Category: Blog

Does it scare you to think about your scheduled dental appointment regarding dental extraction? Tooth extractions can be among the scariest procedures to undergo. The anticipation of a painful experience makes it even harder. Fortunately, modern dentistry has come a long way to ensure that tooth extraction procedures are pain-free and seamless for patients.

What is a Tooth Extraction?

It is a dental procedure that permanently removes a natural tooth from the jawbone. Columbia dentists perform many tooth extraction procedures to benefit oral health. Usually, a dentist will recommend extraction in Columbia, SC, when it is absolutely necessary for maintaining good oral health. Some factors that necessitate a tooth extraction are:

1. Severe tooth decay – dentists cannot safely salvage your tooth through other treatments.
2. Deep tooth fractures – one of the ways to treat a deep crack or break is by extracting the tooth.
3. Impacted teeth – feature teeth that grow improperly, remaining partially or wholly stuck underneath the gums. They cause dental pain and can prohibit optimal oral functionality.
4. Overcrowding – is an orthodontic problem that features a severe misalignment of teeth. Having large teeth or more teeth than there is space in your jawbone results in overcrowding. Dr. Amy Ellis Green recommends removing one or two natural teeth to create more space in your jawbone for the remaining teeth to align well.

Understanding The Process of Tooth Extraction

Drs. Ellis, Green, and Jenkins perform tooth extractions differently. The complexity of the tooth structure will often determine the process of extraction. You can undergo two main processes for extracting teeth:

1. Simple tooth extraction – the dentist will rock your natural tooth back and forth to loosen it from the jawbone, then remove it.
2. Surgical tooth extraction – is a more intricate procedure. The dentist cuts open the gums, exposing the tooth and bone tissue underneath. The next step entails loosening the tooth to detach it. In some instances, the dentist may break the tooth into small pieces for a smoother extraction process.

Preparing for The Procedure and Recovery

When you have an upcoming tooth extraction appointment, you should prepare for the procedure. Some crucial areas of preparation are:

1. Eat beforehand – after your treatment, you may not be able to eat as you please, until the extraction wound heals well. Liaise with your dentist about how soon you can eat before your appointment.
2. Bring someone to your dental appointment – dentists employ sedation dentistry and local anesthesia since an oral extraction procedure is invasive. These medicines numb your mouth and can make you slightly drowsy even after your treatment ends. Therefore, you need someone to drive you home after your treatment.
3. Plan for downtime – you need time to rest to heal and recover quickly. Therefore, take a break from work beforehand to ease into the rest period immediately after your treatment.
4. Plan for dietary changes – after the tooth extraction procedure, you cannot eat hard and crunchy foods like before. Therefore, plan for changes in your diet to include soft and bland foods. This will be more crucial during the first week of recovery.

5 Crucial Facts about Tooth Extraction Procedures

To avoid being blindsided and getting overwhelmed about your treatment, here are a few things you should know about tooth extractions:

1. The procedure is invasive – whether you undergo a surgical tooth extraction or a simple one, it will be invasive.
2. Everyone experiences side effects after the treatment – once your dentist pulls out your natural tooth, you will experience a few side effects. Examples include swollen gums, bleeding, dental pain, bad breath, sensitivity, and tenderness of the gums, to mention a few.
3. Healing takes time – be patient even when you experience side effects after your treatment. It should take four to six weeks for your gums and jawbone to heal well. Some patients even need longer.
4. Your lifestyle choices will impact the speed of recovery – there is a reason all dentists provide guidelines for lifestyle changes immediately after dental extractions. If you don’t quit smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating hard foods, you may delay your healing for longer than the average period.
5. Medication is necessary after treatment – to alleviate pain and swelling.

Inlays and Onlays are not standard restorative dental therapies and remain unknown to many. However, they can help your oral health considerably. Similar to dental crowns, these customized restorations fit on top of your teeth. However, inlays and Onlays are more conservative than crowns and require minimal alteration of your teeth before placement. Therefore if your teeth have damage that needs restorations but is too extensive for a filling but insufficient for a crown, dentists recommend using inlays and Onlays as alternative therapeutic options.

About inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays are customized for the molar chewing surfaces. The dental laboratory fabricating the restoration matches them to your remaining teeth. Inlays and Onlays help maintain your natural bite alignment. Inlays are similar fillings, unlike Onlays and rest between the cusps of your teeth. On the other hand, Onlays cover the cusps and other parts of your teeth.

