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Restorative dentistry

If your child should have a small cavity or even an infected tooth, Dr. Espinosa will provide the upmost in quality restorative treatment to maintain the form and function of the mouth. This may include but not limited to:

• Composite restorations: also known as tooth colored fillings, this is a material that can restore teeth esthetically after infection or trauma
• Full coverage crowns: stainless steel or porcelain crowns are used to restore teeth after nerve treatment or trauma, and to restore large cavities
• Pulpotomies/Pulpectomies: root canal treatments on primary teeth when the cavity extends to the nerve of the tooth. This helps to maintain the integrity of the tooth until the tooth is lost naturally
• Groper appliance: if a patient should lose an anterior tooth to infection or trauma, then a children’s cemented partial denture may be an option to maintain esthetics and speech
• Space Maintainers: If a patient should lose a primary molar early, a small cemented retainer can help to maintain the space for the permanent tooth until its time of eruption

During restorative treatment on younger patients, Dr. Espinosa will use behavior guiding techniques such as “Tell-Show-Do” or “Distractions” to get them through the procedure, which will help to provide a more positive experience. Parents are more than welcome to be present during these procedures as long as the parent is a silent observer. Any interaction with the child by a parent can disconnect the interaction that Dr. Espinosa has established with the patient to get him or her through the treatment. Some kids do better without Mom or Dad in the room, while other kids do better after watching a sibling go first. Each situation is unique to every child and Dr. Espinosa will recommend the best technique based on initial exam and previous visits.

Nitrous Oxide

Patients, big and small, can be slightly nervous for dental treatment despite previous positive experiences. Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas”, is a great option to help them relax. The patient will breathe the nitrous oxide through a nose mask during dental treatment and after it is quickly eliminated from the body through normal breathing of oxygen. This allows the patient to return to school or other daily activities after their visit. Nitrous oxide is non addictive, will not put your child to sleep, and has analgesic properties making injections less painful. Not only is it recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as safe and effective, it is widely used in the Pediatric dental community to aid in positive experiences during dental procedures for children.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation is a process in which Dr. Espinosa will administered one or a mixture of several drugs orally in office to sedate a child for dental treatment. This type of sedation is usually used on apprehensive patients, younger children, or special needs patients who are not able to cooperate with nitrous oxide alone. This form of sedation can make the child drowsy and they may even fall asleep during treatment, but they are not unconscious. Unlike nitrous oxide, the patient will need a relaxing day at home with an adult after their sedation for full recovery.

IV sedation

I.V. Sedation is recommended for children with dental treatment needs under the age of 3 or under 30 lbs. It is also the best option for highly anxious or uncooperative patients. This process involves a Dental Anesthesiologist who will sedate the child into a deep sleep and monitor the patient while Dr. Espinosa completes all necessary treatment in one visit. The great thing about this option is the patient will not remember any of the procedure and Dr. Espinosa can continue to work with that patient on happy check-up visits to encourage a positive dental experience.

Dental Emergencies

If your child should sustain an injury to the mouth or experience dental pain, please give our office a call. Dr. Espinosa is available in office for emergencies during and after hours. Our office is also part of the pediatric dental emergency call group of Marin County, therefore there is always a pediatric dentist available for consult of mouth trauma or dental concerns after hours.