Services
Infant Oral Health Program
At Discover Smiles, we take great pride in providing a preventive Infant and Toddler Oral Health program. The American Dental Association, American Academyof Pediatric Dentistry, and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children see a dentist no later than Age one for a well child dental check up.Hence we begin seeing children as early as age one for a dental visit. At this visit you can expect the following:
Anticipatory guidance about teething troubles, tooth eruption time line, nutrition-counseling to discuss your child’s diet to provide guidance on toothdecay causing food, and apply fluoride varnish to prevent tooth decay. As your baby grows and takes those first steps to explore, he / she is more likelyfall down, and hurt his/her baby teeth. We discuss how to prevent injury to teeth during those growing years, and what to do if your child has an injury to their mouth or their teeth. By establishing a dental home for your child as early as age one, you can count on us to take care of your childs oral health needs as they grow through the years. Your child will receive a special prize, and an Infant Oral Health Starter Kit - consisting of a comprehensive resource the “Baby tooth Guide”, infant tooth brush, and Xylitol wipes for your child’s gum.
Preventive Services
Our practice philosophy is “prevention is better than cure”. As a specialists in pediatric dentistry we are like the pediatricians for your child’s oral health. At every preventive visit you can expect the following services : cleaning of teeth, application of fluoride varnish to prevent tooth decay, monitoring tooth eruption - if your child has crooked, missing or sometimes extra teeth or delayed eruption of teeth. Monitoring growth and development of jaws, and referral to appropriate specialists if needed. Discussion regarding sport safety - mouth guards for sports. Teaching your child how to care for their teeth - brushing, flossing techniques, and finally motivating them to keep up the good work by rewarding them with prizes, and induction in to the “Cavity Free Club”.
Restorative Services
Restoring your child’s smile is important to us. We provide aesthetic crowns for front baby teeth, white fillings, silver caps for back teeth, space maintainers, nerve treatment, extractions, sealants and or other services as dictated by your child’s dental needs.
- Dental visits for children beginning as early as age one (1).
- Regular preventive visits for children.
- White fillings, extractions, and space maintenance for children ages 1 -13.
- For children with dental anxiety (those that are too young to cooperate for dental treatment) we provide dental treatment using various behavior management methods (see below)
Behavior Management Methods
As specialists in pediatric dentistry, we offer a combination of behavior management methods that may help your child be more relaxed and confident during dental treatment. We will recommend the best behavior management method for your child, based on their health history, emotional and intellectual development, dental needs, special health care needs and parental preferences. Your child may need a combination of these methods. Since each child is unique in development and responds differently to each of these methods, research studies have shown that there is no 100% guarantee of results for any of the methods described below. Working together with you as the parent, we hope to make your child’s visit as comfortable as possible.
Tell-show-do:
Our team explains the treatment in words just right for the child’s age and level of understanding, shows the treatment in a simplified manner and then proceeds with treatment.
Positive Reinforcement:
The child is given praise for any behavior that helps with treatment. Every child does something right during a dental visit.
Distraction:
With this technique, our team will choose treatment words carefully, pass instruments out of the child’s sight and occasionally distract the child’s attention away from the treatment with conversation, music or games. We have overhead TV monitors for your child to watch their favorite DVD, or play video games.
Nitrous Oxide:
Commonly known as “laughing gas” this is a form anesthetic which is very useful in relaxing an anxious child. Children are introduced to an “elephant nose” or an “astronaut mask” that they wear on their noses and can choose to smell “roses”, “pizza”, “choco-chip cookie”, “strawberry” flavors to smell. It is effective only if the child can breathe through their nose, by following directions. It does not put your child to sleep. However, many children become so relaxed that they “nap”.
Oral Conscious Sedation:
This is method of sedation where your child is awake during the procedure and responds to verbal commands. The medications are intended to calm and quiet your child, not to make your child unconscious. At different times, your child may be drowsy, irritable, hyperactive or asleep. Crying may occur when your child is stimulated during the appointment such as during administration of local anesthetic or novocaine. Since each child is unique and responds differently, research studies show that this form of sedation is effective in 70% of the cases. As in each procedure there are pros and cons be sure to discuss your questions or concerns with us. We will work with you to help make an informed decision.
General Anesthesia:
Medically speaking, general anesthesia is an induced state of unconsciousness. In practical terms, the patient is asleep and unable to respond to touch or voices or is simply “knocked out”. It is most often recommended for very young children with extensive treatment needs and/or an inability to communicate and cooperate. Sometimes it may also be the best way to provide treatment for children with special medical / developmental needs. All parents should know that children face the same risk under general anesthesia for dental treatment as for any other surgical procedure. Dental treatment under General Anesthesia will be done as a same day out-patient surgery at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Parents should talk openly with us about the benefits and risks of this treatment.
Special Needs Dentistry / Hospital Dentistry
Some children have special challenges related to their age, behavior, medical status, developmental disabilities, learning limitations or other special needs. These conditions often times lead to increased oral diseases. We understand that children with special health care needs benefit from a team approach together with the primary care physicians, and other health care providers. We work together with them to provide dental treatment under General Anesthesia at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
Pediatric Oncology / Craniofacial Anomalies services
We provide comprehensive dental treatment and management of oral complications in children undergoing cancer treatment, and long-term follow-up of complications in pediatric cancer therapy.
- Provide oral evaluation and clearance before Bone Marrow Transplant for Pediatric Oncology patients.
- Management of children with genetic disorders that affect teeth, mouth and jaws