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Restorative Dentistry in Southwest Ranches, FL

Akoya Pediatric Dentistry provides restorative dentistry for children in Southwest Ranches, Florida. We are honored to be considered as your child’s provider and dental home. To learn more, call 954-799-6212 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative procedures help protect both oral health and overall health while improving the appearance of the patient’s smile. Being able to properly chew food and having correct bite alignment affect a patient’s health in ways that go beyond just a smile. When restoring damaged, broken, and decayed teeth, the goal is to return the tooth to its original strength, function, and esthetic. Biomimetic dentistry, which is defined as the reconstruction of teeth to emulate their natural biomechanical and esthetic form and function, accomplishes all of this in a conservative approach with strong and attractive results.

Benefits of Restorative Dentistry

There are many benefits of Restorative Dentistry:

Save the natural teeth. In most cases restorative dentistry can repair and save your child’s natural teeth and allow them to remain in the mouth.

Restore dental health and function. After a tooth has been treated with restorative procedures it will be healthy and function naturally.

Natural appearance. Restorative procedures restore the appearance of the teeth for a natural looking smile.

Procedures Offered

We provide the following restorative dental procedures and treatments:

Minimally Invasive Cavity Treatment. When cavities are small and in the early stages, they can often be treated with minimally invasive techniques, such as Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF), Silver Modified Atraumatic Resin Technique (SMART) technique, Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART), Interim Therapeutic Technique (ITR), and the Hall Crown technique. These procedures can treat or reverse cavities with no anesthesia.

Fillings. In some cases a cavity may require a traditional filling. We use tooth-colored composite fillings for a natural appearance.

Nerve treatments. When a tooth is decayed, damaged, or involves the nerve, nerve treatment may be needed. Treatments can be indirect (outside of the nerve chamber) or direct (in the nerve chamber). A properly timed nerve treatment can often save a tooth.

Crowns. A crown may be placed over a tooth that needs additional protection. Crowns provide a natural function and appearance.

Composite bonding. A tooth that is chipped or cosmetically damaged can be reshaped with composite material to look natural.

Why Choose Akoya Pediatric Dentistry?

Your child’s teeth serve an important function, both baby teeth and permanent teeth. We provide restorative procedures to save your child’s natural teeth whenever possible. Our conservative approach to restorative dentistry means that we start with the most minimally invasive option to repair decay or damage. In many cases we can save and protect children’s teeth with no anesthesia at all, which allows both children and parents to breathe a sigh of relief. We keep up to date with the latest technology and techniques to make restorative procedures as comfortable and effective as possible for children.

Frequently Asked Questions About Restorative Dentistry

Is it worth it to fill a cavity on a baby tooth?

Many parents question the validity of fillings on baby teeth since they will eventually fall out. If a tooth is already loose and on its way to falling out, we may not bother treating the tooth. On the other hand, if the tooth will still be in place for a while, a filling or other restorative treatment may be best. The tooth should remain until it is naturally shed because it holds the place for the permanent tooth to come in. If cavities on baby teeth are left untreated, this can lead to pain, infection, and/or damage to the permanent replacement.

Does a filling require anesthesia?

A traditional filling typically requires anesthesia because the decayed portion of the tooth will need to be removed before the filling is placed, which can be uncomfortable. However, there are minimally invasive options for treating cavities that don’t require anesthesia, such as SDF and SMART techniques. We would be happy to discuss these options with you.

Why does my child have cavities?

Cavities are caused by plaque, a sticky film of food residue and bacteria that clings to the teeth. The bacteria gradually eats away at the tooth enamel, resulting in pits or holes in the teeth. Lack of effective brushing and flossing habits can cause cavities to develop in teeth. A diet high in sugar can also contribute.

What can we do to prevent cavities?

Your child should brush their teeth twice a day, in the morning and at night, with a fluoride toothpaste. They should also floss once a day to remove plaque from in between the teeth. Help your child brush and floss until they are old enough to do it effectively on their own. Mouthwash may also help prevent cavities by reducing bacteria in the mouth.

Do baby teeth need crowns?

We may recommend a crown for a baby tooth that is severely decayed or damaged. Baby teeth often remain in the mouth for years before they are naturally shed. They are the natural place-holders for the permanent teeth, without them, space loss can occur. For example, your child’s 2 year molars may not be shed until they are 10 to 12 years old, which means they will be in place for 8 or 9 years. Placing a crown over a baby tooth allows it to function normally until it falls out naturally.

Can nitrous oxide be used for a filling?

If your child is anxious about a restorative procedure, such as a filling, we provide nitrous oxide sedation. It is administered through a small mask worn over the nose. As the child breathes it in they feel calm and relaxed so that the procedure can be completed with greater comfort. Towards the end of treatment, oxygen is administered for 5 minutes and it wears off in just minutes afterwards.

Can children’s cavities be reversed?

In some cases damaged enamel can be restored. Silver Diamine Fluoride can help to remineralize tooth enamel and reverse cavities. In many cases this option can prevent the need for a filling.

Are root canals used for baby teeth?

A baby tooth may need a nerve treatment if the dental pulp inside the tooth is infected or at-risk. In most cases the procedure is called a pulpotomy or pulpectomy when it is done on a baby tooth. The procedure can save the tooth and allow it to remain in place until it is ready to be naturally shed. Root canals are uncommonly performed in primary teeth but often performed in permanent teeth.

Call 954-799-6212 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.

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954-799-6212

Akoya Pediatric Dentistry

15761 Sheridan Street Suite A

Southwest Ranches, FL 33314

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