- Dental ExaminationEach patient new to the practice will receive a comprehensive dental exam to include, developing occlusion, screening for oral habits, timing for orthodontics, caries risk, cancer risk, oral hygiene instructions, nutritional counseling, and behavior assessment. Phew! That seems like a lot but it happens quickly. Having your child’s medical history completed before the appointment through our patient portal will help the appointment go smoothly. We will also conduct a thorough cleaning and radiographs as needed.
- Teeth CleaningTeeth cleanings gives your child’s teeth a deep flossing in areas they might not be able to reach. We also scrape plaque from the surface off the teeth, which can cause cavities if left untreated.
- Fluoride TreatmentTo receive the maximum benefits of your fluoride treatment, the varnish needs to remain on the tooth surface for the next 4 – 6 hours. During this time, we recommend the following:...
- Dental SealantsSealants are used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque which will develop cavities over time. We apply a coating that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to prevent decay. We recommend that all children should have sealants.
- Space MaintainersSpace maintainers are necessary for some children to help keep the space open to allow a permanent tooth to erupt and grow into place.
- Fillings
- Resin CompositeBonding is performed to close spaces between your teeth, alter the alignment of your teeth, fill chipped teeth or for cosmetic purposes in order to help you achieve a stunning smile. Bonding involves adhering a composite resin material matched to the color of your tooth to the front of the tooth. A primer or bond agent is applied so the bonding material adheres to the surface. The composite resin material is placed on the tooth and hardened with a special light. Finally, the composite resin material is shaped and polished to a fabulous finish.
- VeneersIt is our goal to offer advanced materials and techniques for your child’s teeth to ensure an esthetic finish and maximum protection from recurrent decay. Baby pictures and school photos are important to us too! Our office now offers stainless steel crowns, stainless steel with “veneer” front crowns, and “white” zirconia crowns!
- CrownsYour child has completed comprehensive dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia. Expect your child may be sleepy, irritable, or emotional after general anesthesia and complete recovery is expected in 24 hours. Light activity for the rest of the day is recommended. Avoid activities like heavy lifting, running and swimming, driving motorized vehicles or toys, and jumping on trampolines for the rest of the surgery day. Additionally, your child may have a bloody nose and sore throat from the breathing tube. Provide Tylenol or Motrin for pain management. Resume gentle brushing this evening. A clean mouth will heal faster than a dirty mouth! You may skip toothpaste for the first two days. Expect the gum tissue to bleed around crowns and extractions during brushing for several weeks.
- Dental Bonding
- Restorative DentistrySilver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is an inexpensive, non-invasive medicament that is applied topically to cavities. SDF is an effective interim therapy used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan supervised by a dentist within a dental home when patient cooperation for restorative dentistry is limited due to young age, situational anxiety, or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Root Canal TreatmentA crown, also referred to as a cap, is used to entirely cover a damaged tooth. A crown not only strengthens a tooth, but it can dramatically improve a tooth’s appearance, shape and alignment. Crowns may be used to replace a large filling when there is little tooth structure remaining, restore a fractured tooth or protect a weak tooth from fracturing, or cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment.
- Oral Surgery
- Tooth Extractions
- Orthodontics
- General DentistryHigher level care, such as sedation dentistry or hospital dentistry, requires additional training for the doctor. Typically, privilege and licensure is granted after completing a residency program (2-4 years of additional training after dental school) and regulated by state boards and hospitals. Dr. Pinkerton has completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry, a Pediatric Dental Residency and is a board certified Diplomate in the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She currently has active staff privilege at Animas Surgical Hospital and maintains state certification for minimal sedation. She has been performing sedation and hospital dentistry for 15 years.