- Dental Examination
- X-raysThe dental X-Rays used today are much safer than former devices. But you may still wonder if they’re actually necessary. By the time your child reaches the age of 2 or 3, these additional images can give Dr. Barefield a clearer look at what is happening beneath the gums. Examining all aspects of their smile, these X-Rays can provide a clear picture should your child be at risk for cavities.
- Oral Cancer ScreeningEvery six months, we’ll also conduct an oral cancer screening. We’ll inspect their mouth in search of common symptoms of this disease, such as red and white patches in the mouth and oral wounds that won’t seem to heal. If we do spot anything, we’ll refer them to a specialist for a biopsy and further testing just in case.
- Teeth CleaningThe American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child in for a routine checkup and cleaning every six months. During these appointments, we’ll examine their teeth and gums in search of any lingering oral health problems. If we find any, we’ll create a treatment plan to get them addressed. Finally, we’ll conduct a thorough dental cleaning. Because many children aren’t used to the way the polisher or scaler feels on their teeth, we try to keep these fun and light to keep your child comfortable.
- Fluoride TreatmentStarting good oral habits early on is key if you want to keep your child’s teeth free of decay and cavities. Unfortunately, if bad bacteria and plaque begin to grow and spread, it can lead to dental caries and weakened teeth over time. Fortunately, Dr. Donna Barefield, who is a pediatric dentist in Duncanville, and her team have a solution that can reduce the risk of decay and strengthen tooth enamel. With fluoride treatments, we can quickly and easily safeguard your child’s smile between appointments. Contact us today to learn more about this natural mineral and how it can benefit your child’s smile.
- Dental SealantsTooth decay is one of the most common diseases that afflicts children in the United States. In fact, it is five times more common than asthma, four time more common than early childhood obesity, and 20 times more common than diabetes. At Barefield Pediatric Dentistry, our aim is to do all we can to reverse this troubling trend and help young ones enjoy cavity-free smiles for as long as possible. Dental sealants are one of our primary weapons in the battle against tooth decay. This page explains what dental sealants are and how they benefit your child.
- Space MaintainersPrimary, or baby, teeth serve as placeholders for the permanent teeth. The premature loss of primary teeth may cause other teeth to drift out of position, which can make the permanent teeth come in incorrectly. Our dentists use custom-made space maintainers to stop this movement and guide permanent teeth into their ideal position. Space maintainers may be fixed or removable and are typically made of stainless steel and/or plastic.
- Fillings
- Resin CompositeDirect bonding is a fast and affordable way to fix minor flaws in the smile without altering the teeth at all. Using artfully sculpted composite resin applied to your child’s teeth, our dentists can make a stain, chip, or thin gap seemingly disappear behind perfectly white enamel. The treatment usually takes about an hour from beginning to end, but the beautiful results can be trusted to last for about 10 years or even longer.
- CrownsFirst, locate the tooth. Pick it up by the crown and not the root. DO NOT clean or handle the tooth too much, although you may rinse it if necessary. If the tooth isn’t fractured, try to reinsert it. Have your child bite down on gauze to hold the tooth in place. If you can’t reinsert the tooth, place it in a cup with milk or your child’s saliva. Contact our dental office IMMEDIATELY! Time is crucial to saving a tooth.
- Dental BondingIf your child comes to you complaining they are unhappy with the aesthetics of their smile, it is certainly worth scheduling a consultation with their pediatric dentist in Duncanville to discuss the possibility of dental bonding.
- Restorative DentistryWhile preventing dental problems is always our main focus, we’re more than ready to fix any issues that pop up from time to time as well. Whether your child is dealing with a cavity, a chipped tooth, or a stubborn baby tooth that needs to come out, you can trust they’ll receive the kind and expert attention they need here at Barefield Pediatric Dentistry. We’re also happy to offer same-day appointments for little ones who need help right away, so don’t hesitate to contact us at the earliest sign of trouble for children's restorative dentistry in Duncanville, TX!
- Root Canal TreatmentIf your teen comes to you complaining of a serious toothache, don’t shrug it off. These uncomfortable situations can be the result of a severely decayed or damaged tooth that is experiencing the effects deep within its layers. When an infection reaches the pulp or nerve of the tooth, it will be necessary for our team to immediately perform pulp therapy to alleviate discomfort and remove the infected areas. Not only will this help your child feel less pain, but it will also save their tooth from possible extraction.
- Deep CleaningAlong with cleaning and sanitizing during the day, we take things to another level at night with a thorough top-to-bottom scrub down.
- Tooth ExtractionsThe dentists at Barefield Pediatric Dentistry rarely consider tooth extraction to be their first treatment consideration when your child is dealing with severe tooth decay, an oral injury, or other problematic situation regarding their teeth. Even if a tooth does need to be removed, we take every step necessary to make them feel comfortable, keep them at ease, and ensure a speedy recovery immediately afterwards. After all, our pediatric dentists are experts when it comes to helping children complete the care they need. Call our office if you need a dentist who will take the time to ensure your child’s comfort, no matter what.
- OrthodonticsYou’re right, baby teeth are not permanent, and they will fall out eventually; however, these primary teeth play a larger role in how permanent teeth emerge. Serving as placeholders for your child’s adult teeth, these small and mighty pearly whites need to stay in place as long as possible and fall out on their own. Should your child lose a tooth too early, this can cause problems for the adult tooth when it tries to erupt. How? If decay or damage causes a baby tooth to fall out, the healthy, nearby teeth may try to shift and close up the space. This can lead to crooked teeth and the possible need for orthodontics.
- BracesThe only way to treat a poorly aligned bite that has formed as a result of thumb-sucking is to have your child see a dentist or orthodontist who can provide effective treatment to bring their smile back into proper alignment. Although full braces may not be necessary at this point, some form of orthodontic care will be required to avoid potential problems that can develop because of overbites, open bites, and other common dental problems.
- Cosmetic DentistryFollowing the years she spent providing dental services in the Army, Dr. Ramial went on to practice family and cosmetic dentistry in Irving, TX for seven years before deciding to join our pediatric dental office. Today, she is very experienced in caring for children of all ages, including teenagers and young adults. As a proud mother with four children of her own, she is definitely skilled at accommodating the needs of younger patients and helping them feel genuinely comfortable!
- General DentistryAfter graduating with her doctorate from Baylor Dental College in 1990, Dr. Ramial was accepted into a one-year program of Advanced Education in General Dentistry with the United States Army. Upon the completion of the residency program, she served the dental needs of U.S. servicemen and women (and their dependents) in both Oklahoma and Germany for several more years before leaving the military.