We are usually able to fill in broken teeth to make them look like normal teeth. We even use a cement that is the color of your child’s teeth. If that does not work, we offer veneers and caps to cover up any broken teeth.
We can also fix missing teeth and have many options for how we do so. Typically, we like to place implants, which will act like the tooth’s replacement root. On top of the implants, we use crowns, which are artificial teeth, to restore your child’s mouth with normal-sized and shaped teeth.
request an appointmentWhat is a crown?
A crown is a cap that covers up your child’s entire tooth above the gumline. It’s performed, so it feels and functions just like their natural tooth, but provides extra support and strength if their tooth is damaged or decayed.
Northwoods Pediatric Dentistry offers pediatric crowns and in some cases esthetic white crowns for its patients, which are very durable and can withstand a great deal of biting pressure.
When does my child need a crown?
Your dentist might recommend that your child get a crown if they have a tooth that’s suffering from extensive decay, if they would need a filling that would compromise the structural integrity of their tooth or if nerve treatment is indicated.
They also might suggest a crown if your child has suffered physical trauma that has significantly cracked or damaged their tooth. In this case, a crown strengthens their tooth and protects it from further damage.
What happens when my child gets a crown?
First, your dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb your child’s tooth and the surrounding tissue. Then, they make room for their crown by shaving off some of the enamel from their tooth then cemented in place.
If your child is worried about their procedure, or generally experiences anxiety at the dentist, Northwoods Pediatric Dentistry offers sedation dentistry to keep them calm and relaxed throughout their treatment.
How does my child care for their crown?
Your child cares for your crown just like they would their natural teeth. They should brush twice a day, floss daily, and maintain regular cleanings and checkups. With proper care, their crown should last until the tooth normally becomes loose and provide excellent protection for their tooth.
To learn more about how a stainless steel pediatric crown can benefit your child’s smile, schedule a visit with Northwoods Pediatric Dentistry today. You can book your visit by calling the office or using the convenient online scheduling tool.
What is a filling?
A filling is a dental procedure that treats a cavity. The treatment involves removing the decay from your child’s tooth, then filling in the resulting hole with a malleable material that hardens and provides protection from future decay.
What is a cavity?
A cavity is a hole in your child’s tooth. The most common cause of cavities is tooth decay. Tooth decay happens when plaque or tartar is left to sit for too long on your child’s tooth surfaces.
Plaque and tartar contain bacteria and acids that eat away at the enamel on your child’s teeth. If you don’t remove the plaque and tartar with proper brushing, flossing, or professional dental cleanings, they can create holes in the surfaces of your child’s teeth. That hole is called a cavity.
If left untreated, cavities only get larger and eventually spread to neighboring teeth. The longer a cavity is left to develop, the more extensive the treatment required to fix it.
Eventually, tooth decay can eat its way to the inside of your child’s tooth, infecting their tooth pulp and necessitating nerve therapy.
What happens when my child gets a filling?
First, your dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb your child’s tooth and the surrounding tissue. Once their mouth is numb, they use a small drill, laser, or air abrasion instrument to clean out all the decay in their tooth.
When your child’s tooth is free of decay, your dentist cleans, sterilizes, and dries the tooth. They then fill your child’s cavity with the filling material. In some cases, they might shine a special curing light on your child’s filling in order to speed up the hardening process.
How should my child care for their teeth after a filling?
Your child can treat their filled tooth just like a normal tooth, but because you’ve learned that that area of their mouth is more susceptible to tooth decay, you should make sure that they take extra care in keeping it clean.
Continue to brush twice a day, floss daily, and maintain regular checkups and cleanings with the team at Northwoods Pediatric Dentistry.
To get your child started on their filling, schedule a visit today by calling the office or booking a visit online.