Kids Dental Exams In Kelowna

Diagnostic And Preventive Services

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Pediatric Dental Checkups

What Is A Sealant?

Dental sealants are a form of preventive treatment. This involves bonding a resin coating onto the chewing surface of a tooth. Teeth which are good candidates for sealants are those which have deep grooves in which food and bacteria collect.  Leaving this accumulation in the grooves can lead to tooth decay. Our dental assistants are fully certified to place sealants. We know from scientific research and our own experience that the main reason sealants fail is that the tooth was not kept absolutely dry during placement. Our process involves isolating the tooth to be sealed either with a rubber dam or a device called a ‘Dry Shield’.  This is the BEST way to ensure a successful outcome. The tooth is then thoroughly cleaned, roughened with an acid solution, and the sealant is bonded into place. Sealants, when intact, are very effective at preventing tooth decay.

What Is Silver Diamine Fluoride?

SDF stands for Silver Diamine Fluoride, a liquid solution that dentists apply to a tooth to stop or slow cavities from growing, kill cavity-causing bacteria, and harden the tooth structure. This can either be done during the early stages of tooth decay, where the surfaces can be painted with SDF, or SDF can be used to buy some time until a child is old enough to have definitive treatment completed.
Kids Dental Exam Kelowna

How Safe Are Dental X-Rays?

At our practice, your child’s safety is our top priority. Dental radiographs (x-rays) are sometimes needed to see parts of the teeth and jaws that aren’t visible during an exam, and we take every precaution to keep radiation exposure to an absolute minimum. We use modern digital imaging, which reduces radiation levels significantly compared to traditional films, and we follow the latest research and international guidelines to ensure x-rays are taken only when truly necessary. The amount of radiation from a pediatric dental x-ray is extremely small—often less than what a child would naturally receive from a day outdoors—yet the information it provides is invaluable for preventing problems before they become more serious.

The Latest Recommendations

We’ve updated our X-ray practices to follow the newest recommendations from the AAPD, ADA, NCRP, and major radiology organizations. Today’s digital dental X-rays use extremely low radiation, and current research shows that routine lead aprons and thyroid collars no longer provide added protection. In fact, they can interfere with the technology and may lead to unnecessary repeat images. Instead, we now use modern dose-reduction features, careful positioning, and strict "only when needed" guidelines to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable while still getting the diagnostic information needed to care for your child safely.
Kids Dental Exam Kelowna

Referring a Patient for
Preventive Dental Services?

If you're a pediatrician or dentist referring a child for fluoride treatment, sealants, or diagnostic care, use our quick referral form to get started.
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