Get your little one on the right path towards a lifetime of healthy smiles with pediatric dental care at our dental office in Tempe. With a focus on prevention and education, our team of experts in Tempe can help ensure your child's mouth is developing properly and minimize their chances of needing more complex treatment later in life. With gentle techniques and a caring approach, pediatric dentistry can keep your child healthy, so they can focus on what they do best: being a kid!
Just like cleanings and exams for adults, pediatric cleanings and exams are fairly straightforward. Your child’s dental hygienist or dentist will clean their teeth and gums, then their dentist will carefully examine their mouth and any x-rays to look for potential issues with your child’s oral health or development.
You’ll have the opportunity during this visit to speak with your child’s dentist about what to expect during the various stages of their oral development, like when their teeth will be erupting, falling out, then erupting again as adult teeth. We will discuss proper techniques for at-home oral care and hygiene for different age groups, and even talk about nutrition and diet, and how it’s related to your child’s developing oral health.
Digital x-rays are fast, high-resolution images that capture your child’s jaw and tooth health. X-rays will only be recommended if your child’s dentist thinks they are necessary. For most cases, x-rays are taken every few years, however, your child’s dentist may recommend more if your child is at high risk for oral disease.
When your child experiences a dental emergency, every moment counts. Providing them with timely care can accelerate their healing process and, most importantly, get them out of pain. Toothaches, broken or chipped teeth, and other issues can cause your child discomfort and interfere with their school performance, sports, and other activities. Unsure if your little one is experiencing a dental emergency? Don't hesitate to give us a call right away. Our team will help you figure out the severity of their issue, guide you through at-home care, and schedule an appointment as soon as possible, so your child can get back to being a kid.
For many children, sitting still for the duration of their dental appointment can be a challenge. Others may be anxious or even fearful about visiting the dentist at all. Fortunately, sedation options can alleviate these feelings of restlessness and anxiety, so your child can get the care they need without pain or stress. Sedation can keep your little one calm and comfortable, which can help them gain a positive outlook on visiting the dentist and taking care of their oral health. If you think your child could benefit from sedation, let us know, and we'll help you find the best option for them.
Cavities and toothaches are never fun, especially for your child. When it comes to treating decay in baby teeth, you may be wondering if there are alternatives to dental fillings. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a non-invasive procedure that doesn't require any drills or shots and can be completed in minutes. Painting on a layer of SDF to the affected tooth not only kills the bacteria that cause decay but also seals and remineralizes the tooth for added strength. If your little one has a cavity, fillings may not be the only option!
If your child has a cavity, it can compromise their oral health, and leave them with a lingering toothache. Dental fillings are one of the fastest, simplest, and most affordable ways to treat cavities for kids. Cavities are a big deal, even if they're only present in the baby teeth. Cavities can cause pain and discomfort and may lead to infected teeth or even tooth loss. Baby teeth are just as important as your child’s adult teeth since they help form the paths that adult teeth follow when they emerge later in life. With a dental filling, your child’s tooth will stay healthy for years to come.
We know that your child being happy and healthy is the most important, and when they get little bumps in the road, it can be scary! Toothaches and damaged teeth can be a huge burden for kids. If they are needing a solution to damaged or decayed teeth, pediatric dental crowns can help. They are designed specifically to restore tiny teeth to their former function and look. Your child will no longer have discomfort and will have a solution that will last for years to come.
If your child is suffering from a toothache, it may be a sign of an infection, but a pulpotomy may be able to relieve their discomfort in a single visit. Sometimes referred to as "baby root canals," pulpotomies can stop the infection in its tracks, restoring your little one's oral health and alleviating their pain and sensitivity, so they can get back smiling, laughing, and just being a kid.
When it comes to restoring your child's smile, tooth extractions are reserved as a last resort. We always strive to restore damaged teeth through other treatments whenever possible. But sometimes, an extraction is the best choice to get your child’s smile back on track. An extraction can eliminate your child’s discomfort, prevent further complications, and get them back to their normal, day-to-day routine. And with gentle techniques and sedation options, extractions can be quick and pain-free!
As your child grows, their baby teeth are destined to fall out to make room for their adult counterparts. But when they fall out too early, it can heighten the risk for orthodontic complications later on. We want your child to thrive, which is why we offer space maintenance, a solution that keeps your child's teeth from shifting and having misalignment issues as they erupt. If you are concerned about your child's baby teeth falling out, we can help them get a lifetime of healthy smiles.
If you are struggling with breastfeeding, you are not alone! When a child has extra tissue in their frenulum it decreases mobility. Luckily, this is an easy fix. Frenectomies can be a great solution to help you and your newborn thrive. If your doctor recommends a frenectomy, it's because they deem it necessary to improve your baby's quality of life. And while any surgical procedure can sound scary, frenectomies are a simple and painless procedure that can solve a complex problem.
The most significant benefit of restorative dentistry is that it restores dental function to damaged and missing teeth. That way, patients can regain their ability to bite, chew, swallow, and speak properly. This restored functionality means you can return to your usual diet and speak confidently.
Restorative dentistry also improves your teeth’s appearance, giving you a lovely smile and making you feel more confident and comfortable in social situations. It can also help address dental problems earlier on to prevent them from worsening and spiraling out. Restoring your damaged teeth also makes maintaining proper hygiene easier, thus improving your oral health.
Cosmetic and restorative dentistry are different but interrelated branches of dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of teeth and gums for a better smile. While restorative dentistry centers on the restoration of damaged and missing teeth so they can regain their full functionality. Sometimes, restoring damaged teeth can improve their appearance, hence the crossing over between cosmetic and restorative dentistry.
Restorative dentistry can solve several problems, but most dentists recommend repairing damaged teeth from physical trauma or extensive dental decay. Physical trauma can cause cracks, chips, and fractured teeth. Dentists use restorative dental treatments like dental bonding, filling, and crowns to repair damaged teeth.
Dentists also use restorative dentistry to replace missing teeth. Patients with missing teeth can get partial or complete dental implants, depending on the number of missing teeth. These implants look and function like your regular teeth. Lastly, you may need restorative dentistry (usually a dental crown) after a root canal to replace the damaged portion of your teeth following a root canal.
Some restorative dental procedures qualify as dental emergencies, depending on the situation. For instance, you may need emergency restorative dental treatments if you suffer from severe toothaches that don’t stop even after taking painkillers. In such cases, the dentist might recommend dental filling or bonding to cover the exposed nerve causing pain.
You may also need emergency restorative dentistry treatment if you accidentally knock out your tooth/teeth. The same goes if you fracture your teeth from physical impact after an accident or while playing physical sports. The dentist will recommend a dental implant for the lost teeth and bonding, filling, or a dental crown for the fractured teeth. Both cases are emergencies, but you can salvage the knocked-out or fractured teeth if you can get to the dentist within an hour of losing or breaking your teeth.
Whether insurance covers restorative dentistry depends on your particular insurance plan. However, restorative dental treatments are almost always covered by insurance. Most insurance policies offer complete coverage, but some only offer partial coverage. Either way, it’s best to check your policy to know whether your restorative dental treatments are covered by your insurer.