Children's Restorative Dentistry
Dental Surgery
What Is A Dental Filling?
For small cavities in permanent or primary teeth, we place a variety of tooth coloured, resin filling materials. The resin materials we use today are bonded to the tooth, which increases adhesion of the filling material to the tooth, as well as strengthening the decayed tooth. We stock a variety of resin filling materials so that we can match the right material properties to each tooth. Our goal is to not only provide an excellent aesthetic result but also a strong functional filling.
What Is A Dental Extraction?
Sometimes a tooth needs to be removed if it is too damaged by decay or trauma to be restored. This is called a dental extraction, and it is a very common procedure in children. When a baby tooth is taken out earlier than expected, we may recommend a small device called a space maintainer. This helps keep the gap open so the adult tooth has enough room to grow in properly, preventing crowding or shifting of the other teeth.
Dental Crowns
What Is A Stainless-Steel Crown?
We provide care for children who often have very large cavities in one or more of their primary molars, teeth that have not formed properly, experience heavy grinding, or teeth with multiple services of decay in high caries risk children. Treating these cavities with large plastic fillings will ultimately lead to failure and a need to retreat. In the long run, this is both more challenging for children who need to have multiple appointments and is more expensive for families. The alternative is to place stainless steel crowns on teeth which have cavities too large for fillings. Although they are not white, as they are made with surgical-grade stainless steel, they are very functional and durable, lasting until the primary molar is replaced by the permanent tooth.
What Is A Zirconia “White” Crown?
In some situations, when a baby tooth needs full coverage protection, we may recommend a zirconia crown as an alternative to a traditional stainless steel crown. Zirconia crowns are made from a strong, tooth-colored material that blends naturally with your child’s smile. They can be especially useful for front teeth when appearance is important, or for back teeth when a more aesthetic option is preferred. Like stainless steel crowns, they provide excellent durability and protection, helping to keep your child’s tooth healthy until it is naturally replaced. Zirconia crowns may not be appropriate for all posterior situations, depending on loss of space due to cavities, among other concerns.
What Is A Pulpotomy?
A pulpotomy is a common treatment used to save a baby tooth when decay has reached the inner part of the tooth close to the nerve. Instead of removing the whole tooth, we carefully clean away the affected portion inside the crown of the tooth and place a soothing, protective medicine to keep the remaining nerve tissue healthy. The tooth is then covered with a strong crown to restore its function and protect it until it naturally falls out. This allows your child to keep their tooth for chewing, speaking, and guiding the proper growth of their adult teeth.
Are you looking to Refer a Patient for
Restorative Dental Services?
If you're a pediatrician or dentist referring a child for restorative services like crowns or extractions, please use our easy referral form to get started.