Orthodontics:
Pediatric orthodontics can straighten crooked teeth, guide erupting teeth into position, correct bite problems, even prevent
the need for tooth extractions. Straight teeth are easier to keep clean and less susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.
Nitrous Oxide:
Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a safe, effective sedative agent used to calm a child's fear of the dental visit and enhance effective
communication. It is often called "laughing gas" since it may provide a feeling of giddiness or euphoria. Additionally, nitrous
oxide/oxygen works well for children whose gag reflex interferes with dental treatment.
When your child receives nitrous oxide/oxygen, a fitted mask is placed over the nose. Your child will smell a faint, sweet aroma
and experience a sense of well-being and relaxation. Children sometimes report dreaming and their arms and legs may feel "tingly."
If your child is worried by the sights, sounds or sensations of dental treatment, he or she may respond more positively with the
use of nitrous oxide/oxygen.
Oral Conscious Sedation or IV Conscious Sedation:
Sedation is used for a child's safety and comfort during dental procedures. It allows the child to cope better with dental
treatment and helps prevent injury to the child from uncontrolled or undesirable movements. Sedation promotes a better environment
for providing dental care.
Oral conscious sedation involves the use of sedative medications taken by mouth to help increase cooperation and to reduce
anxiety or discomfort associated with dental procedures. IV (intravenous) conscious sedation involves the use of sedative medications
administered into the blood system. IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what
is going on. Oral conscious sedation and IV conscious sedation is not intended to make a patient unconscious or unresponsive.
Operative/Esthetic Dentistry:
Operative/ esthetic dentistry involves crowns, fillings, and other procedures that will restore teeth in a beautiful, natural
looking fashion. The dentist will analyze every aspect of your child's smile and will correct any problems.
Sealants:
Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities
in children are found. The deep grooves and pits of back teeth are very difficult to keep clean. Plaque, a nearly invisible film of
bacteria and food, collects in these grooves. Every time you eat, the bacteria in plaque form acid. Without sealants, the acid can
cause the enamel to break down, resulting in a cavity. Made of clear or shaded plastic, sealants are applied to the teeth to help
keep them cavity-free. Sealants "seal out" food and plaque, thus reducing the risk of decay.
The application of a sealant is quick and comfortable. It takes only one visit. The tooth is first cleaned. It is then conditioned
and dried. The sealant is then flowed onto the grooves of the tooth and allowed to harden with a special light. Your child will be able
to eat right after the appointment.
Sealants can last for many years if properly cared for. Therefore, your child will be protected throughout the most cavity-prone years.
If your child has good oral hygiene and avoids biting hard objects, sealants will last longer. Your pediatric dentist will check the
sealants during routine dental visits and recommend re-application or repair when necessary.
Digital Radiography:
Digital radiography provides immediate observation of radiographic images. The digital radiography device can take a picture of your
teeth and instantly display the image on a computer screen. The on-screen image will look like an X-ray, but it can be displayed at 400 percent.
Digital radiography takes less time and provides 90 percent less radiation.
How It Works: Your dentist places a small, flat sensor in your mouth. The sensor is connected to a computer by a thin wire. Next,
an X-ray beam is sent through your teeth and into the sensor, which records the image of your teeth and sends it to the computer.
The sensor can then be repositioned to photograph other sections of your teeth.
