At Elite Dental Associates, our team of talented dental care providers is dedicated not only to serving adults and seniors in the community, but we welcome children and teenagers as well! We offer various pediatric dental services, along with an enthusiastic, friendly attitude that enables our team to work splendidly with young patients!
Our team in Redlands, CA, is here to support your child’s growing smile and secure the future of their oral health while promoting healthy habits. If you would like to learn more about our pediatric services or schedule an appointment for your child, call our office today!
Sealants
Dental sealants are thin, plastic barriers that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth to protect them from the accumulation of plaque and bacteria. Utilized specifically for the molars and premolars in the back of the mouth, these teeth tend to be the most vulnerable to decay due to the structure of their deep fissures and surface ridges.
Once the sealant solution is painted onto the teeth, it is allowed to try and solidify into position, capable of protecting the tooth for up to 15 years. When well maintained, dental sealants can help your child’s teeth remain healthy and cavity-free – especially while they are first learning how to brush and floss!
Fillings
Dental fillings are a type of dental restoration that is used to fill in small cavities or minor areas of damage on teeth. They can be formulated out of a variety of materials, including both silver and composite resin.
- Silver fillings, also known as amalgam, are composed of a combination of metals used to restore a damaged or decayed tooth. This material hardens quickly and is found to be a cost-effective, long-lasting restoration that protects the damaged area of the tooth from further issues.
- Composite resin fillings are an option that creates a durable, dependable restoration that blends with the shade of the tooth. This ensures the tooth is protected from further damage or decay while obscuring the evidence of dental work.
Dental fillings help to restore the function and appearance of your child’s teeth by filling in areas of damage or portions of the tooth that have been treated due to decay. By taking your child to regular visits at our office, we are able to monitor the development or existence of these issues. That way, we can provide your child with the best care possible to ensure a lifelong, healthy smile.
Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy is a type of dental treatment that is used to treat an infected primary tooth before the infection can reach the canals of the root. When your child’s tooth becomes infected due to advanced decay or fractures that expose the interior of the tooth, a filling will no longer be sufficient for securing the tooth’s health; instead, a pulpotomy must be performed.
During a pulpotomy, we perform a small procedure to remove the internal contents, or pulp, of the tooth. This is quite similar to a root canal but less invasive as we only remove infected tissues from the chamber of the tooth and leave the root canals untouched. This is performed in order to protect against the spread of infection and ensure that the natural root of the tooth stays alive and healthy.
Composite Crowns
When we perform a pulpotomy or treat a cavity that is too large for a filling, we will place a composite crown to prevent further damage to the affected tooth. A composite crown is custom-designed in the perfect shade and size for your child, so it blends in seamlessly with the rest of their smile. The crown is engineered to look just like a natural tooth, with near equivalent durability and function, so your child can continue to eat, speak, and smile just like normal!
- When placing your child’s composite crown, we will first take care to treat any decay or damage to the natural tooth.
- From there, the tooth will be contoured and shaped to ensure the crown is able to encapsulate the original tooth perfectly.
- Only once we determine the crown is absolutely perfect, we will cement it into position over the natural tooth.
- The crown will act as a strong barrier, protecting the tooth from any future damage or decay.
