Nitrous Oxide and General Anesthesia
What is nitrous oxide and general anesthesia?
To protect your child's developing psyche, and to preserve a positive outlook in dentistry, we offer in-office nitrous oxide (minimal sedation). For children with many dental needs and that are also very young in age, we offer one-visit complete dental treatment via general anesthesia done at Holtz Children's Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is also called "laughing gas." Nitrous oxide has been deemed safe for use in children by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. For children who experience fear and anxiety about dentist visits and procedures. It is the least invasive, most mild form of sedation and can help to relax and soothe your Little Champion and allowing them to have a positive experience at the clinic. Being relaxed during dental procedures not only ensures their physical safety, but encourages a positive dental experience and better overall dental care. Dr. Abarca has been using nitrous oxide for the safety of his patients since 2011.
General Anesthesia
If your child needs extensive dental work, or are not candidates for in-office mild sedation or if they are too young to have advanced dental work, then general anesthesia is indicated. General anesthesia treatment is done at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital located in Hollywood,FL by Board-Certified Pediatric Anesthesiologists. We have been caring for patients at Joe DiMaggio since 2021. Then in February of 2022, Dr. Abarca was granted hospital privileges at Holtz Children's Hospital located on the campus of The Jackson Memorial Hospital Systems located in Miami, FL. Your child will be completely asleep during general anesthesia and will not remember the procedure. The anesthesiologist will help transition your child from sedation back into a wakeful state and make sure they are safe to go home a few hours after treatment is done.
NOTE: The majority of our patient's parents tell us that by the same evening or the next day, the patient are themselves. To achieve and maintain these results we recommend that all patients having treatment in the hospital are exused from physical activities for one week.
You may be wondering why children sometimes need dental fillings or crowns?
Baby teeth are in the mouth from as young as six months of age up to twelve-years of age. Those teeth are necessary in order to: preserve space for the next teeth, provide a chewing surface, and guided jaw bone growth.
Dental cavities start as painless process in which tooth structure is lost. If not treated early, cavities can lead to pain, infection, and even tooth loss.
Restoring damaged teeth can obviously help improve your child’s appearance – but it also has functional advantages as well. For example, if a cavity isn’t filled, it will continue to grow larger and eventually cause pain whenever your child eats or drinks anything hot or cold. In addition, untreated cavities can lead to infections which could require antibiotics or even surgery down the road.
By taking care of these problems early on, you can help your child avoid a lot of pain and suffering – not to mention costly dental bills later on down the road.
Table of Contents:
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What Are the Benefits of Restorative Dental Treatment for Children?
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How Does Restorative Dental Treatment Help Children Develop Properly?
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What Types of Procedures Are Available to Restore a Child's Teeth?
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How Can Parents Ensure Their Child Receives Quality Restorative Care?
Why Do Children Need Restorative Dental Treatment?
Children can need restorative dental treatment for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is tooth decay.
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce acid. This acid can eat away at the enamel, or hard outer layer of the tooth. If the decay is not caught early, it can spread to the dentin, or inner layer of the tooth. Decay can also cause cavities.
Cavities are holes in the teeth that can become infected. If the infection is not treated, it can spread to the pulp, or the center of the tooth. The pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels. An infection in the pulp can be very painful. It can also cause the tooth to die. If the tooth dies, it will need to be removed.
Restorative dental treatment can help children keep their teeth healthy and prevent further damage.
Other reasons children may need restorative dental treatment include:
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Oral injuries
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Problems with tooth development
What Are the Benefits of Restorative Dental Treatment for Children?
There are many benefits to restorative dental treatment for children. First, it can help to improve their overall oral health.
Second, it can help to prevent further damage to their teeth. Third, it can help to improve their appearance.
Finally, it can help to improve their self-esteem.
How Does Restorative Dental Treatment Help Children Develop Properly?
As we mentioned, children often need dental restoration due to cavities or decay. When this happens, Dr. Marvin will usually recommend a filling or a crown. In some cases, a child may need dental surgery.
The benefits of pediatric restorative dentistry include:
Restoring the function of the tooth, preventing further decay or damage, and improving the child's appearance.
Restorative Pediatric Dentistry services include:
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Composite Fillings “White Fillings”
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White Crowns
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Pulpotomy
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Space Maintainers
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Laser Dentistry
What Types of Procedures Are Available to Restore a Child’s Teeth?
Having a healthy smile is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for children. While baby teeth eventually fall out, they play an important role in a child’s development.
Baby teeth help children learn to speak clearly and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for adult teeth.
That’s why it’s important to take care of baby teeth and to treat them when they become damaged. There are many different types of procedures available to restore a child’s teeth including fillings, crowns, pulpotomies and more.
How Can Parents Ensure Their Child Receives Quality Restorative Care?
It's important for parents to ensure their child receives quality restorative care. This type of dental care can help to prevent further damage to the teeth and gums, and can also help to improve a child's overall oral health.
Here are a few tips on how parents can ensure their child receives quality restorative care:
1. Schedule Regular Dental Check-ups.
It's important to take your child to the dentist for regular check-ups. This will allow the dentist to catch any problems early and to provide the necessary treatment.
2. Choose a Reputable Dentist.
When choosing a dentist for your child, be sure to select one who is experienced in providing quality restorative care.
3. Ask About the Dentist's Experience in Treating Children.
It's important to find a dentist who has experience in treating children. This will ensure that the dentist is familiar with the unique needs of children and can provide the best possible care.
4. Ask About the Dentist's Training in Restorative Care.
It's important to find a dentist who has received training in restorative care. This type of training will ensure that the dentist is able to provide the best possible care for your child.
5. Ask About the Dentist's Policies on Payment.
It's important to find a dentist who offers payment plans that are affordable for you and your family. This will allow you to pay for the care your child needs without having to worry about financial stress.
Key Takeaway: It's important for parents to ensure their child receives quality restorative care by scheduling regular dental check-ups, choosing a reputable dentist, and asking about the dentist's experience and training.