We are pleased to provide quality dental care using the advanced and effective techniques!
From infants to young adults, we can provide everything from your child’s first check-up to your teen’s orthodontic treatment! We have experience treating special-needs children and believe in giving every patient the care they deserve to meet their individual needs.
We know trips to the dentist can be stressful, which is why we strive to make your child’s appointment as easy and fun as possible. This includes TVs in our treatment rooms and a surprise toy at the end of each visit.
Cleanings/checkups
Cleanings and checkups play a crucial role in maintaining your child’s dental health and instilling good oral hygiene habits.
During a typical cleaning and checkup visit, our dental professionals will perform:
Comprehensive oral examination – this examination allows us to assess your child’s oral health, including the condition of their teeth, gums, and mouth in general. It helps identify any existing dental issues or potential problems that may require attention.
Cleaning – begins with scaling, polishing, and flossing. Scaling involves removing tartar and plaque buildup from the teeth. Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that cannot be removed by regular brushing and flossing alone. Polishing helps remove stains and gives the teeth a smoother surface, reducing the risk of plaque accumulation. Flossing is done to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and along the gumline.
Digital dental x-rays – Minimal radiographs are taken during the checkup. These X-rays provide valuable insights into your child’s oral health by revealing any hidden decay or potential issues that may not be visible during the physical examination. X-rays help dentists make accurate diagnoses and develop appropriate treatment plans if necessary.
Fluoride Treatment – To strengthen your child’s teeth and prevent cavities. Fluoride is a mineral that helps remineralize and strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. This treatment can provide added protection against cavities and is particularly beneficial for young children whose teeth are still developing.
Oral Hygiene Guidance – We will guide your child step by step, demonstrating the correct techniques for brushing, flossing, and using mouth rinses. Proper oral hygiene practices are crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and our guidance will help your child develop effective self-care habits.
Restorations
Our dental practice offers various techniques to restore damaged or defective teeth, ensuring their functionality and aesthetics. These procedures are performed by our experienced professionals to provide effective solutions. Here is a more detailed and professional explanation of the contents:
Fillings: Our practice exclusively utilizes composite fillings, which are tooth-colored restorations. Composite fillings are made of a durable resin material that matches the natural color of the tooth, resulting in a seamless blend with the surrounding teeth. These fillings are used to repair teeth affected by cavities or minor damage, restoring their integrity and preventing further decay.
Crowns: We offer a range of materials for crowns, depending on the specific requirements and preferences of the patient. The materials we use include stainless steel, composite, porcelain, and white zirconia. Stainless steel crowns are commonly used for primary teeth due to their durability. Composite crowns provide a natural appearance while restoring the functionality of the tooth. Porcelain crowns offer excellent aesthetics and are suitable for restoring damaged front teeth. White zirconia crowns are known for their exceptional strength and natural appearance, making them a popular choice for both front and back teeth.
Root Canal Treatment: In cases where the dental pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, a root canal procedure may be necessary. This treatment involves the removal of the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the root canal space, and filling it with a biocompatible material. Following the root canal, the tooth is typically restored with a crown to provide strength and protection. Root canal treatments are performed to save the natural tooth and alleviate pain or discomfort caused by the infection, enabling the patient to maintain a healthy smile.
By offering these various techniques for tooth restoration, we aim to provide personalized and effective solutions for our patients’ specific dental needs. Our skilled professionals carefully evaluate each case and recommend the most appropriate treatment option to restore damaged or defective teeth, ensuring both functional and aesthetic outcomes.
Extractions
Extractions are sometimes necessary when it comes to dental care, despite our primary focus on preventive measures. There are instances where teeth need to be removed due to factors such as trauma, extensive decay, or other underlying issues. In cases where a child experiences anxiety or has difficulty remaining still during the procedure, extractions can be performed under sedation, ensuring a more comfortable experience.
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is a specialized approach used to help pediatric patients who experience anxiety or have difficulty remaining still during dental procedures. While it may not be necessary for every patient, sedation can be a beneficial option in specific cases. At Greenburgh Kids Dental, we provide nitrous oxide sedation as one of our sedation techniques.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a safe and effective method used to alleviate patients’ anxiety and enhance their comfort during dental treatments. This form of sedation is administered by inhaling a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a mask. Nitrous oxide induces a relaxed and calm state while still allowing the patient to remain conscious and responsive. It is particularly beneficial for more involved procedures such as fillings and extractions, as it helps to create a more comfortable experience for the child.
