FAQs

What is a sealent?

A sealant is a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth. This plastic layers fills the pits and fissures of the tooth so bacteria are not able to build up in the area where the toothbrush can not clean. Although very effective at preventing tooth decay on the chewing surfaces of teeth, sealants are no substitute for brushing and flossing.

What is a pulpotomy ?

If you have a severely damaged, decaying tooth or a dental cavity that infiltrates the nerve of the tooth (tooth infection), it may be necessary to partially remove the nerve tissue and treat the remaining nerve with medication, this is called a pulpotomy. The goal of a pulpotomy is to alleviate pain, repair and save the tooth instead of extracting it. In the primary dentition, the “baby tooth’s” roots serve as a guide for the permanent tooth to erupt.

The pulp is soft tissue inside your tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels and provides nourishment for your tooth. It can become infected if you have:

• A deep cavity

• Repeated dental procedures that disturb this tissue

• A cracked or fractured tooth

• Injury to the tooth (even if there’s not a visible crack or chip)

If untreated, the tissues around the root of your tooth can become infected. When this happens, you will often feel pain and swelling and an abscess may form inside the tooth and/or in the bone around the end of the root of the tooth. An infection can also put you at risk of losing your tooth completely because bacteria can damage the bone that keeps your tooth connected to your jaw.

What is a crown?

A crown is a restorative procedure (either silver or white) done to cover a tooth in order to restore a tooth or teeth to normal shape, size and function. A crown can make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance in situations when there is not enough tooth surface remaining to adhere a dental filling, to protect a weak tooth from breaking or when it is necessary to restore a tooth that is already broken. Generally, if a tooth required a pulpotomy (see definition above) it will require a crown

What is a cold sore?

Cold sores, which are also called fever blisters, are groups of fluid-filled blisters that often erupt around the lips and sometimes under the nose or in the oral cavity. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and can be very contagious to people who have never been exposed to such a virus, like the very young child. The initial infection (primary herpes) may be confused with a cold or flu and can cause painful lesions to erupt throughout the mouth. Once a person is infected with primary herpes, the virus stays in the body and causes occasional attacks that show up mostly when the body experiences some form of stress. Cold sore blisters usually heal within in a week or two by themselves. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide some relief, but consult your child’s pediatric dentist before using any medication to treat such a condition The dentist may prescribe an antiviral medication to reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

What is a white filling?

Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth. They are a good choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural that blend with the natural color of their teeth

It generally takes longer to place a composite filling than it does for a metal filling. That’s because composite fillings require the tooth be kept clean and dry while the cavity is being filled. Tooth-colored fillings are now used more often than amalgam, probably due to cosmetics.

Composites usually cost more than amalgam and are not always covered by some insurance plans, and since no dental filling lasts forever, ultimately, the best dental filling is no dental filling. Prevention is the best medicine. Remember, you can dramatically decrease the risk of your child getting cavities and other dental problems simply by:

• brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

• flossing daily

• eating a balanced diet

• visiting the dentist regularly.

What is a space maintainer?

Space maintainers help “hold space” for permanent teeth. Your child may need one if he or she loses a baby tooth prematurely, before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. If a primary tooth is lost too early, adult teeth can erupt into the empty space instead of where they should be. When more adult teeth are ready to come into the mouth, there may not be enough room for them because of the lost space. To prevent this from happening, the pediatric dentist may recommend a space maintainer held in by cement to hold open the space left by the missing tooth. Once the awaiting permanent tooth erupts the space maintainer is easily removed.

How Does Fluoride Protect Teeth?

Fluoride benefits both children and adults. Here's how:

Before teeth break through the gums, the fluoride taken in from foods, beverages and dietary supplements makes tooth enamel (the hard surface of the tooth) stronger, making it easier to resist the acids that cause tooth decay. This provides what is called a "systemic" benefit.

After teeth erupt, fluoride helps rebuild (remineralize) weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay. When you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, or use other fluoride dental products, the fluoride is applied to the surface of your teeth. This provides what is called a "topical" benefit.