Our teeth — just like the other parts of our bodies — can sometimes get hurt or sick. And when that happens, it is time to see the dentist.
At Rockland Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics, we provide several restorative procedures to treat teeth damaged by injury or decay in order to bring back your child’s smile and optimal oral health.
Pediatric dental restorations may include:
- Dental fillings
- Dental crowns
- Nerve therapy (also known as pulpotomy or pulp therapy)
- Extractions
- Space maintainers
Restorative dental treatments may require taking an X-ray of the affected area. Your child’s dentist may use a local anesthetic to ensure the procedure is painless. She will first apply a topical numbing gel before giving an injection of numbing medicine and will make sure the area is completely numb before getting started.
While most children tolerate their procedure relatively easly, other children may feel nervous or even a bit frightened. We are happy to discuss ways to help your child feel relaxed and comfortable during their appointment.
Dental Fillings
Pediatric dental fillings are used to repair cavities, which are small holes in the surface of a tooth where the enamel has eroded away due to a buildup of food bits, bacteria and acid. After removing the decayed part of the tooth, tooth-colored material is used to fill in those holes, making the tooth sound again.
Dental Crowns
A pediatric dental crown may be recommended for a tooth that has a larger amount of decay or which has been cracked or severely chipped due to injury and cannot support a conventional filling. Our pediatric dentists will remove the decayed area before placing a tooth-shaped crown, which sits on top of and covers the original tooth like a cap to restore its appearance and protect it from any future damage. Pediatric dental crowns can be made in stainless stteel or a white material – each has its benefits and limitations, and our dentist will dicuss them with you to find the best option for your child’s needs.
Nerve Therapy (Pulpotomy or Pulp Therapy)
When tooth decay, infection or injury has affected the nerve or pulp in the center of the tooth, your child may or may not be experiencing significant tooth pain, and our pediatric dentists may recommend nerve therapy to save the tooth. This procedure — also known as pulpotomy or pulp therapy, and sometimes called a “baby root canal” — cleans out the affected part of the tooth and applies medicine to help heal the tooth. A crown is usually placed during the same appointment. The good news? Your child will likely experience immediate pain relief!
Tooth Extractions
There are a few reasons why your child’s dentist might recommend extracting (or “pulling”) a tooth:
- Extreme cases of tooth decay or severe infection
- To address spacing problems such as crowding or to prepare for orthodontic treatment
- Over-retained baby teeth — baby teeth that remain in place after a permanent tooth has begun to erupt
Space Maintainers
If your child loses a baby tooth too soon, the dentist might recommend a space maintainer as a way to keep neighboring teeth in place as your child’s smile develops — maintaining the space for the permanent tooth to erupt at the right time.
A pediatric space maintainer consists of a metal band that wraps around one of the neighboring teeth and attaches to a metal loop designed to hold open the empty space. Think of it like saving the seat beside you on the school bus!
Schedule An Appointment
We are committed to helping your child achieve and maintain a healthy smile. Contact us today at 845-634-8900 to learn more about pediatric restorative dentistry in New City, New York, and schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Dorit Hermann, Dr. Anne Chaly and Dr. Clarissa Marcovich.