call for an appointment: 205.538.3335
Services we provide:
general treatment
nitrous oxide
general anesthesia
Our practice provides a wide range of dental services to your children. Our emphasis is on complete preventive care for our patients, which begins with regular hygiene checkups and a continuous oral health routine at home.
We provide many preventive measures to keep your child's teeth healthy, including sealants and fluoride treatments.
digital x-rays
Our state-of-the-art office offers one of the very latest technological advances in dentistry; digital radiography (X-rays). A sensor is placed in the mouth, and a computer generates an image in mere seconds. These X-rays can be enhanced on the computer and enlarged, and can be sent to you or your child's orthodontist electronically.
Not only are digital X-rays more friendly to the environment, but they are much safer than traditional X-rays. Our digital radiography drastically reduces the amount of radiation your child is exposed to, when compared to traditional film-based dental X-ray methods. Our Planmeca® X-ray machines "feature built-in safety measures that focus on using the least amount of radiation to achieve the best results possible."
tooth colored fillings
All of the fillings we complete in our office are made from a durable material called composite resin. This type of filling is similar to natural teeth in color and texture, making fillings less noticeable.
Inhalation sedation using Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen is a very safe way to help your child achieve a more relaxed state. It is the most popular form of sedation used in dentistry. Most children will benefit from the use of Nitrous Oxide during dental treatment.
The gas is administered along with oxygen, and results in a calming effect while blocking some pain perception. After treatment, the nitrous oxide is turned off and the patient breathes pure oxygen for a few minutes. The effects of the gas wear off almost immediately after the nitrous oxide is discontinued.
sedation dentistry
Sedation dentistry provides safe, comfortable dental treatment for patients with higher levels of anxiety. Your child may benefit from sedation dentistry if he or she has an extreme fear of dental care, complex dental problems, or fear of needles and shots.
The type of sedation used at Powell Pediatric Dentistry is called oral conscious sedation. Through this type of sedation, your child will experience minimal to moderate sedation while still being awake.
Sedation is endorsed by the American Dental Association, and is a very effective way to allow for more comfortable dental treatment.
Sometimes children are unable to cooperate or required dental work is too extensive to be completed in the office setting. These children may need to be treated in a hospital setting under general anesthesia. At the hospital, an anesthesiologist puts the patient to sleep and monitors the patient, while Dr. Powell completes the needed treatment.
The guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry list the following as indicators for general anesthesia during dental treatment:
1. Patients who are unable to cooperate due to lack of psychological or emotional maturity and/or mental, physical or medical disability;
2. Patients for whom local anesthesia is ineffective because of acute infection, anatomic variations or allergy;
3. The extremely uncooperative, fearful, anxious or uncommunicative child or adolescent;
4. Patients requiring significant surgical procedures;
5. Patients for whom the use of deep sedation or general anesthesia may protect the developing psyche and/or reduce medical risks;
6. Patients requiring immediate, comprehensive oral/dental care.
© 2013, Austin C. Powell, DMD, LLC, d.b.a. Powell Pediatric Dentistry
1628 29th Court South, Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35209
205.538.3335
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