When a tooth has been damaged by decay or injury, restorative dentistry can help restore its function, strength, and appearance. Several factors influence the type of restoration that’s best for your child, including:
We’re pleased to offer tooth-coloured fillings that look and feel like natural teeth. Composite resins and resin-modified glass ionomer materials can be used to restore both front and back teeth, depending on the location and extent of the decay. If a cavity is too large to be restored with a filling, a dental crown may be recommended to provide additional strength and protection.
Stainless steel crowns provide full coverage to protect and strengthen teeth that have been significantly weakened by decay or damage. Often described as a protective "helmet" for the tooth, a crown is securely cemented over the existing tooth, covering the entire portion above the gum line. This creates a durable outer surface that helps restore the tooth's function and protect it until it is naturally lost.
Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, which contains the tooth's nerve and blood supply. The goal of pulp therapy is to save a tooth that has become infected or is at risk of infection. Although baby teeth are temporary, keeping them healthy for as long as possible is important for proper chewing, speech development, and guiding adult teeth into their correct positions.
There are two types of pulp therapy:
Pulpotomy: Performed when the pulp inside the crown of the tooth is affected, but the healthy pulp within the roots can be preserved.
Pulpectomy: Recommended when the entire pulp, including the roots, has become infected. The extent of treatment depends on the amount and location of the infection.
In some cases, removing a tooth is the healthiest option if decay or damage puts surrounding teeth or oral health at risk, or to make room for a permanent tooth. If a baby tooth is removed early, a space maintainer may be recommended to help preserve the space needed for the permanent tooth to erupt properly.
To help your child heal comfortably after an extraction: