Services
- Preventative Dental
- Radiography
- Sealants
- The WAND
- Fluoride
- Mouthguards
- The DIAGNOdent ®
- Composite Fillings
Prevention is the cornerstone of our practice goal.
We want you and your child to be able to have the benefits of all the most current dental prevention philosophies and technology available.
Time: 30 to 40 minutes
Regular Examinations
Every child should have a dental examination every 6 months. This examination by the pediatric dentist is important. Children can develop cavities within a six-month period of time. Small cavities can be restored or filled, but larger cavities, which have not been detected or seen by a dentist, may require pulp treatment or even extractions.
Radiographs
Part of the examination process should include radiographs at regular intervals. The frequency of the radiographs is different for each child. The usual time interval usually is one year. If the child is experiencing a high caries rate, radiographs may be recommended every 6 months. Bitewing radiographs are necessary to detect dental caries between teeth. The dentist cannot see nor feel these kinds of cavities until they have grown relatively large. In baby teeth, if one can see the cavity then, it usually is very near the pulp of the tooth.
Cleaning and/or Oral Prophylaxis
The cleaning or prophylaxis for a child has a dual purpose. Its primary purpose is to clean and polish all the teeth. However, it is also an excellent time to evaluate the child's oral home care and educate her/him/or parent if improvements are needed. If the child's home care is poor then it is beneficial to have another follow-up visit to re-evaluate their "improvement".
Topical Fluoride
The topical fluoride is applied after the teeth are cleaned and polished. A spongy soft tray filled (with a flavored foam that looks like whipped cream) is placed in the child's mouth for one minute. The flavors and textures of the fluorides have improved a lot in the last few years thanks to the dental manufacturers. We no longer use gelatinous fluorides, which require 4-minute applications (that is an eternity for a child). We also have the new fluoride varnishes. All topical fluoride is soaked up by the tooth enamel, rendering the enamel less soluble to acid attacks by plaque.
Why does my child need radiographs?
Radiographs assist the doctor in making an informed diagnosis. We do not request to take radiographs without careful consideration of the age of the child, the value of the films relative to the problem, and decay risk. Without quality images, a dentist cannot diagnose decay, anomalies of eruption, or congenitally missing or extra teeth.
How often should radiographs be taken?
Since every child is unique, the need for dental films varies from child to child. Films are taken only after a complete review of your child's health, and only when they are likely to yield information that a visual exam cannot. In general, children need radiographs more often than adults. Their mouths grow and change rapidly. They are more susceptible to tooth decay than adults.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends radiographic examinations every six months for children with a high risk of tooth decay. Children with a low risk of tooth decay require radiographic imaging less frequently.
Generally, 2 or 4 bitewing X-rays radiographs are recommended approximately once per year for children to rule out cavities and detect anomalies of eruption.
We also take panoramic X-ray films, which allow us to see your child's entire mouth and the position of their teeth. These may be taken every three to five years and are taken instead of a full mouth series of 18 small films. They are commonly used to assess third molar and orthodontic problems.
Why should Dental radiographic films be taken if my child has never had a cavity?
Radiographic Imaging can detect much more than cavities. For example, Radiographs may be needed to survey erupting teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment. Radiographs allow dentists to diagnose and treat health conditions that cannot be detected during a clinical examination. If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable and affordable.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover/pay for Radiography?
Generally insurance companies do cover routine radiography within time limitations per year. If we can determine coverage, we will inform you of non-covered services.
How will my child be protected from X-ray exposure?
Lead body aprons and shields will protect your child. Today's equipment filters out unnecessary X-rays and restricts the radiographic beam to the area of interest. High-speed film and proper shielding assure that your child receives a minimal amount of radiation exposure.
Do you use Digital Radiography in your office?
We do not use digital radiography imaging in our office. The Kodak Insight film we use is the nearly the same dose range of radiation as digital imaging. The current sensors in the marketplace are not comfortable for children. A recent survey of pediatric dentists revealed that 70% of the pediatric dentists are not using digital radiography in 2008. We do digitally scan the radiographs and can electronically submit copies of films to insurance companies and place the electronic information in patient files.
How do dental radiographs compare to other sources of radiation?
Our office uses technology that is designed to reduce radiation exposure levels. Presently, we use Kodak InSight Intraoral Dental Film. This film is the fastest speed film in the industry resulting in the lower doses of radiation nearly equivalent to digital radiography.
Many people do not realize that radiation occurs naturally. Every day you are exposed to radiation naturally, including cosmic radiation from space; terrestrial radiation from stone and other building materials; and radiation from manmade objects such as color televisions.
