Dental services
Dental Exams
A dental examination is an important first step in evaluating your child’s oral health. The health of your child’s teeth and mouth are important for their overall well-being. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a visit to the dentist within six months of the eruption of your child’s first tooth, or by their first birthday.
Our dentists will evaluate your child’s mouth, including the teeth and supporting structures, and may recommend dental x-rays. Dental x-rays are an important diagnostic tool that provide valuable information not only about your child’s teeth but about their growth and development.
Teeth Cleaning
At Happy Smiles, our child-focused dentists are committed to helping children develop good oral health habits that will last a lifetime. In addition to regular brushing and flossing at home, we recommend all of our patients receive a professional dental cleaning along with their oral examination at least every six months.
A professional dental cleaning will remove any plaque, tartar and stains from the teeth. Removing plaque and tartar at regular intervals decreases your child’s risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are thin white coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of back (molar) teeth. The chewing surfaces of molar teeth contain multiple pits and grooves which are difficult to clean with brushing and flossing alone. These areas can harbor plaque and bacteria, increasing the risk of developing tooth decay.
Dental sealants provide a protective barrier which prevents the buildup of plaque on molar teeth, thereby preventing tooth decay in these vulnerable areas. Dental sealants have been utilized for decades because they have been proven to be extremely effective in reducing a child’s risk of cavities.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown or “cap” is placed on top of a tooth that has a sizable amount of its structure missing due to a large cavity or fracture. Dental crowns are used when a filling will not provide an effective long-term solution for the tooth. Dental crowns restore the tooth’s natural form and function and protect it from further breakdown.
We offer white (zirconia) crowns, as well as silver (stainless steel) crowns. Our dentists will evaluate your child’s teeth and discuss which option is right for your child.
Dental Fillings
If one of our dentists detects a cavity during an oral examination, your child may need to have a dental filling placed to prevent progression of the cavity and restore the tooth’s form and function. As part of this procedure, the dentist may need to give local anesthetic to the affected area to eliminate any tooth pain.
Once the tooth is adequately anesthetized, the dentist will remove the cavity and place the white filling. The effects of the local anesthetic will wear off within a few hours. It is important to be mindful of what your child eats and drinks during this time to make sure they do not chew on the affected area.
