital impressions that map out your child’s unique smile. Using advanced technology, a series of aligners is created to move teeth in small, precise increments.

The process typically involves:

• Wearing each set of aligners for about one to two weeks
• Progressing through a series of aligners designed specifically for your child
• Gradual movement of teeth into proper alignment over time

Aligners should be worn for most of the day and are only removed for:

• Eating and drinking
• Brushing and flossing
• Special occasions when necessary

Consistency is essential to achieving the best results.

Benefits of Clear Aligners

Clear aligners offer a number of advantages that make them especially appealing for older children and teens:

• Nearly invisible appearance for a discreet treatment experience
• Removable design with no food restrictions
• Easier brushing and flossing compared to fixed appliances
• Smooth material that minimizes irritation
• Digitally planned treatment for predictable results

Because aligners are removable, they provide flexibility that many families appreciate. Patients can continue enjoying their normal routines without major lifestyle adjustments.

What Clear Aligners Can Treat

Clear aligners are effective for addressing many common orthodontic concerns, including:

• Crowded teeth
• Gaps or spacing issues
• Mild to moderate bite misalignment
• Teeth that have shifted after previous alignment

While aligners are highly effective, they may not be suitable for more complex orthodontic cases.

Is This Option Right for Your Child?

The suitability of clear aligners depends on several factors, including the stage of dental development and the complexity of the orthodontic issue.

During your child’s consultation, we will evaluate:

• Tooth alignment and spacing
• Bite positioning
• Jaw development
• Overall oral health

Based on this assessment, we will recommend the treatment option that will provide the best long-term outcome.

Braces

A Reliable and Highly Effective Orthodontic Solution

Braces remain one of the most widely used and trusted orthodontic treatments. They are designed to address a full range of alignment issues, from simple spacing concerns to more complex bite problems.

Braces work by applying steady, controlled pressure to the teeth, gradually guiding them into proper alignment over time. This system allows for a high level of precision, making it especially effective for cases that require more detailed correction.

How Braces Work

Braces consist of small brackets that are attached to each tooth and connected by a wire. This system works together to move teeth in carefully controlled directions.

The process includes:

• Placement of brackets on each tooth
• Connection of brackets with a guiding wire
• Periodic adjustments to maintain steady progress
• Continuous pressure that gradually shifts teeth

Because braces remain in place throughout treatment, they provide consistent results without relying heavily on patient compliance.

Benefits of Braces

Braces offer several important advantages:

• Effective for both simple and complex orthodontic cases
• Precise control over tooth movement
• Reliable and consistent results
• Ability to correct bite alignment issues

Modern braces are also more comfortable and streamlined than in the past, making them easier for patients to manage.

What Braces Can Treat

Braces are capable of addressing a wide range of orthodontic concerns, including:

• Severe crowding
• Significant spacing issues
• Overbites and underbites
• Crossbites and open bites
• Jaw alignment concerns
• Rotated or impacted teeth

Because of their versatility, braces are often recommended when more comprehensive correction is needed.

What to Expect During Treatment

Orthodontic treatment with braces involves regular visits to monitor progress and make adjustments.

Patients should also be mindful of daily care, including:

• Brushing thoroughly around brackets and wires
• Flossing carefully to remove trapped debris
• Avoiding hard or sticky foods that could damage the braces

With proper care and consistency, braces can deliver excellent, long-lasting results.

Ceramic Braces

A More Subtle Alternative to Traditional Braces

Ceramic braces offer the same functionality as traditional braces but with a more discreet appearance. They use brackets designed to blend in with the natural color of the teeth, making them less noticeable during treatment.

How Ceramic Braces Work

Ceramic braces function in the same way as other braces systems. Brackets are attached to the teeth and connected by a wire that applies gentle pressure to guide movement.

The difference lies in the materials used:

• Tooth-colored or clear brackets for a more natural appearance
• Wires that work in combination with brackets to move teeth
• A system that provides consistent, controlled alignment

Benefits of Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces provide several advantages:

• Less noticeable than traditional braces
• Effective for a wide range of orthodontic concerns
• Strong and reliable treatment option
• Ideal balance between aesthetics and performance

They are especially popular among older children and teens who want a more subtle orthodontic solution.

When Ceramic Braces Are Recommended

Ceramic braces are typically recommended for patients who:

• Need comprehensive orthodontic correction
• Prefer a less visible alternative to braces
• Are not candidates for clear aligners
• Want a fixed solution that does not require removal

They offer an excellent option for achieving a straighter smile without drawing as much attention to the treatment process.

Orthodontic Treatment for Children

Orthodontic care often begins earlier than many parents expect. Many alignment and jaw development issues can be identified while a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth.

Early evaluation allows dental professionals to monitor growth patterns and determine whether intervention may be beneficial.

Benefits of Early Evaluation

Early orthodontic assessment provides several advantages:

• Identifies developing alignment issues early
• Helps guide proper jaw growth
• Creates space for incoming permanent teeth
• Reduces the risk of more complex treatment later
• Supports overall oral health development

Not every child will need immediate treatment, but early evaluation ensures that any concerns are addressed at the appropriate time.

Personalized Orthodontic Care

Every child’s smile is unique, which is why orthodontic treatment is customized based on individual needs.

Treatment planning takes into account:

• Severity of orthodontic concerns
• Jaw alignment and development
• Amount of crowding or spacing
• Length of treatment required
• Patient comfort and lifestyle

By considering all of these factors, we create personalized treatment plans designed to deliver the best possible results.

Schedule an Orthodontic Consultation

If you have questions about your child’s orthodontic needs or would like to schedule an evaluation, our team is here to help.

Take the next step toward a healthier, more confident smile by contacting today to learn more about your orthodontic treatment options.