Pediatric Dental Services
Hacienda Heights, Walnut & Diamond BarPreventative Care
Regular Dental Check-ups
Regular dental check-up with your pediatric dentist is the first line in preventative measures. Your bi-annual visit to the dentist allows your child’s dentist to detect any decay in the early stages so that the minimal treatment can be performed. This often prevents costly and painful procedures for your child in the future. Your dentist will also review preventative home care instructions tailored to your child’s needs that can aid in preventing any tooth decay. Because baby teeth are very thin in comparison to adult teeth, cavities in the primary dentition can progress very quickly so it important to schedule’s your child’s exam on a timely and consistent manner. Learn more about dental exams here.
Fluoride
Fluoride, a natural element, when used in small amounts on a routine basis helps to prevent tooth decay. In places where fluoride doesn’t naturally occur, it may be added to the local water supply. Studies have shown that tooth decay rates have reduced over 50 percent as a result of community water fluoridation. This means fewer children will have cavities. Fluoride can also be found in many dental products including mouth wash, toothpaste, gels and varnishes. Fluoride helps to strengthen weak areas of the teeth that are prone to developing cavities. Fluoride also helps to break down bacteria build up on the teeth reducing the chance of decay. The risk of tooth decay is also lowered when the use of fluoride is coupled with a good oral hygiene regimen and healthy diet.
American Dental Association (ADA) – Fluoridation Facts
Sealants
Sealants are designed to protect the pitted and grooved surfaces of the teeth, especially the back teeth where more than 80% of cavities are found in children. Sealants are made of clear, tooth colored resin material, and applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. While it is not guaranteed that sealants will prevent all cavities, they do help to reduce the chance of developing cavities on the biting surface of the tooth by 60-70%.
Even maintaining the best possible brushing and flossing routine, it can sometimes be impossible to completely clean the pits and tiny grooves on certain teeth. This puts your child at risk of developing tooth decay. Sealants are the ideal solution. The procedure is quick, comfortable and simple – taking only one visit. Your child can return to his/her normal daily activities immediately following the procedure.
Restorative Procedures
Tooth Colored Fillings
Tooth colored fillings are comprised of a natural-looking, tooth colored resin that provides durable and long-lasting protection against further tooth decay. Compatible with dental sealants, tooth colored fillings allow your child to maintain their self-esteem and confidence while they talk, smile and eat. An added benefit to a tooth-colored filling is that we are able to preserve more of the natural tooth structure. To learn more about tooth colored filllings, check out our Dental Fillings page here!
Anterior Crowns
Crowns may be placed on the front teeth if a significant amount of tooth structure is missing or if the tooth needs a baby root canal. A crown protects a tooth from fracture and possible re-decay. A small amount of tooth structure is removed from every plane of the tooth and a tooth-colored crown is fabricated from composite. Sometimes, your pediatric dentist will choose to place a zirconia crown which is a newer generation all ceramic crown if there is extensive tooth loss. Zirconia crowns combine durability with esthetics. These crowns are very esthetic but require good home care.
Stainless steel crowns
Stainless steel crowns are placed when there is extensive tooth structure missing from a posterior tooth or if a posterior tooth has underwent root canal therapy. The crowns are pre-fabricated in many different sizes and placed chair side by your pediatric dentist. These crowns protect the tooth from further decay and last much longer than fillings. The crowns are made of a non-reactive stainless steel so an allergic reaction is very rare. Your pediatric dentist will discuss with you whether she will be placing a filling or a crown depending on your child’s age and extent of decay.
Pulpotomy
A tooth with large decay that extends to the nerve portion of the tooth will typically require a pulpotomy or ‘baby root canal.’ Your child will not always complain of pain even if he or she needs a pulpotomy because once the decay has reached the nerve, the nerves dies and no longer conducts any sensation. A baby root canal is much less extensive than a traditional adult root canal therapy and usually requires only one appointment. All the decay in the tooth is removed and the top portion of the tooth nerve or ‘pulp’ is removed. A sedative filling material is used to fill the tooth and the tooth is prepared for a crown. A tooth that has received a pulpotomy is generally weakened so a crown will provide better coverage and protection than a filling.
