Every child is unique, and despite diligent efforts, certain oral health issues can seem inevitable. We recognize the importance of maintaining oral health and are dedicated to providing restorative dental care and restorative dentistry solutions for our patients in Indianapolis, IN, tailored to each individual’s needs. We understand and are here to support and assist in overcoming oral health challenges!
The first thing you can do is get scheduled for a full exam, which includes a radiographic (as needed) and clinical exam of your child’s entire oral health, gum health, as well as the condition of each tooth. Once the examination is finished, our dedicated team will develop an action plan to tackle any dental issues your child is facing, whether it’s gum disease, a damaged tooth, or another dental problem, immediate challenges and discomforts are addressed efficiently. We will also provide education on restorative and pediatric dentistry practices to you and your child, to minimize risk factors and implement a plan focused on enhancing their overall oral health.
Crowns
Especially in front teeth, if we find that your child has dental issues such as missing teeth, damaged teeth, or fracture, we might suggest a dental crown made of resin to encapsulate the entire tooth. Aesthetically speaking, resin is a moldable material and is available in many shades that allow us to custom-match the natural tooth color. While this makes an immediate difference in appearance, they do have the tendency to stain and discolor and can even fracture or break multiple teeth over time. This is the main reason that we only recommend them for front teeth and special care is also encouraged to prolong the longevity of the dental filling.
In the event that there is an issue with a back primary or (baby) tooth that compromises multiple teeth surfaces, we recommend a stainless steel crown. These are prefabricated dental crowns that cover the entire visible portion of the tooth. These crowns (commonly referred to as silver caps) are incredibly durable and the favored choice for restoring teeth when a large portion of the tooth is lost due to extensive decay or a fracture. These dental crowns are durable enough to sustain normal biting forces and are usually well hidden as they are located in the back of the mouth.
Fillings
Should we discover a cavity in your child’s tooth during the examination, we may suggest a dental, we may recommend either a white or a silver filling. This restorative procedure will primarily depend on the tooth’s location and the size of the cavity. Resin dental fillings are typically the material of choice unless the dental problem involves extensive decay or a high rate of caries, in which case a stronger, more durable material, like amalgam, is recommended. At this point in the process, it will be important for us to have an open discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of each option based on the exact needs of your child. Of course, we greatly value your opinion, and hope that together we can come up with a plan of action that makes sense.
Rehabilitation Involving Extractions & Sedation
Occasionally, despite our best efforts, a more complex level of treatment is required, which could even include tooth extractions. In such instances, use of mild sedation can greatly help increase cooperation and reduce anxiety associated with dental treatment. Various medications can be used to sedate a child, however, medications will need to be selected based on a child’s overall health, level of anxiety, and dental treatment recommendations. In our open environment, we have found that most children respond quite positively to basic behavior modification and nitrous oxide because we spend a lot of time building trust as we educate both you and your child on everything we are about to do. In most cases, if we need to perform any level of sedation, we find the parent is comfortable with the required procedure and their child is actually excited about the process and looking forward to it. Due to this atraumatic dental experience, their anxiety is usually even lower, which makes the next visit even easier!
We Encourage A Healthy Diet
Invisible germs called bacteria live in your mouth all the time. Some of these bacteria help form a sticky material called plaque on the surface of the teeth, which then leads to poor oral health. When you put sugar in your mouth, the bacteria in the plaque gobble up the sweet stuff and turn it into acids. These acids are powerful enough to dissolve the hard enamel that covers your teeth. That’s how cavities are formed. If you don’t eat much sugar or clean your mouth immediately after, the bacteria can’t produce as much of the acid that eats away enamel. Eating healthy and nutritious snacks is not only good for your overall health, but a few of them can help your teeth while you are eating them! Eating raw fruits like apples, pears, pineapple, and oranges are great examples of healthy fruits that provide less food for bacteria. Raw vegetables like broccoli, celery, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes are also really good for you and your teeth!
Sugary snacks taste so good — but they aren’t so good for your teeth or your body. The candies, cakes, cookies, and other sugary foods that kids love to eat between meals can cause tooth decay. Some sugary foods have a lot of fat in them, too. Kids who consume sugary snacks eat many different kinds of sugar every day, including table sugar (sucrose) and corn sweeteners (fructose). Starchy snacks can also break down into sugars once they’re in your mouth. We know it is hard to keep kids away from these foods, especially when being used as a reward, but minimizing snacking on damaging foods at mealtime and excellent oral hygiene practices can minimize damages. This will keep your children able to eat comfortably and wanting to smile all the time!
FAQs
Restorative dental care is a branch of dentistry focused on repairing and restoring damaged teeth to improve oral health and functionality. It becomes necessary when a child has a dental issue such as decay, a damaged tooth, or has experienced tooth loss.
Yes, restorative dentistry procedures, such as dental fillings, are designed to treat tooth decay by removing the decayed part of the tooth and filling it with a material to restore its shape and function.
A restorative dentistry procedure for a dental crown involves preparing the damaged tooth, taking an impression, and then fitting and cementing a custom-made crown over the tooth to restore its appearance and functionality.
Restorative dental treatment focuses on fixing dental problems and restoring oral health, such as with dental fillings or crowns, while cosmetic dental treatments like teeth whitening aim to improve the appearance of teeth.
Common restorative procedures for missing teeth in pediatric dentistry include dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures, which help in tooth replacement and restoring the child’s smile and oral functionality.
A pediatric dentist is specially trained to address the unique dental needs of children, including those with special needs. Our expertise in child psychology and dental phobias enables us to create a comforting environment, ensuring that every patient receives the care they need in a manner that is sensitive to their individual requirements.
Dental cleanings are vital for maintaining a child‘s dental health by removing plaque and tartar that can lead to cavities and gum disease. Regular dental visits, typically every six months, are recommended to ensure early oral treatments and to keep the child‘s teeth healthy and clean.
Pediatric dentists in Indianapolis, IN assist parents by providing comprehensive dental services, including educational resources on preventive care, guidance on how to prevent cavities, and the importance of regular dental checkups. We focus on early detection and treatment of dental issues, offering dental cleanings and advice on maintaining optimal dental health at home.
