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Existing Patients
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Existing Patients
Children’s mouths change quickly, and restorative dentistry for young patients requires a blend of technical skill, gentle communication, and an understanding of dental development. At the office of Myers Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on repairing damage in ways that preserve function, support healthy future growth, and reduce anxiety for both kids and parents. Our team brings pediatric training and years of experience to every treatment plan so families can feel confident about the path forward.
Restorative work ranges from simple tooth-colored fillings to more involved procedures like crowns or nerve therapy. What ties every treatment together is a goal of keeping teeth healthy and comfortable while minimizing long-term disruption to a child’s smile and bite. Below are the main aspects of our restorative approach so you’ll know what to expect and why certain options may be recommended.
Careful diagnosis is the foundation of effective restorative dentistry. During an exam we combine a visual evaluation, gentle probing when needed, and radiographs appropriate for the child’s age and development. These steps let us determine the extent of decay or injury and whether the tooth’s nerve or surrounding bone are involved. Because children’s mouths are growing, we also consider how a chosen treatment will affect future tooth eruption and jaw development.
Every treatment plan is individualized. We review conservative options first and explain the reasons for recommending a particular approach—whether that’s a tooth-colored filling to restore function or a crown to protect a tooth with extensive damage. Parents are included in the decision-making process; we outline the benefits and expected course of care in clear, practical terms so families can make informed choices.
When planning care for infants, toddlers, school-aged children, or teens, we factor in behavior, developmental stage, and any special health needs. This broad perspective ensures that the restorative work addresses the immediate concern while supporting long-term oral health and comfort for the child.
For many cavities, a tooth-colored composite filling is an ideal solution. These materials bond to tooth structure, allowing us to remove only the decayed areas and preserve more of the healthy tooth. The result is a restoration that restores chewing function and blends with the surrounding enamel—important for visible front teeth as well as back teeth.
The process is straightforward and designed with children in mind. We use techniques to keep the treatment comfortable and efficient, such as topical anesthetic and careful local anesthesia when needed. Once the decay is removed, the composite is applied in layers and cured quickly so the child can return to normal activities with minimal disruption.
Maintenance is simple: good brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups help fillings last for years. We’ll provide specific home-care tips and schedule follow-ups to monitor the restoration, especially as a child’s bite and wear patterns change with growth.
When a tooth has lost substantial structure from decay or trauma, a crown is often the best way to restore strength and prevent further breakdown. In pediatric dentistry we commonly use stainless steel crowns for back primary teeth because they’re durable, dependable, and placed in a single visit. For families who prefer a tooth-colored option, we also offer aesthetic crowns where clinically appropriate.
Crowns serve several important purposes: they protect weakened teeth from fracture, restore proper chewing function, and maintain space for permanent teeth. For permanent teeth that are extensively damaged but worth saving, tooth-colored crowns can restore both form and function while supporting long-term oral health.
The placement process is efficient and performed with child-friendly behavior guidance. We make sure the fit is comfortable and that the child understands what to expect. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits, crowns can provide many years of reliable service.
If decay reaches the tooth’s nerve or a traumatic injury exposes it, we aim to save the tooth whenever possible. Pulp therapy—often called a pulpotomy or pulpectomy depending on the situation—removes infected tissue while preserving the healthy portion of the nerve or root structure. These treatments relieve pain, eliminate infection, and allow the tooth to remain functional until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
Decisions about pulp therapy consider the child’s age, the extent of infection, and the role of the affected tooth in guiding future dental development. When a tooth cannot be saved, extraction may be recommended to protect overall oral health. In those cases, we discuss options to preserve proper spacing and alignment, such as space maintainers, to support normal development of the permanent dentition.
Our pediatric team follows strict protocols to ensure pulp therapy is safe and effective. We monitor treated teeth over time to confirm healing and to determine if additional care is needed as the child grows.
