Baby teeth are there for a reason. One key reason is that they save space for the permanent tooth, which will erupt into its position when the baby tooth is lost normally.
If a primary tooth (baby or milk tooth), has to be removed early due to say, an abscess, or is knocked out in some kind of trauma, a space maintainer may be recommended to save the space. If the space is not preserved, the other teeth may drift causing difficult to treat crowding and orthodontic problems.
There are two types of space maintainers:
Unilateral: Just on one side, usually "replacing" one tooth. You may hear this called a "band and loop".
Bilateral: These are usually cemented with bands on back teeth on both sides connected by a wire just behind the lower incisors. Usually called a Lingual Arch. This can eliminate the need for two unilateral spacers. They are most useful if there is more than one tooth missing or you are trying to keep the lower incisors from tipping.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Dental Sealants
Sealants are placed on the teeth very easily and do not require the use of local anesthesia. It is not necessary to be numb for this type of appointment. The procedure is not painful, and requires no drilling. The dentist cleans the tooth and then rubs on a gel to prepare the chewing surface. The tooth is washed and dried to make sure the sealant will attach well. The tooth is painted with the sealant and the dentist hardens it with a special light for 30 seconds.
When preparing your child for their visit, here are some helpful words to use.
Instead of saying this = Please use this
Sealant = Paint the tooth white to protect against sugar bugs
Nitrous, Gas = Special Air, Loopy Gas, Happy GasNitrous/Gas Mask = Clown Nose, Special Nose
Curing Light = Tooth Hair Dryer, Special Light
Suction = Vacuum
Drill = Mr. Whistle, Super-Fast Toothbrush
Instrument, Pick = Tooth Counter
Scraper = Tooth Cleaner
When preparing your child for their visit, here are some helpful words to use.
Instead of saying this = Please use this
Sealant = Paint the tooth white to protect against sugar bugs
Nitrous, Gas = Special Air, Loopy Gas, Happy GasNitrous/Gas Mask = Clown Nose, Special Nose
Curing Light = Tooth Hair Dryer, Special Light
Suction = Vacuum
Drill = Mr. Whistle, Super-Fast Toothbrush
Instrument, Pick = Tooth Counter
Scraper = Tooth Cleaner
Routine Dental Cleaning (Dental Prophylaxis)
Expect to get a thorough cleaning and polishing by one of our Registered Dental Hygienists (RDHs). At the end of your appointment the hygienist will give you suggestions and recommendations for either improving or maintaining your dental health. Feel free to ask for any complimentary dental supplies if you need them.
Hospital Sedation
In order to accommodate patients with large treatment plans or extreme fear of the dentist, our office offers Hospital Sedation.
The child is seen in the hospital or surgery center for day surgery. The type of anesthesia is similar to that used for placing ear tubes or tonsillectomy. All work is performed at one time. This method is used for the completely uncooperative child who has a significant amount of work to be done.
Once the decision is made to the child should undergo hospital sedation, the details will be discussed with our hospital coordinator. You will be informed of cost, the location of the surgery and pre-operatory requirements.
If you would like additional information or details regarding Hospital Sedation, please contact our office directly.
The child is seen in the hospital or surgery center for day surgery. The type of anesthesia is similar to that used for placing ear tubes or tonsillectomy. All work is performed at one time. This method is used for the completely uncooperative child who has a significant amount of work to be done.
Once the decision is made to the child should undergo hospital sedation, the details will be discussed with our hospital coordinator. You will be informed of cost, the location of the surgery and pre-operatory requirements.
If you would like additional information or details regarding Hospital Sedation, please contact our office directly.
First Dental Visit
Our office, as well as the The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommends establishing a "Dental Home" for your child by one year of age.
Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.When you contact our office to schedule your child's first dental visit, one of our staff will discuss your schedule, insurance and personal information. Once an appointment time is assigned, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time in order to complete new patient paperwork. Paperwork must be completed before we can treat your child for the first time. If convenient, you may pick up the paperwork in advance to complete at home.
