Pediatric Smile Care
My toddler just had his first ever dentist appointment here, and we could not have been more impressed. From the clean and beautiful office, to the friendly and helpful staff, to the very helpful advice from Dr. Maria, it was an excellent experience. I especially love her emphasis on nutrition, as this subject is often overlooked by healthcare providers unless there is a problem. I recommend highly this practice and also recommend going in for an appointment for your little one even if they don’t have a mouth full of teeth yet!
lauren m.
Pediatric Dental Care
Dr. Maria offers dental care for children from infancy through adolescence.
Growing Big Healthy Smiles
Maintaining your child's dental health now will provide health benefits well into adulthood, as primary (baby) teeth, serve some extremely important functions, including biting, chewing, and speaking.
Some exciting milestones to consider:
- The first baby tooth erupts at about 6 months of age. Do not worry if your little one has a different rhythm. There is a wide range of normal for this first step.
- Teething goes in spurts and lasts until about 2 and a half years old. Then you will get a break and enjoy that baby tooth smile.
- The first adult teeth are typically adult 1st molars also known as 6-year-old molars. They often come in unnoticed because they do not replace a baby tooth.
- The first baby tooth to be lost is typically the lower front tooth or incisor at age 6. The tooth fairy will be very busy with front teeth until about age 8. There is a pause for a few years and the back teeth start exfoliating at age 10.
- By age 12 your child will have most of their adult teeth.
As you can see, change is the only constant and we are there at every step to guide growth, development, and health with special training for these rapid changes.
Your Child's First Teeth
When the first tooth erupts, it is time to start brushing with a small grain of rice of fluoride toothpaste. This is also a great time to schedule your first dental visit to discuss all the shifts in diet, hygiene, and habits for your growing child.
Daily Brushing Routine
As soon as the first tooth arrives, we encourage you to establish a daily brushing routine
with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and no more than a thin smear of fluoridated toothpaste. Let us help your family learn healthy habits for every age. When your child is learning to tie their shoes, we coach independent brushing. Our team loves sharing fun apps and helpful tips to support healthy habits for all ages.
Pediatric Dental Treatments
Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a liquid applied to small cavities to prevent them from growing and spreading to other teeth. It is an empowering and sedation-free alternative to traditional fillings in young children.
Dental Sealants
Have you ever noticed food sticking to your little one's teeth. Sealants coat these grooves with a protective layer that is easy to apply and provides years of protection. Ours are BPA-free and bioactive!
Root Canal Treatment
Pulpotomy or "Baby" Root Canal Treatment some cavities are deep enough that the nerve needs medication. Our office the safest and most advanced treatments available to save these teeth. Some cavities need special treatment to save the tooth. Our pulpotomies or "baby" root canal treatments use non-toxic medicaments and the most advanced therapies available to preserve these teeth.
Restorative Treatment
Our restorative approach is comprehensive. We strive to keep teeth in place using nontoxic and bioactive materials until they naturally are replaced by healthy adult teeth. Everything is chosen with care and needs to meet the most important criteria, would I use this for my own child.
Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)
During their regular appointment, your child will experience a gentle and thorough cleaning to help prevent cavities and promote overall oral health. We have the best-tasting toothpastes with allergy and sensitivity options for everyone. We tailor the visit to your child's needs with a hygiene station for coaching and personalized programs for braces, special healthcare needs, and growing brushes.
Tooth Colored Fillings
White fillings have changed tremendously in the last decade. Our office offers BPA-free and bioactive composites to restore both primary and permanent teeth with cavities. We also offer a fluoride-releasing white restoration that replaces amalgam for young and wiggly children. Dental materials science is a passion for Dr. Maria.
White Zirconia Crowns
White crowns made of zirconia provide children a durable, aesthetically pleasing, and metal-free alternative to traditional stainless steel crowns.
Smart Restorations
SMART (silver modified atraumatic restorative therapy) do not require local anesthetic or use amalgam. It is a revolutionary and pain-free cavity treatment technique designed to stop decay and seal teeth using two products: silver diamond fluoride (SDF) and glass ionomer cement (GIC). Dr. Maria has been teaching these techniques for years and loves offering alternatives to traditional sedation dentistry.
Digital Impressions
Rather than having children struggle through the challenge of a mouth filled with messy goop, our technology allows us to capture everything we need through digital impressions.
Dental Emergencies
Patients of our office have a direct line to our doctors to assist with any urgent dental issues. Our goal is to stabilize and avoid stressful emergency room visits with timely and empathetic care.
Orthodontic Evaluation
As your child grows, we will regularly screen myofunctional and orthodontic needs. Our office provides interceptive orthodontics and space maintenance using state-of-the-art digital impressions and Myobrace™ appliances.
Child-friendly Sedation
We offer nitrous oxide, also known as "laughing gas", to make appointments comfortable for our patients. For children that need more extensive treatments, we partner with a board-certified anesthesiologist to offer anesthesia services in our child-friendly office.
CO2 Laser Frenectomy for Tethered Oral Tissues - newborns through adolescence
Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) are tight muscle attachments that restrict the lips, cheeks or tongue from their ideal function. This can impact nursing, transition to solids, developing airways, and more. We follow a "therapy first" philosophy and work with a wide network of lactation consultants, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, and orofacial myologists to provide evidence-based, collaborative care.
We Can't Wait To Meet You & Your Child
We look forward to meeting you. Call (267) 507-1064 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. For questions or more information, feel free to reach us at hello@phillypediatricdental.com.