In cases where more advanced sedation is required, such as IV sedation or general anesthesia, we refer our patients to specialized professionals who are trained in administering these forms of sedation. IV sedation involves the intravenous administration of sedative medications to induce a deeper state of relaxation, while general anesthesia is a controlled state of unconsciousness achieved through the administration of medications by an anesthesiologist.
By collaborating with qualified professionals for IV sedation or general anesthesia, we ensure the highest level of safety and expertise for our patients requiring these sedation methods. These advanced sedation techniques are typically reserved for more complex or lengthy procedures or for patients with specific medical needs.
It is important to note that the decision to utilize sedation dentistry is made on an individual basis after a thorough evaluation of the child’s medical history, anxiety levels, and specific dental needs. Our team will assess the child’s suitability for sedation and discuss the options with parents or guardians to ensure the most appropriate and safe course of action.
Space maintainers
Space maintainers are dental devices used to ensure that there is enough room for permanent adult teeth to grow in properly after the premature loss of baby teeth. Typically, baby teeth naturally fall out before they are replaced by permanent teeth. However, certain circumstances like tooth decay or accidents can lead to the early loss of baby teeth.
When a baby tooth is lost prematurely, it can create a space that may cause neighboring teeth to shift or drift into that vacant space. This can result in inadequate space for the permanent tooth to erupt in its proper position. To prevent such issues, space maintainers are utilized.
Space maintainers are custom-made devices that hold the space open, allowing the permanent tooth to erupt correctly. They are designed to fit comfortably in the mouth and are usually made of metal or acrylic material.
Space maintainers help maintain the proper alignment of the teeth and jaw, preventing future orthodontic complications.
Invisalign®
Our practice is proud to provide Invisalign, a highly sought-after alternative to traditional braces, for straightening your child’s teeth. Invisalign utilizes a series of custom-made clear aligners to gradually shift the teeth into their desired position. We offer comprehensive support throughout your child’s Invisalign journey, starting from the initial scans, continuing with regular check-ups, and concluding with post-treatment retainers.
Invisalign offers several advantages over traditional braces. The aligners are made of transparent, smooth plastic material, making them virtually invisible when worn. This allows your child to undergo orthodontic treatment without the noticeable appearance of metal braces. The aligners are also removable, providing greater convenience for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene routines. This means your child can enjoy their favorite foods and maintain their regular oral care practices with ease.
Throughout the Invisalign journey, our team will closely monitor your child’s progress and make any necessary adjustments to ensure optimal results. Regular check-ups will be scheduled to assess the teeth’s movement and ensure that treatment is progressing as planned. We will be there to address any concerns or questions you and your child may have during the entire process.
Once the active treatment phase is complete, it is crucial to maintain the achieved results. Post-treatment retainers will be provided to help preserve the newly aligned teeth. These retainers are custom-made and designed to be worn as directed by our team. By faithfully wearing the retainers, your child can enjoy the long-term benefits of their Invisalign treatment.
Interceptive Orthodontics
Interceptive orthodontics is an important aspect of orthodontic treatment that focuses on addressing dental and skeletal irregularities in children at an early age, even before braces are typically used. While braces may be the more well-known form of orthodontic treatment, interceptive orthodontics employs various techniques to promote proper growth and alignment of your child’s teeth. One commonly used method is the utilization of a palatal expander.
A palatal expander is a device designed to gradually widen a child’s upper jaw, creating additional space for the teeth to grow and align correctly. The expander is custom-made to fit comfortably in the child’s mouth. It consists of a screw mechanism that, when activated, applies gentle pressure to the palate, gradually expanding it over a period of time.
By expanding the upper jaw, the palatal expander helps address issues such as overcrowding, crossbites, and narrow arches. These problems, if left untreated, can lead to improper tooth eruption, malocclusion, and potential oral health complications in the future.
Interceptive orthodontic treatment is typically recommended during a child’s developmental stage when their jaws and teeth are still growing. By intervening early, we can guide the growth and development of the jaw, creating optimal conditions for the teeth to align naturally and harmoniously. This early intervention may reduce the need for more extensive orthodontic treatments, such as braces, in the future.
It is important to note that interceptive orthodontics is personalized to each child’s unique needs and may involve additional techniques beyond palatal expansion. By utilizing interceptive orthodontics, we aim to intervene early, guide proper growth, and create a favorable environment for your child’s teeth to develop correctly, ultimately improving their oral health and promoting a harmonious smile.