It’s important to get kids off to a great start in life in every way possible. In addition to things like promoting education and teaching good behavior, caring for the health of young people will build a foundation that serves them well for a lifetime. That certainly applies to oral health, and fortunately, there are plenty of advanced dental techniques that now make it easier than ever before to keep young teeth in excellent condition.
Thinking SMART Regarding Cavities in Kids
Some dental treatments can be rather intimidating for kids. For that matter, plenty of adults are intimidated by the very same treatments, such as shots, drilling, and anything that requires sedation. So, anything we can do to keep our treatments minimally invasive and comfortable – while still delivering excellent results – is a step that we are going to take.
With that in mind, we are proud to offer SMART treatment for cavities in kids. In this application, SMART stands for Silver Modified Atraumatic Restorative Treatment. Rather than using invasive solutions that may be uncomfortable or even scary for a young patient, we can turn to this alternative to get great results without any of the drama.
Using silver compounds combined with a BPA-free filling material and a natural antimicrobial with glass ionomer cement, we are able to fill up the cavity in a durable manner. The results are sure to last for years and your child won’t have to go through anything that is distressing or troublesome.
Other Possible Solutions
Sometimes, small cavities are detected in kids, but those cavities aren’t yet large enough to be filled in the traditional manner. To hopefully prevent those cavities from getting bigger and needing to be filled later, we may suggest the use of Silver Diamine Fluoride, or SDF.
This is another treatment that is extremely comfortable for young people – in fact, it only takes a couple of minutes from start to finish. The SDF will simply be painted onto the affected tooth or teeth, so zero pain is involved in the process. Once applied, it can stop the deterioration that has begun and may eliminate the need for further treatments down the line in this part of the mouth.
There is also a treatment known as the Hall Technique that can be used for kids who have a primary molar cavity. Typically, such a cavity would require the use of the drill and some sedation, but that can be avoided through the Hall Technique for many patients. With this solution, our approach is to add a stainless steel crown that will seal the current decay in place.
The Right Oral Health Partner
Looking for a friendly, professional dentist in Madison to care for your children? My Rivertown Dentist would be honored to play such an important role. We offer a long list of pediatric dentistry services, including thorough exams to spot signs of trouble, custom-made dental appliances, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, and much more. Take a moment today to reach out and schedule an appointment with our office.
