Our practice focuses on preventative dentistry to ensure that every patient can be cavity-free! We especially love it when we see our little ones by their first birthday, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This gives us an opportunity to discuss prevention topics even before cavities get a chance to form in the mouth! Regular visits set the tone for future dental visits in a safe and encouraging dental environment as your child continues to grow! Your child also has a dental home in case of an emergency.

Our comprehensive exams and cleanings are thorough and detailed. Fluoride treatments are offered to help strengthen the surfaces of the teeth to decrease the chances of cavity formation. Our patients are able to eat soon after they leave the office. We also take the time to review important topics such as oral hygiene, flossing, and diet.

We use digital radiography (90% reduced radiation than traditional x-rays) so that we can visualize the surfaces between teeth that touch. These surfaces are not visible when looking in the mouth. We are also able to visualize the supporting bone and gum tissues to check for infection or pathology that may require attention. For those extremely apprehensive or with a sensitive gag reflex, we have the ability to obtain x-rays without inserting a film into the mouth.

Most children are unable to brush effectively, especially by the deep, uneven, bumpy grooves on the back molars. As a result, bacteria eat the sugars from food and produce acid. This acid touches the tooth structure and causes the cavity. Most children have extremely deep grooves making it extremely difficult for the bristles of the toothbrush to reach these grooves. At La Petite Dent, we stress the importance of dental prevention. We believe that a properly placed sealant can prevent decay.

Dental sealants are a preventative treatment to help reduce the chances of cavity formation on molar teeth. It is a thin protective coating placed in the deep grooves of the molars, preventing food particles or sticky sugary substances from entering. Sealant placement is a NO-drill and painless procedure. We first start by cleaning the deep grooves with a special toothbrush and paste. The surface of the tooth is then prepared using an acid gel and then rinsed with water. We then apply a bonding layer and finally the sealant. It is important to maintain a saliva-free surface so that the sealants adhere to the surface of the tooth. To accomplish this, we use either cotton rolls or a special tool to help us isolate the area from the tongue and saliva. Many parents will ask us how long sealants last. There are many factors that can affect the longevity of the sealants. Diet (gum chewing, hard candy, sticky foods) and poor oral hygiene can weaken, damage, or even pull the sealants out.

Most parents are interested in sealant placements but are not sure about dental coverage. We’ve found that most insurances cover some or all of the cost of sealants. We will verify your child’s coverage for you so you’ll know exactly what your insurance will cover even before making the sealant appointment.  

• We offer non-metal, esthetic tooth-colored restorations using our CO2 laser without shots.
• Pediatric dental extractions for infected teeth.
• No Drill, No Shot restorative option for white spots caused by braces.

In addition to treating tongue ties and lip ties using our CO2 laser, we are proud to offer a laser option to fill cavities without the need for shots (in most cases). Our patients leave the practice without feeling numb on the lips and tongue! 

We make every effort to make your child’s visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible. However, we recognize that every child is different with their own set of experiences. Some do very well even without nitrous oxide while others require deep sedation for the same type of work. It is this very reason we provide in-office sedation options for our patients and parents. Regardless of the decision made, we make sure our children are treated in the safest, least traumatic and least invasive manner so that they may ultimately have a positive dental experience.

Sedation dentistry is most helpful for children with major treatment needs, extreme anxiety, a history of past traumatic dental experience from a different office, strong gag reflex, and those medically compromised or with special needs.

Nitrous Oxide

Perhaps the safest form of sedative in dentistry, nitrous oxide is also known as “laughing gas”. It is a blend of 2 gases (oxygen and nitrous oxide) that when inhaled, is absorbed by the body and has a calming and relaxing effect. Your child is awake, responsive and breathes on his/her own without any assistance. In addition to helping with anxiety, it can also help to reduce gag reflex.

