Restorative Dentistry Riverton
When Teeth Need Repair
Many children are prone to developing cavities or taking a tumble that results in a chipped or cracked tooth. As much as you may try to keep these things from happening, they’re not always preventable, especially dental injuries. The good news is that at Children’s Dentistry of Central Wyoming, our pediatric dentist in Riverton, Dr. Paulson, is here to provide restorative dentistry. Relying on accurate analysis, he can determine which method of treatment will restore and renew your child’s smile. Do you have a little one with a cavity or cracked tooth? Schedule an appointment with our team today!
Long-Lasting Dental Restorations
Long-lasting dental restorations will give your child’s smile a chance to strengthen and thrive as they grow older. Primary (baby) teeth are not meant to last forever; however, when a cavity forms, it’s important that Dr. Paulson provide a suitable, long-term solution. This is why we use traditional amalgam restorations on cavity-stricken molars. Less sensitive and more likely to last, these metal crows are comfortable to wear and offer greater protection.
Interim Therapeutic Restorations
With the help of interim therapeutic restorations, your child can have a positive dental experience while we repair small cavities, all without anesthesia. When a child is between the ages of 1 and 4, it’s common to see minor cavities that are the result of a nighttime bottle or poor enamel development. To prevent the problem from worsening, Dr. Paulson can remove the lesion and use tooth-colored filling material to cover the area so that it remains better protected. All the while, the material will release fluoride, which will safeguard your child’s tooth until it’s ready to fall out.
Tooth Colored (Composite) Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings (those made of composite materials) can give your child a more confident smile because of the way they blend in with natural, healthy teeth. When a cavity strikes and causes problems within a more visible tooth, we can use tooth-colored fillings that are more aesthetically pleasing. The color-matching material will keep your child’s smile lifelike so that they remain comfortable and confident when smiling around their peers.
Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns may appear more visible than tooth-colored ones, but they often deliver greater protection and durability while your child’s smile continues to grow. Dr. Paulson will usually recommend one if he notices that a tooth has suffered significant damage or decay and cannot remain stable by itself. By placing a stainless steel crown, he can be sure that the area will remain structurally sound over time, making it a preferred treatment option that produces long-term results.
Tooth Extractions
Improving your child’s oral health is the ultimate goal, which is why tooth extractions can be a necessary form of treatment. Although Dr. Paulson never wants to remove a natural tooth, it may be the only way to address severe dental decay or damage. The most common reasons for tooth extractions include infection, a primary tooth refusing to fall out to make room for the permanent tooth as it erupts, and weakened teeth that are no longer stable because of worsening decay. Whatever the reason might be for a tooth extraction, you can expect our team to ensure your child’s comfort and safety on the day of their procedure.
Space Maintainers
Some children have baby teeth that refuse to fall out, while others quickly lose one tooth after another, oftentimes, too early. When a child loses a primary molar, a space maintainer may be required. Dr. Paulson may suggest this type of treatment if your child’s primary tooth falls out long before the permanent one erupts. Its placement is designed to prevent nearby teeth from shifting out of place and encourage proper eruption once it’s time for the permanent tooth to come in.