Nitrous Oxide “Laughing Gas”

Nitrous oxide is very safe. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is non-addictive. It is mild, easily taken, and then quickly eliminated by the body. Your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen.  Nitrous oxide is not recommended for children with severe anxiety, nasal congestion, or extensive treatment needs.

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

A non-invasive treatment option for cavities uses an antimicrobial liquid painted on the tooth instead of a standard drill and fill approach.

Pros:

• Quick, easy, painless
• Arrest 80% of cavities when applied twice yearly
• Great option for young, fearful or pre-cooperative children and nursing homebound elderly patients.

Cons:

• Permanently stain cavities black 
• Not an option for deep cavities
• 20%  of cavities continue to grow

Pulp Treatment ( Pulpotomy/Baby Root Canal)

When a cavity gets really deep, close to the pulp of a tooth or even into the pulp, the nerve tissue becomes irritated and inflamed. If the inflammation and infection continues without treatment, the tooth will likely eventually abscess. In primary teeth, a baby root canal is indicated treatment to help restore the tooth until it is time for it to fall out on its own.

Stainless Steel “Silver” Crowns (SSC)

Crowns are used to restore damaged or decayed teeth in children. If a cavity is relatively large, on multiple surfaces, or if the tooth requires root canal treatment, it will most likely need to be restored/treated with a crown. We only recommend crowns for children when it is necessary.

Space Maintainers

Primary “baby” teeth are essential in guiding the permanent teeth into place. If a baby tooth has to come out before it’s ready, a space maintainer may be needed to prevent other teeth from drifting into the gap that remains until the permanent tooth comes in. Without the space maintainer, the area may become crowded and the permanent tooth could come in crooked or get impacted.