When a cavity progresses into the second layer of the tooth, a filling may be recommended to prevent the decay from spreading to the surrounding teeth or even deeper to the tooth’s nerve. If a cavity is diagnosed early, a conservative white filling can restore the tooth to proper form, function, and esthetics.

If tooth decay is too extensive and the tooth structure is compromised, a crown is recommended to restore the integrity of the tooth. We offer stainless steel crowns (the gold standard of pediatric dentistry) and aesthetic white crowns. Baby teeth remain in the mouth until preteen years, so crowns may be recommended to strengthen the functionality and strength of teeth with extensive decay.

Since the layers of baby teeth are thinner, decay on baby teeth can progress fast and enter the nerve, causing an abscess, pain, or infection. In certain situations, a pulpotomy can clean the nerve and prevent the need for an early baby tooth extraction. This is accomplished by removing the infected nerve and placing a medicine on the nerve and protecting the tooth with a crown.

At Bliss Pediatric Dentistry, we try to be conservative and save baby teeth if possible. However, if the tooth is unrestorable due to swelling, decay, or trauma, we will need to remove (extract) the tooth for the best interest of your child. If we recommend a tooth extraction, we offer various sedation techniques (link to sedation) to make the procedure as comfortable as possible for your child.

SDF is FDA-approved and helps treat certain decay in a painless, noninvasive way, since it is a liquid that is painted on the tooth, so it does not involve any injections or drilling. In specific cases, SDF is utilized for young and anxious patients who are unable to tolerate traditional dental treatment such as fillings and crowns.

The Hall Technique is a method of restoring a baby tooth with a stainless steel crown without drilling or injections. The affected tooth is simply cleaned and disinfected, and a dental cement is used to adhere a stainless steel crown directly to the tooth. Not all patients are candidates to have a crown placed with the Hall Technique, but it’s a great option for eligible kids.

ICON resin infiltration is a minimally invasive treatment designed to address visible white, yellow, or brown spots on your child's permanent teeth. White lesions on the enamel can be caused by enamel demineralization, often associated with post-orthodontic treatment, or congenital enamel abnormalities like molar-incisor hypomineralization. This procedure removes or blends the discolored areas, matching them with the shade of the surrounding tooth, in a conservative manner. It is an excellent treatment option to enhance your child's smile and boost his or her self-confidence!

Some children develop habits such as thumb-sucking, finger-sucking, or pacifier use that are challenging to break. It is important to address these habits early on to prevent long-term skeletal and dental issues. The first crucial step in the process is having a child who is willing to stop the habit. Emphasizing positive reinforcement is more effective than using negative approaches to discourage these habits. If attempts at home have been unsuccessful and your child genuinely wants to quit the habit, specific appliances can be utilized to aid in breaking the habit and preventing relapse.

Description goes hereBaby teeth play a crucial role in maintaining space for the permanent teeth that will replace them. When a baby tooth is lost prematurely, it can affect the alignment and spacing of the permanent teeth. To prevent this, a space maintainer is often used to preserve the vacant space and facilitate the proper eruption of the permanent teeth. Additionally, space maintainers can be employed to preserve as much space as possible in children's mouths, ensuring that the permanent teeth have enough room to come in correctly.