Pediatric Dentistry
At Semans Family Dentistry, we have been proudly assisting families with their dental needs for more than 35 years. We have generations of families still coming to us today for their regular treatments and exams. We believe that teaching children how to care for their teeth at an early age is the best way to set them up for a lifetime of excellent dental health. That is why we go above and beyond to provide a fun, educational dental environment for children of all ages.
When Should I Bring My Child in for Their First Visit?
We generally recommend parents bring their child in for their first visit by their third birthday. Most children’s teeth begin erupting through the gums at around six months. By three, they should have all of their baby teeth.
Bringing your child in for a visit at a young age will help us examine their new teeth to ensure they are healthy and growing properly. Early visits will also help them get used to the office environment and make later trips less stressful. We are committed to helping our young patients feel safe and comfortable while educating parents on proper hygiene habits.
What Will My Child’s Visit Include?
During your child’s cleaning and exam, one of our friendly hygienists will thoroughly clean and floss their teeth with your child’s choice of fun toothpaste flavors. After their cleaning, Dr. Semans will examine your child’s teeth and enamel, gums, face and neck muscles, and overall oral structure.
Depending on your child’s dental health, he may recommend taking digital X-rays to check for signs of cavities and decay. After the exam, Dr. Semans will discuss his findings with you and discuss any next steps, if needed.
We recommend bringing children ages 3 – 18 to our office at least twice per year for their regular check-ups and exams.
Do You Do Pediatric Extractions?
Yes! There are several instances in which a child or teen may need a tooth removed. Severe decay, tooth damage, and overcrowded teeth can all lead to an extraction. Fortunately, extractions aren’t like they are portrayed on TV. You can rest assured that we will do everything possible to keep your child safe and comfortable throughout their extraction procedure.
What Happens if My Child Has a Cavity?
Dr. Semans and the rest of our skilled team have years of experience treating tooth decay and injuries. If your child has a cavity, Dr. Semans will clean away any infected tissue and repair the tooth with a dental filling. Dental fillings are made with metal, porcelain, or composite resin. We generally recommend either porcelain or resin since we can easily match their shape and color to your child’s natural teeth.
If your child is very young and has a cavity in a baby tooth, we can perform a pulpotomy procedure to save the tooth. This is also known as a baby root canal and involves cleaning any infected pulp from inside the tooth. For this procedure, we may recommend using a metal filling to help you save time and money.
What Are Space Maintainers?
When a tooth falls out, the surrounding teeth may begin to shift and fall into the gap. For children losing their baby teeth, this can make it difficult for their adult teeth to grow. A space maintainer is a small dental appliance we can use to ensure there is enough space for your child’s adult teeth to grow after losing a baby tooth. Using space maintainers can help you avoid costly orthodontic treatments later in your child’s life.
To learn more about our pediatric services, please call our office today at (330) 867-4461, send us an email, or schedule an appointment online.