Do You Qualify for Inlays and Onlays?

Inlays and Onlays helped treat dental decay. For example, if you have an extensive cavity needing more support than provided by a filling, inlays or Onlays help cover the decayed area of your tooth to restore its functionality. However, if your tooth has endured significant damage that is challenging to restore with inlays and Onlays in Colombia, SC, you might need a full dental crown to fix the damage. However, dentists can provide inlays and Onlays to repair weakened and cracked teeth.

If you want to understand whether you qualify for inlays and Onlays, the best option is to get your damaged tooth examined by the Columbia dentist and allow them to determine which restorative option best suits your needs. The dentist will take x-rays of your tooth to determine the severity of the damage and evaluate the health of your teeth.

Expectations When Getting Inlays or Onlays

If the dentist in Colombia determines inlays and Onlays are suitable for you, expect them to remove the tooth’s decayed portion and reshape it. Some tooth enamel removal is necessary to make sufficient space for restoration. The dentist impressions your tooth after the reshaping for lab technicians to fabricate your inlays or Onlays. Tooth-colored resin or porcelain is used to manufacture these restorations to ensure they blend naturally with your smile. The dental lab will work with the dentist in Colombia to ensure your repairs matches the shape of your natural tooth to preserve your bite alignment.

Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays offer many benefits, some of which are detailed below for your reference.

Inlays and Onlays remain in your teeth for longer than fillings or crowns and are more aesthetically pleasing. The restorations can last for approximately three decades with proper care and regular attention from your dentist. However, dentists do not guarantee their longevity because many factors can necessitate needing replacements faster. Therefore you must maintain excellent dental hygiene and receive treatments for conditions like bruxism that cause you to grind in clench your teeth when sleeping.

Inlays and Onlays help strengthen your weakened tooth to prevent further structural damage. However, these restorations are more unlimited than alternatives like dental crowns needing extensive tooth structure removal beneficial to restore teeth without significant tooth structure remaining.

When getting inlays and Onlays, the decay removal process from your tooth is uncomfortable, but the dentist ensures you don’t feel any pain by providing anesthesia to numb the area around the affected tooth. In addition, as inlays and Onlays are conservative and tinier than crowns, the restorative procedure preserves more portion of your tooth.

If you qualify for inlays and Onlays for restoring your tooth, you must schedule a couple of appointments with Drs Ellis, Green, and Jenkins to get your tooth restorations. Inlays and Onlays are indirect restorations fabricated in dental laboratories after preparing your tooth and taking impressions. You might find scheduling two appointments with the dentists uncomfortable, but you will do better by understanding you are receiving a restoration in your tooth that remains in it for a lengthy period with proper care by restoring your tooth functionality without affecting aesthetics. Therefore if you are a candidate for inlays and Onlays over fillings or crowns, consider yourself fortunate because you are receiving a restoration that doesn’t compromise your tooth structure significantly.

If you have a damaged tooth with a cavity too large for fillings and insignificant for crowns, We Care Dental offers you inlays and Onlays to restore the tooth without needing extensive tooth structure removal. Consult the practice today to plan your tooth restoration using inlays and Onlays from them.

As a parent, it can be hard to know when your child needs to see a pediatric dentist near you. When your child has a toothache or other dental emergency, it’s important to ensure they get the treatment immediately. So how do you know if an injury or infection needs immediate attention?

What are Dental Emergencies?

Dental emergencies are not just about pain. They’re also about damage to the teeth and jaw, leading to more serious health problems.

Dental emergencies occur when a sudden change in your child’s bite or bruxism (grinding) causes extensive wear on their teeth, gums, or mouth.

What are the Signs Your Child Needs to See an Emergency Dentist?

The signs of a dental emergency in your child are:

• Swollen, painful, or discolored gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Fever or chills
• Difficulty swallowing (crying when eating)

If you notice any of these signs, visit a pediatric dentist near you and book an appointment immediately for proper treatment.

What are the Types of Dental Emergencies?

