Our Services Dentistry for Children strives to provide the most comprehensive pediatric dental  services. Whether your child visits the children's dentist for the first time or you are seeking care following a recent visit to another practitioner, we hope you will call us your dental home. Some of the services provided include: INITIAL VISUAL EXAMINATION The examination includes screenings for oral pathology, evaluation of growth and development, orthodontic needs assessment, visual examination for tooth decay, as well as evaluation of any current restorations, concerns of the patient/parent. Risk factors for disease will be discussed as well as oral hygiene instruction and nutritional counseling. CLEANING Also known as Dental Prophylaxis, this process removes plaque, a substance formed in the mouth from food, saliva, and bacteria. If present, the cleaning also removes calculus(tartar), which is plaque that has hardened on the tooth surface and requires professional instrumentation to remove.  During the cleaning we polish the teeth  which provides a smooth enamel surface and helps resist plaque accumulation. FLUORIDE During the "check-up" appointment, fluoride will be applied to your child's teeth to help maintain the enamel in its strongest condition. The foods we eat and the things we drink can dissolve some of the mineral content out of the enamel. The fluoride reinforces the tooth structure. Fluoride varnish is the treatment of choice in our practice since its effects on the enamel last up to thirty six hours. Varnish is a sticky fluoride application that remains on the tooth throughout the day and is gradually absorbed into the enamel. Because it actually binds to the tooth, the patient can eat or drink immediately following this fluoride application. X-RAYS X-rays are a very important part of the diagnosis of dental disease as they allow the dentist to see portions of the mouth that cannot be seen by the eye. These items include decay in between the teeth, tumors or cysts present in the bone or surrounding undeveloped teeth. The radiographs also determine the presence or absence of permanent teeth and their placement. SEALANTS Sealants are a tough, plastic material designed to stick to the enamel of the tooth in the grooves where food collects. The tooth is prepared with a special cleanser that is quickly applied then rinsed with water. The sealant material is applied onto the surface of the tooth and dried with a special curing light to make it hard. The process is very similar to applying nail polish to a fingernail. The teeth do not need to be numb. Sealants reduce the risk of cavities forming in these grooves that can be difficult to keep clean. These sealants do not last forever and may need to be replaced if they wear away from the tooth surface. Our office offers a 2 year warranty in which we will replace or add to the sealant at no additional cost for a period of 2 years.  Not all teeth are good candidates for sealants and the doctors will determine which teeth could receive the most benefit from the application. RESTORATIVE PROCEDURES When dental decay has invaded a tooth, various procedures can be used to treat the disease. Some of the procedures include: White Fillings - A composite (white) filling is a tooth colored material used to fill small cavities in teeth. These fillings match the color of tooth structure and are very attractive. They require the most minimal tooth preparation, so less healthy tooth structure is removed. Many insurance companies do not pay for the increased cost of these fillings and the parent will be responsible for an increased expense. Silver (amalgam) Fillings - These silver fillings are the long standing restorative material that dentistry has relied on for many years. These fillings are quite durable and provide an excellent choice in restorative procedures. Stainless Steel Crowns - A silver crown covers the tooth completely and restores it to its original shape and size. Crowns are incredibly strong and provide the necessary protection for any baby tooth that has needed root canal therapy. Additionally, when cavities cover more than one third of the tooth structure the crown is the restorative material of choice. Pulpotomy - When decay reaches the nerve of a baby tooth, the infected portion of the nerve needs to be removed. This procedure is called a pulpotomy and is best described as a "baby root canal" treatment. This procedure is usually performed to help prevent the tooth from abscessing. Space Maintainer - When baby teeth in the back of the mouth are lost to decay or abscess more than a few months before they should be lost naturally, the space for the permanent tooth will be lost to the adjacent teeth unless an appliance is placed to keep the space open.  This appliance will be fitted and cemented into your child's mouth when necessary and removed as the permanent teeth erupt into position. This appliance requires strict attention to diet to avoid sticky foods and may need to be re-cemented if it becomes loose prior to the time until when your child no longer needs it. 6 MONTH RECALL EXAM Regular return visits to the office are vitally important for keeping healthy teeth. Dental decay progresses more rapidly in primary (baby) teeth than permanent(adult) teeth. The sooner a problem can be diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated and the less invasive the treatment will need to be. Our goal is to catch as many problems in the earliest stage as possible so that the solution is easier for the patient to tolerate. An examination will be completed during this visit, as well as a cleaning (prophylaxis), flossing, nutrition counseling, oral hygiene instruction and fluoride application. SPORTS INJURY PROTECTION Athletic mouth guards can help prevent serious dental injuries. If your child participates in contact sports, custom mouth guards can be fabricated once your child loses all of their primary teeth, which provide the best fit. HAPPY GAS / NITROUS OXIDE When administered in combination with oxygen happy gas helps overcome the anxiety associated with a dental visit. This technique works well in a patient that understands the need to complete dental work and merely has concerns about the smells, sounds, tastes or time required to sit still. Your child will be fully awake and will breathe the gas in through a small rubber nose placed over their nose. This treatment modality serves to help relax the patient but will not cause them to sleep or alter their state of consciousness. ORAL SEDATION When a young child is unable to cope with the various aspects of dental treatment or cannot successfully relax with nitrous oxide, sedation is a management technique that uses medications to help your child through the necessary procedures. Mild sedation is recommended for apprehensive patients or patients too young to understand the process of restorative treatments.  These medications will help relax your child. If Oral Sedation does not work we can refer you to a dental specialist that provides Intravenous Sedation (IV) sedation.

John Santoro DDS  Riverview, MI 734.479.2222

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Home  |  Michigan Pediatric Dentist  |  Dentist For Children  |  First Dental Visit  |  Contact Dentistry For Children © Dentistry For Children, John Santoro DDS, 14525 Sibley Rd, Riverview, MI 48193, 734.479.2222 John Santoro DDS is a pediatric dentist with many years of experience who enjoys being a dentist for children. Dentistry For Children has had a prestigious and established dental services for many years. Patients come to Dentistry For Children office in Riverview from all over Michigan and bordering states. New patients from Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario including, but not limited to, Allen Park, Belleville, Brownstown, Canton, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Huron Twp., Lincoln Park, Livonia, Melvindale, Plymouth, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate, South Rockwood, Taylor, Toledo, Trenton, Westland, Windsor, Woodhaven, and Wyandotte are welcome.  www.DentistryChildren.com 

Dentistry For Children