Sometimes Children Develop Cavities
It is important to restore (fix) these cavities not only in permanent teeth, but also in baby teeth. Baby teeth are important for eating, smiling, speaking, and helping to guide the permanent teeth into the mouth at the appropriate time. A cavity left untreated could lead to infection, causing pain and even serious medical complications, and possibly damage the permanent tooth.
At PDFO, we offer several options for treating your child, should he/she develop a cavity:
- Treatment in chair using local anesthesia and nitrous oxide (laughing gas).
- Traditional dental treatment in the chair, using local anesthesia only.
- Oral Conscious sedation.
- General Anesthesia at Upstate Medical Center and St. Joseph's, North Medical Center.
What is right for my child?
Before your treatment begins, your doctor will discuss with you all of your options and help you choose the best filling for your particular case. In preparation for this discussion it may be helpful to understand the two basic types of dental fillings — direct and indirect. Since all children are unique, the doctor will assess and discuss your child’s needs along with their ability to decipher what treatment options are suitable for them.
Our restorative care includes tooth-colored fillings, nerve treatments, stainless steel crowns, Zirconia (White) crowns, extractions and other services that repair your child’s teeth or address other oral diseases and conditions. Composite resins are usually used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important, but they can also be used on the back teeth depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay.