Dental Procedures

Indications:

• Children that have inadequate plaque removal at home
• Children that haven’t fully developed their hand dexterity
• Children with poor nutrition
• Children at risk for cavities

Patient Benefit:

• This is a preventive procedure ie it aids in the prevention of cavities, oral cancer, etc
• There is complete removal of bacteria from the child’s mouth
• Soft tissue is examined and screened for any abnormalities
• This is the time that children receive hygiene education

Indications:

• Children at risk for cavities
• Teeth with decalcification
• Those that live in non-fluoridated communities

Patient Benefit:

• Fluoride helps prevent smooth surface cavities
• It can also reduce or stop the progression of beginning cavities

Indications:

• Deep grooves on occlusal surfaces
• Occlusal surfaces that are suspicious but not carious
• Children with a high caries rate
  

Patient Benefit:

• Sealants reduce the chance of decay on the biting surfaces of the teeth
• These areas are difficult to clean and can decay easily
• Great investment in the child’s oral health

Indications:

• Decay
• Fracture, chip
• Broken teeth
• Fluorosis
• Decalcification
• Esthetics (peg lateral)
  

Patient Benefit:

• Esthetics, self esteem
• The removal of decay and the placement of a filling restores the original form and function of a tooth

Indications:

• Decay
• Fracture, chip
• Broken teeth
• Decalcification
• Malformed teeth
  

Patient Benefit:

• The removal of decay and the placement of a filling restores the original form and function of a tooth

Indications:

• Decay
• Fracture, chip
• Broken teeth
• Decalcification
• Malformed teeth

Patient Benefit:

• The removal of decay and the placement of a filling restores the original form and function of a tooth

Indications:

• Primary molars with extensive mesial and distal decay
• Malformed enamel
• Advanced wear due to grinding
• A missing permanent replacement tooth
• A primary tooth that has had a pulpotomy, or large fracture
• Class V decay
• 2 surface filling with recurrent decay on a tooth that will be retained for more than 1 year

Patient Benefit:

• Primary molars, and in particular first primary molars with decay on more than one surface, will have the benefit of a much more durable and reliable restoration with a stainless steel crown
• After placement, the tooth is once again healthy and in most cases will last until the tooth fairy says it’s time to go!

Indications:

• Abscessed tooth/pain
• Dual eruption
• Crowding
• Orthodontics
  

Patient Benefit:

• Extractions save time, money and pain

Indications:

• Decay that involves the pulp on a permanent tooth
• A pulpotomy removes the unhealthy tissues only in the crown portion in the tooth
  

Patient Benefit:

• Removing the decayed portion of the root will help prevent further decay and an abscessed tooth 

Indications:

• Decay that invades the pulp on an anterior tooth
• A pulpectomy removes the entire root
  

Patient Benefit:

• Removing the decayed portion of the root will help prevent further decay and an abscessed tooth 

Indications:

• The removal of the operculum, or flap of tissue, that is covering the distal portion of a tooth
• There may be a need for a filling or a sealant after the tissue removal
  

Patient Benefit:

• An operculectomy allows access to a tooth that needs a filling or a sealant

Indications:

• This is the cutting of the fibers surrounding a tooth
• This procedure is a request from an Orthodontist to prevent the shifting of teeth after treatment with braces
  

Patient Benefit:

• By cutting these fibers, the “memory” of the tooth is stopped, and shifting is prevented
• These fibers will reattach

Indications:

• This is the removal of a frenum, a band of tissue that connects the lip to the cheek, or the tongue to the floor of the mouth
• The frenum acts as a rubber band between the front teeth, sometimes preventing the space from closing
  

Patient Benefit:

• Removal of this tissue creates the opportunity for the front teeth to mover together as they erupt
• This will reduce the need for orthodontic treatment in the future