Dental Services
Manassas, VA
As pediatric dentists, we here at Starlight Smiles Pediatric Dentistry offer a wide variety of services designed to maintain or improve your child’s oral health. Our main focus is preventive dentistry, but we provide restorative and sedation treatments as well. The type of treatment your child receives depends on the current status of their oral health.
Preventive dentistry, as the name suggests, is the best way to avoid potential problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Both of these issues are caused by the harmful bacteria found in plaque, the thin biofilm that constantly forms on and around the teeth. The majority of our preventive services are designed to control or eliminate the growth of plaque.
A large part of preventive pediatric care is education. As your child develops, it is your job to help them establish proper oral hygiene habits. During their appointment, we can help show you the proper brushing and flossing techniques. We strive to instill a sense of importance while making it fun and enjoyable for your child.
Restorative dentistry is designed to repair the function and aesthetics of damaged teeth or gums. During a routine checkup, we may use a series of diagnostic tools to determine if tooth decay or gum disease is present. If we do diagnose an oral health problem, our restorative treatments can get your child’s smile back on track.
The most important thing is to prevent future problems with their permanent teeth. Our restorative treatments, such as a filling or crown, can improve the structure and lifespan of a damaged tooth. If a primary (baby) tooth is lost prematurely, it may cause the remaining teeth to shift out of position. In this case, we may recommend a space maintainer to keep the teeth in alignment and prevent eruption issues.
Sedation dentistry has grown in popularity with the advent of newer, more effective medications and techniques. Our sedation services are very safe and can help your child feel more comfortable during treatment. Your child could benefit from our sedation services if they have significant fears or anxiety associated with professional dental care.
The most popular sedation is nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas.” We often use nitrous oxide because it takes and loses effect very quickly. We also offer oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. The latter is only used in special circumstances, such as lengthy or complex oral surgeries.
We want to stress that sedation dentistry is very safe for children. Dr. Claire Escario has undergone extensive training for the safe and effective application of sedation. You can learn more about our sedation options during your child’s initial consultation.
Schedule an Appointment
If you would like to learn more about our pediatric services, our team is happy to help! Call 571-833-0344 to schedule your child’s appointment today! |
