Infant Frenectomy/Lip-Tie, Tongue-Tie Release with Laser
A frenum (also called frenulum) is a band of tissue
that connects or holds down a part of the body such as the tongue, lip, or cheeks. The band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is called the lingual frenum, while the band connecting the lip to the gum in front of the teeth is called the labial frenum. Occasionally a frenum might be exceptionally short, thick, or tight, or may extend too far down along the tongue or the gum. When a frenum is positioned in such a way as to interfere with the normal alignment of teeth, speech or constricts the movement of the tongue or lips, it can be removed with a very simple surgery called a frenectomy.
Typically, this procedure is performed
with a scalpel and sutures in a hospital setting. However, when conducted with a laser, the surgery tends to cause very little bleeding, does not require sutures, and often results in very little discomfort after the procedure. The water laser that we use at our office eliminates the needs for IV sedation or general anesthesia in a hospital setting. We often times perform this procedure on newborns who are having difficulty nursing due to a "tight" frenum, which prohibits their lips from flanging and maintaining a proper latch. Newborns also may have a "tight" frenum under the tongue prohibiting them from being able to transfer milk from the breast to swallow. The newborns we treat can nurse immediately and moms notice a very significant difference both in the quantity that the newborn consumes as well as their personal comfort while nursing.
Laser Dentistry
Our office offers laser dentistry, which eliminates the need for anesthesia and the use of the drill for dental procedures in most cases.
How Does Laser Dentistry Work?
Waterlase has completely changed the dental experience of today's children
Dental lasers have made it possible to provide pain free and comfortable dental fillings while virtually eliminating the need for local anesthetic injections or chemicals. No numb and swollen lips or tongue! It selectively removes only the decayed portion of the tooth so that it is possible to conserve healthy tooth structure. Gum and tissue surgeries are also possible painlessly without scalpel or sutures and negligible bleeding. Wounds heal significantly faster and there is no scar tissue formation. The result: a naturally healthy and beautiful smile.
What Can Waterlase Be Used for?
And most procedures can be done without using anesthetics and drills.
The removal of decay and cavity preparation before treatment
As a soft-tissue surgery tool - useful in Frenectomy and Gingivectomy procedures
To treat apthous ulcers (canker sores)
Infant Frenectomy (release tongue and lip tie) so that breastfeeding should not be painful
Tooth Colored Fillings
Our office uses tooth-colored composite material to restore small and moderate size cavities
fractured teeth due to trauma, to improve tooth imperfections, and to alter tooth size and shape. Composite material is mercury free, strong, durable, and aesthetic.
White Crowns/Caps
In some cases, a tooth needs to be restored with a crown.
Traditionally, a mercury-free metal crown is used for back teeth but our office also offers cosmetic tooth-colored crowns. These aesthetic crowns provide the same strength and durability as the metal crown while keeping the smile white and beautiful. Crowns that are placed on front teeth are always tooth colored.
Orthodontics/Braces
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry
that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The technical term for these problems is "malocclusion," which means "poor bite".
The outcome of orthodontic treatment
can be dramatic - beautiful smiles, improved dental health and an enhanced quality of life for people of all ages. Orthodontic problems must be diagnosed before treatment begins. Proper diagnosis involves careful study of photographs, x-rays, and dental impressions.
Pediatric dentists are trained to monitor
and evaluate growth and development of the teeth and supporting bone structure. As your child grows we will determine when orthodontic intervention is necessary.
What Is the Right Age for Orthodontic Treatment?
Every child is different and has different needs
Some children are in need of early orthodontic treatment (phase I) to help modify growth and development. Phase I can include retainers, expanders and headgear. Other children can wait for traditional braces (phase II) when they have all their permanent teeth.
Orthodontic Emergencies
True orthodontic emergencies are very rare
but when they do occur we are available for you. As a general rule, you should call the office when your child experiences severe pain or when there is an appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We will gladly schedule an appointment for you to resolve the problem.
You might be surprised to learn
that you could temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with our office. When working with your child's appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of the appliances so you are able to identify what part is broken or out of place. After alleviating your child's discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to rectify the problem. Allowing the appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your child's treatment plan and even prolong the treatment time.
Pulpotomy, "Baby Root Canal"
In the past, if you had a tooth
where a cavity has infected the nerve, you would probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called root canal treatment, that tooth may be saved.
Inside each tooth is the pulp or nerve
When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp. Germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. Left without treatment, pus builds up in the jawbone, forming a "pus-pocket" called an abscess. An abscess can cause the pulp tissue to die. When the infected pulp is not removed, pain and swelling can result. Certain byproducts of the infection can injure your jawbones and your overall health. Without a root canal treatment, the tooth may have to be removed.
Most of the time
a partial root canal procedure is done on a baby tooth and is called a Pulpotomy. During treatment, your pediatric dentist removes the infected portion of the pulp and seals it with a medication that restores the rest of the nerve. Often, posterior teeth that have root canal treatment should have a crown placed in order to strengthen the remaining tooth structure. Then, as long as you continue to care for your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing, and regular continuing care checkups, your child's tooth will fall out naturally at the appropriate age.
Extractions & Space Maintainers
There are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth
Sometimes a baby tooth has misshapen or long roots that prevent it from falling out as it should, and the tooth must be removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt. At other times, a tooth may have so much decay that it puts the surrounding teeth and jaw at risk of infection. Orthodontic correction, or problems with wisdom teeth may also require extractions.
