Pediatric dentistry involves the care of children from birth through adolescence. Your child’s dental visit is recommended by their first birthday in order to establish their “dental home” and familiarize your child with the dentist. Early detection is essential in maintaining your child’s oral health and modifying any negative oral habits (such as thumb sucking). Being proactive will allow you to identify potential concerns and treat them before they become dental problems.

Before your child’s first birthday, a professional dental cleaning is recommended at least twice per year to reinforce your child’s developing home-care oral habits. The dentist or hygienist will remove plaque and polish your child’s teeth. During the appointment an examination will also be performed on your child to identify any additional treatment needs.

Dental sealants are thin coatings that are bonded onto the biting surfaces of the back teeth to act as a barrier against plaque and acids that may not be removed with regular tooth brushing. Placing dental sealants is a quick and painless procedure that does not require numbing and will protect your child’s teeth from decay.

This problem-focused exam addresses an acute issue, such as pain, infection, or trauma. The dentist will perform an isolated exam, which may include x-rays of the specific area, before diagnosing and recommending treatment for your child. It is important that emergency dental issues are treated in a timely manner and at Modern Elevations, we make every effort to see your child as soon as possible.

Extractions, or exodontia, are the removal of teeth from the socket in the alveolar, or jaw, bone. Extractions may be performed for numerous reasons including teeth that have become non-restorable due to extensive decay or stubborn baby teeth that won’t fall out on their own. Wisdom teeth that are impacted, or unable to erupt normally into the oral cavity, may need to be extracted, particularly if they cause frequent infections. Your child’s orthodontist may also recommend the removal of crowded teeth to facilitate orthodontic treatment.

A dental filling, or direct restoration, is a treatment to restore the function and appearance of your child’s teeth. Fillings may be required to replace lost tooth structure due to decay or trauma. The procedure will involve the placement of a filling material into prepared tooth structure. The material is shaped while it is soft to build up the tooth before it is set hard. There are a variety of different filling materials and the best one for your child’s particular situation will be chosen based on the location and size of the restoration.

Mouth guards are protective coverings that are worn over the teeth to prevent damage from injury during sports and other physical activities. Custom-fit mouth guards are individually designed in our office based off an impression of your child’s mouth. They are more accurate, comfortable, and provide better protection than stock mouth guards.

Children new to the dentist may be fearful of necessary dental procedures. Nitrous oxide administered through a mask placed over the nose and oral sedative medications can reduce your child’s fear and anxiety related to dental procedures, ensuring that they have a relaxed and comfortable experience.

Dental crowns, or caps, may be necessary if your child has lost a significant amount of tooth structure due to decay or trauma. The crowns are tooth-shaped coverings that are cemented to the baby tooth to replace tooth structure and restore your child’s teeth to their original shape and function.

Space maintainers may be indicated if your child has lost a baby tooth too early or if adult teeth are missing or late to erupt. The space maintainer will support your child’s mouth until the gaps are filled with permanent teeth. Space maintainers may be fixed or removable depending on your child’s specific needs.