*A millisievert (mSV) is a unit of measure that allows for some comparison between radiation sources that expose the entire body (such as natural background radiation) and those that only expose a portion of the body (such as radiographs.) Source: American Dental Association
Sources: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry & American Dental Association
What are sealants?
Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities in children are found. Made of clear or shaded resin, sealants are applied to the teeth to help keep them cavity-free.
How do sealants work?
Even if your child brushes and flosses carefully, it is difficult - sometimes impossible -to clean the tiny grooves and pits on certain teeth. Food and bacteria build up in these crevices, placing your child in danger of tooth decay. Sealants "seal out" food and plaque, thus reducing the risk of decay.
How long do sealants last?
Research shows that sealants can last for many years if properly cared for. So, your child will be protected throughout the most cavity-prone years. If your child has good oral hygiene and avoids biting hard objects, sealants will last longer. Your pediatric dentist will check the sealants during routine dental visits and can recommend reapplication or repair when necessary.
What is the treatment like?
The application of a sealant is quick and comfortable. It takes only one visit. The tooth is first cleaned. It is then conditioned and dried. The sealant is then flowed onto the grooves of the tooth and allowed to harden or hardened with a special light. Your child will be able to eat right after the appointment.
How much does it cost?
The treatment is very affordable, especially in view of the valuable decay protection it offers your child. Most dental insurance companies cover sealants. Some companies, however, have age and specific tooth limitations. We can check with your insurance coverage to verify benefits for you.
Which teeth should be sealed?
The natural flow of saliva usually keeps the smooth surfaces of teeth clean but does not wash out the grooves and fissures. So, the teeth most at risk of decay—and therefore most in need of sealants - are the six-year and twelve-year molars. Many times the permanent premolars and primary molars will also benefit from sealant coverage. Any tooth, however, with grooves or pits may benefit from the protection of sealants. Each child’s situation is unique.
If my child has sealants are brushing and flossing still important?
Absolutely! Sealants are only one step in the plan to keep your child cavity-free for a lifetime. Brushing, flossing, balanced nutrition, limited snacking, and regular dental visits are still essential to a bright, healthy smile.
What is in a sealant?
We have used a sealant product for 15 years that is free of unpolymerized Bisphenol A. We use Ultraseal XP Plus by Ultradent Company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. UltraSeal XP Plus is made of a BisGMA resin and 60% filler loaded (silica). Higher filled sealants have less resin and more filler for resistance to wear and increase strength. www.ultradent.com
THE WAND represents the first major technological advance in anesthetic delivery since the syringe was first invented nearly one hundred fifty years ago. This computer controlled "Novacaine" delivery system conquers fear of pain and anxiety.
THE WAND doesn't look like a traditional syringe, so the patient's initial apprehension is minimized. During the actual injection, the development of an anesthetic pathway combined with computer controlled constant flow assures that there is minimal awareness that the injection is even being given.
THE WAND can be positioned more accurately and has a controlled flow rate. The source of most discomfort from injections isn't the needle. It's the flow of the anesthetic into the tissues of the mouth. Unlike traditional syringes, THE WAND delivers anesthetic at an optimal flow rate for a comfortable injection.
The key to the pain-free anesthetic delivery is based on its ability to compensate for different tissue densities. Using a microprocessor, THE WAND provides a controlled delivery of anesthetic at a constant pressure and volume.
What is fluoride and how does it reduce tooth decay?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that prevents tooth decay systemically when ingested during tooth development and topically when applied to erupted teeth.
The fluoride ion comes from the element fluorine. Fluorine, the 17th most abundant element in the earth's crust, is a gas and never occurs in its free state in nature. Fluorine exists only in combination with other elements as a fluoride compound. Fluoride compounds are constituents of minerals in rocks and soil. Water passes over rock formations and dissolves the fluoride compounds that are present, creating fluoride ions. The result is that small amounts of soluble fluoride ions are present in all water sources, including the oceans. Fluoride is present to some extent in all foods and beverages, but the concentrations vary widely.
Simply put, fluoride is obtained in two forms: topical and systemic. Topical fluorides strengthen teeth already present in the mouth. In this method of delivery, fluoride is incorporated into the surface of teeth making them more decay-resistant. Topically applied fluoride provides local protection on the tooth surface.
Topical fluorides include toothpastes, mouthrinses and professionally applied fluoride gels and rinses.
