Restorative Dentist for Kids: Three Common Treatments

A restorative dentist for kids can help to fix any dental issues your child is dealing with. Many of these issues come with symptoms like toothaches, which can leave your child in agony. Taking a child to a pediatric dentist for kids typically brings an end to any pain and discomfort being caused by a dental issue.

Treatments performed by a restorative dentist for kids

Restorative dental treatments are performed to rebuild damaged teeth and restore their functions. A local anesthetic might be administered at the start of such treatments, so the child does not feel any pain. This procedure can typically be completed in 45 minutes or less, and sedatives can be provided for longer treatments.

Some of the restorative treatments a dentist might use to repair and rebuild a child’s teeth include:

• Fillings: Fillings are the go-to treatment for tooth decay. Decay leads to the formation of tiny holes on teeth surfaces called cavities. These holes leave the inner dentin exposed to irritants in the mouth like acids, and that can lead to toothaches and increased sensitivity. Cavities can be closed up by using a material called a filling to rebuild the child’s tooth. The child is usually given a shot of a local anesthetic when teeth are being filled, so the dentist can remove the decayed material from the tooth without causing any pain
• Crowns: A dental crown might be recommended if one of your child’s teeth has been badly damaged by decay or trauma. The crown holds what is left together and protects the tooth against bite forces. Stainless steel crowns are often recommended for children since they are affordable and durable. The crown protects the child’s baby tooth until it is ready to fall out naturally. Baby teeth falling out prematurely can lead to the permanent ones not erupting properly
• Orthodontic treatments: The alignment of a person’s teeth significantly impacts the way their smile looks, and it also makes it harder to keep teeth clean. Orthodontic treatments can be used to fix poor teeth alignment and the problems that come with it. Dentists recommend bringing your child in for their first orthodontic assessment by the time they reach the age of seven. At that point, their smile should be developed so alignment issues can be detected. A child’s jaw and facial structures are still developing, which makes it easier to push them to a better alignment. This also shortens treatment times. Popular orthodontic devices recommended for kids include braces and clear aligners
• Pulpotomy: This treatment is performed when a child’s tooth has been severely damaged by tooth decay or when a tooth has been infected. The procedure involves using a dental drill to clean out the cavity and the top part of the tooth’s nerve. The area is sterilized, medicated, and sealed to close the tooth. A stainless steel crown might be placed over the tooth to prevent it from breaking apart

Frequently asked questions about getting restorative dental services for kids

Think your child needs some restorative treatments? Here are the answers to a couple of questions you might have about restorative treatments:

1. What is the point of saving baby teeth?

Baby teeth might be temporary, but they serve a significant role. They hold spaces for the permanent teeth behind them, allowing them to erupt correctly. A baby tooth falling out prematurely can affect the development of the permanent tooth behind it. Children who lose baby teeth prematurely are more likely to deal with bite issues as adults.

Performing restorative treatments on baby teeth often allows the dentist to save them. If the tooth cannot be saved, a space maintainer can be used to keep the spot it once held from closing in.

2. How do dentists address anxious children?

Dentists often used sedatives like nitrous oxide – laughing gas – to keep patients calm during their treatments. Laughing gas is a mild sedative that allows patients to stay awake as the dentist works on their mouth. It keeps patients relaxed and calm during treatments, allowing dentists to get more work done.

Laughing gas is typically administered with a nose mask. The quantity of the gas being delivered to the patients can be easily adjusted to ensure they are getting enough of the sedative. It only takes a few minutes for patients to start feeling the effects of laughing gas, and it wears off just as quickly. Laughing gas is safe for patients of all ages. 

We can restore any damaged teeth your child has

Give us a call or stop by our Middletown clinic so your child can get any restorative treatments they need.

Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Restorative Dentistry in Middletown, NY.