Dentistry for Teens – Fitchburg, MA
We Help Teenagers Enjoy Strong & Healthy Smiles
Life can be tough for teenagers – there’s a lot going on, from the pressure to make good grades to keeping up with (oftentimes drama-filled) friendships and relationships. Your loved one may start to seem more like an adult in these later years, but they still have a place right here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics! Our dentists are happy to work with older children all the way up to the age of 18 in order to provide personalized and friendly care that will help their smile enter the next stage of life in a healthy, confident fashion. Contact our Fitchburg, MA dental office today to schedule a first appointment.
Why Choose Us for Dentistry for Teens?
- Dedicated Team of Pediatric Experts
- Fun & Comfortable Office Atmosphere
- All Dental Insurance & MassHealth Welcomed
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
We strongly encourage parents to schedule a professional checkup and cleaning every six months on average for their teen, or twice each calendar year. During these important visits, one of our pediatric dentists will comprehensively assess their current oral health, taking a close look at the tooth surfaces, their jaw, their overall bite, the gum tissue, any existing restorations like fillings or crowns, and more. Our goal is to catch any problems right away so that treatment can be fast and easy! Additionally, a dedicated hygiene session will thoroughly remove cavity-causing plaque and tartar from the oral surfaces to keep the smile healthy and bright.
Dental Sealants
When brushing and flossing at home, it’s all too easy for busy teens to skip the hard-to-reach back teeth. Unfortunately, these areas are prime real estate for trapped food particles, which results in a higher risk of developing cavities over time. Thankfully, our dentists can give them an extra layer of protection with dental sealants. Sealants are made of a safe, plastic-based substance that’s very tough; once in place, they serve as a barrier that prevents decay-causing bacteria from lodging into the deep grooves along the chewing surfaces. Your son or daughter won’t even notice they’re there at all, and they can last for several years with the help of proper maintenance.
Fluoride Treatment
When your teen is constantly on the go, grabbing a bottled water may be an easy timesaver – but this means they’re missing out on the valuable dental benefits of fluoride, a natural mineral that’s regularly added to tap water supplies in most communities. The presence of fluoride in a child’s diet can help them develop stronger tooth enamel and reduce their overall risk for cavities, which is why our team may recommend a professional fluoride treatment here in Fitchburg. This application can be completed during regular checkups and cleanings, and it only takes a few minutes.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
In a perfect world, all of our patients would be able to reach adulthood cavity-free – but this isn’t always the case. If pesky tooth decay springs up, we’ll address the damage it’s caused as soon as possible with a tooth-colored filling. Unlike traditional amalgam, the lifelike composite resin we use is so natural-looking that your child won’t even be able to see the actual filling. It’s also much less sensitive to changes in temperature, resulting in better oral comfort throughout everyday life.
Safe Digital X-Rays
There’s a lot going on underneath the surface of a smile, and X-rays are the best way to view it all! In order to keep your son or daughter as safe as possible during this diagnostic process, Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has invested in all-digital radiography. When compared to traditional film, this advanced technology minimizes radiation exposure by up to 80% and eliminates the need for darkroom development with hazardous chemicals entirely.
Root Canals / Pulp Therapy
Has your teenager suffered a traumatic dental injury? Are they experiencing severe toothaches or painful sensitivity in a specific tooth? An advanced infection has likely taken root in the inner pulp chamber, and it needs to be cared for as soon as possible by a trusted pediatric team. In order to rescue the tooth and prevent extraction, root canal therapy will likely be recommended, which involves the removal of diseased tissue and dangerous bacteria.
If your teen’s teeth are still developing, pulp therapy may be a worthwhile alternative. Unlike traditional root canals, we’ll take care to only eliminate badly damaged portions of the pulp while leaving whatever remains safely in place.
Teen Emergency Dentistry
Teenagers are regularly on the go, getting involved in all sorts of sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities. As a result, serious dental injuries may occur without warning, leaving parents in a panic. At Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we do everything in our power to accommodate dental emergencies right away so that pain can be alleviated and teeth can be saved. Our capable dentists are always here for your son or daughter when they need us the most!
Zirconia Dental Crowns
When a natural tooth is damaged, suffering from decay, dangerously weakened, or left incomplete, a dental crown can work wonders in helping it regain its strength and ability to function again. Here in Fitchburg, our office can create beautifully customized, high-quality restorations for teenage patients in need, and the process shouldn’t take longer than two appointments.
First, we’ll capture detailed impressions and provide a temporary crown so that they can get used to the feel of it. Once our dental laboratory sends back the finished crown, we’ll swap it out and make any necessary last-minute adjustments to ensure a comfortable and lifelike fit.
Tooth Extractions
While professional extraction will never be our team’s first choice for pediatric treatment, there are certain situations where it could be the best choice for your teen’s continuing health and wellbeing, such as:
- A traumatic dental injury has occurred
- Advanced tooth decay that can’t be treated with a filling or crown is present
- Orthodontic treatment is needed, and there isn’t enough space in the mouth to accommodate it
If our patients need extra help feeling comfortable during their extraction, sedation dentistry is always available to comfort frazzled nerves and create a safer, calmer environment.
Athletic Mouthguards
If your teenager regularly plays sports that involve physical contact with other players or projectiles, it’s important that their smile has the protection it needs. Thankfully, our pediatric dentists can design a high-quality athletic mouthguard that’s fully customized for their one-of-a-kind mouth. These appliances are head and shoulders above any store-bought model, providing unparalleled flexibility, stability, and comfort throughout the big game.