Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  At Vital Smiles, we have experienced general dentists on staff who would be honored to be a part of your child’s introduction to dentistry. We recommend that you bring your children in for a thorough, professional dental examination and cleaning every six months after the initial visit.
• X-rays
  Dental X-rays are a valuable way for us to evaluate your child’s basic oral health. And by taking them during your visit, we can see right away what is happening under the surface of their teeth and gums.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  You’ll also be happy to know that dental exams and cleaning, like most of our other procedures, are covered by Medicaid, ALL Kids and most dental insurance.
• Fluoride Treatment
• Dental Sealants
  Without question, healthy dental care habits are best established at a young age. Regular check-ups, brushing, flossing, fluoridation, and perhaps dental sealants, are considered important “early” measures to take. Why? The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that while the majority of Americans (66 percent) visit the dentist each year, a large number of children and adults continue to experience oral infections and diseases that could be prevented. Specifically, up to 20 percent of preschoolers (ages 4, 5) have some tooth decay, while this percentage expands to nearly 50 percent by third grade, and nearly 75 percent by age 15. Thus, the idea of proactive dentistry for children is necessary, as it is designed to empower children to continue practicing good oral health as they age.
• Space Maintainers
  Space Maintainers – if a baby tooth is lost prematurely, a space maintainer is used to keep the space open until the permanent tooth erupts. A band is attached to the tooth next to the empty space, and a wire is extended to the tooth on the other side of the space.

Restorative

• Fillings
  When cavities are small to medium-sized, amalgam fillings remain a popular choice. Amalgam fillings are silver fillings, and are easy to place and highly durable. Used predominantly on back teeth, patients appreciate the predictability and lower cost of this tried and true filling material.
• Crowns
  If your child has a problem with an adult tooth and a regular filling isn’t suitable, a dental crown is a very good option. It will cover the tooth, reproducing its normal shape and size, while also making it both stronger and more functional.
• Bridges
  If your child has lost one or more adult teeth, you can probably already see the problems with their appearance, plus they may also be having problems with chewing and eating, and sometimes even with speaking clearly. In these cases, a dental bridge can be a good solution, from both a looks and a comfort and health aspect.
• Dental Bonding

Endodontics

• Pulpotomy
  In short, pulp therapy serves the same purpose as a root canal. There are two common pulp therapy procedures. Depending on the extent of decay or trauma, dentists may perform a Pulpotomy or a Pulpectomy.
• Root Canal Treatment
  Once, a tooth with a diseased nerve would usually have to be taken out. However, thanks to the root canal procedure, in most cases, especially those caught early, all or part of the problem tooth can now be saved.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  As a rule, dentists will only opt to extract teeth when they are highly decayed, if the child is in pain, or if infection may spread. Thus, when teeth are removed, the space must be occupied to avoid orthodontic problems. This is when partial dentures are given. Aside from filling the space, partial dentures help children to eat and drink normally. They also provide an aesthetic appeal, which is important if a front tooth is missing.

Implants

• Dental Implants

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
• Flap Surgery
  As a surgical means of treating gum disease, flap surgery is a procedure where dentists lift back the gums and remove tartar. From here, the gums are sutured and reestablished around the teeth, creating a tight fit. Another surgical method is a bone or tissue graft. This treatment regenerates bone and gum tissue growth that has been lost. Natural or synthetic bone is placed where bone once was, stimulating new bone growth. In the same way, guided tissue regeneration encourages the connective tissues to grow again.
• Tooth Extractions
  Suppose the dentist tells you that your child’s tooth needs to be removed. As a parent, any procedure performed on your child may make you nervous. Yet, when it comes to tooth extraction and your child, there’s no reason to worry. There are important reasons at the root of tooth extractions.

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
  When it comes to Orthodontics, every parent wants to know—when it is time to begin? While the key to determining if and when your child may need orthodontic treatment is through regular dental care, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have a checkup with an orthodontist around age 7. Even so, there are a few indicators that suggest that your child will benefit from orthodontic treatment. Consider the following...
• Braces
  While there’s no set age to visit an orthodontist, early intervention is beneficial, especially if the child has lost baby teeth early, has sustained trauma to their mouth, was a thumb sucker, or if either parent needed braces. This is why many dentists recommend that children at least consult with an orthodontist around age 7, when issues such as uneven bite or overcrowding become apparent (as reported by KidsHealth ). Other reasons for visiting an orthodontist include crooked or overlapping teeth, an uneven bite (due to disproportionate top and bottom jaw), an overbite, or an underbite.

General

• Teeth Whitening