Children's Dentistry Procedures

CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY PROCEDURES

It all starts with what Dr. Benton calls preventative oral care. Preventative oral care is used to preserve and nurture the health of a child’s teeth from the American Dental Association’s (ADA) suggested starting date of 12 months old and every six months thereafter. This is so the dentist can monitor the child for early tooth decay, orthodontic concerns and track jaw and tooth development as they grow. This provides a good resource for parents, as well as the topical fluoride and sealants made for children that Dr. Benton treats.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST VISIT

A routine visit for your child includes:
Professional teeth cleaning
Topical fluoride applied to protect enamel
Pain or concerns checked and addressed/dietary issues and thumb sucking discussed
Optional demonstration of good brushing/flossing habits

BABY/TODDLER DENTAL CARE

Your child’s first dental visit should be scheduled around his or her first birthday. We suggest having another adult accompany you to avoid a fuss, and we encourage you to read or tell positive stories to your child before coming into the office to solidify a feeling of calm and reduce any nervousness that comes from entering a new place. You can expect the first visit to be simple, consisting of a dental history overview and a Q&A involving sippy cup use, pacifier/thumb sucking habits, and teething.

We will schedule another appointment to follow the first, and in the meantime the parent(s) can practice oral health techniques based on the demonstrations provided to them during the visit.

When molars emerge (usually between the ages of two and three), the dentist may coat them with dental sealant. This sealant covers the hard-to-reach fissures on the molars, sealing out bacteria, food particles and acid. Dental sealant may last for many months or many years, depending on the oral habits of the child, and is an important tool in the fight against tooth decay.

PRE-TEEN DENTAL CARE

Unsurprisingly, the care of a child’s mouth becomes more complicated as they grow into adulthood and their teeth become permanent. In order to properly care for their dental health, it is important to always schedule your six-month appointments and be prepared for external costs, like:

Sports injuries (see injuries page)
Mouth guards
Teeth grinding
Orthodontic care
Tobacco use
Body piercing of the mouth

PEDIATRIC PULP THERAPY

The pulp of a tooth cannot be seen with the naked eye. It is found at the center of each toot, and is comprised of nerves, tissue and may blood vessels. In children, the pulp can become damaged due to tooth decay or traumatic injury, which leads to painful pulp exposure and inflammation.

Pediatric Pulp Therapy is performed on both primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. This process typically includes one of two procedures:

Pulpotomy: An extremely versatile treatment when the problem is isolated to the pulp tip and the dentist can treat only the affected pulp and surrounding tooth decay. This treatment results in the gap being filled with a biocompatible therapeutic material to prevent infection and soothe the pulp root. A crown is commonly placed on the tooth after treatment to strengthen the tooth structure and minimize the risk of future fractures.
Pulpectomy: This treatment is used in cases of severe tooth decay or trauma, in which the entire tooth pulp may be affected. In this case the dentist will remove the pulp, cleanse the root canals, and then pack the area with a biocompatible material.