The first visit to the dentist for a child should be an enjoyable one. Especially because dental anxiety is not a natural fear, but one born from experience. Although children often fear the unfamiliar, our Phoenix family dentist at Dental on Central will provide a comfortable, welcoming, and safe atmosphere. Call (602) 266-1776 and speak with our office staff and pediatric dentistry team today regarding scheduling an appointment for your little one.
Dental On Central Our team has the experience and training to treat an entire family.
Similar to a general dentist, a family dentist does not specialize in one specific field of dentistry but provides a range of services to people of all ages. While some family dentists do have some special skills, they typically focus on providing treatments such as removing plaque buildup, filling cavities, eliminating tooth decay, and ensuring that gums are healthy. For severe dental problems, a family dentist will often refer the patient to a specialist.
Procedures and treatment we commonly offer to our patients, in addition to regular check-ups, include:
A family dentist may be the right choice if you:
Our team at Dental on Central is comprised of dentists who practice multiple specialties. In addition to family dentists, we offer pediatric care. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children ranging in age from birth to college, including those with special health needs. Following dental school, pediatric dentists are required to take two to three years of specialty training that caters to children who are in need of gentler care. Oftentimes, children with special needs are seen well past the age of 18, because their pediatrician knows their dental history and the special accommodations they require.
As every child is different, pediatric dentists offer a wide range of approaches to assist children with completing necessary dental treatment. Pediatric dentists can also look at a child’s health history, special health care needs, dental needs, type of treatment required, the consequences of no treatment, emotional and intellectual development, and parental preferences in order to make recommendations on behavior guidance methods.
Dr. Hiren Patel is a certified pediatric dentist, trained in the oral health of children, including children with special needs, from infancy through adolescence. A pediatric dentist is especially recommended if your child:
We provide comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care needs of children (infants through teenagers), including those with special needs (chronically ill, disabled, or mentally challenged).
The American Dental Association now recommends that children visit a dentist no later than his or her first birthday. With this proactive approach, your child’s teeth and gums are assessed for any possible problems. You and your child’s dentist should review important information about diet, bottles, tooth brushing, and fluoride use. Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child become comfortable with his or her dentist. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental check-ups.
Root canal therapy restores and saves an average of 17 million teeth each year.
Root canals are typically performed when decay is extensive or the tooth is infected. Root canals actually save the damaged tooth and are the preferred option compared to complete extraction.
Modern-day technology is a great thing! During a routine root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. It’s actually a common procedure and less painful than most fear. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form resulting in more complex issues, possibly even hospitalization.
A root canal is used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The pulp is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth’s nerve lies within the root canal and is accessed by drilling into the top of the tooth. The pulp along with bacteria, the decayed nerve tissue, and related debris are removed from the tooth. The interior of the tooth is then filled with a rubber compound and is placed into the tooth’s root canal. To fill the exterior access hole created at the beginning of the root canal, a filling is required to seal that hole.
The final step may involve further restoration of the tooth. Because a tooth that needs a root canal often is one that has a large filling or extensive decay or other weakness, a crown is often required to protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking.
Thankfully, a tooth’s nerve is not vital to a tooth’s health and performance. Its only function is to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.
Dentures can replace missing teeth whether you’ve lost some or all of your natural teeth.
Replacing missing teeth will not just benefit your physical health, it will also phoenix dentures benefit your appearance, your confidence, as well as your ability to eat and speak with ease.
There are various types of dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed. This healing process may take several months. On the other hand, an immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes precise measurements and creates models of the patient’s jaw during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. A partial denture is a removable dental appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth. It can be attached to the remaining teeth with clasps or it can be attached to the teeth with crowns and precision attachments.
If you have denture needs, whether full or partial, Dr. Herro would be happy to meet with you to create a denture treatment plan specifically for you.
For more information regarding our family dentist, our dentist for children, the services we have to offer, or to book an appointment, call (602) 266-1776 or contact us online.