- Dental ExaminationChildren’s mouths grow quickly and changes occur that cannot be seen in a visual exam. Your child’s dental exam will include x-rays to evaluate the teeth and mouth for conditions such as cavities, erupting teeth, extra or missing teeth and bone disease. Dr. Halum recommends cavity detecting bitewing x-rays every 6 months. To protect your child, our office uses the most recent digital technology, which has greatly improved the safety, comfort, and speed of x-rays...
- Teeth CleaningThe dentist will advise you about any decay or other problems requiring treatment, and our staff will schedule an appointment for the treatment. Regularly scheduled visits will help your child keep their teeth for a lifetime. Dr. Halum and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry agree that children should be seen every 6 months for their dental cleanings as it is the standard of care.
- Fluoride TreatmentTreat with fluoride or sealants as needed. Your dentist may suggest a fluoride treatment to help their teeth stay strong.
- Dental SealantsFood and bacteria can become packed in the grooves of the back molars, and even the most careful brushing and flossing cannot fully clean these areas. Dental sealants are white unfilled resin material that protect the chewing surfaces from tooth decay by providing a barrier to food and bacteria.
- Space MaintainersWhen baby (primary) teeth are lost before the permanent teeth erupt, the space may need to be filled with a space maintainer (spacer). Not only are primary teeth used for chewing and speech development, they guide permanent teeth into the spaces where they belong without shifting, and protect the mouth from crowding and future orthodontic problems. Spacers are removed when the new tooth erupts.
- CrownsBaby (primary) teeth are placeholders for the adult teeth, ensuring the adult teeth fit and grow in where they belong. When a primary tooth is decayed or damaged, it may be necessary to put a dental crown on the tooth to keep it in place until the adult tooth comes through. Depending on the location of the tooth, two types of crowns are available...
- PulpotomyPulpotomy. If the disease has not gone into the root, the diseased pulp is removed and the remaining pulp is filled with an antibacterial agent.
- Root Canal TreatmentSaving a decayed or injured tooth is important to a child’s speech development, chewing and alignment of permanent teeth. When pulp tissue – the nerves, tissue, and blood vessels in the core of a primary tooth – becomes diseased, some or all of the pulp may need to be removed. This procedure is known as children’s root canal therapy or pulp therapy.
- Tooth ExtractionsThe removal of single teeth may be necessary to maintain the health of your child’s remaining teeth, permanent teeth and mouth. After evaluating all options, extraction may be the best or only choice. Teeth are most commonly extracted due to...