Pediatric Dentistry

“Dental education that will last”

The first “regular” dental visit should be after your child’s third birthday. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. You may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and your dentist.

We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums). We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child’s reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.

Oral Hygiene

“Everything looks better from behind a clean smile”

Why Is Oral Hygiene So Important?

Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum disease (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by good, daily tooth brushing and flossing techniques.

Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film that sticks to your teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing, you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.

Brush Before You Floss

How To Floss

Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is a very effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces. However, it is important to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help you, but remember it takes time and practice.

Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier) about 18″ long. Lightly wrap most of the floss loosely around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand.

To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it in to place as this can tramatize the tissue. Bring the floss to the gum line then curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth. Remember there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each space so now wrap around other tooth and move up and down. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth being careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, turn from one hand onto the other to get a fresh section.

To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefinger of both hands. DO NOT FORGET the backside of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.

When you are done, rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed or are a little sore. If your gums hurt while flossing you could be doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you floss daily and remove the plaque, your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop.

How To Brush

While brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel any discomfort.

When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth.

To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold and move the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue.

Next you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. Try to watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you clean each surface. After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing. If you have any pain while brushing or have any questions about how to brush properly, please be sure to call the office.

Caring For Sensitive Teeth

Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, provided your mouth is kept clean. If your mouth is not kept clean, the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive, consult with your doctor. They may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth. Other in office options are available as well.

Periodontal Disease

“Healthy gums=Fresh Breath and Healthy Smile!”

Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums, which gradually destroy the support of your natural teeth. There are numerous disease entities requiring different treatment approaches. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Daily brushing and flossing will prevent most periodontal conditions.

Periodontal Disease

Bacteria found in plaque produces toxins or poisons that irritate the gums, which may cause them to turn red, swell, and bleed easily. If this irritation is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form. As periodontal diseases progress, the supporting gum tissue and bone that holds teeth in place deteriorate. If left untreated teeth loosen and are lost.

Preventing Gum Disease

The best way to prevent gum disease is effective daily brushing and flossing as well as regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.

Other important factors affecting the health of your gums include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Clenching and grinding teeth
• Medication
• Poor Nutrition

Endodontics/Root Canals

What is Endodontics?

Endodontics is a branch of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association involving diagnosis and treatment of the pulp (root canal) and surrounding tissues of the tooth. When you look at your tooth in the mirror, what you see is the crown of the tooth. The rest of the tooth, the portion hidden beneath the gum line, is called the root. Though the outer portion of the root is a hard tissue called dentin, the inside channel or “root canal” contains a pulp of soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves.

The endodontist examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases and destructive processes, including injuries and abnormalities of dental pulps and periapical tissues of the teeth.

Our Endodontic Services Include:

• Non-surgical Root Canal Treatment
• Endodontic Retreatment
• Apicoectomy

Root Canal Treatment

At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums or a discharge around the tooth.

This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. In addition, we will provide nitrous oxide analgesia or halcion if indicated. Unless halcion is used for your procedure, you will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.

Oral Surgery

What Is Oral Surgery?

Oral Surgery is surgery of the mouth, face, and jaws. Dr. Schroeder manages a wide variety of problems relating to the mouth, teeth and facial regions. We practice a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, including:

• Wisdom Teeth Extraction
• Surgical Tooth Extractions
• Biopsies

This also includes techniques designed to rebuild bone structure with minimal surgical intervention.

Our staff is trained in assisting with these procedures and patients are continuously monitored during and after surgery.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth if there is room for them to come in. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to successfully erupt.

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The pressure from the erupting wisdom teeth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. Removal of the offending impacted teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

You and Dr. Schroeder may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed. Others may have advanced periodontal disease or are broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth) or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health. To avoid these complications, Dr. Schroeder will discuss alternatives to extractions as well replacement of the extracted tooth.

The Extraction Process

At the time of extraction the doctor will need to numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic.

During the extraction process you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal.

You feel the pressure without pain as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected.

If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction, please let us know right away.

Sectioning A Tooth

Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket can’t expand enough to remove it. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections then removes each root one at a time.

After Care

• Bleeding

Some bleeding may occur. Placing a piece of moist gauze over the empty tooth socket and biting down firmly for 30 minutes can control this.

• Blood Clots That Form In The Empty Socket

This is an important part of the healing process and you must be careful not to dislodge the clot.

• Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after the extraction.
• Avoid use of a straw, smoking, or drinking hot liquids.
• Swelling

If swelling occurs, you can place ice on your face for ten minutes and off for 20 minutes. Repeat this cycle as you feel necessary for up to 24 hours.

• Pain & Medications

If you experience pain, you might use non-prescription pain relief medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The best over the counter remedy is 800 mg ibuprofen (4 200 mg tablets). The alternative would be a prescription from Dr. Schroeder.

• Eating

For most extractions, make sure you do your chewing away from the extraction site. Stay away from hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. A liquid diet may be recommended for 24 hours.

• Brushing & Cleaning

After the extraction, avoid brushing the teeth near the extraction site for one day. After that you can resume gentle cleaning. Avoid commercial mouth rinses, as they tend to irritate the extraction site.
Beginning 72 hours after the extraction, you can rinse with salt water (one teaspoon salt in a cup of warm water) after meals and before bed.