What to expect at the first visit.
During the first visit, the dentist will (1) review the medical and any prior dental histories; (2) complete a thorough oral examination to assess growth and development; (3) clean the teeth as indicated and provide suggestions about daily care; (4) evaluate and optimize your child's fluoride exposure because too much or too little can lead to problems; (5) review feeding practices and provide dietary counseling; (6) assess your child's risk of developing tooth decay; (7) provide information regarding oral development. teething, pacifier or finger/thumb sucking habits and injury prevention; and (8) plan for any needed treatment or the next check up. The dentists also will answer any questions you may have.
Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.When you contact our office to schedule your child's first dental visit, one of our staff will discuss your schedule, insurance and personal information. Once an appointment time is assigned, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time in order to complete new patient paperwork. Paperwork must be completed before we can treat your child for the first time. If convenient, you may pick up the paperwork in advance to complete at home.
What to expect at the first visit.
During the first visit, the dentist will (1) review the medical and any prior dental histories; (2) complete a thorough oral examination to assess growth and development; (3) clean the teeth as indicated and provide suggestions about daily care; (4) evaluate and optimize your child's fluoride exposure because too much or too little can lead to problems; (5) review feeding practices and provide dietary counseling; (6) assess your child's risk of developing tooth decay; (7) provide information regarding oral development. teething, pacifier or finger/thumb sucking habits and injury prevention; and (8) plan for any needed treatment or the next check up. The dentists also will answer any questions you may have.
Tooth Extractions (Wiggles)
Extractions
An extraction is the removal of a tooth. There are a few reasons
in pediatric dentistry a tooth would need to be “wiggled”. Sometimes, the adult
tooth is having trouble making it’s debut due to a primary tooth. Other times,
the tooth may be abscessed and have a severe infection. In these cases the only
option is to remove the source of infection, the tooth. In order to prevent an
extraction due to decay and infection, be sure to exercise proper oral hygiene.
What to expect when your child has a Extraction.
Local
anesthesia will be used to complete your child's treatment. The lips and tongue
may be affected, which may be a new and sometimes alarming sensation. Gentle reassurance
may be necessary to convince your child that the feeling it temporary and the
teeth will "wake back up" in approximately 1 - 2 hours.
It is important to permit a strong clot to form at the site of the extraction and bleeding is a normal part of this healing process.Your child should maintain a piece of gauze over the extraction site until it becomes saturated. Only at that time should the gauze be removed and a new one placed if there is continued bleeding.
If spitting is necessary, it should not be done forcefully. Citrus foods and spices, which may irritate the area, should be avoided. Soft foods are recommended for the remainder of the day. Gentle warm salt water rinses can be implemented three times daily to help keep the extraction site clean.
DO NOT consume carbonated beverages.
DO NOT use a straw.
DO NOT eat hard or crunchy foods.
It is important to permit a strong clot to form at the site of the extraction and bleeding is a normal part of this healing process.Your child should maintain a piece of gauze over the extraction site until it becomes saturated. Only at that time should the gauze be removed and a new one placed if there is continued bleeding.
If spitting is necessary, it should not be done forcefully. Citrus foods and spices, which may irritate the area, should be avoided. Soft foods are recommended for the remainder of the day. Gentle warm salt water rinses can be implemented three times daily to help keep the extraction site clean.
DO NOT consume carbonated beverages.
DO NOT use a straw.
DO NOT eat hard or crunchy foods.
If your child experiences minimal discomfort following the
procedure, Motrin/Ibuprofen is the pain reliever of choice for dental
discomfort and can be taken every 8 hours. If relief is needed more frequently, Tylenol may be
alternated every 4 hours. If your child is a patient with our office, please
contact us if any issues or questions arise. Always confirm your child's weight
to ensure the proper dose is administered.
Preparing for your child's visit.
