Good dental health habits start early, and its important to take care of your childs teeth as they emerge. We recommend scheduling the first regular dental visit just after your childs third birthday, as most children get all 20 of their primary teeth by then.
This first dental visit is usually short and begins with a gentle examination of your childs teeth and gums. We may clean your childs teeth with fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay, and well check to see that your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. We will review healthy habits for cleaning and caring for your childs teeth.
We recommend preparing your child for their first visit the same way you would prepare them for their first doctors visit or their first haircut. Review with your child what the dentist will be doing during the first visit, and speak positively about your own dental experiences. It may be helpful to take your child for a preview of the office so that your child becomes familiar with the place. We may also ask you to sit in the dental chair with your child during the examination.
For small chips, gaps, and stains, composite bonding is a simple, non-invasive, and cost-effective option. While composite bonding is not as strong as a veneer, it can be a useful as an alternative treatment for smaller blemishes in teeth that are otherwise healthy.
This procedure can typically be done in one visit. We prepare your tooth by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Then we apply a plastic resin and, once cured, we smooth and polish this resin into an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Instead of mercury amalgam fillings that stand out from tooth enamel, we use a composite resin that blends in naturally, restores much of the tooths original strength, and is less sensitive to heat and cold than traditional silver (amalgam) fillings.
Sometimes a filling isnt enough to repair a damaged tooth. If a tooth is decayed or fractured beyond repair, or if old fillings have weakened, a crown may be the best option for restoring the tooths durability. A crown encases the entire tooth surface, protecting the tooth structure and restoring it to its original size and shape.