Cavities
If a cavity is discovered on your child’s tooth, Dr. Alyssa or Dr. Hoffman will remove the decay and restore the tooth with a composite tooth colored filling, which will closely match the tooth’s natural color.
Tooth-colored fillings are designed to look like the natural tooth allowing your child to smile and speak confidently. Tooth colored fillings are durable and should last for years if properly cared for with daily brushing and flossing.
Crowns for Primary Teeth
A crown is a covering that fits over the original tooth that is decayed, damaged or cracked. Crowns for a primary tooth are normally pre-fabricated, coming in many different shapes and sizes, which can be adjusted to fit the individual teeth. We use stainless steel crowns for the posterior teeth and tooth-colored crowns for the front teeth.
Root Canal for Primary Teeth
When a cavity has reached the nerve or pulp of the tooth, a baby root canal will be necessary to preserve the tooth. A common misconception is that a root canal is a painful procedure. Actually, root canals are similar to having a cavity filled.
If a child has a deep cavity this is recommended to prevent the tooth from being extracted. One of the purposes of a primary tooth is to hold the place for the erupting permanent tooth. A root canal will allow us to ensure the damaged tooth will not have to be removed enabling it to preserve the space for the permanent tooth.