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.

Teeth Whitening Services in Redwood City for Your Wedding

For anyone who is about to walk down the aisle and say "I do," our teeth whitening services can help individuals to look their best. There's nothing more exciting than getting ready for this special day. A wedding is a celebration of two people who are about to begin a new journey together; a magical moment between two people in front of all their friends and family. The wedding photographer, friends, and family in the audience will capture the wonderful moments for years. Looking and feeling one's best is a crucial element of one's wedding. We can help people become proud of their smile for their big day and the life that follows with our teeth whitening service.

Our Teeth Whitening Services Are Convenient

When it comes to improving your smile, you may harbor concerns that it is going to take a significant financial investment or a large amount of time on your part. When planning for a wedding, these are two things you may not have allocated toward your smile. We understand that you're busy picking the wedding venue, tasting different cake recipes, and trying to decide who to put on the guest list. This takes a great deal of time, effort, and concentration; we get it. This is why we believe teeth whitening is something that every bride or groom should put on their agenda. It doesn't require much effort on your part. It doesn't require a great amount of time. And it is incredibly affordable. These are all reasons to put this on your to-do list and be confident knowing that it's going to be easy for you to get it done. This is truly a no-stress solution for improving your appearance and your smile.

How It Works

Our teeth whitening services from our Redwood City dental office work incredibly well and far better than anything you can buy in the store. This is because we start with a professional-grade solution. Most of the products you buy in the store will only remove the surface stains on your teeth. This is fantastic if you've been doing something like drinking a lot of colored juices lately. However, if your teeth are dark, stained, or yellow because of years of taking antibiotics, drinking your daily latte, or even smoking, there's a good chance that the stains and discoloration you suffer from are well inside your teeth. In this case, simply removing the surface decay will do nothing more than brighten your teeth. They won't actually change them back to a beautiful shade of white. However, our solution operates differently.

Our professional-grade teeth whitening solution penetrates the surface of your enamel and begins to target the molecules inside your teeth. Through the process of oxidization, the molecules inside your teeth will begin to reflect less light and appear colorless. This is what gives them their bright and white appearance. In this way, we are actually able to make your teeth whiter than they have ever been before. It is common for our patients to have their teeth become eight shades or more white in time for their wedding day. All you need to do is call and schedule an appointment for our teeth whitening services in Redwood City.

Cosmetic Dentistry  >  Dental Implants

The Role of a Cosmetic Dentist in Redwood City

The role of a cosmetic dentist in Redwood City is to help you have the most beautiful smile possible. What many people do not realize is that we also have additional duties when it comes to taking care of your teeth, especially when you have a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth. There are three elements in a broken tooth that we strive to quickly correct. The first is the vulnerability of the tooth. When a tooth has been exposed to trauma in an accident or has experienced a fracture due to decay, it is vulnerable to an additional element of bacterial infection. The mouth is awash with oral bacteria, which under normal circumstances has no access to the root or pulp of the tooth.

However, when the tooth is damaged, there is a strong potential for an infection to set in. We want to avoid this at all costs and will use a number of treatment options to prevent it, including dental crowns, dental veneers, and fillings. There are times when a dental filling can do the job perfectly, in which case, we would choose this option. At other times, a filling would not be sufficient, so we would use a dental crown.

The second element that a cosmetic dentist is concerned about when it comes to your teeth, and a damaged tooth, in particular, is the element of function. It is easy to forget that the primary role of the teeth has to do with basic survival and sustaining the body. The teeth are the first step in digestion, meaning we have to ensure they are able to do their work of chewing and tearing food effectively. Often, when a tooth is damaged, it is the cusp of the tooth that takes the most damage.

The cusp is the sharp and pointy surface of the tooth, used for chewing and tearing. When damaged, we have to replace the cusp with a dental crown. If the damage is extensive, we may even consider removing the tooth and the root to replace it with a strong and stable dental implant. Cusps are also one of the easiest things to damage. Unfortunately, when this happens, your cosmetic dentist will have to replace the enamel with either the two above options or a partial denture to restore the functionality of the tooth.

