Pediatric Dental Caries Treatments

Dental caries, otherwise known as tooth decay or cavities is one of the most severe childhood conditions in the US. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), they are the second most popular health condition in America. Cavities are holes in the tooth usually caused by factors related to poor dental care and hygiene.

Tooth decay worsens rapidly, especially in primary teeth. The cavities can reach down into the deep layers of the teeth without proper treatment. Then they can cause severe pain if they reach the nerves. The condition can soon turn into an abscess and create other health issues.

Cavities can be reversed through proper oral hygiene, but in severe cases, treatment will be necessary to stop the progress. Once the child complains of teeth pain, you need to book an appointment with the pediatric dentist immediately.

Treatments for dental caries

The severity of dental caries and the child’s specific condition and situation determine the treatment approach for cavities. Using different possible procedures, the pediatric dentist will clear out the decay and restore the tooth to its normal healthy state and function. The treatment type also depends on the type of tooth (primary or permanent) affected by the decay. Treatments for dental caries include:

Fluoride treatment

It is best if the decay is detected early before it bores through the hard enamel layer of the teeth. Sometimes an expert fluoride varnish treatment or cleaning the teeth with special fluoride toothpaste can halt and reverse the cavity. This can strengthen the tooth enamel at points when the cavities have degraded.

Professional fluoride treatment has more fluoride than fluoridated water or toothpaste. The procedure takes a few minutes and may be applied in gel, varnish or liquid form by painting it onto the teeth or using a tray that covers the teeth.

Filling

A tooth-colored filling is the most common method of treating decays. This procedure is meant for situations where the decay is not too deep. The decay is first cleaned out, then the tooth colored filling is used to fill the space and restore the tooth’s appearance and functions.

Pulp capping procedure

Moderate to severe decay that almost reaches the pulp but does not expose the nerve requires pulp capping procedure before getting a filling.

Pulpotomy

In the case of severe dental decay where the pulp is exposed, a pulpotomy procedure is necessary. This entails the extraction of infected pulp and use of medications. When pulpotomy is performed, a crown, either tooth-colored or stainless steel, is required. After drilling out the decay and filling the tooth, the tooth will be covered with a crown to shield and aesthetically repair the tooth.

Root canal

If the inner pulp of a permanent tooth has been affected by decay, or tooth abscess occurs, then a root canal procedure is vital before placing a metal or porcelain crown. In this situation, the decay has worsened to the point where the nerves have been affected, and a root canal is the only alternative to removing the tooth.

Tooth removal

In the case of tooth decays or tooth abscess that cannot be repaired with root canal procedure, the tooth has to extracted and replaced with a prosthetic tooth.

Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.

Recent Posts

Visit A Pediatric Dentistry Office For A Tongue Or Lip Bite

Visiting a pediatric dentistry office with your child ensures his or her future relationship with oral hygiene and dentists, in general. Whenever your child suffers from oral injuries, consider making an appointment with your pediatric dentist to uncover any underlying problems. For instance, injuries to the tongue and teeth could indicate a deeper jaw or…

Why A Pediatric Dentistry Office Would Recommend Fluoridated Water

Fluoridated water is part of pediatric dentistry. It is a convenient and easy way to strengthen and protect teeth at an early age. Many areas have fluoridated water, which is a definite advantage. If you want to know why a dentist will likely recommend fluoridated water, here are the details.Studies show that almost all sources…

Pediatric Dentistry: How Nutrition Is Important For A Child’s Oral Health

Nutrition is an important part of pediatric dentistry. Having balanced amounts of vitamins and minerals can strengthen and protect the teeth. Proper nutrients also fuel dental function. If you want to know how important nutrition is for your child’s oral health, here are the details from a pediatric dentistry professional.Children are still developing. They need…

Does Pediatric Dentistry Use Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are important in pediatric dentistry. Each primary tooth is a living guide for the development of permanent teeth. But baby teeth can also suffer from decay. So restoring these teeth is important for the general health of your child. If you want to know if pediatric dentistry uses dental crowns, here are the…


Recent Posts

How To Find A Kid Friendly Dentist

How To Find A Kid Friendly Dentist

Finding a reputable kid-friendly dentist for children is important. Parents can ensure they find the right dentist by planning properly and following useful tips such as considering references, scheduling a consultation, and understanding what oral care needs exist.The experience that children have with dentists can have a lasting impact. To minimize the risk of a…

What Can A Parent Expect From A Kid Friendly Dentist?

What Can A Parent Expect From A Kid Friendly Dentist?

Parents often receive a million questions from their children. Being able to answer a child’s questions about what to expect during a visit with the kid-friendly dentist is certainly important. This review highlights what parents can expect during the visit with a kid-friendly dentist.There are many benefits to visiting a kid-friendly dentist. Notably, they can…