Services Offered
We do not believe that one treatment option fits all patients and their families. That is why here at Bitesize you will be given every treatment option available and as their caregiver you will be able to decide what is best for your child.
Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists are considered the "pediatricians" of dentistry. Pediatric dentists focus only on children and have received extensive specialty education. Dr. Sam received 2 years of additional training at the Medical University of South Carolina, where her focus and education was tailored to infants and children through adolescence, including those with special needs. Our office is completely tailored to kids. We make it our goal to reduce the anxiety that is often associated with going to the dentist! By starting your child off with a fun and pleasant dental home, you are helping create a foundation of positive dental experiences for your child that will follow them all the way into adulthood.
At Bitesize you are greeted with a kid-friendly environment, specifically designed to make children comfortable.
We Take Insurance
We are in network with most insurance companies, including Denali Kid Care!
Preventative Dentistry
- Establishing preventative care is important in order to maintain your child's dental health. At Bitesize Pediatric Dentistry we believe that good habits start early and we place value in working with our families to introduce them to habits that help create a cavity free future. We provide tools and resources to all patients and their caregivers to help them establish a lifetime of healthy teeth, gums and smiles!
- We recommend dental cleanings and exams twice a year. Routine cleanings and exams allow Dr. Sam to catch problem areas early. Following the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend a child’s first dental visit by age 1. At this important visit we will show you how to care for a young child’s mouth properly, evaluate for early cavities, and discuss developmental milestones.This first dental visit will allow us to introduce your child to the dentist at a young age, helping establish a foundation for positive dental experiences, as well as make recommendations tailored to your child's specific dental needs.
Digital X-rays
- Dr. Sam is committed to providing up to date, safe, and effective treatment options for your child. She takes the extra steps of utilizing smaller sized digital sensors, perfect for little mouths. In addition to your child being more comfortable, by utilizing digital sensors this limits the amount of radiation your child is exposed to.
- With contemporary safeguards, the dose of radiation received is minimal, and all necessary precautions are taken. The type and amount of radiographs recommended is individualized to each patient based on necessity and guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
- X-rays are a vital diagnostic tool that allow for the evaluation of the teeth and surrounding bone and tissue that would not be possible to evaluate otherwise. Without x-rays, many dental conditions are unable to be detected until they become a more serious problem.The images offer valuable information to help Dr. Sam identify cavities, missing or extra teeth, and other potential abnormalities.
Sealants
- Dental sealants are a preventative white coating that is placed on molars (back teeth) to help prevent cavities. The coating is placed in the grooves of the tooth in order to prevent food and bacteria from causing cavities in those susceptible areas. Here at Bitesize all sealants placed are BPA free.
- Placing sealants on your child's teeth is a quick and painless procedure, and provides an extra defense to help maintain your child's healthy smile. Sealants typically last for 5-10 years, and are checked by your dentist at your child's routine dental appointments.
- In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for baby teeth, such as when a child's baby teeth have deep depressions and grooves. Because baby teeth play such an important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth, it's important to keep these teeth healthy so they are not lost too early.
Gentle Injection Techniques
- Dr. Sam goes above and beyond to make dental injections comfortable for her patients. Her 2 years of additional training provided her with advanced knowledge of how to care for pediatric patients and provide them with a better experience at the dentist.
Tooth Colored Fillings
- If your child has a cavity, a composite restoration, commonly referred to as a "white filling," would then be recommended. Dr. Sam is committed to utilizing the most up to date treatment modalities, and carefully selects dental materials that are BPA free.
Crowns
- When a tooth has a large cavity, is severely broken down, or has lost it's structure and function, a crown may be recommended. Crowns cover the entire surface of the damaged tooth, helping strengthen the tooth so it can look and function normally again. Silver crowns, made out of stainless steel, are often recommended due to their durability and longevity. White crowns, made out of porcelain, are also an option depending on the tooth and extent of the cavity. Dr. Sam will always explain all treatment options and will help you make the best decision for your child's oral health.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
- Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a liquid that is applied to treat the progression of dental cavities. Compared to a traditional filling or crown that requires local anesthetic and drilling of tooth structure, this treatment is non-invasive and more comfortable for the patient. It is a liquid that is brushed on to the cavity that can help stop the progression of active decay and also help prevent new decay in the future. Dr. Sam is happy to discuss this treatment option with caregivers and is highly experienced at using this treatment modality to effectively improve the oral health of children in a minimally invasive way.