Parents are most concerned about any lingering effects after treatment is completed and the nitrous oxide is turned off. Normal breathing removes the nitrous oxide/oxygen from the body and nitrous oxide is completely out of your child’s system by the time the appointment is over. No special care is required after the appointment. For nitrous oxide to be effective, we ask that your child not eat a heavy meal prior to his/her dental appointment. Also, please let us know about any respiratory conditions that make breathing through the nose difficult for your child.

For children who cannot cooperate due to psychological or emotional immaturities and/or mental, physical, or medical disability, advanced behavior guidance techniques may be considered (listed below).

In-office Sedation

For children with extreme dental anxiety, special needs, and/or behavioral issues, in-office sedation may be ideal to protect their developing psyche. Our dental anesthesiologist will sedate and closely monitor your child while the doctor focuses on restoring your child’s teeth back to health. Treatment is done in the office (not the hospital) and all dental work is completed during that appointment. Your child will have no memory of any dental work including drilling, injections, extractions, and baby root canals. 

Please note: We do not use any form of physical restraints unless absolutely necessary.

Our main goal is to keep our patients comfortable in order to reinforce a positive experience.

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is an alternative option to cavity fillings. It is a potent antimicrobial agent used to kill the bacteria that causes cavities as well as reducing tooth sensitivity. This option is ideal for patients with extreme caries risk, difficult to treat lesions, or those with behavioral or medical management challenges. 

At La Petite Dent Pediatric Dentistry, caring for children means caring for all children. We work closely with our parents so that our patients can receive quality dental care in a comfortable and stress-free setting. We welcome all types of patients and we are fortunate to work with families that have a wide range of needs. Our children (for example Autism, Downs Syndrome, ADHD and patients with extreme anxiety) have benefited from a graduated introduction to dentistry, especially if starting with NO negative dental experiences prior to coming to our office.

Dental treatment can be intimidating and overwhelming with change and new experiences. Some children lack the ability to fully open their mouths due to jaw development and may have difficulty brushing and flossing regularly. This leaves them at risk for developing cavities. Children with sensory challenges may be averse to the texture or sensation of toothpaste and a toothbrush, or may have a limited diet higher in sugar which can affect oral development. Finding a dental home that listens, becomes a therapeutic partner, and has resources available to their families is key in establishing a life-long relationship toward the health of your child. It is our goal to create a dental home for your child, where treatment can be delivered safely, and ideal dental health can be achieved.

Desensitization Program

Our desensitization program is custom tailored to help every child with varying needs to ultimately become comfortable in a dental setting. The goal of this program is to support your child’s mental, emotional and physical needs as they learn to make dental visits a normal part of their routine. We make every effort to make your child’s visit as comfortable as possible. Your child will be scheduled with the same provider for every visit in the same room. Please note that if your child is currently symptomatic and having dental pain, this program will not be effective until the immediate dental needs are addressed to help make your child comfortable.

Sleep Dentistry

For some of our patients, sleep dentistry is the best option. For children that cannot overcome their high level of anxiety or have some type of sensory issue, this option would provide the best experience for both the child and parent. Our dental anesthesiologist has extensive training in treating children with special needs. If you would like to speak with our anesthesiologist, give the office a call for a consultation. Still nervous? Contact us to speak with a mom who can share with you her experience here at La Petite Dent.

Social Story

Ask us for a copy of our social story to help prepare your child for his/her first visit. Help your child become familiar with our office even before stepping into our office!

Facility

Our office was designed to comfortably fit large wheelchairs and stretchers in our treatment rooms.

Some helpful tips

• Please refrain from using words such as pain, needle, scary.

• Feel free to bring your child’s favorite DVD show. We will gladly play them for you in the treatment room.

• If your child only likes one type of toothpaste flavor used at home, feel free to bring it with you to the office!

• Don’t forget to bring along comfort objects to help calm your child.

• Ask us for a copy of our social story to help prepare your child for his/her first dental visit!

• There are plenty of children’s books about visiting the dentist! Try reading one together before coming in.

We have flexible office hours and can accommodate children who need to be seen in a quiet environment.

We welcome therapy dogs.

We offer consultations and second opinions for breastfeeding issues, dental treatment and orthodontic treatment.