 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Turning a Negative Into a Positive 
top^
Children can learn to be fearful from past dental visits, doctor's visits, or stories they heard from older siblings, other children, or even adults. Children are smart and sensitive and can easily pick up negative cues from moms and dads who are themselves fearful of dentistry from their own past negative experiences. We recommend that when speaking to your child about an upcoming dental visit, it is important to describe the visit in a positive and fun way so that your child will come into the dental office with positive expectations and likely have a better visit. At The Silver Star Dental Practice, we make every effort to help the fearful child “unlearn” their negative view of dentistry. We manage their expectations by helping them understand what is taking place with friendly non-threatening language (please see the Silver Star Dictionary). Although you may not see your child's attitude change overnight, you will likely see it improve with each successive visit.
Dealing with Anxiety & Pain in the Dental Office top^
Recent research in the field of pain and anxiety has revealed that there exists a close relationship between the two, particularly in young children. Indeed, young children may have difficulty separating pain from their own fears. Since dentistry is among the few instances in medicine that an awake child receives surgery; it is not difficult to see how a child who has limited coping skills and experience with pain has a threshold of acceptance lower than that of an adult. A child may also bring with them fear acquired from a previous negative dental experience or from a parent with substantial anxiety themselves (a girl’s anxiety is more directly linked to parent anxiety than a boy’s). An anxious child (both boys and girls) will be more difficult to numb and have a heightened sensitivity and response to pain. Anxiety decreases the accuracy of pain reports by children. Also, because of a young child’s limited past experience with pain, something that an adult may view as mild discomfort may be perceived by the child as the worst pain they ever felt. Thus it is very important to deal with and treat pain and anxiety prior to any dental treatment. This starts with parents or caregivers calming (or concealing) their own fears and creating positive expectations for their child prior to the dental visit. Our staff is then trained to further calm the fears of our child patients and bolster their confidence and trust. If a child has severe dental pain from an abscessed tooth for example, then antibiotic medicine should be given and treatment deferred until the pain and infection are under control.
At the end of each treatment visit, a “Faces” pain rating scale is used to evaluate the child’s own subjective pain experience so that we can assess and custom tailor our efforts to provide the best possible experience for your child.
Here is an example of the “FACES” pain rating scale you can use to practice with your child at home:
From Hockenberry MJ, Wilson D, Winkelstein ML: Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, ed. 7, St. Louis, 2005, p. 1259. Used with permission. Copyright, Mosby.
Reframing/Debriefing:
Sometimes even with everyone’s best efforts, a young child may still have a “negative” tearful experience depending upon their anxiety level and effortful control to cope with the unique experience of receiving dental care in the dental office. In this case, there is convincing evidence that a technique know as reframing is quite effective at reducing fear and pain response at future dental visits. It has been shown that young children’s memories are malleable and can be swayed in a positive direction by a parent or staff member who was in the room at the time of the tearful treatment. It is less effective for the dentist who elicited the tearful response to do the reframing. This technique is accomplished by discussing the previous visit in a positive manner by bolstering the child’s sense of accomplishment and emphasizing positive aspects of the appointment. For instance, “Johnny, you opened really wide for Dr. Hsu when he fixed your teeth.” to which the child may respond, “But I cried the whole time.” to which you would respond, “Yes, but you stayed really still for him and your teeth look great, and the sugar bugs are gone.” etc., etc. Once again, there is clear evidence through modern research that by performing the reframing at some point after, but not on the same day as, treatment and before the next dental visit, there are great benefits to the child’s outlook on dentistry and reducing their pain and anxiety.
Parents Welcome top^
Since a dental office can be a strange and unsettling place to a child, we welcome you to be with your child during their dental care. However, there are times when a child may act more rebellious when a parent is present. "Acting out" for some children is normal, however, counter productive to dental treatment. In this situation, Dr. Hsu may ask the parent to leave the child's side, and observe the rest of the treatment from outside the treatment room.
First Time to Silver Star Dental Practice? Click Here!