Sedation Dentistry
- Nitrous Oxide
- Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as "laughing gas," is able to reduce anxiety and pain to help facilitate an easier dental experience. It is a gas that is inhaled by the patient, helping them feel more relaxed. The effects of nitrous are easily reversed and children feel back to normal quickly after treatment has ended.
- Conscious Sedation
- Conscious sedation is administered via an oral medication that is taken at the dental office. Children with high anxiety or are too young to cooperate for dental treatment may benefit from an oral sedative to complete dental treatment. Children will remain awake throughout the appointment.
- General Anesthesia
- General anesthesia is performed in our office by a trained, licensed anesthesiologist. This treatment modality may be indicated for children with severe dental fear and anxiety, extensive dental needs, or special healthcare needs.
- Below is the link for our in-office anesthesia providers:
http://NorthernLightsDentalAnesthesia.com
Dental Emergencies
- Pediatric dental emergencies happen and can include broken/cracked teeth, knocked out teeth, injured or discolored teeth due to a fall, severe toothaches, swelling in the mouth/cheek/face, and injury to the jaw.
- Knocked Out Tooth
- If your child knocks out a tooth, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. If the tooth is a permanent tooth, retrieve the tooth by touching it only by the crown (not by the root). If it has been on the ground, gently rinse debris on the tooth under slow running water. Do not scrape or scrub any part of the crown or root. If possible, place the tooth back into the socket in its proper orientation and apply gentle pressure for 5 minutes. You can use a damp cloth to help hold the tooth in place. If you are uncomfortable or unable to replace the tooth, place the tooth in a plastic bag filled with your child's saliva or keep it in fresh milk until you are able to arrive at the dentist. If your child has knocked out a baby tooth, do not re-implant due to a risk of damaging the child's permanent tooth.
- Chipped or Broken Tooth
- If your child experiences a crown fracture, it is important to schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your dentist. Try to locate any pieces of the tooth that have come off and bring them with you to your appointment. Depending on the extent of the fracture, these tooth fragments may be able to be reattached.
Space Maintainers
- If a baby tooth is lost prematurely due to extraction or trauma, a space maintainer may be needed to prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting. If shifting occurs, this can lead to crowding and ultimately prevent the child's permanent teeth from erupting in the correct location. The space loss can sometimes be severe enough to cause impaction of the permanent tooth. A space maintainer is a dental appliance that helps prevent this shifting and helps your child develop the best bite possible. The appliance will be worn by the child until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt naturally, at which time is can be removed in our office.
Fluoride
- Along with your child's dental cleaning and examination, a fluoride varnish application may be recommended. Fluoride helps to strengthen teeth in order to prevent cavities and aids in arresting decay (or stopping cavities from growing).
Dentistry for Children with Special Needs
- We believe every child should have access to high quality care and get the opportunity to get the right start to a lifetime of a healthy smile. Our highly trained dental team is happy to provide top-notch dental care to patients with special healthcare needs, behavior disorders, mental disabilities, and physical disabilities. We understand that a visit to the dentist can often be challenging and stressful for a child with special needs, as well as for their caregiver.
- Here at Bitesize, we have been trained to partner with caregivers and go the extra mile to ensure a positive experience for your child, despite any special healthcare needs. Dr. Sam received extensive training with patients with special healthcare needs and is committed to working closely with her patients and their families to determine the best options for delivering safe, stress-free care. Did you know pediatric dentists receive 2-3 years of additional training after they complete dental school, one of the most important aspects of their training is being able to competently manage patients with special needs? This makes a pediatric dentist the best qualified to meet the dental needs of these patients.