Overview
Smile Street Pediatric Dentistry offers a variety of treatment options.
Smile Street Pediatric Dentistry offers a variety of treatment options depending on your child’s anxiety needs. Dental treatment for a child involves two paths of discussion:
- What type of dental treatment is required for your child?
- How we will manage the child’s anxiety to make them as comfortable as possible during treatment?
Patient Age Range
We see infants, children and adolescents ages 1-18 years old. We advise scheduling for the first dental visit by 1 year old.
Patients With Special Needs
As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Marissa is specially trained to manage patients with special health care needs. Children with special needs require a careful approach in the dental office, and Dr. Marissa takes pride in attending to their specific dental needs with the family.
Office Languages Spoken
We can provide service in any of the following languages for your convenience
English, Spanish, Farsi.
First Visit
We remove anxiety and create a fun environment for your child
Your First Visit
A visual exam will be done depending on the age of your child. If the patient permits, an effort will be made to take diagnostic x-rays, depending on the needs. During the first visit, typically a set of full-mouth x-rays are taken to thoroughly assess the child’s developing oral condition.
A dental cleaning and fluoride application are also done at the first visit and at each check visit which should be every six months.
Recall Visits
A recall visit is done bi-annually or every six months. X-rays are taken according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines.
A dental cleaning & fluoride are also completed. If cavities are diagnosed,
a treatment visit will be scheduled.
a treatment visit will be scheduled.
The Pediatric Dentist has an extra two to three years of specialized training after dental school focused on infants, children, and adolescents.
General Services
All the pediatric dentist services you will ever need.
Types of Fillings (Used to fill small cavities)
Alloy or Amalgam:
These types of fillings contain a mixture of different metals. It is still a desirable filling of choice in children due to its strength and ease of application. Although not white in color, we find it lasts longer in primary as well as permanent teeth. It is still an acceptable dental material to the U.S. FDA.
Composite:
A.K.A. “white fillings.” These fillings are a synthetic
resin material. They offer wonderful esthetics because they are white, however, are more technique sensitive, and tend to leak over time, causing a need for replacement.
resin material. They offer wonderful esthetics because they are white, however, are more technique sensitive, and tend to leak over time, causing a need for replacement.
Types of Crowns (Used to restore larger cavities)
Stainless Steel:
These crowns are temporary crowns made of stainless steel metal. They fall off on their own when the permanent molar teeth erupt at around 8-11 years old. They are strong and can handle a tremendous amount of biting force.
White Crowns:
These crowns are also temporary, and can also tolerate a large biting force. They are more esthetic because they are white, but are not as strong as stainless steel.
Space Maintainers
Primary teeth are important for chewing and esthetics, however, they also serve to hold a space for the permanent tooth developing underneath. Posterior primary molar extractions require spacer maintainers. They are stainless steel retainers that are cemented on neighboring teeth to hold the space for the permanent tooth. Depending on the number of teeth missing, the doctor will discuss the type of spacer necessary.
Specialty Sedation Services
Experts in providing sedation in a safe way that creates a better experience for your child.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral Conscious Sedation is a more moderate form of sedation indicated for a child who’s anxiety levels are more moderate. The child is brought in on an empty stomach in the morning, the weight calculated, and the sedative administered. Once the medication takes effect, we settle the patient in the treatment room and allow them to inhale the nitrous oxide gas for the duration of the treatment. The patient is fully alert with this method but typically relaxed enough to allow any necessary dental treatment. The effects of oral conscious sedation are not always certain, therefore if the patient still demonstrates some difficulty during treatment, IV sedation can be discussed.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous Oxide Sedation (a.k.a. “laughing gas”) is a mild form of sedation for a child who’s anxiety levels are fairly minimal. It is inhaled and administered through a fruit scented device that sits gently on top of the child’s nose. It has a rapid effect. Gas is continuously inhaled for the duration of treatment to help calm the nerves. Once treatment is complete, the child is placed on pure oxygen to rid of any nitrous oxide lingering in the system.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is the deepest form of sedation for which an anesthesiologist will perform the sedation procedure as well as monitor patient vitals while the doctor completes all necessary treatment. This form of sedation is reserved for patients with extreme levels of anxiety and who typically require extensive amounts of dental treatment. It is also used for patients who have had unsuccessful oral conscious sedation visits.
Technology
Smile Street Pediatric Dentistry strives to stay up-to-date with the latest innovative technology.
Smile Street Pediatric Dentistry strives to stay up-to-date with the latest innovative technology. We believe that it makes it easier for parents and patients to understand treatment plans, and easier for the children to sit through a dental visit.
Digital X-Rays
Digital x-rays can emit up to 90% less radiation than conventional x-rays. The patient and parents also have the ability to view the x-ray on a large computer screen as opposed to a small light box.
Intraoral Camera
Sometimes some teeth need a photo whether it is to show the parent a problematic area, or to monitor an ongoing oral condition.
LED Flat Screen Movies
it’s hard enough that you have to explain to your child that they need a dental visit. We try to make it easier on your child by providing a movie and headphones during each dental visit.
iPads in Lobby
We have new iPads and WiFi in our lobby to keep kids entertained and occupied while they wait for their appointment.