When a tooth needs more than preventative protection, our goal is to restore it as conservatively as possible while keeping your child comfortable throughout the process. We offer a range of restorative treatments suited to children of all ages, and we will always take the time to explain what we recommend and why before moving forward.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Composite resin fillings offer a durable, natural-looking repair for broken or decayed parts of a tooth. The material is matched to the tooth’s color to create a seamless blend between tooth and filling. Whenever fillings are placed, as much natural tooth structure as possible is preserved. Modern pediatric dentistry has enabled a broad offering of dental materials and techniques, making it so that not all fillings require the use of additional numbing medicines or dental hand-pieces. This continual evolution of dentistry helps us remove some of the traditionally most challenging parts of getting dental work done, which is especially helpful for our youngest patients.
Crowns
If damage to a tooth is too extensive to fix with a filling, or if the tooth has pulp treatment, a crown may be recommended. A crown will fully cover and protect remaining tooth structure while preserving function and preventing further breakdown of the tooth. We work with several crown materials including stainless steel, zirconia, and composite. The most appropriate material choice is selected based on what tooth is involved and what will serve your child best.
Pulp Treatment
If decay is left untreated, the bacteria in the cavity can eventually reach the innermost chamber of the tooth that houses the nerve and blood supply to the tooth. Once a cavity reaches the nerve of a baby tooth, additional treatment is needed and only doing a filling or crown will not be enough. Treating an infected nerve involves carefully removing the affected tissue, disinfecting the chamber, and placing medicated material inside the tooth to support and promote healing. A crown is then placed over the tooth, which allows the tooth to maintain its function, without changing how the baby tooth will eventually fall out just like it always would have on its own.
Extractions
When a tooth cannot be saved through restorative treatment, removal may be the most appropriate course of action. We always use local anesthesia to ensure the area is fully numb before beginning. The tooth is gently loosened and removed, and we will discuss next steps with you, including whether a space maintainer is needed to preserve room for the incoming permanent tooth.