Preventive Oral Hygiene Instruction:

This includes proper brushing, flossing and eating habits, ideal fluoride levels and the use of pit and fissure sealants. We strive to provide a fun, educational environment where children learn about the importance of good dental hygiene.

 

Restorative Dentistry:

This includes fillings, crowns and prosthesis, as well as treatment of the often devastating nursing bottle decay.  Dr. Jackson is committed to discussing all options before these procedures and answering all questions you may have. We are always working towards the goal of your child’s healthy, beautiful smile.

 

Laser Dentistry:

We offer the latest technology with the use of the Fotona LightWalker dental laser.  Laser dentistry meets a wide range of needs from infant frenectomies (lip/tongue ties) to pain-free cavity preparations without anesthetic injections and numbness.

 

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

SDF is a topical medicament used to treat and present dental cavities and relieve dentinal hypersensitivity. SDF is applied to the cavity to stop the growth of the cavity until the patient is older or able to cooperate for traditional dental treatment. This service has helped us limit the number of children that would otherwise need to receive treatment under sedation or general anesthesia.

 

Nitrous Oxide Sedation (laughing gas):

Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, is often used during a dental visit. The gas is administered with a mixture of oxygen and has a calming effect that helps phobic or anxious patients relax during their dental treatment. Because it is a mild sedative, patients are still conscious and can talk to their pediatric dentist during their visit. The effects wear off almost immediately. Nitrous oxide rarely has side effects, although some patients may experience minor nausea and constipation. Our team will provide you with pre- and post-sedation instructions.

 

IV Sedation:

Children who undergo extensive treatment, are very young, have special needs, or experience a high level of anxiety that interferes with the cooperation necessary for the pediatric dentist to perform treatment, may require some level of sedation. There are many safe and effective drugs available today that can help relax the child and promote a good environment for optimal and safe dental treatment.

 

IV sedation is sometimes necessary for children who are unable, by either age or maturity level, to cooperate during dental treatment. A board-certified M.D. anesthesiologist provides IV sedation in our office and monitors your child throughout the procedure and during recovery. The anesthesiologist will talk with you prior to the visit to provide instructions and answer any questions you may have.

 

Dentistry under General Anesthesia:

General anesthesia is the state of pharmacologically induced “sleep”. When you are told that someone will need to be “asleep” for a procedure, often surgical, this is a reference to being placed under general anesthesia.  The aim of general anesthesia administration is to provide a lack of sensation and to ensure amnesia (no memory) and analgesia (no pain).

 

General anesthesia may be recommended for a person for several reasons.  Most commonly in our pediatric dental office, general anesthesia is recommended when a child is very young, very fearful, uncooperative or has special circumstances that will not allow them to cooperate for needed treatment.  Often, when general anesthesia is recommended, there is a large amount of dental treatment needed or the procedure is too long or uncomfortable to be tolerated by the patient in an awake state.

 

Frenectomies:

The muscles of the cheek and lips are attached to the gums and tissue of the mouth by a piece of soft tissue called a frenum.  Sometimes a frenum can be attached too high on the gums causing recession or spaces between teeth. There is another frenum under the tongue. If this frenum is attached too close to the end of the tongue it can adversely affect swallowing and speech. It may also cause breastfeeding complications. This is referred to as being "tongue-tied".

 

A frenectomy is a safe and simple procedure where either part or all of the frenum in question is removed in order ot maintain a healthy balance to the mouth.

 

Emergency Treatment:

While our goal is to prevent dental emergencies, we understand that the need for urgent dental care is sometimes necessary and can be a stressful experience for both parents and children. We strive to handle dental emergencies promptly and with compassion.