You’ll want to call the pediatric dentist in 29223 as soon as possible if your child has any of the following symptoms:

• Toothache. The most common reason is an abscessed tooth or chip, which means too many bacteria inside the cavity. This can be caused by damage from decay or injury to a child’s teeth, like getting hit with a baseball bat or biting into something hard enough that it hurts them (like glass). If you suspect this is what your child has, call a pediatrician immediately so they can check it out!
• Knocked-out tooth. A knocked-out tooth occurs when part of an adult tooth falls out during chewing and gets lodged in the mouth; this results in swelling around where it was lost due to inflammation caused by bleeding gums and swelling jaw tissue due to trauma from being knocked down onto other bones nearby.
• Dental injury. If your child has a dental injury, they should see an emergency dentist as soon as possible to assess the damage and determine what needs to be done. A tooth injury may be caused by: a fall on the playground or sports field, trauma from a car accident or motorbike crash, or an accident at school.
• Infection. This can occur when the teeth are not properly cleaned and disinfected. The infection will spread to other areas of your child’s mouth, including their teeth and sinuses.
• Tooth decay. This is caused by bacteria that live in the mouth and can lead to toothache, loss of teeth, and even tooth loss. The treatment includes a filling (to stop the decay process), a crown (to strengthen your smile), or root canal therapy (which involves taking out part of your tooth).
• Bleeding gums. They can be caused by injury, infection, or even a toothache. Bleeding gums can be treated at home with over-the-counter products, but if it doesn’t stop after several days of treatment, it’s best to see a pediatric dentist as soon as possible. If your child has bleeding gums that aren’t stopping after several days of home treatment, you visit a pediatric dentist in Colombia immediately!
• A swollen jaw can be caused by several things, including infections and trauma. If your child’s swollen jaw is accompanied by other symptoms (such as pain or fever), it may indicate an abscess in their mouth. A swollen jaw may also be caused by traumatic injury to your child’s teeth or gums.
• Teeth abscess. When a tooth becomes infected, the swelling and pain can be so severe that it’s difficult for your child to eat or drink. Your child might also have a fever, sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks, bad breath, or mouth ulcers. Visit a pediatric dental clinic in Columbia immediately if you suspect your child has an abscessed tooth. If you have dental insurance through work or school (or another source), ask if they offer coverage for these emergencies before paying out-of-pocket expenses later on down the road!

What are the Treatment Options for Dental Emergencies?

There are a few different treatment options for dental emergencies, depending on the severity of the emergency. If you have a tooth knocked out, you will need to see Dr. Amy Ellis Green immediately. The dentist will try to replant the tooth, but if it is impossible, they will give you a false tooth.

Take Action

Visit We Care Dental for assistance when you get a mouth emergency.

Every parent desires to give their child the best start in life. This is because you know doing so will ensure that they have an easier time during their growth and development and an even brighter future.

One of the key elements you may have to look at in your child’s life that can affect their future is their dental health. Dental health will play a fundamental role in determining their overall health and well-being.

From the moment their first tooth pops up, you need to stay on top of things. Ensure that they visit a pediatric dentist near you regularly and practice proper oral hygiene to discourage dental decay. During their growth and development, one of the key milestones you can anticipate in their dental health journey is losing their primary or milk teeth.

The milk teeth fall out, allowing permanent teeth to erupt and grow. This is a naturally occurring process; however, at times, it does not go as planned.

Factors such as tooth decay and dental trauma can make this process occur earlier than it should have, and when this happens, your child may need to get fitted with a space maintainer.

What Is a Space Maintainer?

A space maintainer is an orthodontic appliance used in scenarios where a child loses their primary teeth before their permanent teeth are ready to erupt and grow. Space Maintainers in Columbia are customized and installed to prevent the teeth from shifting into the space left by the missing primary tooth, thus maintaining the space for the future incoming permanent tooth.

Our pediatric dentist in 29223 believes that space retainers can help your child avoid orthodontic issues such as crowded or impacted teeth and malocclusions.

What are the two types of space maintainers for children?

Ideally, there are two types of space maintainers that our pediatric dentist in Columbia may recommend for your child to get. These include;

Fixed Space Maintainers

Four types of fixed space retainers can be used depending on the location of the missing tooth and the number of teeth missing. Fixed space maintainers may include;

1. Crown and Loop

This type of retainer consists of a crown and a stainless steel wire loop. The crown is placed over one tooth on one side of the gap, and the wire loop extends and presses against the other tooth on the other side of the gap. This ensures the space is maintained to allow the permanent tooth to emerge and grow correctly.

2. Lingual

This type of fixed space maintainer can be used in scenarios where a child is missing several teeth, such as congenital defects. They also utilize crowns and wires and can maintain the space between multiple gaps.

3. Unilateral

This fixed space maintainer utilizes a wire and can be used to secure the space between two teeth. The wire is wrapped around the teeth positioned on each side of the gap to prevent them from shifting forward toward the gap.

