Composite Fillings (White Or Tooth-Colored)
Composite fillings are used to restore small cavities on both front and back teeth that we blend seamlessly into your child’s smile. This minimally invasive treatment helps preserve the tooth structure while maintaining its appearance.
What To Expect
Stainless Steel Crowns
A stainless steel crown is the next step we take if a cavity has affected enough tooth structure that a composite filling material cannot be used to repair the tooth. These are silver caps that will only be placed on back teeth where they are not easily seen or, on occasion, baby canine teeth. The process for placing a stainless steel crown is similar to filling a cavity, but it involves removing more of the decayed tooth to properly fit. The crown will stay on your child’s tooth until their adult teeth grow in providing a durable and protective cover that ensures the tooth can continue to function properly and maintain its place in your child’s smile until it’s naturally replaced.
Pulpal Therapy (Nerve Treatment)
Pulpal therapy is a procedure our doctors will do when they need to save a severely decayed baby tooth. They do this by removing the damaged pulp or nerve tissue from the center of the tooth. This treatment helps preserve the tooth’s structure, preventing the need for extraction and allowing your child to maintain proper chewing function and space for their adult teeth. Depending on the extent of the decay or infection, your child may need either a pulpotomy or a pulpectomy to effectively treat the tooth.
Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy is required if a very large cavity has affected the nerve and only part of the nerve needs to be cleaned out. During this procedure, the affected part of the nerve is carefully cleaned out and an antibacterial medicine is applied to protect the remaining nerve tissue. After the pulpotomy, a special filling is placed over the nerve to seal it. Since the tooth becomes weaker after this, a crown is needed to protect it from breaking in the future.
Pulpectomy
When a tooth’s nerve has been infected for an extended period, the nerve tissue inside the roots can die. In these cases, a pulpectomy is necessary because a pulpotomy won’t remove all the infection. During this procedure, we remove the entire pulp tissue from inside the tooth and fill the root canals with a resorbable cement to ensure the area is sealed. After the procedure, a stainless steel crown is placed over the tooth to protect it from future damage and to maintain its function until the permanent adult tooth comes in.
Space Maintainers
A primary tooth may fall out early and cause the child’s other teeth to move prematurely, filling the empty space, which may leave hardly any room for the adult tooth to erupt. This is where a space maintainer may be necessary to ensure a spot is held for the permanent tooth to come in. Space maintainers consist of a combination of steel wires and rings that are custom-fitted to the teeth surrounding the gap created by a lost tooth. Our office offers both unilateral (band and loop) and bilateral space maintainers. We will fit and securely cement these appliances into your child’s mouth as needed and remove them when the permanent teeth come in.
Pediatric Cosmetic Dentistry
Enhance your child’s smile with our pediatric cosmetic dentistry services, designed to address a range of dental concerns. If your child has experienced a tooth fracture, has a malformed tooth, or is dealing with discoloration, we offer tooth bonding with a tooth-colored composite material that blends seamlessly with their natural teeth. For teenagers who have recently completed orthodontic treatment and are looking to brighten their smile, we provide professional at-home whitening kits. Our cosmetic treatments aim to not only restore the appearance of their teeth but also boost their confidence. With our gentle and effective solutions, we ensure that every smile is both healthy and stunning.
Growing Beautiful, Healthy Smiles
Our comprehensive restorative dentistry services, from composite fillings to space maintainers, are tailored to meet the unique needs of every young patient. Don’t wait to address dental issues—request an appointment today and let our expert team provide the care your child deserves. Together, we’ll ensure they have a strong foundation for a lifetime of smiles!
Helping Richmond Smile
Comprehensive Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care
At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we strive to deliver radiant, healthy smiles to families across Richmond, VA. Our kind and caring team is committed to providing professional, high quality service in an environment that is relaxing and fun. Our goal is to make your dental and orthodontic journey with us an amazing experience. Get started today!
