81 Billy Bishop Way
Unit D2 · North York
ON M3K 0C2

416-960-4422
81 Billy Bishop Way · Unit D2
North York· ON M3K 0C2
Services | Little Pearls Pediatric Dentistry

Services at Little Pearls Pediatric Dentistry

Check-Ups & Cleanings

Infant Exam

The Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and The Canadian Pediatric Society recommend the first dental visit be by age one, or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting, whichever occurs first. At this age, we can introduce your child to our fun and friendly space and review best practices for diet and hygiene with you in hopes to prevent tooth decay. We can also provide information about what to do in the event of trauma.

Recall exams and cleanings

These are exams that are usually done every 6 months. During these exams, we check for normal dental development, the health of the gums and teeth, and evaluate if there are any cavities. Depending on the age and anxiety level of your child, we may also do a cleaning. These visits always have a focus on encouraging a good home care routine.

Digital X-Rays

They emit significantly less radiation than standard radiographs. Radiographs may be prescribed for a variety of reasons. Some of the more common reasons we take them are: to check for tooth decay in between tight teeth, to check size and depth of existing cavities as well as to check for tooth/jaw pathologies. Each child is assessed individually prior to prescribing radiographs.
We use lead aprons and thyroid collars to reduce radiation exposure to the neck.

Sealants

A sealant is a simple, non-invasive coating that we paint on the deep crevices and grooves of healthy teeth to prevent cavities. Sealants are an elective, preventive measure to try to prevent cavities from forming in teeth with deep grooves. Sealants prevent food from accumulating and plaque from forming in these grooves by making it a smoother surface. Sealants may last for years.

Fillings & Crowns

Little Pearls will provide fillings for smaller cavities. However, sometimes the cavity is too big for the tooth to retain a filling. In this instance, a crown may be indicated. These are full coverage restorations that aim to protect the tooth until it is time to fall out. The baby tooth and the crown fall out together. We offer stainless steel (silver) and zirconia (white) crowns. The Doctors will advise you as to which is most appropriate for your child’s specific dental needs.

Extractions

Extractions may be recommended for a number of reasons. Some of the most common reasons include: dental infection, trauma, extra teeth or orthodontic recommendation. Depending on which tooth is extracted and at what age, space maintenance may be recommended.

Space Maintenance

Space maintainers are dental appliances that are recommended for some patients. They are placed in your child’s mouth in the event a tooth is lost too early. Space maintainers help prevent space loss by keeping the space open for the permanent tooth to erupt. Space maintainers are cemented into your child’s mouth and can easily be removed by us when the adult tooth is ready to erupt. The Doctors will advise you if a space maintainer is indicated.

Tongue and Lip Tie Releases

 

Many infants and children have tongue and lip ties, not all of which require a release.  Tongue and lip tie releases are performed for a variety of reasons, some of which include: feeding, speech, and sleep issues.  If your child requires a release,  a state of the art carbon dioxide laser will be used for a safe and quick procedure that allows for increased mobility of the tongue and/or lip.  The procedure can be done with a laser, scissors, or a blade.  The advantage of a laser over other methods is that it is fast, there is minimal pain and bleeding during and after the procedure and there is faster wound healing.  For more information about the laser technology we use, click on the following links:

https://www.lightscalpel.com/patient-laser-surgery/

https://youtu.be/EontZseuehY

Nitrous Oxide

Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide can help your child feel more at ease for fillings to be done. It relieves anxiety and helps your child to feel less of the procedure, as it is an anti-anxiety agent and an analgesic. It is very safe for use in children. In fact it is used to help pregnant women in labor. Nitrous oxide is breathed in and out through a small mask placed on the patient’s nose. By the end of the appointment, the patient has breathed out all the nitrous oxide from their body and is free to resume all regular activity.

Oral Sedation

Some children require more comprehensive dental procedures, or require more than nitrous oxide alone to receive dental care. In these instances, our doctors may recommend oral sedation be administered in addition to nitrous oxide. The oral sedative that we use is mild and allows your child to feel drowsy and more relaxed.

Dentistry Asleep

General anesthesia is sometimes indicated for children who require comprehensive dental care, are very anxious for dental treatment, or have special health care needs. The general anesthetic is administered and monitored by a medical doctor while we perform the dentistry.

Emergency Dental Care

Trauma

In the event of a trauma, our doctors will assess and treat any fractures, cracks, dislodgement of the teeth and attend to any cuts in or around the mouth.

Facial Swelling

Facial swelling can be caused by an infected baby tooth. If your child’s is experiencing dental pain and has a facial swelling, a dentist or a doctor must immediately assess them. During office hours, we will accommodate you that same day. For after hours emergency care, please see below.

After Hours Dental Emergency

Please call  The Emergency Dental Clinic at 1650 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4T 2A2, 416-485-7121. Alternatively, you can go to the Emergency Department at the Hospital for Sick Children. We will be happy to follow up with your child at our next business hours. Should any x-rays be taken of your child’s teeth, please bring them with you to your child’s next appointment.