Pediatric Dentistry

 

Dental Cleanings & X-Rays

Professional cleanings (dental prophylaxis) form the foundation for preventing gum disease and tooth decay. The patient will have 2 things done during the cleaning:

  • The removal plaque and tartar from the teeth with a hand held scaler or electroninc scaler. The scaler is usually not used under the age of 6.
  • Polish and remove stains from teeth

 

X-Rays

Radiographs (X-Rays) are a vital and necessary part of your child’s dental diagnostic process. Without them, certain dental conditions can and will be missed. Radiographs allow dentists to diagnose and treat health conditions that cannot be detected during a clinical examination. If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable for your child and more affordable for you.


The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends radiographs and examinations every six months for children with a high risk of tooth decay.  Approximately every 3 years, it is a good idea to obtain a complete set of radiographs, either a panoramic and bitewings or periapicals and bitewings.

 

With contemporary safeguards, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray examination is extremely small. The risk is negligible. In fact, the dental radiographs represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem. Lead body aprons and shields will protect your child. Today’s equipment filters out unnecessary x-rays and restricts the x-ray beam to the area of interest. High-speed film and proper shielding assure that your child receives a minimal amount of radiation exposure.

 

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are ideal for application to children's teeth, particularly molars, soon after they have erupted and before they have a chance to decay. A child's first set of molars come in when he or she is around 6 years old and the second set appear around 12 years old.
 
The process is quick and easy and will be done right after a cleaning is completed. A special gel is placed on the chewing surface for a few seconds followed by the sealant itself. While talking your child, you won't be able to see the sealant.
 
While sealants can last as long as 5 to 10 years, they should be checked during regular dental appointments and can be reapplied if necessary.
 
 

Composite Restoration

Composite resin is a filling material designed for aesthetic dental restorations. Formulated to resemble the color of your natural tooth, composite resin is often used for filling dental cavities or for dental bonding front teeth.

 

Composite resin consists of glass or quartz filler added to a resin medium, which produces a tooth-colored filling. The invention of composite resin offers a substitute to the amalgam dental fillings we've grown so accustomed to. This plastic and glass mixture contains no metal and can be shaped to resemble a real tooth.

 

Stainless Steel Crowns

Severe cavities or exceptionally large cavities destroy so much of the natural tooth surface that the only way to save the tooth and preserves its normal function is to cap it with a stainless steel crown.  This will cover the tooth and prevent further tooth decay. Stainless steel crowns are a lot easier to fit to primary teeth than are porcelain crowns to adult teeth. Stainless steel crowns are pre-manufactured so only one appointment is needed. Meaning kids do not have to miss more than half a day of school to have their teeth fitted.

 

Stainless steel crowns are amazingly resilient and easy for children to take care of, and they are far less expensive than adult crowns. There is great benefit to saving a primary tooth so it can live out its natural lifespan.  Not only does it prevent tooth decay from spreading down to the gums and to other teeth, but it also prevents premature primary tooth loss which invariably result in spacing and alignment problems when gaps form in a childs smile.

Appointment request
Need an appointment with a dentist in Mount Juliet ? Requesting an appointment at our Mount Juliet, TN family and cosmetic dental office is now easier than ever. Fill out the form below and we'll contact you to find a time that fits your schedule. Start your journey towards a beautiful smile with us today!
Patient Name*
Phone Number*
Email Address
Are you a current patient?
Best time(s) to call?
Preferred Appt Date
Preferred Appt Time
Message
Describe the nature of your appointment or any other comments