The third element is something people should associate with a cosmetic dentist, and that is the aesthetic elements of a broken tooth. A broken tooth is ugly, and having a tooth that is cracked, chipped, or damaged will lead you to smile less, which falls directly into the realm of the cosmetic dentist. There are multiple solutions for broken teeth, and some are more aesthetically pleasing than others. For example, when performing a filling, there is the choice of using amalgam, which is a silver-colored filling that clearly shows up or we can use a porcelain filling that matches your teeth perfectly. As a cosmetic dentist in Redwood City, you know we will always lean toward the better-looking option.

Veneers Dentist  >  Redwood City Dentist

Why Regular Visits to Your Redwood City Dentist Matters

While not having your teeth cared for can lead to a variety of future problems, many people still do not grasp the importance of regular trips to your Redwood City dentist. A dentist can help you lead a long, healthy life, free of many ailments.

The list below is just a short snippet of what regularly visiting your dentist can do for you.

Early Detection of Cavities

Early detection of cavities is one of the main reasons it is important to visit the dentist on a regular basis. When you visit every six months, your dentist will be able to spot potential dental problems before they become dangerous. Early detection will help your treatment become less expensive and less intensive

Prevention of Cavities

The prevention of cavities is much easier when you have a knowledgeable dentist on your side. If you are “cavity prone,” a dentist can work with you to determine the best regimen for preventing cavities. When you visit a dentist, you'll learn how to care for your teeth by flossing and brushing. If you are still cavity prone after proper dental hygiene is implemented,  you may even be prescribed toothpaste with additional fluoride in it to help protect your teeth.

Detection of Medical Conditions

A dentist can discover some medical conditions or diseases, like cancer, by symptoms that appear in your mouth. Whenever you visit the dentist, your mouth will be checked for sores, lesions, and swollen areas that can lead to discovery and treatment. People can prevent the risk of mouth cancer and ease the treatment process by catching the symptoms at a dentist early on.

Gum Disease Prevention

Periodontal disease, better known as gum disease, is an infection of the gums and tissues that support your teeth. Gum disease starts as a milder form called gingivitis. When plaque builds up, it hardens and becomes tartar. Tartar buildup will inflame and infect your gums. If they are not immediately treated it could lead to severe gum disease. You will know you have gum disease by bleeding and swollen gums, persistent bad breath, and tenderness. Untreated gum disease can lead to the loss of teeth, gum recession, and the weakening of your jaw bone and dental structure. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis will help prevent gum disease, and if you are developing gum disease already, you can receive treatment sooner to prevent long term problems.

Confidence Improvement

Much of a person's confidence is based on how comfortable they are with their smile. If you have excellent teeth, you will be inclined to smile more often, and you will most likely be happier overall. A quality dentist can help keep your teeth white, strong, healthy, and beautiful. A dentist can also recommend a reliable orthodontist if you need to have your teeth straightened, and they can keep your teeth clean and healthy throughout orthodontic treatment.
There are even more reasons to visit the dentist in addition to these. For the best smile and the healthiest lifestyle, make regular dentist visits a priority in your life.

Family Dentist  >  Redwood City Dentist

3 Reasons to Have Dental Surgery to Replace Missing Teeth

Our Redwood City office can perform dental surgery to give you back the full functionality and appearance of your smile after tooth loss. Replacing missing teeth is a critical process for improving the outward appearance, bone health, speech, ability to eat, and self-confidence. Whether or not to replace teeth is not an option. The main option that you will want to consider is how you want to replace them. With standard options like dentures and dental bridges, many people instantly gravitate toward what they know. However, there is a third option that is far more durable and better for your health: dental implants. Surgically placing them in the jaw, dental implants are worth learning more about.

Here are the top three reasons our patients replace their teeth using dental surgery to acquire dental implants:

#1 - They want a new tooth that does not go anywhere.

