Initial Visit | How Parents Can Help | Fillings | Pulpotomy | Tooth Colored Crowns
Extractions | Space Maintainers
Initial Visit
Parents often ask "When should my child have their first dental visit?" Dental professionals have different opinions as to when children should first see the dentist.
Age 4 or Older (depending on child's maturity) Visit
During this visit, we will review your child's health history and perform a thorough exam of their gums and teeth. This enables Dr. La Batto to identify cavities and gum disease, and examine jaw alignment and tooth development. We will take X-rays if necessary, and also provide a cleaning and fluoride treatment. X-rays may be needed to check to see if your child's teeth and facial bones are developing appropriately and to check for hidden decay. Dr. La Batto will discuss any findings and provide recommendations after the exam. We welcome any questions.
We will also discuss proper brushing and flossing, fluoride treatments, and the role of dieting and snacking in cavity prevention, with you and your child.
After the visit, we will give your child stickers, a prize and a goodie bag containing a toothbrush, floss and other items promoting proper oral hygiene and cavity prevention.
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How Parents Can Help
Your child's response to their first visit depends upon what you say and do, as well as what takes place in the office. Do not tell your child that you are nervous or anxious about their visit. It is very important to make the first visit as positive and enjoyable for the child as possible. Refrain from using any words that could cause unnecessary fear.
It is normal for young children to fear the unknown. Keep preparation for the visit low-key. Too much information can overload your child. Keep explanations simple, Tell your child Dr. La Batto will look at or count their teeth. We are experienced in dealing with children with anxiety and can explain treatment procedures in a positive and pleasant manner using child-friendly vocabulary and our "Tell-Show-Do" technique.
Express good feelings about dentistry to your child. Explain to them that it is a part of growing up. Be hopeful that your child will react positively and enjoy their first visit to our office and chances are this is exactly what will happen!
We want your child to feel comfortable and enjoy the first visit. A pleasant, comfortable first visit builds trust and helps put the child at ease during future dental visits.
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Fillings
Dr. La Batto uses minimally invasive dentistry to repair a decayed tooth. As a result, more of the healthy tooth structure is saved, and a smaller filling can be placed. Big fillings can cause problems down the road. Natural tooth structure and material is far better than man-made dental materials, Dr. La Batto places composite (white) fillings, which are more aesthetically pleasing than silver fillings.
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Pulpotomy
When a primary (baby) tooth's nerve becomes infected, a pulpotomy (baby root canal) is necessary to save the tooth. During the procedure, the infected portion of the nerve is removed, and medication is placed inside the tooth to prevent new infection. Typically, a crown will need to be placed over the tooth, because not enough natural tooth structure is left to hold a filling in place. If a pulpotomy is not performed, deep infection can destroy the bone underneath where a permanent tooth is forming. If that is the case, the tooth will have to be removed.
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Tooth Colored Crowns
To repair decayed or damaged front teeth, Dr. La Batto uses tooth-colored crowns. While these crowns are not as strong as the original tooth, they do give your child a natural-looking, beautiful smile. To prevent damage to the crown, please advise your child not to use the front teeth for biting hard or tough foods.
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Extractions
A tooth or teeth must be extracted or removed if:
- There is extensive decay or nerve damage that cannot be repaired.
- Teeth are crowded. Extraction (s) may be necessary to make space for the permanent teeth.
- The nerve of a primary tooth dies as a result of an injury.
- Wisdom teeth are not able to erupt in the mouth.
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Space Maintainers
Baby or primary teeth are significant to your child's current and future dental health. If your child loses baby teeth due to injury or decay, Dr. La Batto may recommend space maintainers. Space maintainers hold open the empty space left by a lost baby tooth. They stabilize the remaining teeth by preventing movement until the permanent tooth erupts; taking its proper place in the jaw. We use stainless steel space maintainers. They are cemented in the mouth. Dr. La Batto will examine the space maintainers at each check up, and will remove them when the permanent teeth began to erupt in the empty space.
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