Pediatric Dental Restorations
We are dedicated to maintaining the optimal health and function of your child’s mouth and teeth throughout their childhood and teen years. Dr. Jorge Torres and Dr. Lyda Lopez of Pediatric Dentistry of Brandon gently and expertly restore teeth affected by decay or injury with naturally beautiful results.
Although parents realize the value of preserving their child’s permanent teeth, not all realize the value preserving their primary (baby) teeth until it is time for the permanent teeth to come in. Baby teeth may be temporary, but they have long-lasting effects. In fact, preserving your child’s dental health can be one of the most effective ways to ensure a healthy smile as an adult. While preventive treatment is essential, Drs. Torres and Lopez understand that kids can experience unexpected dental problems. For this reason, they proudly offer a wide range of restorative treatments, specially adapted for children. Their outstanding care will involve minimal discomfort, and it can provide your child with a beautiful smile for years to come.
Why Restore Baby Teeth?
It is important to keep baby teeth healthy. If your child loses a tooth too early, it can affect the way that adult teeth come in. In many cases, your child could suffer from serious dental misalignment due to the gaps in her or his smile. Additionally, missing teeth could affect eating and speech patterns.
Cavities can also have serious effects on your child’s long-term oral health. Bacteria spread rapidly, and without proper care, your child could develop cavities in several teeth. Not only will this cause significant discomfort. The yet-to-erupt adult teeth could also start to decay. In fact, adults are far more likely to suffer from dental decay if they had cavities as children.
Pediatric Dental Fillings and Bonding
Fillings are one of the most common restorative treatments for kids. If your child has developed a cavity, a filling can strengthen the damaged tooth and prevent decay from spreading further. At Pediatric Dentistry of Brandon, we use tooth-colored fillings on anterior (front) made from composite resin. This material is more lifelike than traditional silver amalgam, and it will blend beautifully with your child’s smile. We often use silver amalgam for posterior (back) teeth, as amalgam fillings are more cost effective.
Dental Crowns for Kids
Crowns are another common treatment for children. In fact, kids are more likely to need crowns than adults. The enamel on their primary teeth is thinner, so a cavity can often destroy a large portion of a tooth. We recommend silver crowns on posterior (back) teeth because they predictably function better in a child’s mouth and are more cost effective. Tooth-colored resin-veneered crowns are recommended for anterior (front) teeth for a more beautiful smile.
Treatment for Missing Teeth
We offer effective treatment if your child loses a tooth to decay or an accident. Space maintainers are small devices that will go inside the gap in your child’s grin, keeping the other teeth from shifting into this area. We have had successful results with metal space maintainers that are fixed to an adjacent tooth. If your child loses a permanent tooth, we will discuss treatment options and the best timing for treatment.
Cosmetic Dentistry for Teens
Your child’s health is our top priority. However, we also know that esthetic problems can affect your child’s self-esteem, especially during the teenage years. For this reason, we offer age-appropriate cosmetic treatments for younger patients. These options include:
- Bonding: Tooth-colored composite resin can be bonded to tooth surfaces.
- Invisalign Orthodontics: We offer teens orthodontic treatment using Invisalign’s clear, comfortable aligners. Invisalign treatment not only improves smile esthetics but also positions teeth for better biting function, easier brushing and flossing, and a lifetime of improved oral health.
- Teeth Whitening: We offer at-home teeth bleaching using custom trays or your teen’s Invisalign aligners.
Contact Us for the Outstanding Care Your Child Deserves
Whether you are seeking a specialized procedure or simple preventive treatment, we are ready to meet your needs. Contact Pediatric Dentistry of Brandon today to request an appointment for your child.