Oral Conscious Sedation top^
Oral Conscious Sedation is a light form of sedation given to the child in the form of a drinkable liquid in an amount measured for their weight. It is termed oral "conscious" sedation because the sedation is light and the child is not induced to sleep. There are various types of oral conscious sedation medication available to the dentist. The oral conscious sedation used at The Silver Star Dental Practice is a very safe and effective method of providing dental care to children who are fearful and would not otherwise accept dental treatment. Beneficial effects of the medication include the following:
- reduced anxiety
- amnesia
- anti-nausea
- anti-allergy
- muscle relaxant
Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Sedation top^
Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Sedation can be used alone, or together with oral conscious sedation, depending upon the apprehension level of your child. If your child is only somewhat or mildly nervous about dental work, nitrous oxide can be quite helpful in controlling their anxiety. Nitrous oxide is a drug in the form of a gas delivered to the patient through a mask that fits over the nose. Nitrous oxide is considered to be extremely safe because its effect only lasts as long as the patient is breathing the gas. Also, since the nitrous oxide gas is given to the patient with oxygen, the patient actually gets as much, or more oxygen than from breathing just air. Beneficial effects of nitrous oxide include the following:
- reduced anxiety
- pain reduction
- altered perception of time (appointments seem short)
- visual fear reduction (nose mask blocks child's view of dental instruments and other things that could potentially frighten the child)
A small percentage of patients can become nauseated by nitrous oxide, which may result in vomiting. Nitrous oxide is also known to be potentially harmful to unborn children in pregnant mothers. Therefore, pregnant moms should not be in the same room with their child during the use of nitrous oxide. Otherwise, nitrous oxide gas is very safe and its advantages far outweigh its disadvantages, making it a popular tool to treat anxious pediatric dental patients.
Hospital General Anesthesia top^
For certain patients, hospital general anesthesia where the child is completely asleep and all the work is generally completed in one visit is the best option. Dr. Hsu is on staff at Sutter Roseville where he provides dental care for his patients under general anesthesia on an out-patient basis. An MD anesthesiologist provides the sedation while Dr. Hsu performs the dental work. Dr. Hsu will help determine if this, or any other type of sedation, is the appropriate option for your child.
Technologies For Beautiful Smiles And
A More Comfortable Dental Experience
White (Tooth-Colored) Restorations top^
Beautiful composites, fluoride-releasing glass ionomers, white-veneered pediatric crowns, and all-white strip crowns are available to give your child a beautiful smile when they are needed.
Fluoride Releasing Glass Ionomer Restorations top^
White (tooth-colored) restorative material that chemically bonds to tooth structure for a stronger more lasting bond. It also releases fluoride to the tooth thus preventing recurrent decay where tooth and filling meet. They are a great option for a wide variety of applications.
Air Abrasion Technology top^
Air Abrasion is relatively new dental technology that often eliminates the need for anesthetic injection and drilling when treating certain types of small cavities. It works by directing a focused stream of air mixed with tiny and harmless aluminum oxide particles at the tooth. These abrasive particles remove the decay, but leave the healthy tooth structure virtually intact. Children are often fearful of the foreign and unsettling sound of the dental drill, but air abrasion is quiet and painless.
Hydrobrasion Technology top^
Better than air abrasion, this recent technology uses a combination of air, water, and particles that safely, conservatively, and comfortably removes dental hard tissue, and decayed tooth structure without the plume of powder normally associated with traditional air abrasion. The heated water and powder also lessens patient sensitivity and allows for faster, and more precise cutting. As with the use of air abrasion, the need for anesthetic injection and the dental drill is often eliminated. Another advantage of air abrasion and hydrobrasion is improved bonding and retention of most filling materials
Laser Dentistry
 |
Laser Diagnodent™ Caries Detection top^
The DiagnoDent™ uses a laser to reliably detect dental decay at the earliest stage so that precious tooth structure can be preserved and restorations can be minimally invasive. The DiagnoDent™ is proven to be over 90% accurate.
Intra-oral Camera top^
An intra-oral camera provides a clear sharp image of a tooth magnified to fill the computer screen so that we may see like never before, problems too small to see otherwise. The camera we use is small and fits easily and comfortably in the mouth.