While this procedure is typically very quick
it is important to share with your doctor any concerns or preferences for sedation for your child.
Once a tooth has been removed
neighboring teeth may shift, causing problems with chewing, or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, your dentist may recommend that you replace the extracted tooth. Following the extraction (removal) of a baby tooth, your doctor may recommend a space maintainer to prevent loss of space and allow the permanent tooth to grow into their correct position.
Sedation
Whatever it takes to put kids at ease
you'll find it at Ashburn Children's Dentistry! Right from our kid-friendly environment to child-friendly language and also the ability to cozy up with pillows and blankets during treatment. For our anxious patients we have "laughing gas" available to help them relax during treatment. We even have an anesthesiologist for really fearful patients and those who require extensive work under IV sedation.
Laughing Gas
Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas
is often used to provide conscious sedation 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 dentist during their visit. After treatment, the nitrous is turned off and oxygen is administered for 5 to 10 minutes to help flush any remaining nitrous. The effects wear off almost immediately. Nitrous oxide rarely has side effects, although some patients may experience minor nausea and constipation.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
IV sedation is recommended for extensive treatment
lack of cooperation due to young age or sometimes children with special needs. A board-certified M.D. Anesthesiologist provides IV Sedation in our office and monitors your child from start to finish and during recovery. During IV sedation your child will be asleep and will not remember the procedures that have taken place. This ensures that they safely receive the treatment they need all at once and that they do not grow to be afraid of going to the dentist. The anesthesiologist will talk with you prior to the visit to provide the pre- and post-anesthesia instructions and answer any questions you may have.
General Anesthesia
Ashburn Children's Dentistry
is proud to be the only area pediatric dental practice to offer hospital dentistry services at Children's Hospital in Washington, DC. These services are best for patients who cannot be treated in a dental office, but can often be treated in a hospital setting. For children that are not eligible for IV sedation due to significant medical history, we are now able to offer the option of hospital dentistry for treatment using General Anesthesia. If children are referred by other pediatric dentists, they are seen in our office for a consultation so that we can develop a treatment plan, determine the amount of time needed in the Operating Room and review instructions for the day of the surgery. Treatment is coordinated with the pediatric anesthesiologists at Children's Hospital and is usually completed in one visit as an outpatient procedure.
In-office Whitening
We offer in-office whitening
and consistently get amazing results! Please ask about our whitening and other cosmetic options at your next appointment.
Mouthguards
Mouth guards protect the teeth from possible sport injuries
They not only protect the teeth, but the lips, cheeks, tongue and jaw bone as well. They can contribute to the protection of a child from head and neck injuries such as concussions. Most injuries occur to the mouth and head area when a child is not wearing a mouth guard.
When Should My Child Wear a Mouth Guard?
During any sports based activity
where there is a risk of head, face or neck injury. Such sports include Hockey, Soccer, Karate, Basketball, Baseball, Skating, Skateboarding, as well as many other sports. Most oral injuries occur when children play basketball, baseball and soccer.
How Do I Select a Mouthguard for My Child?
Choose a mouth guard that your child feels is comfortable
If a mouth guard feels bulky or interferes with speech to a great degree, it is probably not appropriate for your child.
There are many options in mouth guards
Most guards are found in athletic stores. These vary in comfort, protection as well as cost. The least expensive tend to be the least effective in preventing oral injuries. Customized mouth guards can be provided through our practice.
Lumineers
We are pleased to offer Lumineers as an alternative to traditional porcelain veneers.
Veneers provide a way to conceal stains
chips, discoloration and misaligned teeth, by covering your actual teeth with a layer of tooth-colored material. They are also a great way to improve your smile, without any painful processes.
You may be familiar
with the conventional process of applying veneers. This generally involves shaving away a significant portion of the tooth, and requires an anesthetic shot to numb the resulting pain. In many cases, temporary veneers must be worn while the permanent veneers are manufactured in a lab.
Because Lumineers are as thin as a contact lens
their application requires little to no tooth reduction, and no anesthetic is necessary. Lumineers are bonded to your teeth and set in place with a curing light. Because the process is less invasive than with traditional veneers, Lumineers's patients find that they immediately enjoy their new smiles without any post-procedure discomfort or sensitivity.
Cerinate, the company that makes Lumineers
warranties its veneers, and their clinical trials show that Lumineers can last up to 20 years.
Take control of your smile
ask us whether Lumineers are a good choice for you.
Snap-on Smile
Please ask our doctors or any of our team members about how cosmetic dentistry can improve your child's smile.
Snap-On Smile provides a viable restorative option for most patients
particularly those who are dental phobic, born with missing teeth or as temporary restoration during the transition from primary to permanent teeth for our young actors, actresses and models! You can even use one to preview extensive dental treatment.
Stemsave
With StemSave
protecting your family's future health by securing their stem cells today is easy and convenient. StemSave works with us to recover the teeth at the time of an extraction to assure the highest probability of stem cell viability. Simply register at www.StemSave.com and StemSave sends one of its patented transport kits to us prior to the planned procedure. At the time of the extraction, we will deposit the extracted teeth into the kit. The kit is then sealed and sent to StemSave's laboratories where the teeth are processed and the cells tested for viability. Upon positive viability, your cells are cryopreserved and available for utilization in future personalized regenerative therapies.