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Saturday, September 29, 2018

Panorex for Dental Assessments

If you or your child has ever stepped foot in a dental office, chances are each of you have received dental x-rays at some point. Panorex technology is utilized here at Kidz Connextion to get a better look inside the oral cavity and helps us develop an individualized treatment plan for tooth extractions, and dental braces. Much like a panoramic image, the Panorex X-ray provides a full view of the oral cavity. Panorex X-rays are two-dimensional and display the upper and lower jaws and teeth all in one film. At Kidz Connextion, our doctors may use Panorex for:



  • ·         Wisdom tooth removal

  • ·         Tooth extraction

  • ·         Canine exposure for orthodontic purposes


To begin the Panorex process, the patient will need to remove any jewelry, eyeglasses, or metal objects that might interfere with the x-ray images. He or she will then sit or stand with your chin on a small ledge while one of our doctors positions the machine. Once everything is in place, a bite blocker will be inserted into the mouth to ensure proper alignment of the teeth. The machine will then rotate around the head, taking a full 360-degree view of the teeth, head, sinuses, and bones. This can typically last between 12-20 seconds. As a benefit to the patient, no radiation remains in the body after this type of x-ray examination.


If you are searching for a pediatric dentist, look no further and give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.

Friday, September 21, 2018

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Dentists at Kidz Connextion use nitrous oxide sedation to safely sedate pediatric patients for dental procedures.  Child patients that are very anxious about seeing a dentist can get through appointments painlessly with this simple sedation method.  Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is common in dental offices because it doesn’t “knock out” the patient.  The child will remain conscious and aware of the dentist, and be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions. The goal is to leave the child feeling relaxed and cooperative, allowing a dentist to work efficiently.


Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask. The dentist will ask the child to breathe normally through their nose, and in a few short minutes, he or she should start to feel the effects. You may notice the child responding slowly or slurring speech.  This is normal, and the child will only feel light-headed and feel tingling in their arms and legs.  This safe sedation can be used for everything from teeth cleanings to more invasive procedures, depending on the child patient’s level of pain or anxiety.


Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix.  To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Reasons for Dental Check-Ups

Dentists highly recommend that everyone get their teeth professionally cleaned and examined every six months. If your kids are late for an appointment, the beginning of the school year is the perfect time to get caught up. Toothaches can have majorly detrimental impacts on kids’ education and if there’s a larger problem that needs addressing, it’s good to know when the child’s schedule is still somewhat flexible.


Children are likelier than people in other age brackets to have tooth decay. The exposure of dental nerves can be painful enough to discourage them from eating and delay speech development. It can also prevent them from getting enough sleep, causing them to have behavioral and cognition problems. We can remove tooth decay and provide mercury-free, naturally colored fillings. If a child has chronic tooth decay (or is brushing too hard and damaging their gums), we can teach them better brushing techniques.


There are a few other possible causes of toothaches that should be examined. If a tooth is impacted (unable to erupt), we may need to plan an extraction or refer a child for orthodontic treatment. Gum inflammation may also be a sign of another disease, such as diabetes. Lastly, dry mouth could be the result of certain medications and be creating an environment in which oral infections can thrive.


Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at Kidz Connextion.


 

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

White Spot Lesions

Do you know how to recognize a cavity in its first stage? If you’ve ever seen an unusually white spot on a tooth, that may have been what dentists call and “incipient lesion.” Also known as white spot lesions, these spots occur when a tooth is beginning to lose minerals.


Tooth decay is the result of acid being caught in tartar, the sticky film that clings to the outside of teeth. When bacteria in the mouth have bits of food to feed on, they are able to grow and multiply quickly, producing large amounts of acid. This is not the only way acid can harm the teeth; in people with acid reflux, acid burns the enamel of the upper back teeth. But when acid is caused by bacterial infection, the signs of decay are usually found near the gum line, on the sides of teeth, or around orthodontic brackets.


When a person sees a white spot, it means they need to do a better job of brushing in that area. White spots can form in as little as thirty days, but if the infection is killed in time, the enamel will be able to remineralize. People with braces, especially, need to pay attention to the condition of the enamel surrounding their brackets, or they may be left with hollow square-shaped white spots when their braces come off.


Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at Kidz Connextion.


 

Friday, September 7, 2018

Pediatric Dentistry

Dentists at Kidz Connextion are proud to serve the families from our community, and we want them to know it’s just as important for children to have regular dental visits.  A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled when the first baby tooth appears, or around the child’s first birthday.  Baby teeth eventually come out, but their growth and development is important for overall oral health for the child and the development of their adult teeth.


Baby teeth should be brushed and cared for like adult teeth, and it’s important to monitor their growth and development.  Missing any tooth for too long can change the development of surrounding teeth and compromise the structure of the jaw bone, but regular checkups can keep a child’s tooth development right on track.  Our dentists are skilled and experienced in administering dental care to children.  If your child has seems nervous about seeing a dentist for the first time, we recommend going through a brushing routine with them at home, and talking about the dental visit before you arrive.  Once we get your child’s oral health off to a great start, we offer a full range of services for child patients including dental cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants.


We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early, and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community!  Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix.  To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.