Our Grandville, MI, pediatric dentists can help protect your child’s smile every step of the way, from infancy until they turn 16. However, it’s important to take care of issues as they arise, especially decay, injury, or . When ignored, problems of this nature can result in negative oral health consequences down the road. The overarching goal at Grandville Pediatric Dentistry is to restore the health and appearance of your child’s developing smile through tailored procedures that match their specific needs.
Learn more about our restorative dental treatments for kids below.
Nitrous Oxide
Does your child ever feel nervous about visiting the dentist? Does your child’s upcoming treatment make him or her feel anxious? If so, your child may benefit from laughing gas sedation inside our Grandville, MI, pediatric dental office. Laughing gas is a mild form of sedation and is inhaled through a mask placed over the nose during treatment.
As your child breathes in the gas, which is mixed with oxygen, they will experience a relaxed sensation. can help your child feel calm and at ease throughout his or her treatment while remaining awake and responsive.This type of dental sedation for anxiety is also very safe: the effects will wear off just a few minutes after we remove the nose mask.
Laughing gas can be used for a range of dental procedures, from teeth cleanings to fillings. However, some procedures will still require local anesthesia in addition to the dental sedation to appropriately manage pain. If your child has trouble sitting still due to heightened levels of anxiety or excitability, laughing gas can help mellow their attitude and ease stress.
Be sure to discuss your concerns with our board-certified pediatric dentists and team before your child’s visit so we can help them feel more comfortable during treatment. We are more than happy to walk you through how sedation dentistry works and how it can transform something initially intimidating into a confident, positive experience for children.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
A dental filling is a restoration used to repair minor to moderate tooth damage. Our local pediatric dentists may recommend a filling if a tooth has been damaged by decay (for example, if it has a cavity), or if a tooth suffers from minor fracturing or chipping. White fillings are used to beautifully restore the tooth to its original structure and function, and to return your child’s smile to good health.
The process for placing a filling requires just one comfortable visit to our office. Our pediatric dentists will first remove the decayed and damaged portion of your child’s tooth, then clean it to remove all traces of decay. We then fill the area with the composite resin material and shape it to match your child’s tooth’s shape. Finally, the filling is hardened with a special curing light for a lasting restoration.
Tooth-colored fillings for kids contain no metal, seamlessly blend in with other teeth, and preserve more healthy tooth structure compared to traditional methods. We invite you to call or visit us today to learn more about composite resin fillings and to schedule your child’s next appointment with our team today!
Dental Crowns
A dental crown, or cap, is a restoration that can be used for a variety of purposes. Most commonly, pediatric dental crowns are used to restore teeth that are significantly damaged or decayed. The crown is custom-made to fit over the entire tooth, starting at the gum line, in order to restore the tooth to its original shape and size.
Our pediatric dentists will carefully evaluate each situation to decide if a crown is the right call. Highly versatile, crowns can be placed on both primary and adult teeth when needed.
Crowns can also be used to:
- Enhance the beauty of your child’s smile
- Improve a misshapen tooth
- Treat a large cavity that can’t be repaired with just a filling
At Grandville Pediatric Dentistry, we offer both stainless steel crowns and white ceramic coated crowns for children. While the stainless steel option is best suited for teeth in the back of the mouth, white crowns may work well for eligible front-facing teeth.
Tooth Extractions
Tooth removal is only recommended when there isn’t a safer or more effective way to protect your child’s oral health. Our pediatric dentists always look for conservative options first, but in some cases, pulling a tooth is the best solution to prevent pain or further issues. Extractions may be advised for both primary and adult teeth, depending on the situation.
Common reasons why teeth may need to be pulled include:
- Severe decay that cannot be treated with a filling or crown
- Infection that threatens nearby teeth or bone
- A tooth damaged by trauma or injury
- Overcrowding that affects alignment or spacing
- A baby tooth that hasn’t fallen out on its own and is blocking another tooth
Before recommending an extraction, our team will review X-rays, explain the reason for treatment, and discuss all available options with you. We will also provide you and your child with detailed instructions on how to take care of the extraction site after you leave our office. To learn more about when pediatric tooth extractions are necessary, call our office today!
Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are required for some children after the loss of baby teeth, whether through extraction or due to injury. Depending on their stage of development, dental space maintainers are indicated in order to prevent movement of adjacent teeth which could lead to problems with growth and development of the jaw.
A fixed space maintainer can stay in place for some time if needed. Because children may lose teeth weeks, months, or even years ahead of the normal schedule, the timeline is different for every patient. Our pediatric dentists will monitor your child’s growth and tooth development during regular visits to determine how long the appliance is needed.
The specific type of space maintainer that would be best for your child will also be reviewed with you by our team before placement.