Dentures may look like natural teeth, but they are designed to be removed on a nightly basis. That means your teeth can move out of place or become loose at any time. If you are trying to enjoy a nice big steak, that can be incredibly inconvenient. If you are running a marathon, it can be embarrassing. If you want teeth that stay in place no matter what, you need implants.

#2 - Implants stop resorption.

Within the first year of losing a tooth, you will start to experience resorption — at a rate of 25 percent in a single year. Resorption is when the body begins to leach calcium from your jawbone because it believes that your jaw is no longer doing its job of supporting your teeth. The more calcium your jaw loses, the less dense it will be. Resorption puts your remaining teeth at risk and can cause your face to have a sunken appearance, making you look far older than you are. Dental implants provide your jaw with the stimulation it needs to stop the resorption process. During the dental surgery, the surgeon attaches the implant to the jawbone so osseointegration can take place.

#3 - They're looking for a solution that looks natural.

Dental implants are the most natural-looking way to replace teeth because a dental lab creates the tooth portion to your exact specifications and measurements. The lab can even match the shade of white necessary to blend in with your surrounding teeth. Since the tooth is secured to your implant, it is not connected to your other teeth in any way. There are no visible wires or hooks like with dentures and no dental crowns to worry about, like with a dental bridge.

Dental Surgery Is Your Best Option

When it comes down to convenience, appearance, health, and durability, nothing compares with the benefits that come from dental implants. When you use implants to replace your teeth, you can eat all your favorite foods, maintain a healthy lifestyle without worrying about your teeth, exercise, laugh out loud, and do anything you would with a full set of natural teeth. There are no restrictions beyond taking care of your smile. To learn more about the many benefits, call and schedule a consultation with our Redwood City office.

Dental Implants  >  Cosmetic Dentistry

Visit Our Dental Office in Redwood City If Your Crown Becomes Damaged

As a dental office in Redwood City, we treat patients who are struggling with a variety of oral health issues. In many cases, we use dental crowns to restore a severely damaged tooth or a tooth that has had a root canal. For example, if a tooth is cracked, chipped, or eroded, we can place a dental crown around it to protect the tooth. The dental crown will help the tooth become fully functional again and look perfectly natural. While this is a common procedure, many patients are unaware that a crown is not infallible. It can last for 15 years or more, but you have to take good care of it. If you do not brush and floss regularly or do not seek preventative dental care, the tooth underneath your crown will be at risk for experiencing decay. Additionally, it is possible to damage a crown by eating ice, chewing pencils, playing sports, or being in an accident. With that in mind, we recommend that you take care to ensure your crowns are safe.

Signs to watch for:

There are a few signs you can watch for that a crown is damaged. Start by running your tongue along your teeth to see if there are any rough edges. If there are, you might have a chipped tooth. You should also watch to see if you have any crowns that are loose. If you do, we recommend seeking treatment immediately since a loose crown can fall off at night and be swallowed.

Steps we will take:

When you visit our dental office, we will begin by conducting a visual examination of your teeth so we can determine the source of the problem. Next, we will take x-rays. This is essential because a dental crown surrounds a tooth like a cap, and an x-ray allows us to determine if there is an issue with the tooth itself.
When it comes to treating your tooth, we will need to determine if the crown itself is damaged or if the tooth underneath is also damaged or infected. If the problem is only with the crown, we might be able to smooth it out and apply a bonding material to it. If this works for restoring it, the process can be completed in one sitting. If, however, the crown is severely damaged, we might need to remove and replace it. This is a two-step process since the dental lab will need to create a new crown. Also, if the tooth underneath is infected or damaged, the crown will need to be removed so we can access it. We will remove the infected portion of the tooth before placing a new crown around it. This too will require multiple visits to our dental office. In rare cases, the tooth may be too damaged to save. If so, we can replace it with a dental bridge or dental implant.

Cosmetic Dentistry  >  Veneers Dentist