Children's Dental Services

As recommended by the American academy of Pediatric Dentistry the first dental examination should be no later than the child’s first birthday. The developing dentition and occlusion/ bite should be monitored at regular clinical examinations. Early detection and management of oral conditions can improve a child’s oral health, general health and well being and school readiness.

As part of your preventive visit, the child will receive a dental cleaning and fluoride application. The frequency of the cleaning and fluoride application is based on each child’s individual needs. Children in braces and those that are at a high risk for developing cavities maybe advised recall appointments at greater frequency than every 6 months.

X-rays are a valuable tool that enables us to diagnose dental problems. The timing and need for x-rays is individualized based on patient’s risk factors, age and the past dental experiences. The frequency of x-rays and the type of x-rays needed will also vary between patients.

We place a lot of emphasis on prevention and early detection of decay. We will assess the need for preventive sealants on the teeth that are at risk of decay. Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Made of clear or shaded composite material they are applied to teeth to keep them cavity free. The application of sealants is quick and comfortable. Sealants can last for many years if properly cared for.

We are trained to perform a range of dental procedures: fillings and crowns to restore the teeth to health and function.

The office is designed for young people and provides a calm and comfortable environment. Sometimes, however the child maybe anxious and require some additional support. We provide nitrous oxide/ oxygen as a mild sedative agent to calm a child’s anxiety. Nitrous oxide has no lingering effects and is eliminated from the body after a short period of breathing oxygen. Nitrous oxide raises the pain threshold, reduces the gag reflex and may also allow patient to respond more positively to the different sights, sounds and sensations of dental treatment.

For children that are unable to tolerate treatment with nitrous oxide only, we may recommend in office sedation with oral medications. Sedation in children is administered to control behavior for safe completion of dental procedures. The goals of sedation are to control anxiety, minimize physical and psychological trauma and maximize the potential for amnesia. Not all children are good candidates for sedation. Sedation cases are reviewed individually and are based on patient’s age, health history, level of anxiety, extent and complexity of dental treatment.

General anesthesia maybe recommended for children with extensive dental needs who are extremely fearful, uncooperative or for very young children. It is also helpful in treating children with special needs. General Anesthesia is administered at a hospital setting by trained professionals.