Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) Treatment In Children

Dental caries (tooth decay, cavities) treatment in children is provided at Pediatric Dental Specialist by Dr. Stephen Girdlestone.

Treating Tooth Decay In Children

Treatments for tooth decay differ depending on the extent of the decay and a child’s particular dental situation. Different restorative treatment methods for cavities include:

1. Fluoride treatment—sometimes sufficient to treat decay in the earliest stages before it eats through the outer enamel layer of the tooth.
2. Fillings—tooth colored and the most common form of treatment for cavities; used for decay that is restricted in depth.

    

   • Plastic Dental Filling – Bonding

     Plastic dental filling or bonding s a procedure in which a tooth-colored strong plastic material (dental resin)  is applied and hardened with a special light, which ultimately "bonds" the material to the tooth. The plastic filling will not reach adequate hardness for a period of approximately six hours.  Plastic restorations have a tendency to stain easily if the child is given foods that contain staining agents the day completed.  Therefore, we suggest you avoid the following foods: Tea, coffee, grape and orange juice, ketchup, and jello.  Bland food may be given to child, such as: Vanilla ice cream, milk shake, pudding, plain spaghetti, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal.  The child should brush that evening before going to bed.  Resume normal diet the following day. 

3. Pulp capping—used for more moderate to severe decay that has reached close to the nerve before placing a filling.
4. Pulpotomy—used for severe decay with nerve exposure of a primary tooth and requires removing pulp and applying medication before placing a crown.
5. Porcelain or stainless steal crowns—used for decay that has expansively infected a primary tooth through the nerve; replaces the full natural crown of the tooth after the dentist drills through all of the decay and fills the tooth. 
6. Root canal—used for severe decay with nerve exposure of a permanent tooth that has become abscessed; involves drilling through all decay and applying medication before filling the permanent tooth. 
7. Dental extraction—only used for primary teeth that become decayed completely beyond repair and abscess; complete removal of the tooth (dental extraction) is the only option in this case.  

Caution Please Following a Dental Procedure

If your child received a local injection of "novacaine" for dental treatment please be cautious.  This makes the lips and cheeks numb on the side it was used.  Children who do not always understand the effects of a local anesthetic sometimes may suck or chew on the numb lip or cheek, thereby causing laceration of the tissue.  Although this is not a serious thing, it is uncomfortable and we ask that you please watch the child very closely for approximately two hours following the appointment. 

To schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentist, Dr. Steve Girdlestone, please phone 330-491-7777.