- Dental ExaminationTo begin, we will ask you and your child if you have any concerns or questions. These concerns will be addressed as we perform an oral exam. We will then proceed with cleaning his or her teeth to remove plaque and tartar.
- X-raysThis type of x-ray is ideal for children. Digital x-rays (radiography) use specialized sensors to “scan” the teeth, bones, and jaws. “Conventional” radiography or x-rays are film-based, which requires greater radiation to record the image.
- Teeth CleaningYour child’s behaviors and practices dictate the direction of the rest of his or her life. As daunting as that may sound, you are not alone in supporting the health and development of your son or daughter in early childhood. There are specialists equipped in different areas to partner with you and your child during these formative years. These professionals include Dr. Mike, his fellow pediatric dentists, and the rest of the skilled and kind team at Little Pearls Dentistry for Children in Lansdowne, Virginia. Families in and around Leesburg and the Greater D.C. area are fortunate to have nearby those cleanings and exams, along with other fundamental dental services, performed by specialists in pediatric dentistry.
- Fluoride TreatmentDr. Mike and his fellow pediatric dentists at Little Pearls Dentistry for Children specialize in maintaining and restoring the health and beauty of children’s smiles. Each specialist has at least two years of additional training in pediatric dentistry (beyond dental school), and our practice is limited exclusively to the care of infants, children, and teens. So, you can trust us when we say that fluoride treatment at our office in Lansdowne, Virginia is safe for kids!
- Dental SealantsAround the age of six, the first permanent molars begin to appear. At this time we may recommend applying dental sealants.
- Space MaintainersPrimary or baby teeth are not permanent. But this characteristic does not make them any less important. One of our goals is to protect the primary teeth through preventive measures and if necessary, conservative restorative treatment. At Little Pearls Dentistry for Children in Lansdowne, Virginia, we partner with pediatric patients, parents, and caregivers to keep these baby teeth in tip-top shape. But there may be times when a baby tooth is lost prematurely due to trauma, decay, or infection. In some cases we may recommend a “space maintainer” to “hold” or reserve the space for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly.
- Fillings“Composite” refers to the dental material that is used to rebuild damaged portions of the teeth. It is a type of resin or plastic. Composites may be formulated with glass-like particles to best “mimic” the natural appearance of tooth enamel. Unlike silver-colored amalgam fillings made from a combination of metals, composite resin is a non-metal material. It is appropriate for patients with sensitivities to metals. So, it is very safe and tissue-friendly (biocompatible).
- Resin CompositeGenerally, damaged areas of the tooth are removed. Then, the color-matched composite resin is applied as a pliable material, and in layers, to the prepared natural tooth. Each layer is hardened to promote the most secure bond between the tooth and filling. Lastly, the tooth is polished.
- CrownsThe pediatric dentists at Little Pearls Dentistry for Children in Lansdowne, Virginia, partner closely with young patients, parents, and caregivers to keep their teeth healthy and looking great. However, we appreciate there may come a time when damage or trauma arises that requires restorative treatment. Dental crowns, made precisely to address your child’s specific needs, can quickly and easily restore the appearance, function, and health of a tooth damaged by decay, disease, or an injury.
- Restorative Dentistry
- PulpotomyThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report one in every five children between the ages of 5 and 11 have untreated tooth decay. Considering that kids generally have mixed dentition (combination primary and adult teeth) until the age of 12, and most permanent teeth don’t appear until after age six, it is likely that much of this damage is affecting the primary teeth. As specialists in treating children’s teeth, at Little Pearls Dentistry for Children in Lansdowne, Virginia, we appreciate and educate kids and their parents on the importance of baby or primary teeth. Pediatric pulpotomy may be the only way to preserve a natural tooth and resolve the pain of a toothache, which is often associated with a deep cavity and infection.
- Root Canal TreatmentConversely, root canal therapy involves removing all of the pulp, including inside the roots. The similar sounding pulpectomy is truly “baby root canal therapy.” This treatment may be completed instead of a pulpotomy if the damage affects the pulp in the roots.Contact us at Little Pearls Dentistry for Children in Lansdowne, VA, today at (571) 601-2080 to schedule your child’s appointment.
- Oral Surgery
- Tooth Extractions
- OrthodonticsYour child should get an ortho screening by the age of 7. Even if there are no obvious issues with their oral development, getting an orthodontic screening from a pediatric dentist or orthodontist can ensure that their mouths are developing properly. And, in the case that your dentist notices an issue, they can use interceptive orthodontics (phase 1 orthodontics) to resolve the issue, and potentially reduce the need for orthodontic treatment later in your child’s life.
- General DentistryI was fortunate to attend the University of Washington in Seattle for my Doctorate of Dental Surgery (GO DAWGS!). After graduating in 1989, I practiced general dentistry for 14 years. In 2003 I returned to school at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., to pursue further education in my true interest, the care of children.