4. Distal Shoe

This space maintainer is used to retain space for the permanent first molars to erupt and grow properly. It is fixed in cases where the baby molar falls out before it should. They are placed along the gum line to guide the molars to erupt and grow correctly.

This is one of the space maintainers that will need constant monitoring by our pediatric dentist in Columbia to ensure that it is functioning as it should.

Removable Space Maintainers

These space maintainers are an excellent choice if your child’s permanent teeth are about or ready to erupt and grow in. they are designed and customized from acrylic and utilize a fake tooth that is used to occupy the space temporarily as the permanent tooth comes in.

How Long Do Kids Need Space Maintainers?

Our dentist, Dr. Amy Ellis Green, recommends that children who have had to get space maintainers should keep them until their permanent tooth erupts and take its desired spot. The duration of this process may vary from one child to the next and may take months or years.

To make this process smoother, you must ensure that you assist your child in caring for their space maintainer. This may include ensuring that they practice proper oral hygiene, do not tamper with the devices, and visit our pediatric dental clinic in Columbia regularly for a checkup on their progress.

It’s important to note that not every child will need to get space maintainers in Columbia; however, if need be, our dentist will recommend them when necessary. Contact us at We Care Pediatric Dentistry in Columbia for all your pediatric dental needs.

It may not seem a big deal if a child loses their baby teeth prematurely. This is because the lost teeth will be replaced with permanent ones. Some parents may also not worry if their child’s permanent tooth takes too long to erupt. After all, it will eventually come in.

However, both issues are cause for concern and need the attention of a pediatric dentist near you. If the child has a gap in their teeth for longer than necessary, the dentist may recommend using a space maintainer. Continue reading about the types and uses of space maintainers in Columbia, SC.

Why Are Space Maintainers Used?

A space maintainer is an oral appliance designed to preserve the space in the jaw created by missing teeth. It is usually custom-made of metal or acrylic and can be permanent or removable. They are used when a child has lost teeth early due to decay, disease, or trauma. Since it will take longer for the new tooth to erupt, the pediatric dentist in 29223 will recommend the devices.

One important function of baby teeth is to reserve space for the adult tooth. If it falls out prematurely, the rest of the teeth will move in the gap. Space maintainers prevent adjacent surrounding teeth from shifting into the newly created space.

Therefore, they maintain the space preventing overcrowding and bite issues. In addition, if the teeth move into the gap, they will stop the permanent teeth from erupting properly. This may lead to impacted teeth which are painful and can cause oral infections. Space maintainers help prevent speech impediments and orthodontic treatments in the future.

Types of Space Maintainers for Children

There are two main categories of pediatric space maintainers, fixed and removable.

1. Fixed space maintainers

These are semi-permanent space maintainers. They remain in the gap until the permanent tooth grows, then the dentist removes them. There are several types of fixed space maintainers. The pediatric dentist in Columbia will recommend a style depending on the child’s oral health needs. They include:

• Crown and Loop

They consist of a crown placed over a tooth adjacent to the gap and a stainless wire loop. This wire loop presses against the tooth on the other side of the hole, keeping the gap open. Your pediatric dentist removes the device when the permanent tooth grows in properly.

• Distal Shoe

A distal shoe maintainer is used for permanent first molars. The dentist will insert the appliance into the gum line when the child loses a primary tooth. It helps guide the new molar as it erupts and grows in. These maintainers require care and regular checkups by the pediatric dentist in 29223. The expert will ensure the treatment works properly.

• Lingual

These maintainers are used if the child is missing several teeth. This may occur due to congenital disabilities or severe dental trauma. They use wire and dental crowns to preserve the space across many tooth gaps.

• Unilateral

This space maintainer is similar to a crown and loop device. However, it uses a wire wrapped around the teeth on either side of the gap. They maintain the space between two teeth.

2. Removable space maintainers

Removable space maintainers are used if the child’s permanent tooth is almost ready to grow. They resemble lingual fixed space maintainers but consist of artificial teeth. The devices may require a clasp to maintain good retention. In addition, they are customized to fit into the kid’s tooth gap preventing adjacent teeth from shifting.

If your child needs removable space maintainers, the pediatric dentist in Columbia will make them. They will scan the child’s teeth and the gap and then use the images to create the device. The material must be durable but inexpensive as the child may misplace the appliance.