Digital X-Rays top^
Digital x-rays are the wave of the future. The X-ray images appear on a computer screen located at each dental chair, and can be enlarged and viewed in various ways to provide the best diagnosis of your child's dental condition-sugar bugs beware! The phosphor imaging plates used in this digital x-ray system require up to 90% less radiation exposure than traditional dental film, and they are softer and more comfortable for your child.
Minimally Invasive Dentistry
top^
The fastest growing movement within dentistry today is in the field of Minimally Invasive Dentistry or MID. Minimally Invasive Dentistry is the practice of removing the least amount of tooth structure, bone or tissue necessary to eliminate what is unhealthy and diseased. When replacement is appropriate it is done as conservatively, comfortably, and as esthetically as possible. This significant change in modern dentistry is pushing dentists towards an increasingly pro-active approach, focusing on disease prevention rather than just treating the problems as they occur. Minimally Invasive Dentistry is the very best care available today! Why accept anything less for your child's dental health. Dr. Hsu is dedicated to the principles of MID and is a member of the World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry.
Although we have great ways of treating tooth decay and oral problems,
it's best not to have to treat them at all. Dr. Hsu and his staff strongly
believe in prevention, an area of dentistry where there have been
many recent advances. We would love to discuss with you current methods
to prevent problems before they arise. Please ask about the cutting-edge
preventative products and medications we offer at our office!
Purchase these wonderful preventative products from our office
at your next visit and save on shipping charges!
OMNII Just For Kids Brush-On Gel™ top^
- High strength fluoride not available over-the-counter
- Reduces caries (dental decay)
- Enhances remineralization (repairs tooth structure)
- Kids love the great tasting flavors (bubble gum, grape, and fruit punch)
- Stannous fluoride not only strengthens teeth, but also kills tooth decay-causing bacteria
- Easy to use, just brush-on ‘pea-sized' amount at night before bedtime
$20 per bottle
OMNII PerioMed Brush-On Gel™ top^
- Great for orthodontic patients
- Great flavors (mint, grape, raspberry, cinnamon)
- Easy to use, just brush-on ‘pea-sized' amount at night before bedtime
$20 per bottle
Tanner's Tasty Paste™ top^
Cha Cha Chocolate & Banilla Bling Toothpastes (more flavors available soon)
- Great ‘ice-cream' flavors kids love!
- Contains Xylitol; a naturally occurring sugar-substitute that has potent anti-cavity and anti-plaque properties
- Fluoride toothpaste
- NOT for children who are too young to ‘spit-out' their toothpaste after brushing
$5 per tube
SPRY Xylitol Chewing Gum™ top^
- Four great tasting flavors to choose from: Fresh Fruit, Peppermint, Spearmint, Cinnamon
- Increases salivary flow when chewing gum which helps to remineralize teeth
- Sweetened with 100% Xylitol, a naturally-occurring sugar substitute
Benefits of Xylitol:
- Reduce cavities up to 80%
- Reverse early cavity formation
- Reduce dental plaque formation
- Reduce the amount of cavities in children when their mothers consistently used a xylitol rich product during and after their pregnancy
* Studies show considerable anti-cavity benefits when consistently chewed four times a day, 5 minutes each time
$9 for container of 100
$42 for container of 600
SparX Xylitol Candy™ top^
Naturally fruit-flavored, bite-size candies sweetened exclusively with 100% pure xylitol. That's right, yummy candy that's actually GOOD FOR YOU! A mother's dream come true. Available in three delicious flavor collections:
• Fruit (Apple, Banana, Grape, Peach)
• Citrus (Lemon, Lime, Orange , Tangerine)
• Berry (Blueberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Strawberry)
$1.50 per 30 gram plastic tube
Spiffies Baby Tooth Wipes™ top^
The safe, convenient, easy way to clean your baby's mouth and gums. Spiffies™ are designed for children 4 months and older and used by everyone when brushing is not available.
Spiffies™ contains xylitol , a natural, good tasting substance that babies love and is also a powerful cavity fighter. Spiffies are an easy way to get baby started on an oral hygiene routine which is so important for overall great health.
Great grape flavor infants love; more flavors available soon.
$8 per box
