In all cases our goal is to keep our patients comfortable. We will make sure your mouth is thoroughly numb using topical anesthesia and local anesthesia.
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as “needle”, “shot”, “pull”, “drill” or “hurt”. The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
Because we understand the growing need for specialized services and equipment needed to make your young child’s trip to the dentist pleasant, we are here to serve you and your children based on their individual needs including nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation, conscious sedation and outpatient general anesthesia and hospital dentistry.
Laser Dentistry
We are very happy to provide your child with the Most Advanced Evolution of Waterlase Technology available in dental care: The Waterlase iPlus. Utilizing this laser allow Dr. Williams to gently clean out most cavities without the need for injections of local anesthetic. Since most procedures can be performed without the use of local anesthesia, multiple teeth in multiple areas of the mouth can be treated in the same visit resulting in fewer appointments. The laser also helps alleviate and eliminate painful canker sores and fever blisters.
Due to its conservative, gentle cutting action and coagulating capabilities, the Waterlase® performs many soft tissue (gum) procedures with little or no bleeding and less post-op swelling. The laser allows for a more comfortable and overall superior treatment with less pain, fewer needles and less noise.
You can read more about laser dentistry at www.biolase.com.
Fillings
Depending on the size and location of the cavity, options will be given to our families for white composite or silver amalgam restorations. White fillings will always be placed on anterior teeth. If the laser can be used to remove the decay the patient may not need to be numbed for the procedure.
Crowns
Crowns are used in cases where a cavity has affected so much tooth structure that filling material cannot be used to repair the tooth. We offer several types of crowns depending on the location of the cavity. For the anterior teeth, we offer white composite or Zirconia crowns. For the posterior teeth we offer stainless steel crowns with or without a composite facing and also zirconia crowns. We will let our parents know which is ideal for our patients.
Nerve Treatment (Pulpotomy/Pulpectomy)
Very large cavities can result in toothaches and nerve irritation or infection. If a cavity has reached the nerve, we will clean out the infected part of the nerve, place an antibacterial medicine on the remaining nerve structure and place a protective filling over the nerve. Once a tooth has had nerve treatment, the tooth structure is compromised and must have a crown placed over it.