Routine Exams & Cleanings
At Rising Stars, we strongly advocate for the importance of routine exams and cleanings. These are the pillars of preventive dental care and play an essential role in maintaining your child’s oral health. During routine exams, our pediatric dentists meticulously examine your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth, looking for any signs of dental issues. They use child-friendly language to explain what they’re doing, turning the process into an engaging learning experience for your child.
Cleanings, on the other hand, involve the thorough removal of plaque and tartar buildup that regular brushing and flossing at home might miss. Our Austin pediatric dentists, with their gentle and careful approach, ensure a comfortable and pain-free cleaning experience for your child.
By scheduling routine exams and cleanings, you’re not just preventing dental issues; you’re also establishing a positive view of dental hygiene in your child’s mind. They learn that dental visits are not something to fear, but an integral part of growing up healthy. This can foster a lifetime of good oral health habits.
Sealants
Sealants are a powerful tool in preventive pediatric dentistry, offering an effective way to protect your child’s teeth against decay. These are thin, plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth — areas where cavities often first develop due to food particles and bacteria that tend to accumulate in these grooves. Acting as a barrier, sealants keep out plaque and food, thereby reducing the risk of cavities.
At Rising Stars, the application of sealants is a quick, painless procedure. We first clean and dry the tooth before applying a gel that helps the sealant bond to the tooth’s surface. Then, we apply the sealant and harden it with a special light. The entire process only takes a few minutes per tooth.
Sealants can protect teeth for several years, but we will check their condition during your child’s regular check-ups. It’s one more way we strive to keep your child’s smile healthy and bright. Incorporating sealants into your child’s dental care can be a proactive step to secure their oral health, providing peace of mind that you’re doing everything you can to protect your child’s smile.
Professional Fluorides
Fluoride treatments are a key component of preventive pediatric dentistry. Fluoride is a natural mineral that has been proven to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent decay. We recommend professional fluoride treatments for an additional layer of protection against cavities.
Our professional fluoride treatments are quick and painless, usually taking just a few minutes. We generally apply a high-concentration fluoride varnish, gel, or foam to your child’s teeth, which is more potent than the fluoride found in toothpaste or tap water. This allows for a higher level of protection against the damaging effects of plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth, especially for children who are at a higher risk of cavities.
Professional fluoride treatments can be administered during your child’s regular dental check-ups every six months. It’s a simple measure that can have a significant impact on maintaining your child’s oral health. While fluoride treatments are not a substitute for daily brushing and flossing, they provide an important extra line of defense in the fight against tooth decay.
Crowns
At Rising Stars, we understand the importance of addressing dental issues promptly, and one such solution we offer is dental crowns. Crowns are tooth-shaped “caps” that are placed over teeth to restore their shape, size, strength, and appearance. They are typically used when a tooth is damaged or decayed to the extent that a filling won’t suffice.
Pediatric dental crowns are often necessary after a root canal treatment or if a tooth has broken or decayed significantly. They can also be used for cosmetic reasons, such as improving the look of a discolored tooth.
Our pediatric dentists are skilled in applying dental crowns, ensuring a comfortable, pain-free experience for your child. The procedure involves reshaping the tooth and taking an impression to create a perfect match. The crown is then bonded to the tooth, fully covering the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line.
Dental crowns not only enhance your child’s smile but also offer them the functionality of a normal tooth, restoring their ability to eat and speak with ease. Moreover, they protect and strengthen the underlying tooth structure, preventing any further damage.
We ensure that our pediatric dental crowns match the color, shape, and size of your child’s teeth, resulting in a natural-looking smile. Our utmost priority is to provide your child with a healthy, happy smile and the confidence that comes with it.
Tooth Extractions
There may come a situation where a tooth extraction becomes necessary for your child’s overall oral health. At Rising Stars, we approach these situations with utmost care, ensuring a gentle and fear-free experience.
Tooth extractions are typically needed when a tooth is too damaged or decayed to save or make room for proper alignment of teeth. They can also be an important step when planning for orthodontic treatment.
Our team understands the apprehension associated with tooth extractions, especially for children. That’s why we use kid-friendly terms to explain the process, helping to alleviate any fears your child might have. We prioritize your child’s comfort, employing the gentlest techniques and the latest anesthesia options to ensure a pain-free experience.
Rest assured, our experienced pediatric dentists provide the most compassionate care, allowing your child to feel safe and comfortable during the procedure. Post-extraction, we’ll provide detailed care instructions to ensure a swift healing process. Remember, our goal at is not just to provide excellent dental care, but also to create positive dental experiences that contribute to a lifetime of good oral health.
Sedation Dentistry
Dental visits can sometimes evoke anxiety, especially in children. At Rising Stars, we’re committed to making every dental appointment a pleasant and comfortable experience and offer sedation dentistry when necessary. Sedation dentistry employs safe, effective techniques that can help your child relax during dental procedures.
