Make Pediatric Dental Care Of RI Your Child`s dental home
We are happy to provide comprehensive dental care to children throughout Southern New England.
Dental Home
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends every child establish a dental home by age 1. A dental home should provide age specific comprehensive oral health care and include all aspects of oral care delivery in an easily accessible, coordinated, and family oriented manner. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventative and routine oral health care.
Dental Caries (Cavities)
Dental caries remains the most prevalent chronic disease in children and affects all age groups of the population.
Prevention
Every child should have an age specific prevention plan. At Pediatric Dental Care of RI we will work with children and their parents to develop an individualized prevention plan to establish and maintain oral health.
Fluoride
The proper use of topical and systemic fluoride has resulted in major reductions in dental caries, and its associated disability. Widespread use of fluoride has been a major factor in the decline in prevalence and severity of dental caries in the US and other economically developed countries. When used appropriately, fluoride is both safe and effective in preventing and controlling dental caries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have named fluoridation of water as one of the 10 most important public health measures of the 21th century.
Digital X-rays
Pediatric Dental Care of RI is a state of the art fully electronic office that is proud to offer digital x-rays, which are the lowest dose dental radiograph available.
Sealants
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. Sealants are designed to fill in the pits and fissures that are part of a child’s teeth natural anatomy. It is recommended to place sealants on the molar and premolar teeth as soon as they come in. When properly applied and maintained, they can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of children’s teeth. By forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures, sealants keep out plaque and food, thus decreasing the risk of developing a cavity.
Preventative Resin Restoration (PRR)
This procedure is used in pediatric dentistry for teeth that have already developed very small cavities. This technique is similar to a sealant but the small amount of decay must be removed first. Using a PRR will prevent the progression of the cavity from going any deeper into the tooth.
Composite Restorations (White Filling)
Resin-based composite is an esthetic tooth-colored restorative material used for posterior and anterior teeth. Resin-based composites allow the dentist to be more conservative in cavity excavation due to ability to bond to tooth structure.
Extractions
Tooth removal may be necessary in pediatric dentistry for various reasons, including, infection, risk of infection, preparation for orthodontics, over-crowding, teeth growing behind other teeth, or for larger cavities that cannot be restored.
Space Maintenance
A space maintainer is needed to hold space for the permanent tooth to come in properly after a primary tooth is prematurely lost.
Pulp Therapy
The pulp (or nerve) of a tooth is the inner center of the tooth. Nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue and reparative cells are all inside the pulp. In pediatric dentistry the purpose of pulp treatment is to maintain the affected tooth so that the tooth is not completely lost, and can hold the space for the permanent tooth. This can help retain a good bite and makes braces less likely. The main reasons in pediatric dentistry for pulp treatment are dental cavities and trauma. In pulp treatment the dentist removes the diseased pulp tissue. An antibacterial agent is placed inside the tooth to prevent further bacterial growth and to calm the remaining nerve tissue in the tooth. A stainless steel crown usually follows this procedure.
Stainless Steel Crowns
This type of Crown is used in pediatric dentistry to restore teeth that have been badly damaged due to large cavities, excessive teeth grinding or wear. They are used when a filling is not possible in a tooth because of the amount of damage present. For front teeth, stainless steel crowns with white facing are used to help with aesthetics.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide is a gas that is breathed in and out through the nose and is used primarily for relaxation purposes. Patients are fully awake and conscious during the treatment. We recommend using Nitrous Oxide during restorative appointments, and can also use it during cleaning appointments for exceptionally anxious patients. Nitrous Oxide is always mixed with oxygen. 100% oxygen is administered at the end of the appointment, eliminating the Nitrous and its effects from your child’s system. Patients can return to school, daycare or any other usual activities immediately after their dental appointment.
Special Needs Patients
Individuals with Special Health Care Needs (SHCN) may be at an increased risk for oral diseases throughout their lifetime. Oral diseases can have a direct impact on the health and quality of life of those with certain systemic health problems or condi¬tions. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recog¬nizes that providing both primary and comprehensive preven¬tive and therapeutic oral health care to individuals with SHCNs is an integral part of the specialty of pediatric dentistry.
Preventative and Interceptive Orthodontics
The goal of preventative orthodontics is to preserve and maintain the normal relationships in the developing occlusion through prevention of oral disease, restorative care, and space maintenance. The goal of interceptive orthodontics is the recognition of developing malocclusion factors and implementation of treatment procedures to eliminate or minimize their effects on the final occlusion.
Insurance And Payments
For your convenience we accept the following payment options: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Money Order, and Personal Checks. We expect that payment is received at the time service is rendered.
Our practice accepts most insurance plans and as a courtesy to our patients, we will submit your dental insurance claims on your behalf. You will be expected to pay an estimated co-payment at the time of treatment. We ask that you keep us updated with your current insurance information so we may accurately bill your insurance in a timely manner. All fees for private accounts (i.e. no insurance) must be paid in full at the time of service.
Please remember you are fully responsible for all fees charged by this office regardless of your insurance coverage.
Cancellation Policy
We require 24 hour notice for cancellations. If cancellations occur frequently, we reserve the right to charge your account. We only ask that you respect our time as much as we respect yours.
Emergency Care For Our Patients
New office emergency line is 401-824-6689. If you are current patient of our office and are experiencing a dental emergency, please call the office emergency line. Please leave a detailed message and Dr. Hencler will return your call as soon as possible.
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For emergencies after hours or when our office is closed, please call 401-824-6689 Leave your phone number and Dr. Hencler will return your call as soon as possible.