What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?

Silver Diamine Fluoride has been used extensively around the globe for decades. Silver has been used for decades to treat burns and other conditions because of its bacterial-killing properties. The antimicrobial properties of silver, along with the restorative/protective properties of fluoride, allow this treatment to stop cavities from growing while preventing further tooth decay in the affected areas.

It is a colorless liquid that kills bacteria that causes decay, it provides immediate relief from dental hypersensitivity and hardens softened dentin making it more acid and abrasion resistant. Silver Diamine fluoride is extremely safe, the biggest concern is the aesthetics. The treatment will turn the affected area by cavities black. However, the brief discoloration is a better alternative to cost and time involved in getting a traditional filling.

Laser Frenectomy – How Does It Work?

A soft tissue laser does not cut. Instead, it vaporizes tissue with light energy almost painlessly. In addition, the laser procedure causes almost no bleeding. Lasers sterilize at the touch and therefore cause less risk of infection. Healing is very quick—a laser stimulates bio-regeneration. The result is beautiful tissue and less chance of relapse.

Tongue Tie

What Does It Really Mean?

Ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie, is the restriction of tongue movement as a result of fusion or adherence of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. A tongue-tie is caused by a frenum that is abnormally short or attached too close to the tip of the tongue.

Normal tongue function is important for multiple reasons. Among the many benefits, normal tongue function allows a baby to latch adequately and breastfeed efficiently, promotes normal speech development, makes it possible for a child to self-cleanse the mouth during eating, supports adequate swallowing patterns, allows for proper growth and development, and makes fun little things like eating ice cream, kissing, or sticking your tongue out to catch snowflakes possible.

Challenges That Can Occur With A Tongue-Tie

  • Inability to open mouth widely, affecting speech and eating habits
  • Inability to speak clearly when talking fast/loud/soft
  • Clicking jaws
  • Pain in jaws
  • Protrusion of the lower jaw (inferior prognathism)
  • Effects on social situations such as kissing, licking ice cream
  • Dental health complications such as a tendency toward inflamed gums and increased need for periodontal surgery
  • In the elderly, difficulty in keeping a denture in place

Lip Tie

How Can A Lip-Tie Affect My Child?

A LIP-TIE OCCURS WHEN THE UPPER LIP REMAINS ATTACHED TO THE UPPER GUM. CHALLENGES THAT CAN OCCUR IN CHILDREN AND INFANTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE LIP-TIES INCLUDE:

  • Pain with breastfeeding
  • Inability to adequately flange the maxillary lip upward during breastfeeding, affecting an infant’s latch and ability to create a good seal
  • Formation of a large gap between the maxillary central incisors, called a diastema
  • Difficulties with brushing and flossing
  • Increased risk of dental decay
  • Repeated trauma to the maxillary frenum because it is so low and prominent

Who can benefit from Silver Diamine Fluoride?

Silver Diamine Fluoride is best for caries control and management. It is not a long term solution as fillings, but it is excellent for temporary caries control in children. SDF is an increasingly useful and appealing option when treatment is needed on baby teeth that will eventually exfoliate.

Is Silver Diamine Fluoride right for my Child?

Silver Diamine Fluoride is relatively inexpensive and easy to apply. SDF can prevent caries by buying time until the baby teeth fall out or until treatment can be completed. For many families, the simplicity of the treatment overrides any aesthetic concerns.
Many patients will still continue to need a more traditional approach to cavity care that includes removing decay and filling the affect tooth. However, young patient, SDF can be the ideal solution on an interim basis.

If you are interested in learning more about the Wand, call us today to schedule an appointment for you and your child to come in.

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