Different levels of sedation can be used depending on your child’s specific needs and the complexity of the procedure, ranging from mild nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to general anesthesia, all administered by trained professionals. Nitrous oxide, a mild sedative, is most commonly used for children. It’s safe, wears off quickly, and can help ease any anxiety or discomfort during the treatment.
For more extensive procedures or for children with high levels of anxiety, we may recommend deep sedation or general anesthesia, both of which are administered under the careful supervision of an anesthesiologist. This allows your child to sleep through the procedure, ensuring they are comfortable and free from discomfort.
Our sedation dentistry options have been designed to provide the most comfortable dental experience for your child, with their safety and well-being being our utmost priority. We always discuss sedation options and recommendations with parents or guardians prior to any procedure, ensuring you’re fully informed and comfortable with the chosen method. We believe in creating an environment where your child feels safe and relaxed, making their journey to a healthy smile a positive experience.
Emergency Care
Accidents and dental emergencies can happen at any time, leaving parents anxious and uncertain about what to do next. We are committed to being there for your child in these critical moments. Our expert team is trained to handle a wide range of dental emergencies, including toothaches, broken or chipped teeth, knocked-out teeth, and oral injuries.
In the event of a dental emergency, it’s crucial to act fast. Our office provides same-day appointments for emergency situations to ensure timely intervention and treatment to alleviate pain and prevent further damage. We assess the situation, provide immediate treatment, and if necessary, recommend follow-up procedures.
Rest assured, we prioritize your child’s comfort during these stressful situations. Our caring pediatric dentists are skilled in calming anxious patients, allowing your child to feel safe and at ease. We explain everything in simple, kid-friendly language, making sure your child understands what’s happening and why. At Rising Stars, we stand by to provide prompt, compassionate care when your child needs it most.
Dislodged or displaced tooth
One example of a dental emergency is when a tooth becomes dislodged or displaced. If this happens, it is crucial to seek immediate dental care. Our skilled team will expertly replant and stabilize the tooth to prevent further damage. By addressing this issue promptly, we can minimize pain and potential complications. Remember not to touch the tooth by the root, as it can damage the delicate tissue and make replanting more challenging. Contact our office as soon as possible for treatment and assistance.
Knocked out tooth
In case of a tooth being completely knocked out, time is of the essence. Contact our office immediately so that we can guide you through the necessary steps before your appointment. It is crucial not to scrub or remove any attached tissue when handling the tooth. Instead, hold it by the crown and try to reposition it in the socket if possible. With prompt treatment, we can increase the chances of successfully replanting the tooth.
Chipped or fractured tooth
While a small chip may not require immediate attention, a larger one can lead to pain and complications. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team if your child has a chipped tooth. We will assess the damage and recommend the most suitable course of action to maintain your oral health.
Toothaches or sensitivity
Toothaches are a common issue that can be caused by various factors, such as infection, decay, or injury. If your child experiences a toothache, our team is here to help. Contact our office, and we will determine the cause of their discomfort and provide the necessary treatment. This can include procedures like fillings, root canal therapy, or extractions, depending on the underlying issue.
Special Needs Dentistry
We believe every child deserves exceptional dental care, including those with special needs. We understand that children with special needs may need extra patience and understanding in a dental setting, and we are committed to providing just that.
Our team of highly skilled pediatric dentists has undergone specialized training to cater to the unique dental needs of children with physical, emotional, developmental, cognitive, and sensory conditions. We adapt our techniques and treatment plans to ensure a comfortable and positive dental experience.
For children who may find routine dental procedures challenging, we offer sedation dentistry to ensure a calm and stress-free visit. We work closely with parents or guardians to understand your child’s specific needs and develop a customized treatment plan that addresses any concerns you may have.
At Rising Stars, we are dedicated to providing high-quality dental care to all children, regardless of their abilities. Our goal is for every child to leave our office with a shining smile and look forward to their next dental experience with us. You can trust us to provide the best possible care for your child, every step of the way.
Mouthguards & Nightguards
Children are naturally active and often participate in sports and physical activities that might expose them to the risk of dental injuries. We offer custom-fitted mouthguards to safeguard your child’s teeth, jaw, and soft tissues from potential trauma. These mouthguards are designed to fit comfortably over your child’s teeth, providing indispensable protection during sports and play.
On the other hand, nightguards serve to protect the teeth in a different scenario. If your child grinds their teeth during sleep, a condition known as bruxism, a nightguard can play an important role in preventing tooth damage. A nightguard is a custom-made oral appliance that fits over your child’s teeth and acts as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, helping to protect them from the harmful effects of grinding and clenching.
Both mouthguards and nightguards are made from a durable material and are custom-designed to fit your child’s mouth perfectly. They are comfortable to wear, easy to clean, and durable, ensuring long-lasting protection. Remember, while over-the-counter options are available, nothing beats the fit and protection provided by a custom-made mouthguard or nightguard. At Rising Stars, we are committed to protecting your child’s smile, both day and night!
