Prevention is the cornerstone of our pediatric dental care philosophy. We believe that establishing good oral hygiene habits early in life is essential for maintaining a healthy smile. Our preventative services include regular dental check-ups, professional cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants. We also provide education on proper brushing and flossing techniques, as well as nutritional advice to help prevent cavities and other dental issues. Our goal is to empower both children and parents with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain optimal oral health for a lifetime.

PREVENTION

Teeth cleaning (prophylaxis), X-rays, and examination by a dentist are all part of a patient’s prevention program. Bacteria in the mouth, called plaque, cause decay if not properly cleaned from the teeth.
Although it may be possible to for a patient to remove most plaque with traditional home-care methods (i.e., toothbrush, floss, and mouth rinse), many pediatric patients have difficulty maintaining a plaque-free state for extended periods of time.
Periodic cleanings by a dental professional are worthwhile to remove plaque, hardened plaque (calculus), and stain from the teeth, polish hard surfaces to minimize the accumulation and retention of plaque, and introduce dental procedures to the young child and apprehensive patient.
Appropriate X-rays are a valuable tool in oral health care. In general, children require X-rays more often than adults. Their mouths grow and change rapidly, and they are more susceptible to tooth decay than adults are.
In our pediatric dental office, X-rays are typically taken on a yearly basis to detect developing cavities between the teeth. Also, X-rays may be needed to survey erupting teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment.
The developing dentition should be monitored throughout eruption and at regular clinical examinations. Unrecognized dental disease can result in exacerbated problems, which lead to more extensive and expensive care.
The most common interval of examination is 6 months. However, some patients may require examination and preventive services at more frequent intervals. Evaluation by a dental professional and reinforcement of preventive activities contribute to improved overall oral health.
Most cavities in children are found on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These teeth have deep grooves and depressions, which make them extremely difficult to clean of food and cavity-causing bacteria.
Dental sealants protect these susceptible areas by covering the crevices of the back teeth with a clear or white resin material. Sealants create a much more cleansable area and “seal out” food particles and bacteria from settling on the tooth surface, which reduces the risk of decay.
Placement of sealants is easy and comfortable for the patient. The tooth is first cleaned, conditioned, and dried. The material is flowed onto the grooves of the tooth and hardened with a light. The patient may eat right away. Sealants last for several years but must be checked at regular dental appointments.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that is safe and effective for preventing tooth decay. When ingested through water, food, or supplements it’s incorporated into developing tooth structure. The tooth enamel becomes stronger and more resistant to acid from cavity-causing bacteria.
Fluoride applied to the outside of teeth (via toothpaste, mouth rinse, gels, or varnish) prevents loss of minerals from tooth enamel and promotes the replacement of minerals that have been lost due to acid attacks. Topical fluoride is very effective in repairing early decay before it becomes an irreversible cavity.
Fluoride also disrupts the bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities, and reduce the amount of acid produced by these bacteria.
Central Oregon does not have a fluoridated water supply. However, not every child is in need of fluoride supplements. Therefore, at Pediatric Dental Associates, we determine each patient's need for fluoride treatments on an individual basis. We consider many factors prior to prescribing fluoride; the child’s age, risk of developing dental decay, and dietary sources of fluoride are all crucial factors. When fluoride supplements are prescribed, they should be taken daily to maximize benefit.
Pediatric Dental Associates uses the most appropriate fluoride protocols following routine teeth cleaning. Professionally applied topical fluoride treatments have been proven to reduce the incidence of tooth decay.
For children at higher risk of developing cavities, an “at home” regimen will be developed, which may include a prescription-strength formulation of fluoride toothpaste, fluoride mouth rinses, or brush-on fluoride gels.

NEW SOLEA LASER DENTISTRY

We are proud to announce that Pediatric Dental Associates is the first pediatric dental office in Central Oregon to be using a Solea Laser. This technology virtually eliminates or minimizes the need for local anesthetic injections as well as using a drill for dental fillings (in most cases).

Solea is the first CO2 dental laser system cleared by the FDA for hard and soft tissue procedures. It was developed in Boston, MA by Convergent Dental, based on research conducted at the University of California School of Dentistry. Solea offers a unique wavelength guided by sophisticated computers to deliver virtually painless dental procedures for both teeth and gums from simple cavities to complex surgeries. Not only is the laser virtually painless, it is also vibration-less and noiseless. The experience is so unique that you will find it hard to believe you were just at a dental appointment.
The majority of hard and soft tissue procedures in our office are done with no anesthesia and soft tissue procedures are done with virtually minimal to no bleeding. Blood-free and anesthesia-free procedures represent a major leap forward in dentistry, as we are able to execute multi-quadrant dentistry, fillings on the fly and soft tissue procedures in a single appointment. What does that mean for you, our patients? Solea is also far less invasive than using a traditional drill, which makes healing time following a procedure much shorter. When patients have anesthesia they typically leave the office with that numb feeling still prevalent. With Solea, your child will be able to leave our office without that numb sensation following the appointment. Solea is truly changing what it means to go to the dentist.
The miracle we’ve both been waiting for is here: Solea. It causes virtually no pain, vibration or noise. In fact, nearly every patient skips anesthesia because they just don’t need it. Solea is our way of keeping you happy. Because more than anything, we love to see you smile.

TREATMENTS

From routine check-ups and cleanings to specialized treatments, our expert team ensures your child receives the best care in a comfortable and nurturing environment. Discover the wide range of services designed to keep your child's smile healthy and bright.

