What is the primary goal of restorative pediatric dentistry?
The primary aim is to restore function, protect the tooth’s structure, and address oral health concerns before they lead to bigger complications.
Welcome to Keiki Smiles of Leeward, where we specialize in restorative pediatric dentistry to ensure your child’s smile remains strong, healthy, and full of confidence. From repairing damaged teeth to protecting young smiles from future concerns, our compassionate team is here to provide expert solutions tailored for growing keiki in Honolulu.
What Is Restorative Pediatric Dentistry?
Restorative pediatric dentistry focuses on addressing oral health issues in children to restore function, structure, and appearance to their teeth. Whether it’s due to tooth decay, injury, or developmental concerns, our restorative treatments aim to preserve the natural tooth whenever possible and provide effective, gentle care in a supportive environment. With advanced techniques, we work towards maintaining not only your child’s oral health but also their comfort and confidence.
Benefits of Restorative Pediatric Dentistry
- Protects Your Child’s Smile: Restorative treatments repair damage and prevent further tooth decay or complications, helping your child maintain a healthy smile for life.
- Preserves Oral Function: Whether it’s chewing, speaking, or overall dental development, restoring teeth ensures your child’s mouth functions as it should.
- Promotes Long-Term Oral Health: Early interventions lead to fewer long-term issues, meaning fewer future treatments and healthier smiles as your child grows.
- Minimally Disruptive Care: Many of our procedures, such as the SMART or Hall techniques, are minimally invasive, preserving the natural tooth structure with less need for traditional drilling.
Why Choose Keiki Smiles of Leeward?
- Compassionate and Kid-Friendly Care: At Keiki Smiles, every visit is designed to make your keiki feel safe and comfortable. From friendly faces to kid-centered amenities, we ensure a stress-free experience for the whole family.
- Expertise You Can Trust: Led by Dr. Audrey Rawson, our highly trained team combines years of experience with the latest techniques in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Rawson is even the Pediatric Dental Residency Director for the state of Hawaii, so you’re in expert hands!
- A Personalized Approach: We take the time to build strong relationships with our patients and families, creating individualized care plans that prioritize your child’s unique needs.
Procedures Offered
- Fluoride Varnish: A simple yet powerful treatment that strengthens enamel and prevents cavities. Regular applications can reduce the risk of tooth decay by more than 40%.
- Sealants: Protect your child’s back teeth from cavities by filling deep grooves with BPA-free material. Sealants are an extra layer of defense for molars as soon as they erupt.
- Broken Tooth Repair: Accidents happen, but cosmetic bonding with durable composite resin makes repairing chipped or fractured teeth seamless while keeping the tooth’s natural appearance.
- Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF): This revolutionary treatment halts cavity progression by applying SDF to affected teeth. It’s an effective, noninvasive method of stopping decay in its tracks.
- SMART Technique: After using SDF to stop decay, the SMART (Silver Modified Atraumatic Restorative Technique) adds a tooth-colored, glass ionomer filling to strengthen and restore the tooth.
- Hall Technique: For larger cavities in primary molars, we use the Hall Technique to place stainless steel crowns without traditional drilling, preserving tooth structure while offering a secure, long-lasting restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restorative Pediatric Dentistry
Are these procedures safe for young children?
Absolutely. Our treatments are specifically designed for children, using minimally invasive techniques and materials that prioritize safety and comfort.
Why fix baby teeth if they’ll fall out anyway?
Baby teeth play a crucial role in guiding permanent teeth into place, supporting proper chewing, and aiding in speech development. Restoring them prevents future complications and helps maintain your child’s overall oral health.
How often should my child receive restorative treatments?
This depends on your child’s unique oral health needs. Routine checkups allow us to identify problems early and recommend timely treatments as needed.
What can I do at home to prevent the need for restorative care?
Daily brushing and flossing, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits significantly reduce the risk of oral health issues. Additionally, fluoride treatments and sealants add an extra level of protection against decay.
Does fluoride varnish work immediately?
Yes! Fluoride varnish begins strengthening enamel right away, offering quick protection that builds over time with repeated applications.
How does the Hall Technique work without drilling?
Instead of removing decay through drilling, the Hall Technique places a stainless steel crown over the tooth, sealing off the cavity and preventing further progression.
