Children's Dentistry
Sensational Smiles on Minnesota Avenue
Your family's trusted dental home
Having a dental home is important, especially for your children. Returning to the same office for all their dental needs allows your children to get to know our team. They’ll become familiar with the dental office and learn that it can be a fun place to be and that they have nothing to fear. Sensational Smiles offers a warm and friendly environment, and our entire team is great with kids of all ages. We love building positive relationships with our littlest patients and their families.
We use digital X-rays, which are faster, clearer, and safer than traditional X-rays. We begin to regularly take digital X-rays between ages 3 and 4 to monitor your child’s dental health and check for cavities between the teeth. For kids younger than 3, we only take X-rays on an as-needed basis.
Create healthy habits with your children
Preventive Dental Care
Preventive dental care is essential to instill good oral hygiene habits. That means a good at-home brushing and flossing routine and regular dental evaluations that include professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Our team will help you navigate effective toothbrushing routines and will provide strategies to help you engage your child in healthy oral care habits. Preventive dental care is important whether your child has their permanent teeth or just their baby teeth. Baby teeth actually play a vital role in your child’s oral health, acting as placeholders and helping guide permanent teeth into place. They also contribute to speech development and are important from a nutritional standpoint.
When you bring your child to our dental office, we may suggest preventive treatments for extra protection against cavities. These may include fluoride varnish or fluoride foam applications, dental sealants, or silver diamine fluoride treatments. We aim to help your little ones avoid dental problems in the future by protecting their teeth against decay. You can be sure that your children are in safe hands with Sensational Smiles.
Non-invasive cavity treatment
Silver Diamine Fluoride
With little mouths especially, access to a cavity can be limited. With silver diamine fluoride, we can still treat the cavity and remineralize the enamel to prevent further decay. No anesthetic is needed with silver diamine fluoride, either! It’s a liquid that we brush onto the cavity, helping your child retain their tooth and keep the natural tooth structure. This treatment is perfect for cavities between molars.
Repairs cavities & restores their smile
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Your child might need a filling if their dentist finds cavities during their dental checkup. Tooth-colored fillings are an excellent option for restoring your child’s teeth. They have a more natural look than traditional fillings so your child can continue to smile confidently. And best of all, they are quick and easy to place, so they only require one appointment.
Enhancing little smiles
Dental Bonding
For minor dental issues such as chipped or discolored teeth, dental bonding is a simple and effective treatment we use for both adults and kids. Our experienced dentists use a tooth-colored composite resin to correct imperfections, which can make a big difference in the appearance of your child’s smile. Dental bonding is a quick, minimally invasive treatment, and you’ll see the results immediately.
Prevent infection and tooth loss
Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy is a treatment to address decay or infection in the inner tissues (pulp) of a baby tooth. It prevents the spread of infection so that the tooth can be saved. Your child’s dentist will carefully remove the infected tissue and disinfect the area. Then they will place a protective material to seal the area and prevent further damage. A pulpotomy will resolve pain and discomfort so your little one can get back to all the fun things they love doing. Your child’s comfort is important to us, and we will ensure they have a positive and pain-free experience.
Strengthens the tooth and seals from damage
Stainless Steel Dental Crowns
If one of your child’s baby teeth has severe decay or damage, it may need a stainless steel dental crown. These are very durable and offer exceptional strength and protection so that we can save the tooth. Our experienced dentists will make sure the crown fits comfortably so that your child can bite down normally. It will improve the functionality of your child’s smile, allowing them to speak, eat, and smile confidently and without pain.
Preserve your child's oral health
Tooth Extraction
When a child has overcrowding or extensive decay, they may need a tooth extraction. Your child’s dentist will administer local anesthesia to ensure your child is comfortable throughout treatment. They will then gently remove the tooth. You can be assured that our team will prioritize your child’s well-being and create a calm environment. We’ll also provide you with aftercare instructions to help you support your child’s recovery.
For anxiety-free dental visits
Sedation Dentistry for Kids
We understand that some children feel anxious about dental visits. Sedation dentistry options are available to help them relax and remain calm for a stress-free experience. Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a safe and effective form of sedation we administer through a special nosepiece to help your child relax during treatment. If your child needs a longer treatment, has a medical condition, or experiences severe anxiety, we can provide in-hospital sedation. The Sensational Smiles team works closely with pediatric anesthesiologists to deliver the highest level of care and safety for your child.
Effective prevention against dental injuries
Sports Mouth Guards
A sports mouth guard will protect your child from dental injuries. All of our mouth guards are completely custom-made to suit each patient. Our team will take digital impressions to ensure your child’s mouth guard fits comfortably over the teeth and provides the correct amount of coverage. A sports mouth guard allows your child to enjoy their sports and favorite activities safely while giving you the peace of mind that their smile is protected.
Early intervention for a lasting, healthy smile
Orthodontic Evaluations
Early orthodontic evaluations are crucial for children. We recommend your child have their first evaluation no later than age 7. Orthodontic evaluations enable us to identify any potential dental issues early so that we can help guide proper oral development using appropriate techniques. This helps to ensure your child can avoid misalignment issues and prevent complex dental problems in the future.
Guiding proper alignment
Interceptive Orthodontics
Interceptive orthodontics addresses early orthodontic issues in children. At Sensational Smiles, we use a range of proven solutions to help guide your child’s alignment. These include space maintainers, which hold space for permanent teeth when baby teeth are lost prematurely. We also use braces as an early intervention measure to correct misalignments and bite issues before they have time to progress. Early intervention reduces the need for extensive orthodontic work later in life. If your child has crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, contact our team for an evaluation, and we can tailor an orthodontic treatment plan specifically to meet their needs.
A solution for tongue-ties and lip-ties
Frenectomy
A frenectomy is a common treatment for babies and young children. Sensational Smiles offers laser frenectomies to fix tongue-ties and lip-ties by releasing the tight or thickened tissue that restricts the movement of the tongue or upper lip. This helps improve oral function and resolves feeding and speech difficulties. We use a soft-tissue laser, which enables us to complete treatment quickly and safely. The laser minimizes bleeding, limits swelling, and promotes healing to create a more comfortable experience.
Other Services
Are you looking for a
family dentist in Sioux Falls?
Contact our team today to schedule appointments for your children. Family appointments are available.
They're always friendly and welcoming. They consistently do a wonderful job, regardless of which staff member I see. I've been going there since I was 6, and I now take my son there, too. He was 3 yrs old at his first appointment and had such a positive experience that he asks to go back and loves his check-ups!
TIFFANY K.