Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  Which techniques should be used to improve your smile? A dental exam will take many factors into consideration, including your overall oral health.
• X-rays
  There is very little risk in dental X-rays. Pediatric dentists are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. Lead aprons and high-speed film are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  Traditional methods of oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, mouth wash, etc…) are effective at preventing cavities, most tartar build-up and gum disease and should be practiced daily. However, our dentists specialists in Columbus Ohio believe these methods are only a part of the overall dental hygiene picture, there are simply places that a toothbrush and floss cannot always reach. This allows for tartar buildup. At Worthington Pediatric Dentists, we want our little patients of Columbus, Ohio to not only practice and develop all of these habits, but to also educate themselves on the full picture of dental hygiene, and at an early age. Complete oral hygiene care includes getting rid of the tartar build-up that can occur in hard-to-reach places, and the only thing missing to complete the picture is bi-annual, professional teeth cleaning.
• Fluoride Treatment
• Dental Sealants
  Sealants are liquid coatings that harden on the chewing surfaces of teeth and are showing a great deal of effectiveness in preventing cavities—even on teeth where decay has begun.

Restorative

• Fillings
  Porcelain fillings, otherwise known as inlays or onlays, are another customizable option available to your child. The adhesive materials used create a very strong bond to the tooth. It is superior to the plastic option as it can be created to match the natural color of your child’s tooth. Another benefit of the porcelain material is its stain-resistant properties. When applied, this particular filling is nearly undetectable, even under close observation. The cost is similar to a gold filling.
• Resin Composite
  Plastic fillings, otherwise known as composite resins, are used to create a more natural-looking modification to the tooth. To create this appearance, the color of the plastic is a tooth color. The filling will last anywhere from 3 to 10 years depending on care. Ideally, this is suited for smaller filling as the material has the possibility of chipping or wearing out by other means over time. Due to the natural-looking color of the tooth, it is possible for staining to occur from coffee, soda or tea.
• Gold Restorations
  Alternatives to amalgam, such as cast gold restorations, porcelain, and composite resins are more expensive. Gold and porcelain restorations take longer to make and can require two appointments. Composite resins, or white fillings, are esthetically appealing, but require a longer time to place.
• Veneers
  Teeth that are badly stained, shaped, or crooked may be improved by a veneer placed on the surface of the affected teeth.
• Crowns
  In general, a tooth that has become abscessed is one whose underlying pulp (the tooth's soft core) has become infected or swollen. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue, and lies within the tooth. It extends from the crown of the tooth, to the tip of the root, in the bone of the jaws.
• Bridges
  Bridges are sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures because they are semi-permanent and bonded to existing teeth or implants. There are several types of fixed dental bridges (cannot be removed), including conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges and resin-bonded bridges. Unlike a removable bridge, which you can take out and clean, your dentist can only remove a fixed bridge.
• Dental Bonding
  Tiny cracks and imperfections on a tooth can be fixed using air abrasion. Although air abrasion is not suitable for work on crowns and bridges, it is often used for bonding procedures, and on tooth restorations involving composite, or tooth-colored fillings.

Endodontics

• Pulpotomy
• Root Canal Treatment
  Root canals are tiny passageways that branch off from beneath the top of the tooth, coursing their way vertically downward, until they reach the tip of the root.

Periodontics

• Deep Cleaning
  As always, brush twice every day for at least two minutes. Floss daily, being careful not to yank the thread around the base of your tooth. Follow with a mouthwash of your choice. Young children should be supervised so they don't swallow toothpaste or mouthwash. Some families find it helpful to get into group routines to make sure this gets done. Finally, visit a dentist or dental hygienist at least twice a year for an oral examination and deep cleaning. A combination of these things helps prevent plaque from becoming tartar and the tartar from eating away at your teeth.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  Dentures today are made from very advanced materials designed to give you a natural appearance. However, keep in mind that just like your teeth, dentures should be cared for with the same diligence. This means daily brushing and regular visits to your dentist. Regular visits to your dentist are Read more
• Overdentures

Implants

• Dental Implants
  Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant, however. For a successful implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and have a strong immune system. In all cases, dental implants require strict oral hygiene.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  Some dental procedures, such as tooth extractions and oral surgery, may call for our office to prescribe medications before or after a procedure. These medications are used to prevent or fight an infection, or to relieve any post-operative discomfort and pain. For these reasons, it is extremely important Read more
• Jaw Surgery
  When facial reconstruction, including procedures involving the oral cavity, is called for, a specialist is needed. Surgical procedures of the neck and head area are performed by a maxillofacial surgeon. Common maxillofacial procedures include denture-related procedures and jaw surgery. Jaw Correction Protruding Read more
• Maxillofacial Surgery
  Any kind of cut to your face and the delicate soft tissues inside your mouth should be addressed immediately in order to prevent further tissue damage and infection. If a traumatic injury involves a broken facial bone such as the jaw, nose, chin or cheek, maxillofacial surgery may be required. With Read more
• Tooth Extractions
  After careful examination and treatment for the above listed conditions, your pediatric dentist may come to the conclusion that all that can be done is a tooth extraction. Don't worry! This happens, and at Worthington Pediatric Dentists you and your child are in capable hands. We'll make the process as easy as we can for your child.
• Ridge Augmentation
  If you lose one or more permanent teeth, an indentation may result in the gums and jawbone where the tooth used to be. When no longer holding a tooth in place, the jawbone recedes and the resulting indentation looks unnatural. Ridge augmentation is a procedure that can recapture the natural contour of Read more

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
  Dr. Esther Chien completed her undergraduate degree, dental school degree, and orthodontic residency at The Ohio State University. She really loves orthodontics. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband, her always-hungry cat, and the rest of her family and friends. She is always up for trying out new restaurants and one of her dreams is to try different food from around the world. She looks forward to working with you to straighten teeth, correct bites, and create beautiful smiles.
• Invisalign Orthodontics
  Invisalign's® invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners will give you the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted. And best of all, no one can tell you're wearing them. Invisalign® is great for adults and teenagers.
• Braces
  By treating our little patients early and using functional appliances, 80% of their treatment can be completed before the adult teeth are present. This is preferable because addressing orthodontic problems early reduces the amount of time your child needs to spend in fixed braces which subsequently reduces the overall cost of your child's dental health bill.

General

• Teeth Whitening
  More and more people today are choosing tooth-whitening procedures to reverse the effects of aging and abuse from food and tobacco stains.
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  Bonding is a process in which an enamel-like material is applied to a tooth`s surface, sculpted to an ideal shape, hardened, and then polished for an ideal smile. This procedure usually can be accomplished in a single visit. Bonding is often performed in order to fill in gaps or change the color of Read more
• General Dentistry
  In general dentistry, the dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of conditions, disorders and diseases affecting the teeth, gums and maxillofacial (jaw and face) parts of the body. Even though general dentists primarily provide preventative care and minor restorative therapy, they are often able to perform a wide array of other dental procedures, including some minor cosmetic treatments.