Restorative Dentistry
At Hampton Roads Pediatric Dentistry, we encourage our patients and parents to focus on preventive oral care so children maintain proper oral health. Primary or baby teeth, serve many important functions such as assisting with eating, speech and positive self-image. These teeth help form the developing jaws and hold space for permanent teeth.
Sometimes, despite proper hygiene and care, things happen. Tooth decay can occur, or a tooth can be broken or knocked out. In these cases, restorative care becomes necessary. Depending on your child’s needs, there are several restorative options. Our pediatric dentists will discuss these options with you.
Sealants
Dental sealants are often recommended to offer protection from cavities and the buildup of plaque and debris. Children’s teeth are especially susceptible to cavities because of the many grooves on their biting surfaces. The back teeth in particular have the most grooves and because of their location, are the most difficult to clean with a toothbrush. We sometimes use sealants on appropriate teeth to prevent tooth decay and the buildup of unwanted bacteria.
During regular dental checkups, our pediatric dentist will check the health of your child’s sealants and repair or replace as necessary.
Tooth Colored Fillings
Hampton Roads Pediatric Dentistry uses tooth colored fillings made of composite resins, a silicon dioxide-filled and tooth colored plastic mixture. Composite resins restore teeth to an attractive, healthy state and are a popular alternative to silver or amalgam fillings.
Crowns
In a primary tooth, if a cavity is too large to restore with a filling, a crown may be recommended. For front teeth, white restorations are used. For back teeth, white or stainless steel crowns are options. The purpose of a crown is to help provide structure for the tooth and to help maintain space for the permanent teeth to erupt properly while protecting the remaining tooth.