• Dry Socket

When a blood clot fails to form in the socket where the tooth has been extracted or the clot has been dislodged and the healing is significantly delayed. Popular theory is an infection is in the bone where the extraction occured.

Following the postoperative extraction instructions will reduce the chances of developing dry socket. Dry sockets manifest themselves as a dull throbbing pain that usually doesn’t appear until 2-3 days after the extraction. The pain can be moderate to severe and radiate from the extraction area. Dry socket may cause a bad taste or bad breath and the extraction site appears empty.

Antibiotics are usually indicated or a packing can be placed to decrease discomfort and speed healing.

Crowns

Most dentistry looks like dentistry. Our goal is to provide dentistry that is undetectable. We replace existing crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth.

Where damage to a person’s teeth is extreme and apparently beyond repair, we can use all porcelain or porcelain fused to metal crowns to make the smile appear “as new”. Porcelain fused to metal is best for heavy use, usually back chewing teeth. All porcelain are very esthetic and attractive, although slightly more expensive, they are well worth the investment. These treatments are used for a long-lasting correction of major dental problems. It is usual for these treatments to last for 10 to 20 years, which is as close to permanent as dental treatment can get.

How Long Does It Take?

Fitting a crown requires at least two office visits. Initially, we will remove decay, fill large voids with flouride releasing core material, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown. On the subsequent visit, we will remove the temporary crown, and then fit and adjust the final crown. Finally, we will cement the crown into place and you have a new beautiful looking tooth.

Key Benefits

• Replaces missing teeth-maintaining full function and not allowing drifting and spacing of remaining teeth.
• Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
• Looks completely natural
• Fixes”smile” and functional chewing problems.

What Is The Capability Of A Crown?

Crowns are a very reliable solution for major dental problems caused through accidents, diseases, or wear and tear. Major problems can usually be corrected using this technique. Materials used in these repairs are either high-grade porcelain or porcelain bonded to metal.

Many people have unexplained pain in back teeth with old fillings this could be due to hairline cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing crowns on these teeth relieves the pain and allows a return of full dental function for these teeth. In front teeth, older fillings can both weaken the teeth and cause appearance problems due to staining or chipping. Porcelain crowns are suitable in cases where porcelain veneers are not. In teeth with root canal fillings, crowns are always recommended to prevent breakage of the now brittle teeth.

Bridges

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing, and maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn’t necessarily have to occur as you age. But if you do lose teeth, they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth especially when tooth driftin or migration may occur. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

What Is A Bridge?

A bridge (fixed partial denture) is a device used to replace missing teeth that attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth called abutment teeth. Bridges are permanently applied by placing crowns on the abutment teeth. Fixed bridges are bonded and cemented into place and can only be removed by a dental professional.

Why Do I Need A Bridge?

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older.

Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. Teeth were designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing, causing a number of potentially harmful disorders.

Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can be minimized with a bridge or implant.

Missing teeth can cause speech disorders as they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.

How Is A Bridge Attached?

The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment, doctor will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.

Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to the lab where the bridge will be constructed.

Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth. Crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.

What Materials Are Used?

Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either a precious or non-precious metal.

How Do I Take Care Of My Bridge?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance since the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.

Dentures

A denture or a partial are appliances that are inserted in the mouth, replacing natural teeth and providing support for the cheeks and lips.

Dentures:
Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways:

• A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
• An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.

Removable Partial Dentures (RPDs):
Partial dentures are generally made of a set of teeth attached to a gum-like base. They fit into the mouth by way of a metal frame or wire that clips to the other teeth. Partial dentures can provide a natural appearance to the mouth and restore the ability to eat more easily. They can also prevent the other teeth from shifting in the mouth.

How are Dentures and Partials made?

• An upper denture or partial has acrylic, usually gum colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).
• A lower denture or partial is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.

Denture teeth are made of plastic. Complete dentures or partials can be attached to dental implants, called locators, to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.

Dentures and partials over a normal course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the loss of the teeth. Regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.

Implants

“I can chew for the first time in years!”

The ability to chew and enjoy your food is one of our most basic needs. We live in a culture that embraces food and the pleasures associated with it like no other. Unfortunately, over time, our teeth can begin to wear and break down. One of the true blessings of modern dental technology is that we can repair and rejuvenate your teeth and smile regardless of their condition. Dental implants allow us to predictably replace missing teeth with permanent, solid, replacements. If you have false teeth, implants can be used to “anchor” your false teeth so they lock in place. There is no longer any excuse for not enjoying the function and pleasures of a beautiful smile and fully functional bite.

After assessing the area of the missing tooth, the dentist can help you plan your dental implant treatment. Assuming you are a candidate for a dental implant, the process may take from two to six months to complete. This allows the bone surrounding the dental implant time to heal and accept the implant. At that point, an implant crown is fabricated to restore the dental implant and match the surrounding teeth.

It's complicated

Sometimes after Neglecting our dental health for any reason, we have to catch up. We provide a welcoming atmosphere that integrates all aspects of dentistry in one location. After choosing the treatment options that's best for you, our focus is to keep you comfortable. We do that by minimizing referrals and coordinating multiple treatment modalities along with sedation to provide you the best results. Providing treatment that is patient centered and focused on your needs is what we do here at Schroeder Cosmetic and Family Dentistry.

As an office we go above and beyond to understand your complex situation. And we understand that you need simplified options and a common goal. If you or someone you know is tired of dental pain or dental anxiety, it's time to become a part of the Schroeder family.