Positive experiences matter for lifelong oral health, so we prioritize comfort and gentle behavior guidance during restorative visits. Our clinicians use age-appropriate communication, visual explanations, and calming techniques to help children cooperate and feel secure. Small steps—like allowing a child to hold a mirror or choose a signal to pause—can make a big difference in how they perceive dental care.
For children who feel anxious or require longer procedures, we offer safe in-office sedation options to ensure treatment can be completed with minimal distress. Every sedation plan is tailored to the child and follows strict safety guidelines, with careful monitoring before, during, and after the visit. Parents receive clear pre- and post-procedure instructions so recovery is smooth and predictable.
Our goal is to reduce fear and build confidence so future visits are easier and restorative needs can be addressed promptly. When kids feel comfortable at the dentist, parents also report less stress—a positive outcome for the whole family.
Restorative dentistry in childhood sets the stage for healthy adult teeth and a lifetime of good oral health. By combining pediatric-specific techniques, careful planning, and a focus on comfort, our team works to repair and protect teeth while supporting normal growth and development. If you’d like to learn more about restorative options for your child or how we tailor care to different ages and needs, please contact us for more information.
Restorative dentistry for children focuses on repairing teeth that have been damaged by decay, injury or developmental issues so they can function properly and guide healthy growth. At the office of Myers Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our goal is to restore chewing, speech and appearance while protecting the developing bite and future permanent teeth. Restorative care also reduces pain and infection risk, helping children stay comfortable and confident as they grow.
Treatments range from conservative fillings to crowns and nerve-saving procedures, selected based on the tooth's condition and the child’s developmental stage. Because children’s mouths change quickly, restorative choices emphasize durability and minimal disruption to eruption and jaw development. Parents are included in planning so the chosen approach supports long-term oral health and behavior-friendly care.
Diagnosis begins with a careful clinical exam, including visual assessment, gentle probing when appropriate, and radiographs tailored to the child’s age and size. These tools let us evaluate the extent of decay or injury, check for nerve involvement and assess surrounding bone or developing permanent teeth. We also consider the child’s behavior, overall health and how the tooth contributes to proper speech, chewing and space maintenance.
After the exam we discuss findings with parents and outline conservative options first, explaining why a particular treatment is recommended. The plan will describe the expected course of care, follow-up needs and how the choice supports future dental development. This collaborative approach helps families make informed decisions that balance immediate needs with long-term oral health.
Tooth-colored composite fillings are a conservative restoration that bonds to natural tooth structure, allowing the dentist to remove only decayed material and preserve healthy enamel. They are often used for small to moderate cavities in front or back teeth when enough tooth remains to support the restoration. Because composites are shaded to match enamel, they provide an aesthetic result while restoring chewing function.
The placement process is quick and tailored to a child’s needs, using topical and local anesthetic as needed and techniques to keep the visit comfortable. Composites are placed in layers and cured with a light so children can return to normal activities quickly. Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups help monitor wear and longevity as the child’s bite changes with growth.
A crown is recommended when a tooth has lost substantial structure from decay or trauma and needs full coverage to restore strength and prevent further breakdown. In pediatric dentistry, stainless steel crowns are commonly used on back primary teeth because they are highly durable and can be placed in a single visit. For families and situations where appearance is a concern, tooth-colored crowns can be offered for appropriate cases, especially on visible permanent teeth.
Crowns protect weakened teeth, restore proper chewing function and help maintain space for permanent teeth to erupt correctly. The placement is efficient and performed with child-friendly behavior guidance to keep the experience calm. With good oral hygiene and routine dental visits, crowns can maintain function until the primary tooth is naturally lost or the permanent tooth is secured.
Pulp therapy describes procedures such as pulpotomy or pulpectomy that treat the inner nerve tissue of a tooth when decay or injury extends to the pulp. These treatments remove infected tissue, relieve pain and preserve the healthy portion of the nerve or root structure so the tooth can remain functional. Preserving the tooth supports normal chewing, space maintenance and proper jaw development until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
Decisions about pulp therapy take into account the child’s age, extent of infection and the role of the tooth in guiding future dental development. When pulp therapy is performed, we follow strict pediatric protocols and schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing. If a tooth cannot be saved, we discuss extraction and space-preserving options to protect alignment of the developing dentition.
