Monday, November 21, 2016

Cavity Treatment For Kids with Autism

As a family dentist, our goal is to provide a cavity treatment for kids that makes it possible for our young patients to experience good oral health.  We are innovative, gentle, thorough and considerate, making us the ideal dentist to treat your child – especially if they have autism.  We understand that parents of autistic children have a lot on their plate.  There is often a need to identify new and different ways to do everything from educating autistic children to having cleaning their teeth and filling their cavities.  Doing things differently is okay as long as you have people that are willing to work with you.  We are.

When you first call to make an appointment, please let us know if there are any special requests that you have.  Think about your child and the things that make them either happy or stressed out.  If your child needs it to be quiet, let us know, we can schedule their appointment for first thing in the morning.  If they are happier at night, let us know and we will give them the last appointment of the day.  We even want to know if they have a favorite sports team or superhero since we can incorporate these facts into our conversations with them. While simple, these little things can help the child to feel much more comfortable while receiving dental care.  Regardless of what it is that makes the child feel better, we want to know about it so that we can create a plan for how to treat them.

Cavity Treatment For Kids Redwood City

As a children’s dentist, we understand that the little details are what turns a scary dentist appointment into something that a child actually looks forward to.  We are willing to work with you and your children to find the perfect formula so that they welcome the chance to receive ongoing dental care.  With our treatment methods, your child will be much more calm about coming in for a cavity treatment.
You may also want to consider giving your child sedation.  We can provide them with nitrous oxide as a way to relax them. They will still be awake and feel in control but they will be incredibly calm, relaxed and happy.  Sedation will help them to hold still during treatment and to have an overall sense of wellbeing.  This is important for any child and can be particularly important for an autistic child that may have more difficulty visiting the dentist.

Cavity Treatment for Kids – What to Expect

If you are bringing your child in with a toothache, there is a good chance they have a cavity that needs treatment.  If the cavity is incredibly small, we may begin with a simple fluoride treatment.  This may help the tooth to become strong enough to fight off the decay.  If the tooth begins to decay, we will treat it by removing that portion of the tooth, cleaning it and then giving your child a dental filling.  We use tooth-colored resin, which will make the filling look like a natural tooth structure.  After the procedure, the child will go back to feeling comfortable and their tooth will look intact.

Whether you have an autistic child or one in need of a cavity treatment for kids, call us.  We will care for their teeth and look forward to doing so.

Live in Redwood City, CA and have questions about cavity treatment for kids? Give us a call at (650) 200-1178.

The Facts About Dental Fillings

You, or your child, may need dental fillings in order to protect a tooth and to keep it safe after it sustains damage or experiences an infection. Fortunately, there are several options available for people needing a filling, with tooth-colored materials as one option to hide the dental work. At Roy Dental: Paramita Roy DDS, we are experts at providing the care your family needs while keeping smiles beautiful. 
Most often, we will use dental fillings to treat a cavity. If you or your child has a cavity, we will need to remove the infected or decayed area. Removing the infection will leave a small hole or at least dent that we will need to fill in with a safe and strong material. If the gap in the tooth is left open and exposed, it will become an excellent resting place for bacteria, leading to future oral health problems.  
Dental fillings can also restore worn down or damaged teeth after an accident. Chipped or broken teeth can also be treated with a filling. This is most often seen when people grind their teeth. 

The Process 

If the dentist decides that a dental filling is necessary, they will numb the area before doing any work. This is typically done with local anesthesia so that the patient doesn’t feel any pain but is still awake during the procedure. A dental tool will then remove the damaged area of the tooth. Once we completely remove the damaged or decayed area, we will clean it to make sure that there are no lingering bacteria.  
If you have a standard metal filling, we will place it into the clean area and smooth it out to blend in with the tooth as much as possible. If you have a tooth-colored filling, we will need to place it in layers. After each layer, a special light is used to harden the material before the next layer is placed. This process helps to create a natural appearance that patients desire. 

Types of Fillings

There are several types of dental fillings to choose from, and the decision must be made based on personal preference, goals, cost, and lifestyle. 
Gold fillings. These are extremely durable and can sustain hard chewing without needing to be replaced for ten to fifteen years.  They are easier to look at than silver fillings but also more expensive. 
Silver fillings. These will also last for ten to fifteen years but will not blend in with your tooth, and we may need to remove the additional area from the tooth in order to make space for it. 
Composites. A composite or tooth-colored filling will blend in with your tooth and be bonded to it for additional strength.  They do take longer to place, extending a dental visit by at least twenty minutes.  Additionally, they only last for around five years vs. ten to fifteen. 

Dental Fillings in Redwood City

As a patient, it is important to review your options with the dentist prior to deciding which type of dental filling is right for you.
Live in Redwood City, CA and have questions about dental fillings? Give us a call at (650) 200-1178.