Systemic fluorides are those that are ingested into the body and become incorporated into forming tooth structures. In contrast to topical fluorides, systemic fluorides ingested regularly during the time when teeth are developing are deposited throughout the entire surface and provide longer-lasting protection than those applied topically. Systemic fluorides can also give topical protection because ingested fluoride is present in saliva, which continually bathes the teeth providing a reservoir of fluoride that can be incorporated into the tooth surface to prevent decay. Fluoride also becomes incorporated into dental plaque and facilitates further remineralization. Sources of systemic fluorides include water, dietary fluoride supplements in the forms of tablets, drops or lozenges, and fluoride present in food and beverages.
Researchers have observed fluoride's decay preventive effects through three specific mechanisms:
1. It reduces the solubility of enamel in acid by converting hydroxyapatite into less soluble fluorapatite.
2. It exerts an influence directly on dental plaque by reducing the ability of plaque organisms to produce acid.
3. It promotes the remineralization or repair of tooth enamel in areas that have been demineralized by acids.
The remineralization effect of fluoride is of prime importance. Fluoride ions in and at the enamel surface result in fortified enamel that is not only more resistant to decay, but enamel that can repair or remineralize early dental decay caused by acids from decay-causing bacteria. Fluoride ions necessary for remineralization are provided by fluoridated water as well as various fluoride products such as toothpaste. Maximum decay reduction is produced when fluoride is available for incorporation during all stages of tooth formation (systemically) and by topical effect after eruption.
Adapted from the American Dental Association, Facts on Fluoride, 2003
What are athletic mouth protectors?
Athletic mouth protectors, or mouth guards, are made of soft plastic. They are adapted to fit comfortably to the shape of the upper teeth.
Why are mouth guards important?
Mouth guards hold top priority as sports equipment. They protect not just the teeth, but the lips, cheeks, and tongue. They help protect children from such head and neck injuries as concussions and jaw fractures. Increasingly, organized sports are requiring mouth guards to prevent injury to their athletes. Research shows that most oral injuries occur when athletes are not wearing mouth protection.
When should my child wear a mouth guard?
Whenever he or she is in an activity with a risk of falls or of head contact with other players or equipment. This includes football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, even gymnastics. We usually think of football and hockey as the most dangerous to the teeth, but nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball.
The DIAGNOdent is a new procedure for dentistry. In the past, the dental explorer (pick) and dental X-rays were the only way to detect dental decay on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
Dental Radiographs are valuable in diagnosing decay between teeth but are very difficult to detect decay on chewing surfaces. Research has demonstrated that dental decay detection with these past techniques is only 50% to 75% accurate. Technology such as the DIAGNOdent can increase the accuracy of a diagnosis.
The Diagnodent is a diode laser light that is passed over the surface of the tooth. Decay reflects back at a different wavelength. The laser light is not harmful to the human eye. It does not alter, treat or harm the tooth. While being passed over the tooth, a digital reading scores the soundness of the enamel surface. This information is combined with other signs, softness of the crevice, staining of the groove, and the radiographic appearance of the tooth to give us a diagnosis and treatment.
This service is available to your child as a part of our total prevention program. Please note that it will require additional time during the examination part of the dental visit. There are no additional charges for this service when performed during a regular dental exam.
What Is A Composite Resin (White Filling)?
A composite resin is a tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide) and Bis-GMA resin. Introduced in the 1960s, dental composites were confined to the front teeth because they were not strong enough to withstand the pressure and wear generated by the back teeth. Since then, composites have been significantly improved and can be successfully placed in the back teeth as well. Composites are not only used to restore decayed areas, but are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth. We currently use RENAMEL products
www.cosmedent.com. These products are manufactured in Germany.
How is a composite placed?
Following preparation, the dentist places the composite in layers, using a light specialized to harden each layer. When the process is finished, the dentist will shape the composite to fit the tooth. The dentist then polishes the composite to prevent staining and early wear.
How long does it take to place a composite?
It takes the dentist about 10-20 minutes longer to place a composite than a silver filling. Placement time depends on the size and location of the cavity-the larger the size, the longer it will take.
What is the cost?
Prices vary, but composites average about 20% more than silver Amalgam fillings. Most dental insurance plans cover the cost of the composite up to the price of a silver filling, with the patient paying the difference. Sometimes insurance companies refuse to cover the composite fillings. We strongly recommend insurance pre-authorization prior to treatment.
What are the advantages of composites?
Esthetics is the main advantage, since dentists can blend shades to create a color nearly identical to that of the actual tooth. Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth structure, which helps to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes.
How long will a composite last?
Studies have shown that composites last 7-10 years, which is comparable to silver fillings except in very large restorations, where silver fillings last longer than composites.
Source: The American Academy of General Dentistry