Minimally invasive dentistry is all about conservative care and preserving healthy tooth structure. At Astro Pediatric Dentistry, we aim to manage tooth decay or damage with minimal intervention, all while supporting natural healing and eliminating the fear factor often associated with dental drills.

The following is a look at some of the minimally invasive procedures we offer:

ICON Resin Infiltration: White spot lesions are those chalky white marks on your child's teeth resulting from enamel breakdown or demineralization, most often due to poor oral hygiene, early-stage decay, enamel defects, or even after orthodontic treatment with braces. Instead of drilling and anesthetics, we simply apply a special resin that infiltrates these lesions, then use a special light to cure and harden it. ICON Resin infiltration has been shown to stop the progression of early decay and deliver a healthy, more even-colored smile without altering the enamel.

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF): SDF is one of the most useful tools in pediatric dentistry for managing cavities in children with anxiety, very young patients, or when drilling is not yet appropriate. The cavity-fighting liquid contains silver, which eliminates cavity-causing bacteria, and fluoride, which remineralizes the tooth enamel and reduces sensitivity.

SDF provides a quick solution to "arrest" cavities until your child is ready for a traditional restoration, or until the affected tooth falls out naturally. The painless procedure involves applying the cavity-fighting liquid directly to the decayed area in seconds, all without drilling, anesthetics, or discomfort. While highly effective at arresting decay in seconds, it is important to note that the treated area will turn permanently dark.

SDF SMART Technique: The Silver Modified Atraumatic Restorative Technique builds on the benefits of traditional SDF treatment. After applying SDF to stop the decay in its tracks, we cover the area with a tooth-colored glass ionomer filling material to seal and protect the affected tooth without drilling or local anesthesia.

The glass ionomer filling releases fluoride over time, helping further strengthen your child's tooth enamel and preventing the decay from progressing. Moreover, it helps mask staining caused by SDF, helping deliver a more natural-looking smile.

Hall Crown Technique: The Hall Crown Technique is a minimally invasive treatment for small to mid-sized cavities in primary molars, preserving the affected tooth with no anesthesia and little to no drilling. It involves placing a stainless steel crown over your little one's affected tooth, essentially sealing off the decay and isolating cavity-causing bacteria from oxygen and sugar. The decay gradually dies away, stopping cavities in their tracks.

The Hall crown technique has been shown to deliver outcomes comparable to the standard "drill-and-fill" procedures for baby teeth. It is highly effective at stopping tooth decay in its tracks, preserving the baby tooth until it falls out naturally.

Curodont Enamel Regeneration: Curodont is a biomimetic treatment that draws on the body's natural remineralization process. It involves applying a peptide-based gel to early lesions and very small cavities, which helps create a scaffold for calcium and phosphate to be deposited back into the enamel.

Curodont essentially rebuilds the affected tooth from the inside. It is one of the most exciting advances in minimally invasive dentistry, providing a pain-free solution for early decay. Combined with fluoride treatments and good home oral hygiene, it can prevent small cavities from ever requiring fillings.