Facility and Services
Little Pearls Pediatric Dentistry is a state-of-the-art facility. Patient safety is of utmost importance to us, and cleanliness is our hallmark. We employ scrupulous sterilization procedures to ensure health and safety of every patient and team member.
Behavior Guidance
We use basic behavior guidance techniques to achieve cooperation from the children. Some of the techniques we apply are positive reinforcement tell-show-do, distraction and parental presence/absence.
Laughing Gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen): The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation as a safe and effective technique to reduce anxiety, produce analgesia and enhance effective communication between a patient and healthcare provider.
Intravenous Sedation: This is a moderate level of sedation (not general anesthesia), where patients breathe on their own. A medical anesthesiologist is present the whole time during sedation to ensure patient safety. The dental procedure is completed while the patient is the sedated.
X-rays (Radiographs)
We are equipped with digital radiography. Digital radiography utilizes much less radiation than conventional/old school radiography. We always ensure safe radiography precautions such as use of lead aprons, thyroid collars and utilization of the lowest amount of radiation necessary to obtain diagnostic images.
Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
Dental prophylaxis is done using hand scalers as well as rotary brushes (prophy cups). A special toothpaste is used to brush the teeth. Dental floss is used to remove plaque in between the teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
Due to the anti-cavity property of fluoride, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) encourages the application of professional fluoride treatments for all children at risk for dental caries. We use fluoride gel and fluoride varnish for topical application after a dental cleaning during every recall visit. Frequency may vary depending on age and the patient’s cavity risk.
Sealants
Approximately 90% of all cavities start on the biting surfaces of the permanent molar teeth. Dental sealant is a resin material which is applied and cured on the biting surfaces of the molars in order to prevent the food and plaque from depositing in the grooves and fissures of the molars.
Fillings
We are a mercury-free facility. Therefore, we only use composite/tooth colored filling materials to restore decayed teeth surfaces.
Crowns
Crowns are full-coverage restorations used when the decay is extensive. Other criteria for selection are high cavity risk child, age of the child, durability of the restoration, etc. Crowns for the front teeth are always white and molar crowns may be stainless steel or white depending on the case.
Extractions
Removal of teeth could be required in several situations such as extensively decayed teeth that are non-restorable; teeth associated with infection (abscess); teeth that are over retained and those requiring removal for orthodontic reasons.
Interceptive Orthodontics
Space Maintainers: They are fixed appliances made of stainless steel material. It is important to place them after baby teeth extractions, as they hold the space for the permanent teeth to erupt.
Cross Bite Correction: When teeth don’t approximate like they should naturally, removable and/or fixed appliances are used to bring them to occlude (approximate) in a natural position.
Teeth Whitening
This is offered to our adolescent patients. The patient is first assessed and then a determination is made if he or she is an appropriate candidate for bleaching.
Sports Guards (Mouthguards)
AAPD recommends a prevention plan which includes assessment of the patient’s sport or activity, including level and frequency of activity. Once this information is acquired, recommendation and custom fabrication of an age-appropriate, sport-specific, and properly fitted mouthguard is initiated.
Trauma
Injuries to the teeth and other structures in the mouth are attended to immediately. These may includes splinting of teeth, sutures if necessary and so on.
Pediatric Partials (Artificial Front Teeth)
This is an esthetic fixed partial denture fabricated to replace front teeth in children who have lost their natural front teeth. It is assessed periodically and removed when the permanent teeth are close to erupting.
IV Sedation
In cases requiring alternatives to nitrous oxide use, this is a moderate level of sedation (not general anesthesia), where patients breath on their own and are administered local anesthesia in addition to the sedative medication.
Pregnancy Oral Health Counseling
Caries risk assessment, periodontal (gum disease) screening and appropriate treatment for young mothers-to-be to ensure their health and the health of their child.
