Restorative Dentistry for Kids
At ToothTown Pediatric Dentistry, we offer restorative treatments for kids to repair damaged teeth or teeth in poor health, replace missing teeth, and to improve the structure, functionality, and appearance of their teeth.
Some of our restorative treatments for kids include:
Routine dental treatments are incredibly important, especially if your child is prone to tooth decay. However, it’s not uncommon for children to experience dental anxiety which can make them apprehensive about going to the dentist.
It’s important not to delay necessary dental treatment which can save you time, money, and your child’s oral health. That’s why we offer dental sedation to put your child at ease if they’re extra nervous, even for more routine dental treatments.
For preventive dental treatments at ToothTown Pediatric Dentistry, contact us at (470) 523-8090 or book online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tom or Dr. Lulu.
Composite Fillings
Composite resin fillings are also known as tooth-colored fillings because they match the natural color of your teeth, unlike silver amalgam fillings. These fillings are incredibly durable and won’t cause your child to feel insecure in their smile, because no one will be able to notice their fillings. It’s important for children to feel confident in their smiles.
Most kids don’t want a hunk of silver in their mouth, especially when the filled tooth is visible when they smile. Composite resin fillings also don’t contain any mercury. When your child develops a cavity, we will remove the decay from the tooth and fill it back up with a composite resin filling. Your child will be given local anesthesia before any drilling begins and the procedure is completely painless.
Root Canal Therapy
If your child’s dental pulp, which is the inside soft layer of their tooth, becomes inflamed, infected, or dies due to extensive decay or trauma, they may need a root canal. A root canal removes the damaged pulp from the tooth and thoroughly cleans out the canals inside of the tooth.
If an infection is present, your child will likely also need to take a course of antibiotics. After the pulp has been removed, the inside of the tooth is filled with a rubber material called gutta-percha and the access hole in the tooth is sealed up with a permanent filling.
Oftentimes it is recommended that a dental crown be placed on the vulnerable tooth post root canal to protect it from reinfection and further damage. If your child’s dental pulp is inflamed or infected, it may be extremely painful. However, the actual root canal procedure is no more painful than a routine filling.
The first appointment when we remove the damaged pulp will also relieve your child’s pain. Root canals are performed as a last resort to save a tooth from extraction. Even if the affected tooth is deciduous, it plays an important role in the mouth to maintain space for when their permanent tooth comes through.
Anterior & Posterior Crowns
Dental crowns are used to protect your little one’s tooth from damage, infection, or if the tooth is missing most of its structure. Teeth that have been chipped or cracked due to dental trauma or injury may be fitted with crowns to protect the integrity of the tooth.
Crowns are often commonly placed over a tooth after a root canal so bacteria doesn’t enter the tooth causing re-infection and because the tooth may not be as strong. Crowns are also sometimes used as an alternative to fillings if there is extensive decay in a large tooth like a molar. This usually requires removing a large portion of the tooth’s structure and dental crowns are more durable and last longer than fillings.
We offer dental crowns in two different materials: stainless steel and ceramic. Stainless steel is visibly silver but very strong and durable which makes them more suitable for posterior teeth like rear molars or deciduous (baby) teeth. Though your child might not want a silver tooth, it will only be temporary in a baby tooth, because it will eventually fall out.
Ceramic crowns are made of porcelain and look just like natural teeth. These crowns are more expensive than stainless steel crowns but their natural appearance makes them ideal for anterior teeth that are visible when your child smiles, and for permanent teeth.