These maintainers are designed to restore the natural tooth function as much as possible. The child can easily remove these orthodontic appliances. This ensures they can brush and floss, maintaining good oral hygiene habits.

Are you looking for a dentist who provides space maintainers or an emergency pediatric dentist in Columbia? Then schedule a consultation appointment for your child at We Care Dental SC. We specialize in providing dental care in a comfortable, fun, and friendly environment.

Brushing and flossing your teeth is essential, but dental sealants remain an excellent solution to prevent children from getting cavities. The CDC (centers for disease control and prevention) has spoken about the benefits of this relatively simple and affordable procedure for children to prevent holes from affecting their teeth.

Dental sealants are a slimy coating painted on teeth as a preventive measure against cavities. Approximately over 50 percent of children have cavities on their teeth because the trend of dental sealants is gaining traction. However, dental sealants are an effective and safe technique for preventing cavities and have remained so for over four decades.

When Do You Need Dental Sealants?

The pediatric dentist near you recommends dental sealants on children’s molars soon after they develop at six, 12, and 18. Children developing molars have grooves in them called pits and fissures, and the dentist suggests getting them sealed soon after they erupt.

Sealing of baby and primary teeth is also recommended if the child can tolerate this painless procedure which requires them to sit still in the dentist’s chair with their mouths open without moving for a few minutes. However, baby and primary teeth receive sealants if they are at an increased risk of tooth decay.

Seeking advice on when to seal teeth from the pediatric dental clinic in Colombia is recommended because any vulnerable surfaces of the teeth need sealing. However, retention of the sealants is optimal in the pits and fissures.

Age does not matter when getting sealants because adults also benefit from them. Exposure to tooth decay increases with age because saliva’s protective quality and biochemistry undergo changes with medications over time. Therefore adults are also candidates for dental sealants so long as they do not have restorations on their teeth.

Children are chronically exposed to cavities because they favor sticky and starchy foods of the sugary variety and don’t have the skills necessary to clean their molars. Sealing children’s molars soon after erupting from the pediatric dentist in Colombia helps create a smoother surface over the molars, making them straightforward to clean and preventing entrapment of food particles that encourage mouth bacteria to feast on them and deposit toxins on the teeth to cause enamel erosion and cavities.

An application of sealants on children’s molars helps prevent 80 percent of cavities for the initial two years after receiving them. However, the protection remains ongoing against 50 percent of holes for another four years. The sealants stay on children’s teeth for approximately nine years, although they require monitoring for chipping and cracking during regular dental appointments.

What Do Dental Sealants Cost?

Getting dental sealants on children’s molars is unlike cosmetic dentistry procedures that set you back by a constable sum. This painless procedure costs between $ 30-$ 60 per molar but helps prevent considerable expenditure on treating tooth decay with restorations like fillings, root canal treatments, extractions, space maintainers for children’s teeth, et cetera. In addition, some insurance and discount plans can reduce the costs of dental sealants.

After getting dental sealants on children’s molars from the pediatric dentist 29223, you must ensure your kid refrains from foods and beverages harmful to their dental health and maintains excellent dental hygiene, brushing twice as recommended by their dentist, flossing at least once and taking them for dental exams and cleaning at recommended intervals by the pediatric dentist. The presence of dental sealants on children’s molars shouldn’t encourage you or them to neglect excellent dental hygiene practices or indulge in harmful foods and beverages primarily responsible for tooth decay and cavities.

Research available on the effectiveness of dental sealants claims about 43 percent of children between six and 11 have them on their teeth benefit from them because they make it less likely for children to develop cavities during the developmental stages. Children without sealants from low-income households are three times more likely to have holes resulting in lost time in school because of discomfort from toothaches and challenges when eating or performing everyday activities besides spending more time for dental visits to get their teeth restored.

Dental sealants are best applied by experienced pediatric dentists who complete the procedure in a few minutes to allow children to proceed with their everyday activities soon after receiving them.

We Care Pediatric Dentistry suggests this painless and cost-effective preventive measure on children’s teeth to enable children to clean their molars without confronting challenges. If your child doesn’t have sealants on their teeth, consider scheduling an appointment with this practice to protect your child’s teeth and notice your savings account gradually fattening over time.

The importance of regular pediatric dental checkups cannot be overstated. It helps keep teeth healthy and allows the dentist to identify any potential problems early.

It is therefore important that children visit the dentist regularly. If you are not sure when to schedule your child’s first appointment, speak with your pediatric dentist near you.

What Kind of Services do Pediatric Dentists Offer?

