Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a minimally invasive, low-cost treatment that dentists paint on the teeth to painlessly treat cavities. SDF was approved by the FDA in 2014. Until now, no option for the treatment of cavities besides restorative dentistry (i.e.fillings) has shown substantial efficacy. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a topical medicament that can be used to treat cavities in the least invasive way possible. The silver acts an an antimicrobial and the fluoride promotes remineralization. Although countries around the world have been using SDF for decades, the FDA recently cleared the product for the U.S. market in 2014. Our doctors would be more than happy to discuss the uses and applications of SDF and to find out if it is an appropriate alternative treatment for your child. 

Although primary teeth eventually make way for permanent adult teeth, they play an essential role in your child’s health. As soon as your dentist finds a cavity in your child’s mouth, we will likely recommend filling it to avoid future problems.

Leaving a dental issue for too long can be dangerous for your child’s overall wellness, including cavities. Cavities can be painful and uncomfortable, and they can also spread and affect other areas of the tooth or surrounding teeth. Certain dental issues can also affect your child’s self-esteem. 

What to Expect During Your Child’s Dental Filling 

A dental filling is a fast and easy treatment for cavities and ultimately protects your child’s growing smile and prevents further decay. First, we will ensure your child is comfortable and relaxed before working on their mouth. Next, we will gently and thoroughly remove the decayed area of the tooth and fill the hole with quick-drying material. We then clean and polish the tooth, so it looks as good as new. 

Avoiding treatment for your child’s cavity can result in more costly treatment in the future. In the event your child’s tooth must be removed––which is always a last resort to protect their oral health––we will need to place a space maintainer to promote the proper growth of their adult teeth.

Though baby teeth eventually fall out, their health is vital to the growth and development of your child’s permanent teeth. In addition to fillings, we offer fluoride and sealants for cavity protection. 

Cavity Fillings in Grand Rapids and Rockford, MI 

Does your child have a cavity? Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment with our friendly and gentle pediatric dentists! At SixOneSix Dentistry for Children, we offer preventive dental care––such as quick and comfortable treatment for tooth decay––so your child can enjoy a healthier, happier smile.

You might be surprised to learn about the amount of sugar that is in everyday food and beverages that we consume. Since bacteria feed on sugar as fuel, eating (or drinking) a diet high in sugar can promote bacteria growth. Acid from food, beverages, and caused by bacteria in our mouths can soften the protective enamel on your teeth and cause decay (cavities). Here is a handy (and shocking) chart showing the sugar content in juice and soda.

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If you want to learn more about how sugar affects your oral health, contact our dental office today. Our dentists will be happy to discuss the repercussions of a high sugar diet as well as treatments that can protect your child against cavities.

Many people hope for a simple rule of thumb for how often their child may need a dental x-ray. But in reality, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) holds that your child's dentist should determine when to take a dental x-ray. Their recommendations state that the need for radiography depends on the "type of patient encounter and the patient's age,...medical and dental histories, and risk factors for dental caries."

In other words, your pediatric dentist should only take x-rays of your children's teeth when the case calls for it.

When We Take Routine Dental X-rays

When your child first visits our dental office in Grand Rapids or Rockford, MI, we will take x-rays to establish a baseline oral health condition for your child. These images will also reveal if your child has excessive decay or cavities that we need to fill.

The second situation where we may update your child's x-rays is during their preventive dental visits twice or more each year. These visits allow the team at SixOneSix Dentistry for Children to monitor your child's teeth over time, identifying any potentially emerging problems as they develop. When through a visual examination, if one of our pediatric dentists in Rockford and Grand Rapids, MI spots a potential problem, we can use the x-ray to confirm that intervention is needed.

Dental radiography is a vital part of our preventive dental services, and we make safety our primary concern and only order x-rays when necessary.

Book Your Child's Next Dental Exam in Grand Rapids or Rockford

If you have additional questions about dental x-rays for children or are ready to schedule a pediatric dental appointment, we invite you to call your nearest dental office in Grand Rapids or Rockford, MI today!

In general, the primary (or baby teeth) are the space holders for the eruption of the permanent teeth. However, it does happen that sometimes a permanent tooth will not exactly follow the path of the baby tooth it is supposed to replace and may come in either in front or behind a baby tooth. This condition is relatively common and is not as much concerning (ie urgent) when it happens on the bottom teeth as when it happens on the top. Please call our office to set up an evaluation if a permanent tooth is erupting in front or behind a baby tooth on your child's top row of teeth.