Our Services
Serving children and teens from 4-12 in Ocala and the surrounding communities of Crystal River, Inverness, Beverly Hills, Leesburg and The Villages.
Dentistry that feels good
We believe that going to the dentist should be a positive experience for children, which is why we designed our dental office in Ocala to be the ideal environment. We appreciate that each child is wonderfully unique and deserves to receive care that reflects their individual dental and emotional needs. Our talented and compassionate staff work closely with each child and their parents to create the most pleasant dental experience possible.
Check-up and Cleanings
Regular exams and cleanings are the foundation of a healthy mouth! The American Dental Association recommends that children visit the dentist every six months.
At the check-up, our dentist will examine your child’s teeth and gums, making sure there are no signs of tooth decay or gum disease. Our dentists will also use the x-rays taken at the exam to confirm there are no dental issues. If the dentist does find tooth decay, gum disease, or any other dental issues we will talk to you about the required treatment as well as discuss changing any habits that may be affecting their oral health – these could include brushing routine, flossing, and diet.
Our dental assistants will also thoroughly clean and floss your child’s teeth. If the presence of dental calculus is noted during the appointment, the dentist will use a special tool to remove it. Patients with braces may also have their dental wires removed for a better cleaning during their appointment, if their orthodontist has given approval.
Digital X-rays
X-rays are an integral part of diagnosing cavities, especially those that occur in between the teeth and are not visible upon a clinical examination. They also help our dentists see when permanent teeth are erupting, the presence of wisdom teeth, tooth infections, and a series of other dental related situations that are impossible without an x-ray image.
Without x-rays, these undiagnosed cavities can and will get larger over time. When diagnosed at a much later stage, these teeth can be more problematic, resulting in root canals, crowns, abscesses, and extractions.
Do digital dental x-rays have less radiation?
Yes! We want to reduce the amount of radiation exposure for all our little ones, and with the technology of digital x-rays that’s possible. All digital radiography can reduce the amount of radiation exposure up to 80% compared to traditional film.
BPA-free Sealants
While brushing and flossing are essential to prevent cavities, it is not always possible to clean every small part of your child’s mouth. When it comes to children’s teeth, it can be hard to reach the back their mouth. Sealants can protect your children’s teeth from bacteria, and pieces of food. These sealants keep teeth from decaying. You can rest easy knowing that our sealants are BPA free and come from non-toxic resins. The sealants are lightly painted onto the surface of the tooth. Then, it’s cured using a UV light to harden the sealant in just a few seconds. Sealants last from three to five years, although it is common to see adults with sealants still intact from childhood. The first application of sealants is done when the 6 year molars erupt into the mouth, and then again when the 12 year molars erupt. They are also recommended to be redone as they wear down over time to maintain the fullest protection for your children’s teeth.
How Can Sealants Help My Child?
Dental sealants can be of great benefit to protecting children’s teeth. Research has found that 4 out of 5 cavities in children happen on the biting surfaces of molars. Molars are particularly susceptible to cavities as they have deep grooves and are responsible for all our chewing. This is where we apply the sealants so that it can protect these teeth and keep your children from getting cavities in these areas where they are more likely to occur.
SDF
SDF also known as Silver Diamine Fluoride is a liquid solution that is applied directly onto a child’s cavities to inhibit the growth of cavity-causing bacteria and prevent further decay. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a single application of silver diamine fluoride will arrest between 47% and 90% of cavities, with the level of effectiveness depending on the size and location of the cavity. It is both non-invasive and quick to apply, making it stress free for parents and patients who may be anxious at their dental appointment. While SDF can be an excellent option to use as part of an ongoing plan for cavity management, it is not a substitute for traditional dental restorations such as fillings or crowns. If your child has significant tooth decay that is already causing pain, a restorative procedure plan will be the appropriate treatment rather than SDF.
Is SDF safe for my child?
The use of SDF for treating cavities in kids is considered very safe. The FDA approved SDF as a device for treating tooth hypersensitivity in 2014, and in 2016 for use in arresting cavities. Importantly, although it has only recently been popularized in the United States, SDF has been used internationally for much longer. In fact, dentists in Japan have been using it to arrest cavities for more than 40 years with no severe reactions reported.
Will SDF stain my child’s teeth?
Yes. When SDF is applied to a tooth it will leave a permanent black stain on the decayed portion of the child’s tooth. This does not mean the whole tooth will become dark, but only the portion of the tooth that has an active cavity. As a result, SDF is most often used to treat cavities on children’s primary molars, where this staining is less noticeable.
We Love to See You Smile
Restorative Treatment:
If your child’s teeth need repairing from damage or decay, we can restore their teeth using either tooth-colored dental fillings or same-day stainless steel crowns. Fillings and crowns are the most common types of dental restorations for children. The goal of dental restorations is to return the tooth to its original shape and function, so that your child can eat, speak, and drink normally without pain. Choosing between a dental filling or crown depends on the tooth and how much of it is still healthy.
Space Maintainers
Sometimes due to decay or damage, it is necessary to remove a baby tooth before it’s natural time to come out, resulting in a gap. A space maintainer is a small piece of metal that’s placed in the gap where your child has lost a baby tooth. As the name implies, its purpose is not to replace this tooth, but to keep the other teeth in the right place and ensure your child’s adult tooth comes in properly.
Happy Stories
Creating Vibrant Smiles for Healthy Lifestyles!