Pediatric dentists in Columbia offer a wide range of services for children, including:

• Fluoride treatment

Fluoride treatment is recommended for children to help prevent cavities. Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in water and helps to strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. Pediatric fluoride treatments are usually done by a varnish applied to the teeth with a brush. The frequency of fluoride treatments will vary depending on the child’s age and the recommendations of the pediatric dentist in29223. Generally, it is recommended that children receive fluoride treatment at least once every six months.

• Dental sealants

Dental sealants are a type of preventative dental treatment that can help to protect your teeth from cavities. They are usually applied to the molars (back teeth), where cavities are most likely to form. Sealants are a barrier that prevents food and bacteria from getting into the tiny crevices in the teeth and causing cavities. They can last several years but must be reapplied as they wear down.

• Dental cleaning and checkups

Routine exams and cleanings are typically done every six months, although some children may need to be seen more frequently depending on their individual needs. The dentist or hygienist will use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. They will also floss your child’s teeth and may use a fluoride treatment to help prevent cavities.

• Cavity fillings

Pediatric cavity fillings are a type of dental procedure used to treat cavities in children. Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which results from bacteria in the mouth breaking down sugars and other carbohydrates and producing acids. The acid solution eats away at the tooth enamel, causing cavities. Pediatric cavity fillings are used to fill in the holes left behind by cavities and to prevent further damage to the teeth. Cavities can cause pain and tooth sensitivity, and you must visit an emergency dentist in Columbia.

How Often Should Your Children Go to the Pediatric Dentist?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the frequency with which your children should visit the pediatric dentist will depend on several factors. These include your child’s age, their oral health, and whether they have any risk factors for dental problems. However, the rule of thumb is to visit a pediatric dental clinic in Columbia every six months. This will help to ensure that any problems are caught early and that your child’s teeth remain healthy.

Why Get Regular Dental Check-ups for Children?

Regular dental checkups help to ensure that their teeth are healthy and free of cavities. The dentist can also identify potential problems early on and provide treatment accordingly. With routine checkups, parents can ask questions and learn more about their child’s oral health. Finally, it helps build a relationship between the child and the dentist, making future visits more comfortable.

When to Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Appointment

The first pediatric dental visit should occur when the first tooth comes out or before their first birthday. This visit is crucial because the dentist can examine the child’s dental health.

What are the Pros of Early Childhood Dental Care?

Early childhood dental care prevents cavities and other dental problems and helps your child develop good oral hygiene. Finally, it can also save you money in the long run by avoiding more serious and expensive dental problems down the road.

What Are the Risks of Neglecting Your Child’s Oral Health?

Many parents are unaware of the importance of their child’s oral health. Neglecting your child’s teeth can lead to several problems, including cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. In addition, poor oral health can also affect your child’s overall health, as bacteria can spread and enter the bloodstream, causing infections.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit We Care Dental SC for more information about pediatric dental checkups and cleaning.

When you think of dental care for children in a pediatric dental clinic in Columbia, you are likely to consider preventive dentistry as the only service available. On the contrary, pediatric dentists in 29223 offer more services than those for preventing dental cavities. Children, too, can benefit from restorative and cosmetic dental protocols for their smiles. As a parent, one of the things you should familiarize yourself with is inlays & onlays in Columbia, SC.

What Are Inlays and Onlays?

They are types of dental fillings that repair and restore damaged teeth. Inlays and onlays are indirect fillings that must be prepared in a dental laboratory, usually into solid pieces that can bond to teeth structures. It distinguishes them from standard dental fillings that dentists install directly on your tooth.

Typical dental fillings like amalgams, gold, and composite fillings are more common in restorative dentistry. In fact, a pediatric dentist near you will almost always recommend a composite tooth filling to restore your child’s decayed tooth.

How Do Inlays and Onlays Work?

Drs. Ellis, Green, and Jenkins have performed several restorative dental procedures to restore children’s teeth after dental decay. Most of them entail getting traditional dental fillings. However, you can opt to get inlays and onlays for your child’s treatment. Both work differently.

Ideally, inlays work best when the restorative work in question is too big for a standard filling. Therefore, an inlay would replace a substantial amount of the damaged tooth enamel to restore the tooth’s structure. On the other hand, an onlay works better when there is significant tooth damage beyond what an inlay can fix but not large enough to merit getting a dental crown. Since it can be overwhelming to determine which dental restoration is perfect for your child, you can rely on Dr. Diana Jennings’ guidance and recommendations.

