Minimally Invasive Dentistry in Apple Valley MN

In general, we've seen modern dentistry start to move away from traditional "drill and fill" cavity treatment toward a more conservative approach to oral health care. This treatment philosophy, known as minimally invasive dentistry, is an approach that is particularly effective for young children and is the approach we take when appropriate to ensure your child has the best possible dental experience at Carousel Pediatric Dentistry.

Minimally Invasive Dental Crown Placement

To protect your child's long-term oral health, we must preserve the structure of their baby teeth until they are ready to come out on their own. In some cases, this requires our specialists to place a stainless steel crown to protect a decayed or damaged baby tooth to keep it intact.

Dr. Katie and Dr. Kyle might recommend a crown for your child if a primary tooth is too damaged to support a filling or to protect the teeth of children who are at high risk for tooth decay. Placing a stainless steel crown to protect a decayed tooth is also an option for children who can't tolerate injections or can't sit for lengthy procedures because of age, behavior, or medical issues.

When placing a dental crown in Apple Valley for adults, the tooth needs to be numbed and drilled; when placing stainless steel crowns for children, we can use a minimally invasive procedure called the Hall technique whenever possible.

Placing a dental crown with this conservative approach eliminates the need for drilling and anesthesia and protects the tooth until it's ready to come out on its own naturally.

For cavities in very young children or those unable to tolerate routine dental treatment, we may recommend silver diamine fluoride (SDF). 

SDF is quickly and painlessly applied with a small brush to stop decay from spreading and keep the tooth stable. The silver in SDF kills any bacteria that are present and prevents new bacteria from forming. The fluoride component helps prevent the breakdown of the tooth structure.

Treatment with silver diamine fluoride allows us to delay many invasive procedures like numbing and drilling a tooth. It is perfect for young children with extensive cavities, those with special needs, or children who are very apprehensive about dental visits.

Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) is a conservative approach used to help children have a more comfortable and positive experience at the dental office. Using the ART approach, Dr. Kyle Nordeen and Dr. Katie Nordeen do not need to drill a tooth; they remove decay using hand instruments only, then restore the cavity with a filling.

With atraumatic dentistry, there's no need for drills or injections, which results in less anxiety and discomfort for children. ART also helps to conserve tooth structure and reduces pain.

This conservative approach is not right for every child, but it has proven to be helpful for young children and those who have special behavioral or medical needs.

As part of their specialized training in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Katie Nordeen and Dr. Kyle Nordeen stay current with treatments and techniques that benefit your child's oral health. They are committed to bringing quality pediatric dentistry to families in Apple Valley, Eagan, Rosemount, Lakeville, Farmington, and all surrounding communities.

Please call us to schedule a convenient appointment. We look forward to welcoming your family!