Fluoride Varnish
When applied regularly, fluoride varnish can reduce cavities by over 40 percent.
Pediatric Dentistry Kahala provides restorative dentistry for children and special-needs patients in Honolulu, HI. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at
.What Is Restorative Pediatric Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry aims to repair problems that interfere with tooth function and oral health. Some examples include cavities and damaged teeth.
Our doctors believe in providing non-invasive care whenever possible. We protect the natural tooth’s structure and enable it to function normally. Non-invasive care also preserves your child’s healthy, beautiful smile.
Benefits of Restorative Pediatric Dentistry
- Diagnoses and treats problems at early stages for more straightforward restoration
- Restores teeth to their full natural function
- Relieves discomfort associated with tooth decay
- Minimizes drilling
- Makes treatment more pleasant
- Reduces a child’s chance of developing dental anxiety
Sealants
For older children with permanent teeth, sealants fill in the crevices in the molars and reduce the risk of cavities by 75 percent.
Broken Tooth Repair
We use cosmetic bonding with a composite resin to repair fractured or otherwise damaged teeth. This material blends with the natural tooth surface and creates a seamless restoration.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
We offer the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to stop cavities before they can progress. This substance allows dentists to halt the growth of cavities at earlier stages before they need invasive treatment.
SMART Technique
After we arrest your child’s cavity using silver diamine fluoride, we restore the tooth with glass ionomer material. The tooth-colored glass ionomer compound provides strength and an attractive appearance.
Hall Technique
If your child has cavities in their primary molars, we can restore them using silver diamine fluoride and stainless steel crowns. In most cases, the Hall technique calls for no drilling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restorative Pediatric Dentistry
Why are cavities so damaging?
Cavities or dental caries harbor dangerous bacteria that can affect your child's oral health for a lifetime. The more cavities a child experiences early on, the more likely they will be to need costly and invasive treatment in later years.
Does SDF treatment repair cavities?
Silver diamine fluoride halts cavity development but does not repair the damage left behind. The SMART technique can restore damaged teeth using a durable tooth-colored material called glass ionomer.
Does SDF have any side effects?
Silver diamine fluoride creates a small black stain on the cavity that shows it is working.
Why is it essential to fix a broken tooth?
Fixing a broken tooth with cosmetic bonding material is a simple procedure. Restoring a fractured or cracked tooth can prevent severe problems like infections. If a tooth infection develops due to a break or crack, your child may need a pulpotomy (baby root canal) or extraction.
How will you keep my child comfortable if they need dental work?
Our dentists use special techniques to keep children comfortable. They expertly distract and engage children in the process. They explain each step on an age-appropriate level and demonstrate before moving forward. Our therapeutic techniques prevent most children from needing invasive treatment, but we can discuss options such as nitrous oxide and hospital dentistry at Shriner’s Childrens Hospital Honolulu if these interventions prove necessary.
Why should I put a crown on a baby tooth when it is going to fall out?
A crown on a decayed or damaged baby tooth will protect your child's oral health by preventing infection and keeping other teeth from moving. Keeping the primary teeth in the correct positions also enables the permanent teeth to erupt as they should. Your child will also have better chewing and speaking ability with a crown.
When should a child receive their first fluoride treatment?
Your baby can receive fluoride varnish at their first appointment after the first tooth appears.
Call Pediatric Dentistry Kahala
When a child needs restorative dentistry treatment, they should receive exceptional care. Our non-invasive techniques and focus on behavior management can make your child’s treatment more tolerable and reduce their discomfort. Please call our Honolulu, HI, office at
to schedule an appointment today.