How Do Dental Veneers Compare?

Dental veneers are oral appliances that repair and restore teeth’ aesthetics. They feature porcelain material just like inlays and onlays. However, veneers are not for restoring teeth’ functionality but rather for aesthetics. A dentist will recommend dental veneers to restore teeth’ color, size, shape, and alignment. Besides, dental veneers solely restore the front surfaces of teeth, while onlays and inlays restore the chewing surfaces.

The similarity between dental veneers and inlays & onlays strongly appears during preparation. A dentist would require to trim off part of the tooth enamel, take its impressions, then use them to create the perfect dental restoration. Their creation processes happen in dental laboratories.

Which One Should You Choose?

Various factors impact your choice of dental restoration. First, you must account for the reason for your treatment. Technically, emergency pediatric dentists in Columbia will prioritize a different aspect than cosmetic dentists. If your child is experiencing an oral emergency, think about urgent treatment to curb the spread of infection, alleviate pain, stop bleeding and manage the entire illness. However, if your child is not in danger, consider the following aspects when determining the better choice between inlays and onlays vs. dental veneers:

1. Degree of tooth damage – how much of your child’s tooth structure is compromised? If aesthetic modifications would be enough to fix your child’s tooth, then dental veneers are better than inlays and onlays.
2. Location of the tooth – dental veneers are perfect for restoring the front teeth and inlays and onlays for the back teeth.
3. Purpose of the treatment – why do you need your child to undergo treatment? If it is solely for aesthetics, dental veneers are the perfect restoration. Inlays and onlays are incredible for restoring damaged and diseased teeth.
4. Alternative dental procedures – the good thing about modern dentistry is that it offers a variety of options for restoring natural teeth, whether regarding functionality or appearance. Therefore, you should not be preoccupied with one dental restoration that you lose sight of the others.
5. Child’s age – when a child is too young, you should avoid putting them through invasive medical procedures unless they are necessary. Since dental veneers are for cosmetic modifications in dentistry, let your child get a little older before undergoing elective dental processes to improve their smiles appearances.

If your child wakes up with painful jaws or headaches a couple of nights, it could be they are suffering from bruxism.

Bruxism refers to clenching and grinding one’s teeth. It is a common habit that can negatively affect the teeth, jaw, and head. It mostly affects people experiencing stress or anxiety. Since it is a subconscious response, most people are unaware that they clench or grind their teeth while sleeping.

Your pediatric dentist in Columbia may recommend a night guard to reduce the impact of grinding and clenching on the teeth.

What Are Night Guards?

A night guard protects the teeth from damage during sleep. These dental appliances are made of gentle material on the teeth, and they cover the upper teeth. The purpose of night guards is to keep your upper jaw from moving too far back and forth and causing damage to your tooth enamel, leading to cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Why Is It Important to Keep the Night Guards Clean?

After getting night guards in Columbia, SC, keeping them clean to enhance their lifespan and prevent decay is crucial.
Your kid’s night guard is made of plastic and silicone, which are porous materials that can trap bacteria. This means that they can cause bad breath and other serious dental problems.

If you don’t clean your child’s mouthguard regularly, the bacteria that builds up on it will cause an odor and tooth decay. The best way to prevent these issues is by thoroughly cleaning your child’s mouthguard daily.

Keeping your kid’s night guards clean helps them last longer, costs you less if they need to be replaced, and keeps the fit of their mouthguard more accurate.

How Can You Clean the Night Guards?

Dr. Robert Ellis will give you instructions on caring for the night guards. But, there are a few ways you can maintain its conditions.

• Clean the night guard with a soft-bristled brush under lukewarm water using a cleanser that does not contain bleach.
• Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth or towel. Place back in the container in which it came and store at room temperature out of direct sunlight.
• Never use toothpaste on your mouthguard. Most kinds of toothpaste are too abrasive and can damage the mouthguard. It may also cause damage to the teeth, making them appear whiter than they are and uncomfortable for you to eat with.
• Never place the mouthguard in hot water, as it will warp it and make it useless. Hot water also causes bad smells and bacteria to grow and causes mouth guards to wear out quickly.

Benefits of Cleaning the Night Guards

Cleaning your child’s night guard offers great benefits like:

• Cheaper replacement costs

Keeping the night guards clean will reduce bacteria build-up, which can cause the plastic to weaken over time. When a damaged mouthguard is not cleaned or maintained properly, it can lead to additional wear and tear on your child’s teeth and gums and expensive replacement costs.