A typical restorative visit begins with a focused exam and review of the treatment plan so the child and parent know what to expect. We use age-appropriate communication, demonstrate instruments when helpful and employ topical anesthetic and careful local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. For small procedures you can expect efficient treatment with immediate post-procedure instructions and guidance for at-home care.
For more involved treatments such as crowns or pulp therapy, visits may be slightly longer and include steps to make the child comfortable, such as breaks, child-friendly explanations and calming techniques. We monitor behavior and comfort throughout the appointment and provide clear follow-up instructions, including signs to watch for and recommended oral hygiene practices. Our team coordinates scheduling of any necessary recalls to track healing and restoration performance as the child grows.
Good home care is essential for the longevity of restorations: encourage twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing when teeth contact and a balanced diet that limits frequent sugary snacks and drinks. Protecting teeth during sports with an appropriate mouthguard and avoiding hard or sticky foods on newly restored teeth also helps preserve dental work. Regular dental check-ups allow the team to monitor restorations and the child’s overall oral development.
If a child experiences sensitivity, an unusual bite, or if a restoration becomes loose or damaged, contact the office promptly so we can evaluate and treat the issue before it affects surrounding teeth. We provide tailored home-care tips at each visit and review any specific precautions for crowns or treated teeth. Consistent routines and proactive follow-up are the best ways to support lasting results.
Behavior guidance is a core part of pediatric restorative care; clinicians use techniques such as tell-show-do, positive reinforcement and clear, age-appropriate explanations to help children cooperate. Small accommodations like allowing a child to choose a signal to pause or to hold a comforting item can significantly reduce anxiety. For many children these strategies are sufficient to complete routine restorative work comfortably and efficiently.
For children who are very anxious or need longer procedures, safe in-office sedation options are available to ensure treatment can be completed with minimal distress. Sedation plans are individualized and follow strict safety and monitoring protocols, and parents receive detailed pre- and post-procedure instructions. Our team’s experience with pediatric behavior support helps families access the appropriate level of care while prioritizing safety and positive future experiences.
Restorative decisions consider the child’s current needs and the long-term impact on jaw growth, tooth eruption and future orthodontic treatment. Preserving primary teeth with appropriate restorations helps maintain space and guides the eruption path of permanent teeth, reducing the risk of crowding or misalignment. When extractions are necessary, the team discusses space-maintaining options to protect proper development.
We coordinate restorative care with orthodontic evaluations so treatments support, rather than hinder, future alignment goals. Regular monitoring during growth allows timely interventions that balance tooth health with optimal bite and jaw development. This collaborative, forward-looking approach helps protect both function and aesthetics as the child transitions to their permanent dentition.
Extraction may be recommended when a tooth is too damaged or infected to be predictably saved, or when it poses a risk to surrounding teeth and overall oral health. The decision is based on clinical exam, radiographs and consideration of the child’s age and dental development. When extraction is necessary, we explain the reasons clearly and outline the plan for safe removal with appropriate behavior guidance and comfort measures.
After extraction, we discuss options to preserve space and support healthy alignment of permanent teeth, such as space maintainers when indicated. Follow-up care includes monitoring healing, reviewing oral hygiene practices and scheduling any needed restorative or orthodontic evaluations. Our team coordinates care to minimize disruption to the child’s growth and to promote a smooth transition toward a healthy adult smile.
Ready to schedule your child’s next dental visit or have questions about our services?
Contacting Myers Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is simple! Our friendly team is here to help with scheduling appointments, explaining treatments, and answering any questions you may have. Whether you’d like to call, email, or use our easy online form, we’re ready to make your child’s dental experience positive and stress-free. Reach out today and give your little one a healthy, happy smile!
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