For most dental procedures, a local anesthetic is used to numb a specific tooth or area of the mouth. The dentist or hygienist will inject the anesthetic prior to the procedure.
Pediatric Dental Associates never uses words that could frighten children, such as “shot” or “needle.” Instead, phrases like “putting the tooth to sleep with sleepy juice” are used.
Distraction and calming techniques are helpful when giving local anesthesia to divert the little patient’s attention from the injection. After the child has received a local anesthetic, he or she is monitored closely to prevent biting of the tongue, lip, or cheek.
A cotton roll is placed in the mouth after the procedure and the parent or guardian is asked to monitor the youngster closely to prevent unnecessary injury to the mouth. It usually takes about two hours for the anesthesia to wear off.
Dental fillings are the most common restorative procedure performed in a dental office. We explain to young children that their tooth will be “washed” to remove “sugar bugs” with a “water whistler” or “tooth tickler.”
After the decay is removed, a filling is placed to restore the form and function of the tooth. Placement of a filling is often referred to as a “painting” or “picture” on the tooth. Pediatric Dental Associates offers white, tooth-colored fillings.
Decay progresses much more quickly in baby teeth and can enter the pulp, or nerve chamber, before the child complains of a toothache. In cases where decay has approximated the pulp of the tooth, a pulpotomy or “baby root canal” is recommended.
The procedure involves the removal of the largest part of the nerve. A medicated material is placed into the nerve chamber of the tooth. The tooth is essentially vital, although all perception of pain or temperature is gone.
Following this procedure, a stainless-steel crown is placed over the top of the tooth. The purpose is to treat the tooth so it will be comfortably maintained until normal exfoliation time.
Baby teeth are not compatible with large fillings. More than 30% of large fillings placed on baby teeth fail within 18 to 20 months of placement. Therefore, stainless-steel crowns are recommended for baby molar teeth with significant decay.
This type of restoration covers the entire tooth and is particularly essential for younger children who need their molars for a number of years. The procedure can be done in one appointment.
The decay is removed and the tooth is prepared so the crown will fit over the top of the tooth. Once the appropriate size is selected for the tooth, the crown is secured to the tooth with adhesive cement. The gums around the tooth may be tender for a few days.
Large cavities on the front baby teeth of a young child should be restored with full-coverage crowns, the sturdiest restoration for these teeth. Aesthetic veneered crowns are stainless-steel crowns with a white coating on the front to maintain natural aesthetics and normal psychological development. Placement of an aesthetic veneered crown follows the same procedure as a traditional stainless steel crown.
Extractions may need to be performed for such reasons as: severe decay, infection or abscess, trauma, or orthodontic purposes. Children are guided through the procedure by phrases such as “pushing on the tooth” or “wiggling for the tooth fairy.”
After tooth removal, the patient should remain on a soft diet (no crunchy foods) until the extraction site has healed. Also, gentle brushing is encouraged to keep the area clean and promote healing.
A space maintainer is applied when a baby tooth (usually a molar) is lost early due to decay or injury. Adjacent and opposing teeth may move and shift into the space of a prematurely lost baby tooth, which can create problems for the permanent tooth that needs to erupt into that space. A space maintainer helps to preserve the space for the permanent tooth.
There are two types of space maintainers. A band-loop space maintainer is used when space maintenance is needed on only one side or if the permanent molars have not erupted yet.
A loop of wire is attached to either a crown or a band on the tooth adjacent to the space of the prematurely lost baby tooth. The wire extends across the space to “hold” or preserve it.
If the child has permanent molars, a bilateral space maintainer may be recommended, especially if a primary second molar is lost. Bilateral space maintainers are attached to bands on the permanent molars with a wire running behind all of the teeth.
Space maintainers are fixed in the mouth with adhesive cement and are removed when the permanent tooth erupts. It is crucial to keep the appliance clean and avoid sticky foods to prevent loosening of the space maintainer.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” is used to reduce anxiety during dental treatment. Nitrous oxide is given through a small breathing mask that is placed over the child’s nose. With normal breathing, the nitrous oxide enters the lungs and has a mild sedative effect.
The child is still awake but pain and time perception are altered. Nitrous oxide is a very safe and effective technique to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, non-allergenic, has a rapid onset, is reversible, and is quickly eliminated from the body.
While inhaling nitrous oxide, the child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.

GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Although many children do well in operative dental procedures, there are select cases where traditional treatment cannot be tolerated. Children with extensive dental treatment needs who are very young (under the age of 4) typically cannot cope in a cooperative fashion for repeated procedures.

In addition, toddlers are not capable of understanding the complex ideas involved in fixing cavities and why they have to sit still or be numb, which creates a barrier for the safe completion of treatment in office. Similarly, patients with developmental delays or special needs may have challenges with completing comprehensive dental care in the traditional office setting.

For these occasions, and on an individual case basis, general anesthesia may be recommended. General anesthesia renders the patient completely asleep, just as if he or she were having tonsils removed or ear tubes placed.
All of the necessary dental treatment is completed while the patient is asleep and being monitored by an anesthesiologist. General anesthesia is not a casual recommendation, but one provided with consideration for the safety and well-being of the patient.
Risks and benefits of undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia are carefully considered for each patient. In-depth consultations are completed with families to guarantee a thorough understanding of the process and guidelines for dental surgery.
For more information about our general anesthesia service, please visit m2anesthesia.com

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We are accepting new patients in both our Bend and Redmond offices! We accept a wide range of dental insurance plans from most carriers. Please call our office to schedule your child's appointment. We look forward to meeting your family!