Pediatric Dental Services

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 As a pediatric dental specialty office, we will make your child’s first visit to the dentist a comfortable and positive experience. Call us to schedule an appointment for your child today and keep your child’s teeth healthy! At the age of 1 is the perfect time for your child to be seen for the first time,

 When your child needs emergency dental care, do not hesitate to give us a call. We can ensure that your child receives the necessary treatment to restore functionality in the teeth and prevent permanent damage. 

 No matter the age, everyone needs regular dental maintenance at least twice a year. With regular checkups at our office, we can keep your child’s teeth healthy and ensure that they grow up with a healthy smile. 

 For some children, receiving dental care safely, comfortably and without undue anxiety can be very complicated. Based on the patient’s age and level of cooperation, getting the needed treatment completed can be a challenge. These patients can be helped by being sedated with our Anesthesiologist. 

 Here at the Pediatric Dental office of Dr. Merlino, we understand that caring for a child with special needs can be challenging. We would like to help make the dental visits for your child and your family as easy as possible. There are a number of behavioral and environmental techniques that may help alleviate anxiety and increase cooperation. 

We are proud to say that Dr. Merlino is one of the few pediatric dentists who specializes in all-white crowns for primary (baby) teeth. 

Pediatric dental crowns are a form of restorative dentistry, which means they restore teeth that are broken or decayed. A pediatric crown is usually made of metal, but Dr. Merlino now uses crowns made from zirconia.  They are tooth colored and cosmetically pleasing.

Composites or tooth colored fillings are used to restore teeth for which cosmetic appearance is important. Tooth colored fillings are used to repair fractured teeth and/or areas of decay. The shade of the restoration material is matched as closely as possible to the color of the natural tooth. A tooth colored filling that covers the entire tooth is called a strip crown. 

A pulpotomy (also known as a baby root canal) is a procedure that consists of treating the infected portion of the nerve to avoid extracting the tooth.

A pulpectomy is necessary when the nerve (pulp) of the tooth is dead or abscessed. The entire infected pulp is removed from the roots of the tooth and medication is placed in the root canals. 

 Nitrous Oxide, commonly referred to as  laughing gas, is breathed in by your child with oxygen during the restorative appointment. It is used to relax a mildly anxious child.  

 This is a topical medicament used to treat and prevent dental caries and relieve dental sensitivity. It is applied to teeth that are decayed and is used in addition to restorative treatments. 

Space maintainers are used when a baby tooth has been prematurely lost to hold space for the permanent tooth. If space is not maintained, teeth on either side of the extraction site can drift into the space and prevent the permanent tooth from erupting.  

The chewing surface of children’s teeth are the most susceptible to cavities. Sealants are adhesive coatings that are applied to the tops of teeth and can be highly effective in preventing tooth decay.  Molars commonly decay because plaque accumulates in the tiny grooves of the chewing surfaces. As a preventive mechanism, sealants are an important part of a cavity-free generation.  

   Laser dentistry allows us to use a beam of  light to remove areas of decay quickly and painlessly—no shots are needed! With a dental laser, we can treat multiple teeth in multiple areas of the mouth with fewer office visits. Children appreciate that there is no vibration or loud noise involved, making the process of treating cavities much more comfortable. Your child can return to eating and other activities right away without risk of biting their tongue or lip since they won’t need to be numb to receive treatment.