Common Procedures

Topics on this page

Regular Exams and Cleanings | Crowns | Extractions | Fillings | Fluoride | Silver Diamine Fluoride | Mouthguards | Nightguards | Pulpotomy | Sealants 


exams and cleanings

Regular Exams and Cleanings

Regular exams are an important part of maintaining your child's oral health. During your child’s regular exam, we will:

  • Check for any problems that may not be seen or felt
  • Look for cavities or any other signs of tooth decay
  • Inspect the teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease
  • Perform a thorough teeth cleaning

Your child’s exam will take about 45 minutes. Each regular exam includes a detailed teeth cleaning, in which we will clean, polish, and rinse the teeth to remove any tartar and plaque that have built up on the tooth’s surface.

Visiting our office every six months gives you the chance to talk to the doctor about any questions you may have about your child’s oral health. Regular exams are offered by appointment only, so please contact our practice today to schedule your child’s next dental exam and teeth cleaning.

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Crowns

fillingsCrowns are a restorative procedure used to improve a tooth’s shape or to strengthen a tooth. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay.

A crown is a “cap” cemented onto an existing tooth that usually covers the portion of the tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes the tooth’s new outer surface. 

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Extractions

extractionsThere are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth. Sometimes a baby tooth has misshapen or long roots that prevent it from falling out as it should, and the tooth must be removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt. At other times, a tooth may have so much decay that it puts the surrounding teeth at risk of decay, so the doctor may recommend its removal. Infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also require removal of a tooth.

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Fillings

Traditional dental restorations, or fillings, can be completed for smaller areas of decay.  There are two common materials used, amalgam and composite resin. Both can be placed directly into the prepared cavity in a single visit. 

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Fluoride

flourideFluoride is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay. A fluoride treatment in a dentist’s office takes just a few minutes. Depending on your child’s oral health or the doctor’s recommendation, a fluoride treatment may be required every three, six, or 12 months.

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Silver Diamine Fluoride

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a topical solution that can reduce tooth sensitivity and arrest decay.  It is made with two acting ingredients:  the silver component is an anti-microbial agent that kills bacteria, and the fluoride component prevents further demineralization of the tooth structure. 

Treatment with SDF does not eliminate the need for restorative dentistry (fillings, crowns, etc.) to repair function or aesthetics, but is effective at arresting decay. SDF is a simple and noninvasive way to treat carious lesions (cavities), and it can be done from the comfort of our dental office. 

 

  • The teeth are brushed without paste and rinsed.
  • The carious teeth are isolated, kept dry, and all excess debris is removed.
  • A microbrush is dipped in a drop of SDF and placed on the lesion(s) for two minutes.
  • Any decayed areas will stain black. Healthy tooth structure will not stain.
  • Excess SDF is removed and patients are instructed to not eat or drink for one hour.

Mouthguards

mouthguardWhether your child wears braces or not, protecting his or her smile while playing sports is essential. Mouthguards help protect the teeth and gums from injury. If your child participates in any kind of full-contact sport, the American Dental Association recommends that he or she wear a mouthguard. Choosing the right mouthguard is essential. There are three basic types of mouthguards: the pre-made mouthguard, the “boil-and-bite” fitted mouthguard, and a custom-made mouthguard from the dentist. When you choose a mouthguard, be sure to pick one that is tear-resistant, comfortable and well-fitted for your mouth, easy to keep clean, and does not prevent your child from breathing properly. Your dentist can show your child how to wear a mouthguard properly and how to choose the right mouthguard to protect his or her smile.

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Pulpotomy

If your child’s primary tooth has extensive decay or has been damaged by trauma, action may be needed to restore the integrity of the tooth and prevent infection from spreading to surrounding teeth. If the decay or trauma is confined to the crown of the tooth, a pulpotomy may be recommended.

When a cavity gets really deep, close to the pulp of a tooth, or even into the pulp, the pulpal tissue becomes irritated and inflamed. A pulpotomy is when the inflamed pulp chamber, usually on a baby molar, is removed. The dentist will remove all the infected material in the pulp of the crown only, leaving the living tooth root intact. After a pulpotomy on a baby molar, the empty space will be filled with dental cement and a stainless steel crown will be placed to restore the tooth.

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Sealants

sealantsSometimes brushing is not enough, especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach spots in your child’s mouth. It is difficult for a toothbrush to get in between the small cracks and grooves on your child’s teeth. If left alone, those tiny areas can develop tooth decay. Sealants give your child’s teeth extra protection against decay and help prevent cavities.

Dental sealants are a resin that bonds and hardens in the deep grooves on your child’s tooth’s surface. When a tooth is sealed, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, brushing your child's teeth becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.

Sealants are typically applied to children’s teeth as a preventive measure against tooth decay after the permanent teeth have erupted. It is more common to seal “permanent” teeth rather than “baby” teeth, but every patient has unique needs, and your child’s dentist will recommend sealants on a case-by-case basis.

Sealants last from three to five years, but it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact.  Every six months you are seen for an exam and cleaning, Dr. Booe will check to make sure the sealants are still present.

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