When should my child first see a dentist?

First time to the dentist. Most kids should see a dentist by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth comes in — whichever happens first. These first visits are usually quick, gentle, and focused on education and helping both you and your child feel comfortable. At the first appointment, we’ll take a look at how your child’s teeth and gums are developing, answer any questions you have, and share simple tips for brushing, teething, and healthy habits at home. It’s also a great way for your child to get used to the dental office in a positive, low-stress way. Starting early helps prevent problems before they begin and sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

< Back

23. What if my child needs a filling, crown or root canal?

Fillings, Crowns and More!

If your child has a cavity that requires a filling, we will explain the process to you and your child beforehand in age-appropriate language. Our goal is to make the procedure as comfortable and stress-free as possible. During the visit, the dentist will gently remove the decay and fill the tooth using a child-friendly, safe material. Depending on your child’s age and comfort level, we may use local anesthesia or other calming techniques to minimize discomfort.

After the filling, your child may experience mild sensitivity for a short time, but we’ll provide instructions for care and tips to keep the tooth healthy. Most children return to normal activities right away, including returning to school, and routine dental visits will help prevent future cavities.

Tooth-Colored Fillings
If your child needs a filling, one that is tooth-colored will blend in so well with other teeth, you’ll forget it is even there. Our tooth-colored fillings are made of a special resin that tightly bonds to the tooth, keeps it strong and also some of our fillings releases fluoride to help prevent cavities. Another advantage of a tooth-colored filling is that the dentist removes less of the tooth than when a “metal” (amalgam) filling is used. A tooth-colored filling doesn’t conduct heat or cold, or darken the way a metal filling can. It is no wonder tooth-colored fillings are the most widely used fillings today.

We are very good at calming children and keeping their discomfort to a minimum when filling a tooth. We have fun kids programs for them to watch or they can listen to music through headphones.

Crowns
Dental crowns are used to cover a tooth that might be likely to break or is too damaged and decayed to be fixed with a filling. A crown is an aesthetic covering or a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over another tooth to provide it stability. Crowns are generally used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth. When a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth, a crown is a good option. Crowns are also used to restore the shape and size of chipped or damaged teeth. They are typically bonded to the tooth using dental cement. We only recommend dental crowns for children when it is absolutely necessary. When a child needs a crown on a baby tooth it is usually a stainless steel crown

Root Canal
We may perform a root canal if a decayed tooth or deep cavity is causing pain to a child. The problem typically results from an untreated cavity that is now deep within the tooth. Inflammation from the cavity can cause discomfort and sensitivity.

What is a Pulpotomy?
This procedure is a nerve treatment in which the sick portion of the tooth nerve is removed and medicine is placed in order to avoid extracting the tooth. A baby root canal (pulpotomy) is similar to a root canal treatment of an adult tooth although much less invasive. It removes all the coronal pulp tissue from the chamber of the tooth. Pulpotomy procedures are very important to prevent the unnecessary and untimely loss of baby teeth. Remember, baby teeth are important to save in order to maintain adequate space for adult teeth. If baby teeth are lost prematurely, the rest of the teeth may begin to shift, causing crowding and reducing the space for adult teeth to grow in. If this happens, braces may be needed to properly re-align the teeth.

Extractions
In most instances, we want to save teeth for as long as possible. There are times, however, when removing a tooth is recommended. Teeth are removed for a wide variety of reasons including large decay unable to be restored, primary teeth that need assistance in exfoliating, orthodontic concerns, infection of the nerve tissues, etc. Dr. Tyler, Dr. Sean or Dr. Nate will clarify why an extraction is recommended in each case and how the space will be managed following the removal of the tooth.