Laser dental tools vaporize tissue on contact and seal nerve endings, which means that they are virtually pain-free, and often don’t require the use of numbing or sedation.
First, Dr. Lee will clean and prepare the tooth or surgical area. Usually, numbing is not required, since laser tools cause almost no pain. However, we can still provide numbing and sedation for your child if they're feeling uncomfortable. Their comfort is always our top priority.
Dr. Lee will adjust our Solea laser, then use it to perform your child’s treatment or surgery. Upon contacting tissue, the high-powered laser vaporizes and removes the tissue. This provides amazing accuracy, a more comfortable treatment, and lots of other benefits.
Once your child’s treatment is over, Dr. Lee will give you a set of recovery instructions that they must follow. Laser dentistry has shorter recovery times compared to traditional procedures. However, it’s still important to follow Dr. Lee’s instructions, and to make sure to come back to any follow-ups at Smile Ark Pediatric Dentistry.
Soft tissue lasers are designed to cut through oral tissue, such as the cheeks, gums, and other soft, fleshy parts of the mouth. They are used for surgeries like frenectomies, and may also be needed for certain types of tooth extractions, to expose teeth that haven’t erupted fully, or to treat gum disease. Compared to scalpels and other traditional dental tools, soft tissue laser therapy is a superior option in every way.
Unlike some dentists who only offer soft tissue lasers, we also use a Solea laser for hard tissue laser therapy. This refers to laser treatments that involve the teeth, such as removing decayed enamel from a tooth, or trimming a tooth to prepare for a dental crown. Compared to dental drills, hard tissue laser therapy causes less discomfort. There are no vibrations or scary sounds, either, which makes it easier for your little one to get through their appointment at Smile Ark Pediatric Dentistry.
Solea is the most advanced and powerful all-tissue dental laser on the market. With our Solea laser, Dr. Lee can provide painless dentistry, and switch seamlessly between soft tissue and hard tissue treatment. In most cases, she can treat your little ones without the need for numbing or sedation. Thanks to our Solea laser and our gentle, child-friendly approach, your little one will never feel any pain, and will walk away with a smile and great memories of the dentist.
Fluoride treatments consist of a fluoride gel or paste that is “painted” onto your child’s teeth after a teeth cleaning. The fluoride helps remineralize and strengthen your child’s teeth, and can even reverse “soft spots” which are the first stage of tooth decay.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) arrests tooth decay in baby teeth. It uses a blend of silver, ammonia, water, and fluoride that kills bacteria and prevents further decay, keeping your child’s tooth healthy until it falls out naturally. It is possible that your child's tooth may still need a filling or crown in the future, and it’s primarily used in baby teeth because it will permanently stain the treated area black.
Dental sealants use a transparent liquid resin, which is applied directly to the teeth and is hardened using a light. This creates an impenetrable seal on your child’s tooth, which stops bacteria, acid, and food particles from causing cavities. This treatment is usually recommended specifically for the cavity-prone rear teeth.
Kids of all ages can grind their teeth. Custom night guards are created to fit over your child’s teeth perfectly, and prevent direct tooth-to-tooth contact at night while they sleep. This can help reduce teeth grinding, and also prevents premature tooth wear and tear caused by grinding.
If your child plays any contact sports, custom-fitted mouthguards help protect their teeth from damage. We offer comfortable mouthguards that cushion and protect the teeth and gums, and help your child avoid oral injuries like cracked, broken, loose, or avulsed (knocked-out) teeth.
If your child loses a baby tooth before they’re supposed to, their dentist may recommend a “space maintainer.” This dental prosthetic fits in the gap where the tooth used to be, preventing the other teeth from shifting and ensuring your child’s permanent or adult tooth erupts properly.
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