We at the practice of Pediatric Dentistry of East Lansing are capable of providing a comprehensive selection of general treatment services for your children in order to help them maintain healthy smiles for the rest of their lives. As your provider of kids dentistry in East Lansing, we offer a wide range of treatments and services, from basic dental exams and cleanings to preventative measures, such as sealants and fluoride application. We’re even glad to help with patient education so that children and their parents understand how to most effectively keep a child’s oral hygiene at an optimal level. Some of the East Lansing dentistry treatments that we offer include the following.
Our composite (tooth-colored) fillings are used to restore tooth fractures and decay while maintaining the most pleasing cosmetic appearance possible. The shade for this restoration material is matched closely to the color of the natural tooth. A new type of tooth-colored filling material, known as a glass ionomer, has become the chosen material for filling small cavities in primary teeth. This is because it slowly releases fluoride from the filling to the tooth for the lifetime of the restoration.
If your child has a cavity that’s larger and more significant, it may be necessary to use a full-coverage silver cap to restore the tooth. If the cavity is on a front tooth, a white one can be used instead.
Baby root canals are often needed when the cavity approaches the tooth’s nerve. This procedure stops the progress of the cavity and minimizes the chances of an infection or abscess. The procedure is completed by cleaning out the center of the tooth where the nerve lives and placing soothing medicine. The tooth is then protected by placing a crown, as mentioned above.
Your child may need to have a tooth extracted. Most often, extractions are indicated due to infection or for orthodontic purposes. Dr. Jacob Myers & Dr. Jennifer Cleary will review your child’s needs and discuss treatment options with you.
Space maintainers are used when a child’s baby tooth is lost prematurely. These space maintainers will hold space open for the permanent tooth to eventually erupt. If this space isn’t maintained, teeth on either side of the missing tooth can shift into the gap and prevent the permanent tooth from properly erupting.
