Our specialists help correct dental issues as they arise - with a kind, gentle and compassionate approach geared toward children.
Even when children practice great oral hygiene, tooth decay and gum issues can still arise. Some children are just more prone to dental issues - even some of our own children have undergone treatment! It happens, and our friendly team is here to help with a variety of treatment options.
We understand that visiting the dentist can cause some anxiety, especially for children who are unfamiliar with dental appointments or who have experienced treatment in the past. It is our priority to ensure your child feels safe and comfortable. At times, sedation is a good option for children when undergoing dental procedures. If you feel your child may have high anxiety at their dental appointment, see our sedation options listed below and please call us to talk through which approach is best for your child.
Our treatment and surgery services - detailed below - include:
Cavity Treatment
Fillings, Crowns & Root Canals
Gingivitis Treatment
Sedation Dentistry
Cavity Treatments
When a cavity occurs, our pediatric dentists select the best treatment option based on a variety of factors, including age, severity of decay, number of teeth impacted and several other factors. Treatment options include:
Fillings are a treatment option when a cavity has grown within the tooth structure. After application of a numbing medicine, our pediatric dentists will remove the affected tooth area with a small drill. The tooth is then filled with a composite resin or stainless steel filling which will help the tooth maintain its strength and prevent further decay.
Crowns, or dental caps, are sometimes necessary to prevent further damage to a tooth. They are essentially a cap that fully covers the tooth to prevent any further damage, and are especially helpful for young children and for teeth that have more than one cavity. Depending on the location of the crown, it can be made of stainless steel or a porcelain material that matches the tooth’s color and shape.
Root canals are done when the damage to a tooth supersedes the outer, hard layer of the tooth and the softer tissue inside – called pulp – needs to be removed. After the affected pulp is removed, it’s filled with a biocompatible material that’s similar to rubber. A temporary filling will be placed on top of this material, and eventually a crown or cap may be used to restore the tooth to full function. Damage to the pulp can be painful and a root canal could be the answer to alleviating this pain – and may also be necessary to save the natural tooth.
New Patients & Emergency Appointments Welcome!
Gingivitis Treatment
Gingivitis is an early form of periodontal (gum) disease caused by the buildup of plaque. Gingivitis can be successfully avoided by undergoing regular professional cleanings. Gum disease does not only affect teeth; it has been linked to diabetes, stroke, coronary artery disease and other health issues. The most effective way to prevent gingivitis is to schedule routine checkups and cleanings.
Sedation Dentistry
For children who are nervous or anxious, who have trouble sitting still and who are young, sedation may be a beneficial part of his/her treatment plan. There are several benefits of dental sedation:
Your child’s treatment can most often be completed in a single trip to our office. Without sedation, multiple fillings needing done in different parts of the mouth would have to be done across multiple appointments. This can cause great anxiety for children.
We’re able to complete treatments much quicker under sedation, which means your child will spend less time with his/her mouth open and will therefore be much less sore after the procedure.
An in-depth treatment under sedation is much less traumatizing for a child than undergoing that same treatment fully conscious. The sight of needles and the sound of drills can have a lasting impact of fear for some children, especially younger children.
We offer several options for sedation, and we’ll talk through each one with you in regards to your child’s needs and treatment. Every child and procedure is different, so our team members will talk through each option at great lengths to ensure you’re comfortable with your child’s treatment plan. Sedation options include:
Nitrous Oxide – This option can relax your child without putting him/her fully to sleep. Also known as laughing gas, this gas is administered through a breathing mask placed over a child’s nose. This option helps relax your child, but he/she can still move and hear noises. This may not be the most ideal situation for young children, fidgety children or those with high anxiety.
Conscious Sedation – In this sedation option, children will become relaxed and drowsy. Children remain conscious and most often do not remember the procedure. This sedation option is great for children who are apprehensive, young, or have special needs. We use the medication Versed (a benzodiazepine medication) in conjunction with Nitrous Oxide. This medication causes the child to have amnesia of the procedure, while the Nitrous helps keep them calm during the treatment. This treatment option is best for children who have a minimal amount of work to be completed.
General Anesthesia – This option is done under the care of a certified anesthesiologist and can be performed in our office. Going fully under may be the most ideal option for long, in-depth procedures, for very young children and for children with high anxiety. The major benefit of this option is the child has no memory of the treatment and all work can be completed in one appointment. We utilize a local anesthesiologist group, SmileMD, to come to our office and help complete treatment with general anesthesia. We also use Dr. Stephen Phillips, an independent licensed dental anesthesiologist. Dr. Steve travels to our office to complete surgery.
Our pediatric specialists can help!
When a dental challenge arises, our team of specially trained pediatric dentists can help! We will care for not only your child’s teeth, but also for your child, putting him/her at ease as much as possible. Lancaster Pediatric Dentistry is dedicated to making dental visits easy, fun and enjoyable for kids of all ages.
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