Sometimes little teeth need a little help, and when they do, our goal is always to restore them gently and completely. Restorative care repairs and protects teeth affected by decay, injury, or developmental concerns, so your child can get back to eating, smiling, and being a kid with a healthy, comfortable mouth.
When a cavity is too large to be repaired with a filling alone, a stainless steel crown may be the kindest, sturdiest solution. A stainless steel crown protects the tooth with a durable, dependable structure, and it helps hold that important space so the permanent tooth underneath can come in just right. Dr. Mindi is always happy to walk you through the details and answer any questions you have about caring for your child’s crown.
A Hall crown is one of the gentlest ways to treat a cavity in a baby tooth. Using this technique, we slip a stainless steel crown over the decayed tooth and seal it in place without any drilling, and often without the need for numbing. Sealing the tooth this way cuts the decay off from the nutrients it needs, stopping it in its tracks while protecting the tooth until it is naturally ready to come out. For the right situation, it is a wonderfully child-friendly option that keeps treatment quick, comfortable, and stress-free
When a cavity reaches deep toward the tooth’s nerve, a pulpotomy, sometimes called a “nerve disinfection” procedure, helps stop it in its tracks and prevents a painful infection or abscess down the road. It is a gentle procedure. We carefully clean and disinfect the center of the tooth where the nerve sits, place a soothing medicine, and then protect the tooth with a crown so it can keep doing its job until it is naturally ready to make way for the adult tooth
Baby teeth do more than help your child chew and smile. They hold the perfect spot for the permanent teeth waiting underneath. When a baby tooth is lost too early, neighboring teeth can begin to drift into the empty space, which may lead to crowding and more involved orthodontic work later on. A space maintainer is a small, comfortable appliance that gently holds that space open, giving the adult tooth room to come in exactly where it belongs
Occasionally, a tooth simply needs to come out, most often because of infection or to make room as part of an orthodontic plan. If that is the case for your child, Dr. Mindi will take the time to explain why, walk you through what to expect, and discuss every option with you, so you always feel informed and at ease
If your child has a cavity, we restore the tooth with a natural, tooth-colored resin filling that blends right in. It brings back comfort and full function while keeping their smile looking bright, healthy, and completely natural. We offer both fluoride-containing and non-fluoride-containing filling options, so you can choose the approach that best fits your family’s preferences.
SDF is a wonderful, needle-free way to stop decay in its tracks. It combines silver, which has antimicrobial properties that halt the bacteria causing cavities, with fluoride, which strengthens enamel. Painted gently onto a cavity, SDF stops the decay from spreading, hardens the softened area, and protects the tooth from further damage. It is a gentle option that is especially helpful for our youngest or most anxious patients
For families who prefer a fluoride-free path, hydroxyapatite offers a natural
alternative. This mineral, the very same one found in healthy teeth, strengthens
enamel and helps remineralize early decay. It is one more way we make sure your
child’s oral health is fully cared for while honoring your family’s preferences.