• Better fit

If a mouthguard is not properly cleaned or maintained, there is an increased risk of irritation or infection inside the mouth, which could cause swelling that affects how well the guard fits in the mouth.

• Better oral health

The fewer bacteria that build upon your child’s mouthguard means they’re less likely to get sick from germs!

Having fewer germs left over after each use means there’s less chance for infections like colds/flu viruses being passed along through sharing utensils – keeping everyone healthy while protecting yourself against expensive doctor bills too!

How Long Do the Night Guards Last?

The duration of night guard use depends on how often you grind your teeth and how long your dentist recommends you wear it. You should consult your Columbia pediatric dentist for more information on this topic.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Drs. Ellis, Green, and Jenkins for more information about night guards and what you can expect when using them.

Preventive care is the primary goal in pediatric dentistry. Every pediatric dentist near you offers a variety of treatments to ensure good dental health for children. However, kids can still damage or break their teeth due to dental trauma or decay. When this happens, the tooth must be restored, whether it is a permanent or primary tooth.

Restoring the tooth restores functionality and promotes good oral health. Pediatric dental restorations focus on improving aesthetics and preventing damage to other teeth. Primary teeth cannot be replaced in a similar method to permanent teeth. Placing something in the jawline will prevent the eruption of the permanent tooth. Instead, fixed space maintainers are used.

They hold the space for the prematurely lost tooth until the permanent tooth erupts. If a child has a broken permanent tooth, the dentist may recommend fillings or crowns to restore it. Removable partial dentures, dental bridges, and braces with artificial teeth are also used. However, these methods have their drawbacks.

For example, partial dentures increase the risk of decay and gum infection. If the child cannot maintain proper oral hygiene, the chances increase. They also lead to bone re-absorption and require frequent replacements. Fortunately, the pediatric dentist in Columbia offers an ideal tooth restoring alternative. Read on to learn about pediatric dental implants.

Pediatric Dental Implants

You have probably heard that dental implants are not recommended for children. Some people argue that the titanium posts and artificial crowns are unsafe for kids. Although both are valid concerns, they are founded on myths. Titanium implants and crowns are safe, sturdy, and do not harm your child. They are made from materials approved by the board of dental health experts.

Another deterring factor people cite for placing implants in children is age. They argue that you have to wait until a certain age for jaw growth and development to stop. However, a person’s chronological age is not a correct indicator that growth has stopped. Their mouth can still be growing and changing in early adulthood. So, the argument is not valid.

It is possible to achieve successful dental implant treatment for kids. The implant dentists in Columbia, SC, offer dental implant surgery for kids and adults. They accomplish this because they have attained the design and type of implant system to make the treatment successful for children.

These experts incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach in the treatment plans. Since they take a long time to formulate, the dentist monitors the child from a young age. The dental professionals consider factors that determine the success of the treatment. These include growth assessment, present dentition, amount of alveolar bone, and the residual space teeth in the jaw arch.

Systematic planning of treatment improves the chances of pediatric implant placement. Unfortunately, the treatment takes a long time for kids than for adults. Yet, the desired functional and esthetic results are achieved. However, the treatment must be performed by a team of highly trained and experienced pediatric dentists in Columbia.

Benefits of Implants for Kids

1. They restore the mouth’s function to chew, drink, bite and speak.
2. Implants improve a child’s psychosocial development affected by tooth loss or damage. They restore their social acceptability and confidence.
3. They improve the child’s smile and facial appearance by giving excellent aesthetics.
4. Dental implants are easy to maintain compared to dentures which need to be removed and cleaned regularly.
5. They preserve the alveolar bone and prevent bone re-absorption.
6. Getting dental implants near you promotes good oral health.

Finding the Right Dentists for Placement of Pediatric Dental Implants

Restore your child’s damaged or missing tooth using an ideal mode of treatment, dental implants. Contact the highly skilled and professional team at We Care Dental, led by Drs. Ellis, Green, and Jenkins. Our pediatric dentistry team makes each visit a fun experience for your child. They provide a safe, positive and fun environment to help kids maintain good oral health.

Apart from pediatric dentistry, we also offer general dentistry and orthodontics. Our fantastic and talented team of experts, including Dr. Diana Jennings, is family-focused. Their practice is focused on values such as quality patient care and exemplary dental services. So, book an appointment to begin the journey of successful implant placement in your child.