There’s Always Something to Smile About at Super Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

FEATURE STORY There’s Always Something to Smile About at Super Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

BY BEVERLY PERKINS

Super Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is a team of certified dental specialists in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. They offer dental care for children ages one to 18, and orthodontics for children, adolescents and adults. Their primary goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of children, adolescents, and adults by offering the highestquality dental care in a comfortable, relaxed and friendly environment. Dr. Buscemi and Dr. Maruri (a husband and wife team at Super Smiles) answered some commonly asked questions about their practice.

When should I first take my child to the dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age one or within six months after the first tooth erupts. The idea of such early dental visits is still surprising to many new parents. However, national studies have shown that preschool-aged children are getting more cavities. More than 1 in 4 children in the United States has had at least one cavity by the age of 4. Many kids get cavities as early as age 2. To prevent early childhood cavities, parents first have to find out their child’s risk of developing cavities. They also need to learn how to manage diet as well as make a proper hygiene regimen. What should my child expect at his/her firstdental visit?

At your first dental visit, I (Dr. Buscemi) will examine and clean your child’s teeth, but more importantly I get a chance to assess your child’s oral health and how to best care for their teeth before any problems may occur. We will discuss the best way for you to clean your child’s teeth, the proper way to use fluoride and oral habits such as finger and pacifier sucking. The main goal of the first dental visit is to make it a positive experience for the child so they perceive going to the dentist as fun as opposed to the negative reputation that going to the dentist has. What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?

Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. Pediatric dentists are primary oral care providers which receive an additional two to three years of residency training beyond dental school making us specialists in treating infants and children through adolescence, including those with special needs. How can parents help prevent tooth decay?

The first step is to not share bottles, utensils or anything that goes in your mouth with your child. When your child is born, their mouth is free of the tooth decay causing bacteria Mutans Streptococci (MS). Multiple studies have shown that infants are first inoculated with MS via mother-child transmission. While it is impossible to keep your child totally free of disease causing pathogens like MS, having a regimented hygiene and diet plan is the first place to start. Simple things such as not letting them fall asleep with a bottle and cleaning their teeth as soon as they erupt with gauze and water will greatly decrease their risk of getting tooth decay. Do you offer laughing gas and sedation dentistry?

Yes, part of the specialty training that pediatric dentists receive is in pediatric analgesia. Though most children do very well with just behavioral management techniques, a child with uncontrollable body movements can be unsafe in a dental treatment room. The lightest and most common form of analgesia is nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Then the next level of sedation is conscious oral sedation, where oral sedatives along with nitrous oxide are used to make your child sleepy but still awake with the ability to respond when spoken too. If a child is extremely uncooperative and has a severe medical/dental condition, I have hospital privileges at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital where a pediatric anesthesiologist will provide the proper anesthesia. When should my child be evaluated for orthodontic treatment?

Traditionally, treatment with dental braces begins when a child has lost most of his or her baby (primary) teeth, and a majority of his or her adult (permanent) teeth have grown in, this is usually between the ages of 10-14. However in circumstance where a malocclusion may hinder growth or orthopedic expansion of the jaws is needed, orthodontics may be started earlier. The American Association of Orthodontist (AAO) recommends getting your first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. What types of braces do you offer?

We offer four types of orthodontic appliances in our office. The majority of our younger patients choose traditional metal braces so they can change colors every time they come in for an adjustment. Our more aesthetically concerned patient can choose between ceramic braces, Invisalign™ and lingual braces (braces placed on the inside of the teeth). Can adults get orthodontic treatment in your office?

Absolutely, actually around 25 percent of our orthodontic patients are adults. Adult orthodontics nationally has increased 40% in the last decade. Currently over 1 million adults receive orthodontic treatment each year. There are special considerations for adults such as periodontal disease and missing teeth that children usually do not have. Therefore, you will need good communication with your general dentist and orthodontist to make sure all aspects of your oral health are being addressed. How often do I have to come in for orthodontic adjustments?

The length of time between braces adjustments for my patients is typically every 6-8 weeks. It is important to understand that the length of time between your orthodontic adjustments does not correspond with how fast your teeth are moving. Modern braces use wires that are a mixture of metals (alloys) originally designed by NASA for outer space. This combination of metals allows the wire to apply gentle forces for a long period of time. Unlike older stainless steel wires that typically had to be adjusted every month, modern alloy wires can be effective for serveral months.

n Super Smiles Coral Springs is conveniently located on N. University Drive just South of Royal Palm Blvd. For information, call (954)346-8108 or visit www.SuperSmilesFL.com