Fluoride Treatments
Alamance Pediatric Dentistry offers fluoride treatments to patients. These are usually done at six-month recall or cleaning appointments. We use a flavored fluoride varnish, which can be applied to wet or dry teeth. Your child may eat or drink immediately after this has been applied on their teeth.
Fluoride needs to remain on the teeth for 12 to 24 hours in order to be effective. Dental treatments strengthen the outer layers of the enamel to make teeth more resistant to damage or decay.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are protective coatings applied to permanent molars when they have fully erupted. They may not be necessary if your child is diligent in his or her oral hygiene habits, but they can be used to prevent decay. Our dentist will evaluate your child's teeth to determine if sealants will prevent cavities.
Nitrous Oxide
Dental visits are very stimulating for all of the senses. Many new noises, feelings, aromas, and flavors are involved. Often, we recommend nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" for patients. This helps dull unfamiliar sensations and makes the entire visit less stressful.
Extractions
Sometimes, it is necessary to extract a tooth because of advanced decay, spacing issues, or trauma. We apply a local anesthetic during the extraction to minimize discomfort.
This process is quick, and we use gauze to stop minor bleeding after the tooth is removed. Children usually recover quickly after the procedure and are ready to return to their normal routines.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
When your child gets a tooth cavity, we offer fillings to prevent decay. If the cavity is small, we use white tooth-colored fillings.
Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns or caps are used to treat severely decayed areas in primary teeth. The crown covers the entire baby tooth, helping save the tooth until it is ready to fall out on its own.
