There have been many advancements in dental technology within the past few years.

Tooth-colored fillings are one of those major improvements. According to the American

Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth-colored fillings are made from a durable plastic material called composite resin. These resins are also composed of an organic polymer and inert fillers, such as quartz. These materials are very similar to the texture and color of normal tooth structure.

 

There are many advantages to composite resins. Since these fillings are tooth-colored, they look very natural and aesthetically appealing. Children can smile, eat, and talk without worrying about their fillings showing. These composite resins are also very durable and resilient. With proper care, like daily brushing and flossing and a healthy, balanced diet, these fillings will be a long-lasting investment. Another positive aspect to this type of filling is that composite resins are very compatible with dental sealants. A tooth that is filled with a tooth-colored resin material can then be immediately coated with a sealant the same day. This helps to prevent any further tooth decay from beginning.   

 

At Children's Dentistry Group, Drs. Herer and Patenio use tooth-colored resin fillings. We do not use amalgam (silver) fillings at our office, even though these types of materials are still used quite frequently today, with positive results. With the great progress being made in the development of tooth-colored resin fillings, we feel these are the best option for our patients. There is a specific technique used when filling a tooth using a resin material. After the decay is removed, the tooth has to be isolated from all saliva in the mouth. After this is accomplished, a preparation agent is placed on the tooth allowing the material to bond properly. Then the resin filling replaces where the cavity used to be. The material is then light cured, making it hard immediately. The patient can then eat, drink, and resume normal activity directly after the appointment.

 

Permanent and primary teeth may require different types of resin fillings depending on the tooth structure and severity of the cavity. We have different resin materials in our office, in order to best suit the dental needs of your child. There has been a new debate over the chemical BPA, or bisphenol A, being used in dental resin materials. At our office, we use high-quality 3M ESPE products, which contain absolutely no BPA. 3M performed biocompatibility assessments on all their products in order to stay committed to the patient's health and safety. The results of all testing done came back negative. No BPA was added into the products and they are safe for their intended use.

Braces are a very large investment in both money and time. In order to get the best results out of your child's orthodontic experience, it is imperative that children have continuous dental visits at least twice a year. Children with braces also must continue proper oral hygiene at home and maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet to ensure positive results after the braces are removed and also to prevent tooth decalcification and/or decay.

 

Patients with braces need to be very dedicated to good oral hygiene habits. Braces collect food very easily, which aids in plaque formation. If this plaque is not removed from the teeth or braces, there is a high chance of the patient developing tooth decay, gum disease and/or bad breath. Brushing is the first step to maintaining a healthy mouth. Patients with braces need to brush a minimum of twice daily, using a soft bristle toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are okay too, but still make sure it is has a soft bristle and is used on a low speed. To get optimal results, teeth should be brushed immediately after meals. If this is not possible, then the mouth should at least be rinsed with water. Proper brushing takes at least two minutes each time. To make sure this time is being met, a timer, watch, or song from an IPod can be used.

 

Along with brushing, a fluoridated toothpaste should be used. At Children's Dentistry Group, we recommend 'Crest Pro-Health' toothpaste for orthodontic patients. It is approved by the American Dental Associations. Make sure any toothpaste your child uses is ADA approved.

 

The second step to maintaining a healthy mouth is to floss daily. Flossing may sound like a difficult task while in orthodontics, but it is a vital part of caring for the braces. Sometimes the food that gets caught in brackets and wires can not be removed by brushing. If food stays stuck in between the teeth, chances increase for getting cavities and gum disease. Flossing needs to be done once daily to prevent this from happening. There is special floss for orthodontic patients called 'Superfloss'. This has a unique threading end that easily works its way under and between wires, then flosses along your gum line. There are also special mini brushes that can get into the hard to reach spaces between brackets. They can assist in the flossing process.

 

Drs. Herer and Patenio may recommend using a daily over-the-counter fluoride rinse as well. This helps protect and strengthen teeth while in braces. The third step in achieving a positive orthodontic outcome is to eat healthy. Sticky and sugary foods should be avoided. This includes products with a lot of starch, like chips and pretzels. Soda and juice should be very limited as well. Crunchy snacks, like nuts, hard candy, and popcorn, can break braces. All these things also increase oral acidity and plaque, which lead to tooth decay. Healthy snacks, like fruits and vegetables, should be consumed daily, along with plenty of water. Frequent snacking on these sugary foods boosts your chances greatly for developing tooth decalcification and decay.

 

It is extremely important that your child continues regular dental visits while in orthodontic treatment. This means visiting us at least twice a year, or more often as recommended. At our office we use state of the art dental instruments to help clean in and around braces. The air-powder polishing system (prophy-jet) we use is composed of an air, water and sodium bicarbonate cleaning system. This mixture is proven to remove surface stains, plaque and other deposits on the tooth surfaces without causing damage to the orthodontic appliance. This polishing system can remove up to 100% of bacteria and the sodium bicarbonate actually aids in healing swollen gums.           

 

At Children's Dentistry Group, we educate our orthodontic patients on how to better care for their braces. We like to individualize proper oral hygiene techniques to best fit each patient. We want your child to receive the best possible results from their orthodontic experience, so we customize the dental visit to fit their specific needs.