Restorative
Pediatric Dentist Anchorage, AK
 At Aurora Children’s Dentistry, our main goal is to prevent oral hygiene problems before they occur. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Even with a good dental hygiene regimen and regular appointments, tooth decay and other issues may still arise. It all depends on your child's risk factors.
As pedodontists, we offer several restorative treatments that can improve your child's oral health. Most of our restorative services, like those listed below, are designed to repair the function and aesthetics of a damaged tooth. The type of treatment we recommend is dictated by your child's individual needs.
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is caused by the acid-producing bacteria found in plaque. These acids eat away at the enamel (the outer-most layer of a tooth), leading to the formation of cavities. At Aurora Children’s Dentistry, we always try to treat a cavity before it progresses into a more serious complication. If we diagnose your child with a cavity during your routine checkup, we will likely treat the tooth with a dental filling. Fillings can also be used to repair cracked, broken, or worn-down teeth, specifically with the use of composite resin.
At Aurora Children’s Dentistry, we will always try to prevent dental problems before they occur. Unfortunately, many children need some form of restorative treatment due to tooth decay or gum disease. Significant damage or tooth decay may even require the placement of a dental crown.
Saving a primary tooth can be just as important as protecting a permanent one. Premature tooth loss can cause the remaining teeth to shift out of alignment, which interferes with speech, chewing, and the eruption of permanent teeth. If your child has deep tooth decay that affects the interior pulp, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth.
The pulp consists of the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues responsible for the life of the tooth. Infection in the pulp can jeopardize the tooth and result in significant pain. During a root canal, we remove the affected pulp to stop the spread of infection and save the tooth.
While we will always try to preserve teeth, there are certain occasions where extraction is necessary. We may recommend an extraction to remove a problematic tooth that would otherwise create worse complications for your child's oral health. The most common reasons for extraction include:
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Tooth Decay: An extraction may be necessary if there is too much decay for a less invasive treatment option.
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Structural Damage: Trauma to the facial structures can chip, fracture, or break a tooth beyond repair.
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Space Management: If your child has teeth crowding issues, we may recommend extraction in preparation for orthodontics. An extraction creates the necessary space in the mouth to move the teeth to their proper positions.
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Over-Retained Primary Teeth: Many children have primary (baby) teeth that fail to fall out in time. We may recommend an extraction to make space for the permanent teeth once they are ready to erupt. |
A space maintainer is an oral appliance that, as the name suggests, keeps teeth in their proper position. We usually recommend a space maintainer after your child loses a primary tooth prematurely. This appliance will prevent the remaining teeth from invading the open space.
Schedule Your Child's Appointment
Do not wait if you think your child needs restorative dentistry. Call 907-336-1234 to schedule an appointment now! |