It is best if you refrain
from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as
"needle", "shot", "pull", "drill" or
"hurt". The office makes a practice of using words that convey the
same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
Instead of saying this = Please use thisNeedle = Bubble
Anesthetic = Sleepy Juice
Numb = Asleep
Extraction = Wiggle
Bite Block = Tooth Pillow
Nitrous, Gas = Special Air, Loopy Gas, Happy Gas
Nitrous/Gas = Mask Clown Nose, Special Nose
Drug, Medicine = Silly Pill, Special Juice
Drill, Cut = Mr. Whistle, Super-Fast Toothbrush
Instrument = Pick Tooth Counter
Scraper = Tooth Cleaner
Anesthetic = Sleepy Juice
Numb = Asleep
Extraction = Wiggle
Bite Block = Tooth Pillow
Nitrous, Gas = Special Air, Loopy Gas, Happy Gas
Nitrous/Gas = Mask Clown Nose, Special Nose
Drug, Medicine = Silly Pill, Special Juice
Drill, Cut = Mr. Whistle, Super-Fast Toothbrush
Instrument = Pick Tooth Counter
Scraper = Tooth Cleaner
Pulpotomy (Pulpal Thereapy, Nerve Treatment, Baby Tooth Root Canal)
Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy, also called Pulpal Therapy, Nerve Treatment and Baby Tooth Root Canal, can be a successful method to
save a tooth from extraction. When decay invades the area near the pulp of the
tooth, the pulpal tissue becomes inflamed. It is necessary to remove this decay
as soon as possible to keep the tooth from requiring extraction due to an abscess.
A pulpotomy cannot save an already abscessed tooth. If you think your child has
an abscess or requires treatment for a toothache, see a dentist immediately.
What to expect
when your child has a Pulpotomy.
Local
anesthesia will be used to complete your child's treatment. The lips and tongue
may be affected, which may be a new and sometimes alarming sensation. Gentle reassurance
may be necessary to convince your child that the feeling it temporary and the
teeth will "wake back up" in approximately 1 - 2 hours.
Avoid sticky foods for 24 hours for the filling to adhere properly. Wait until the anesthetic wears off before chewing foods. This will reduce your chances of injuring yourself from biting your tongue, lip or cheeks.
Avoid sticky foods for 24 hours for the filling to adhere properly. Wait until the anesthetic wears off before chewing foods. This will reduce your chances of injuring yourself from biting your tongue, lip or cheeks.
If your child experiences minimal discomfort following the
procedure, Motrin/Ibuprofen is the pain reliever of choice for dental
discomfort and can be taken every 8 hours. If relief is needed more frequently, Tylenol may be
alternated every 4 hours. If your child is a patient with our office, please
contact us if any issues or questions arise. Always confirm your child's weight
to ensure the proper dose is administered.
Preparing for your child's visit.
It is best if you refrain
from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as
"needle", "shot", "pull", "drill" or
"hurt". The office makes a practice of using words that convey the
same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
Instead
of saying this = Please use this
Needle = Bubble
Anesthetic = Sleepy Juice
Numb = Asleep
Infection = Sick tooth because of sugar bugs
Bite Block = Tooth Pillow
Nitrous, Gas = Special Air, Loopy Gas, Happy Gas
Nitrous/Gas = Mask Clown Nose, Special Nose
Drug, Medicine = Silly Pill, Special Juice
Drill, Cut = Mr. Whistle, Super-Fast Toothbrush
Instrument = Pick Tooth Counter
Scraper = Tooth Cleaner
Needle = Bubble
Anesthetic = Sleepy Juice
Numb = Asleep
Infection = Sick tooth because of sugar bugs
Bite Block = Tooth Pillow
Nitrous, Gas = Special Air, Loopy Gas, Happy Gas
Nitrous/Gas = Mask Clown Nose, Special Nose
Drug, Medicine = Silly Pill, Special Juice
Drill, Cut = Mr. Whistle, Super-Fast Toothbrush
Instrument = Pick Tooth Counter
Scraper = Tooth Cleaner
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