Some of the tools of the dental trade can look pretty scary for youngsters (and adults too). A new wave of minimally invasive treatments is changing all that. Here at Clover Kids Dentistry, we’re determined to give our young patients access to the latest and least invasive dental treatments, including:
What is it?
A minimally invasive restorative cosmetic dentistry for improving the appearance of white spots on teeth. These can be caused by plaque, acids, and bacteria infecting the tooth’s enamel. The result is white spots on the surface of the tooth that will not go away on their own.
What happens during ICON Resin Infiltration?
Pumice is used to clean the surface of the tooth, then the outer layer of enamel is removed. Ethanol is then applied, along with the resin infiltrant, and allowed to soak in. The material is re-applied and any excess removed before a polishing of the tooth completes the treatment. All the above can usually be completed in 45 minutes to an hour.
Benefits of ICON Resin Infiltration
What is it?
A Hall Crown is an alternative cavity treatment that’s suitable for children as there’s no drilling or filling. It can be used to treat rear baby teeth that have mild decay.
How does the Hall technique work?
The cavity is encased beneath a pre-made crown which starves the bacteria in the cavity of access to its food supply, stopping the cavity from growing. It’s not suitable for all molar cavities but is a treatment option that’s worth discussing with Dr Betty. If cavities are too large, there won’t be enough healthy tooth to support the Hall Crown. If cavities are infecting the pulp, then traditional cavity treatments will be required.
To find out more about minimally invasive dental treatments for kids with the latest in pain-free dental treatments available today, contact Clover Kids Dentistry.
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) only stains the decayed, softened part of a tooth — not the healthy enamel around it. That dark stain on the cavity itself is typically permanent, but it can be covered with a tooth-colored filling or a crown if it’s on a visible front tooth.
A single silver diamine fluoride treatment typically arrests a cavity, but pediatric dentists usually recommend reapplying it every 6 to 12 months to keep decay from progressing. Many practices apply a second coat 2 to 4 weeks after the first for the strongest initial effect.
Yes, in many cases. Small cavities between the front teeth can often be treated with resin infiltration (a plastic material that seeps into early decay), and cavities between back baby molars can be covered with a no-drill Hall Technique crown. Deeper interproximal decay may still need traditional treatment.
Silver diamine fluoride is generally considered safe for children under three and is one of the main reasons pediatric dentists can treat cavities in toddlers without sedation or drilling. Children with a silver allergy or with open sores in the mouth shouldn’t receive it, otherwise, no strict age minimum applies.
Not necessarily. If a cavity is caught early and successfully arrested with silver diamine fluoride or a Hall crown, it often doesn’t need a traditional filling, especially on a baby tooth that will fall out. Deeper or progressing cavities may still need conventional treatment later.
Yes, Arvada’s municipal tap water is fluoridated, typically near the U.S. Public Health Service recommended level of 0.7 parts per million. The CDC estimates community water fluoridation reduces tooth decay by about 25% across a lifetime. Fluoridated water lowers your child’s cavity risk but doesn’t eliminate the need for dental care.
Look specifically for pediatric dentists (rather than general dentists) in Arvada — they’re more likely to offer minimally-invasive treatments like silver diamine fluoride and Hall Technique crowns. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s “Find a Pediatric Dentist” directory lets you search by ZIP code, and calling ahead confirms which no-drill options a practice offers.
Non-invasive pediatric dentistry has become mainstream across the Denver metro area over the past decade. Techniques like silver diamine fluoride and Hall Technique crowns are endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and are widely offered — though availability varies from practice to practice, so calling ahead confirms which options are available where.
Stop in or call our office to meet Dr. Betty and tour our
facility. She’s on a mission to nurture healthy smiles for
life, and provide non-judgmental, affordable, pediatric
dental services, with a particular focus on preventive
dentistry and patient/parent education.