Minimally Invasive Pediatric Dentistry
These techniques include the use of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF), Icon Resin Infiltration, and the Hall Crown Technique.
These lesser invasive options are certainly not always the answer, but I am proud to be able to provide this alternative to traditional dental treatment when the situation is right for it.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a compound that helps prevent the progression of tooth decay until a child is able to tolerate fixing the cavity with an actual restoration.
The silver helps fight harmful microbes inside the cavity and strengthens the dentin layer of the tooth, while the fluoride fights tooth decay by protecting the enamel.
SDF liquid is applied quickly and painlessly with a brush or floss during a regular dental visit .
Hall Crown Technique
The Hall Crown technique has been gaining popularity in pediatric dentistry in the last few years, yet is a technique that has actually been around for several decades.
Learning a little more about this technique can help parents to become more informed regarding the benefits of this procedure as well as the correct indications for its use.
The Hall Technique involves "no drilling" dentistry and in the right circumstance, provides a non-traumatizing way to treat tooth decay in the pediatric population.
Resin Infiltration (ICON)
Icon resin infiltration was first described 40 years ago. Icon resin infiltration is a minimally invasive restorative treatment for post-ortho white-spot lesions (WSLs) and certain congenital hypo-calcified enamel lesions (“hypoplasia” spots).
This technique is much less invasive and less expensive than the alternatives of fillings or veneers. It can be done sooner than other cosmetic options like veneers that you have to wait until growth is complete. Untreated enamel hypoplasia spots often look worse after bleaching. These spots treated with Icon will whiten similarly to the natural tooth enamel