Dr. Long - Pediatric Dentistry

Procedures

Cleaning and Fluoride
Dental Cavities
Disking
Emergency Care
Enamel Microabrasion
Esthetic Dentistry (Bleaching)
Extractions
Pulp Treatment
Sealants
Space Maintainers
Stainless Steel Crowns
Tooth-Colored Fillings
X-Ray Use and Safety
Nitrous Oxide

Cleaning and Fluoride

Your child's teeth will be cleaned to remove plaque (bacteria) and calculus (tarter) that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Topical fluoride will be applied to the teeth to make them more resistant to decay. A thorough cleaning and fluoride treatment every six months has been shown to be an effective way to help prevent dental disease. However, good daily brushing, flossing, and limiting sugar are most important to reduce the rate of decay.

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Dental Cavities

     Tooth decay (cavities or caries) is a progressive disease that often begins in very young children. Decay is a result of the interaction between bacteria that are normally on our teeth, and sugars in the everyday diet. The bacteria use those sugars to produce acid. A tooth exposed to this acid will lose mineral, and that loss is the first step toward tooth decay. Dr. Long and staff can remove the decay and use modern materials such as tooth-colored fillings to restore the tooth to a healthy state. If decay is deep, it may infect the pulp (nerve) chamber within the tooth. To preserve the tooth, a pulpotomy is necessary. Due to the extensive loss of tooth structure, a stainless steel crown is usually recommended to strengthen the tooth. A discussion with Dr. Long and his staff about the options for restoring decayed teeth is a part of your initial consultation or periodic check-up appointment.

Disking

     Disking of primary incisors and canines is one way of opening space for erupting permanent teeth. This helps the erupting teeth align better. If crowding is severe, sometimes primary teeth may need removing to allow for acceptable alignment. Dr. Long will discuss your child's occlusion (bite), spacing, and alignment at your periodic visits.

Emergency Care

     When your child needs urgent dental treatment, Dr. Long and his staff stand ready to help. Please keep the emergency number available when dental trauma occurs.

Enamel Microabrasion

     In this procedure, the dentist rubs a compound on the teeth to remove superficial stains and discoloration. Many times, multiple appointments are needed to achieve an acceptable result.

Esthetic Dentistry (Bleaching)

     Children smile when they are proud of their teeth. At school and at play, they feel more confident. Ask your pediatric dentist about esthetic dentistry to restore or enhance your child's smile.

Extractions

     Extractions are done for several reasons. If a primary (baby) tooth is badly decayed or abscessed, it may not be restorable and must be removed. A space maintainer may be necessary. This helps keep teeth from drifting out of position, and crowding the permanent teeth yet to erupt. Some baby teeth, however, need removing early to make room for erupting teeth. In these cases of pre-existing crowding, permanent teeth may need extracting later to make room to orthodontically align the remaining teeth.

Pulp Treatment

     Pulp therapy is the removal of infected tissue inside teeth (abscess). Pulp therapy becomes necessary for two reasons: as a result of extensive tooth decay, or from tooth injury.

     If decay is deep, it may infect the pulp (nerve) chamber within the tooth. To preserve the tooth, a pulpotomy is necessary (see illustration). Due to the extensive loss of tooth structure, a stainless steel crown is recommended to strengthen the tooth.

     Pulp therapy is necessary to prevent infection that could result in pain and swelling of the affected area. With prompt and appropriate treatment, most infected teeth can be preserved. Preserving the primary (baby) teeth allows for proper chewing, space maintenance for permanent teeth, and to give your child a healthy, attractive smile.

Sealants

The chewing surfaces of children's teeth are the most susceptible to cavities and least benefited by fluorides. Sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth and are highly effective in preventing tooth decay. Sealants generally last 3-5 years. Dietary habits such as chewing ice, gum or hard foods can shorten the life expectancy of a sealant. No numbing is required to place them.

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Space Maintainers

     Space maintainers are used when certain primary teeth are prematurely lost. They act like a support to keep teeth from drifting into the space that will later be needed for permanent teeth, preventing orthodontic problems.

Stainless Steel Crowns

     Stainless steel crowns are used to restore back teeth that are badly weakened by decay, pulpotomies, or large fillings. The crown covers the remaining tooth structure and strengthens it to prevent further breakdown. While visibly apparent when the mouth is open, many children are proud of their "special" tooth.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

     Tooth-colored fillings are used to restore all front teeth or back teeth not requiring crowns. Most patients and parents appreciate the invisible fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are used to repair fractured or decayed areas of a tooth.

X-Ray Use and Safety

     In general, children need x-rays more often than adults. Their mouths grow and change rapidly. They are more susceptible to tooth decay than adults. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends X-ray examinations every six months for children with a high risk of tooth decay. Children with a low risk of tooth decay require X-rays less frequently.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous Oxide (NI), also called laughing gas, as administered to dental patients, is a mixture of nitrous oxide (N2O and oxygen (O2). N2O has proven very safe over many years of use and has very few significant side effects. the O2 level never goes lower than 40%, which is roughly two times that of room air. Your child will not go to sleep from the effects of NI.

Nitrous Oxide has two primary effects. First it has a mild sedative effect, often relaxing children, or making them feel "light" or "happy." Secondly, it has an analgesic (pain relieving) effect, which makes injections (shots) and many dental procedures more easily tolerated. As with any medication, it has greater effect on some children than others. NI has been proven to be a significant aid in many children's dental treatments, however, is not sufficient to control extreme anxiety or disruptive behaviors in all children. The onset of effects is rapid (3-4 minutes), and the cessation of the effects is rapid (2-3 minutes). It is rare for the child to leave the office with any significant effects from NI. Occasionally, children may report some feelings of nausea from prolonged use, so generally it is best to eat light meals before their dental appointment.

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