- Dental ExaminationPreventative care is one of the simplest and most important ways to make sure your child’s teeth grow in strong and healthy. Giving them the proper tools and teaching them the right way to brush when they are young lays the groundwork that will create healthy habits they will carry with them into adulthood.
- X-rays
- Oral Cancer ScreeningNext, we will perform a comprehensive oral exam that may include x-rays and a non-invasive oral cancer screening. If no signs of periodontal disease are present, you will have a routine cleaning. If we notice signs of periodontal disease, we may reschedule the cleaning portion of your visit to allow for more time.
- Teeth CleaningRoutine cleanings and exams are necessary to make sure your child’s teeth stay healthy throughout childhood. Distinctive Dental Concepts in Garland, TX recommends two cleanings a year to maintain optimal oral health.
- Fluoride TreatmentTopical fluoride treatments help keep your child’s teeth cavity-free between visits by strengthening the enamel. Depending on your child’s age, the fluoride may be brushed onto your child’s teeth or put into a foam tray and allowed to sit on their teeth. For younger children, a fluoride varnish is brushed onto the teeth. Fluoride varnish hardens when it comes in contact with saliva, forming a hard film that is brushed off later that evening.
- Dental SealantsSealants help prevent decay by protecting the surface of the teeth, especially the back teeth where brushing can be more difficult for children. They are made of a clear, liquid resin that hardens when a special light is shined on it. This creates a smooth, hard surface that prevents food from settling in the grooves of your child’s back teeth.
- FillingsCavities and small fractures can cause much larger issues if left untreated. In the past, metal restorations called amalgam fillings (or silver fillings) served a need but left many teeth discolored and strained from the wedging effect of the metal. Today, tooth-colored composite resins blend into the tooth structure and are chemically bonded to the tooth providing a strong, permanent restoration.
- Resin CompositeFillings are placed in the tooth following decay removal to preserve natural tooth structure. Nowadays most fillings are made of a composite resin that is matched to your child’s natural tooth color. In some rare instances amalgam (silver) fillings may be used.
- VeneersVeneers are the ultimate combination of dental art and science, handcrafted and customized to fit your smile. These paper-thin pieces of porcelain bond to the outside of your natural teeth. But just because they’re thin, don’t be fooled. Veneers are highly versatile and can replicate all the complex nuances of a natural tooth.
- CrownsIf your child needs restorative treatment in the form of a filling or crown, our doctors and their team will create a custom treatment plan for your child and review all options with you before treatment begins. We believe a conservative approach to children’s dentistry is usually the best course of action.
- BridgesWhenever you drive across a bridge, you’re being supported by the same principles that support a dental bridge. Crowned teeth on either side of a space are called abutments. They support an artificial tooth, called a pontic. While a bridge lasts for many years, sometimes the strain of supporting one or more missing teeth can cause the abutments themselves to weaken and may lead to more missing teeth.
- Dental Bonding
- Restorative DentistryWe know it’s not always easy for you to sort through the complicated possibilities. Our doctors experience in restorative dentistry allows them to develop solutions for every situation.
- Root Canal TreatmentA deep cavity can give bacteria access to the inner nerve bundle. In some cases, a significant infection, called an abscess, may develop in your jaw without any symptoms at all. If our doctors determine that the nerve won’t recover or if an infection is present, then root canal therapy may be suggested.
- DenturesDentures are an affordable way to replace any number of missing teeth in your mouth. They have a long history of success and continue to earn a place in the list of options for rebuilding your smile.
- Dental ImplantsIf bone shrinks away from your teeth, it never grows back. In some cases, bone can be encouraged to fill in with grafting materials placed by Our doctors. Every situation presents a different scenario, but more options than ever exist to promote bone repair in the jaw. For example, when a tooth needs removal, a large hole then exists in the bone. While it will eventually fill in, the site tends to shrink, drawing bone away from the area jeopardizing surrounding teeth. Grafting materials can be placed at the time of tooth removal to help preserve the existing bone level. Bone grafts are especially beneficial if you are considering an implant-supported restoration in the future.
- Oral SurgeryDespite your best efforts, teeth sometimes need to be removed to protect your health. When we’ve discussed all other possibilities, and you’ve decided on extraction, we’ll take every step to help you. Your well-being always takes priority in any treatment decision. Some patients prefer sedation to help with oral surgery, and we can review these options in your treatment plan. We take every measure to make sure even minor surgical procedures are as comfortable as possible.
- Tooth ExtractionsAn extraction can make both children and parents anxious, but they are a common procedure in most pediatric dental offices. Sometimes a child’s tooth has too much decay to restore, or they need a tooth or teeth removed to make room for orthodontic treatment.
- Bone GraftingThe bone around your teeth is special and doesn’t regenerate when it’s lost. Your teeth rely on this bony foundation to remain stable and functional. Sometimes we can repair these defects by adding bone grafting materials.
- OrthodonticsA variety of tooth and jaw issues can be resolved through orthodontics. Our doctors may point out that your child’s baby teeth appear crowded or the relationship between the upper and lower teeth isn’t ideal. While treatment doesn’t usually start this young, it may help you prepare for the possibility of future corrective care. As permanent teeth start to appear, usually around age 6, our doctors will monitor the situation and help you decide if early orthodontic treatment is right for your child.
- Invisalign OrthodonticsInvisalign brings stealth straightening to you with thin, invisible trays. Distinctive Dental Concepts’ experience puts a stunning smile within easy reach.
- BracesAlthough many orthodontic wearers are teenagers, braces play a role in some children’s earlier years. Since permanent teeth are typically larger than baby teeth, a device called a palatal expander may be used to create more room. This allows adult teeth to move into place correctly, helping avoid more extensive treatment later on.
- Teeth WhiteningTeeth whitening removes years of dingy stains from your teeth. Coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and chocolate can dull white enamel surfaces. Simple and safe, most patients don’t realize how discolored their teeth are until they see a new smile emerge.
- Cosmetic DentistryA person’s life can be changed through cosmetic dentistry, which blends science and technology, by improving the appearance of their teeth and smile to [...]