When decay reaches the inner nerve (pulp) of a baby tooth, pulp therapy offers a chance to save the tooth rather than removing it. This treatment is crucial because baby teeth play vital roles in your child's development – they enable proper chewing, help with speech development, and maintain space for permanent teeth to emerge correctly.

Understanding Pulp Therapy:
Pulp therapy comes in two forms, depending on how deeply the decay has progressed:
- A pulpotomy treats decay that has reached the top portion of the tooth's nerve. During this procedure, Dr. Andrea carefully removes the affected nerve tissue in the crown of the tooth and places a specialized medicament that helps the remaining healthy nerve tissue heal. This is often called a "baby tooth root canal."
- A pulpectomy becomes necessary when the decay affects the entire nerve, including the roots. In this case, all nerve tissue is gently removed and replaced with a biocompatible material that allows the tooth to remain functional until it naturally falls out.
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What to Expect:
After pulp therapy, the treated tooth requires a crown to protect it and restore its function. While pulp therapy has a good success rate, every case is unique. Dr. Andrea will carefully monitor the treated tooth during regular check-ups to ensure it's healing properly and maintaining its role in your child's smile. Our goal is to preserve baby teeth whenever possible while ensuring your child's comfort and long-term dental health.

When a baby tooth is lost earlier than nature intended, whether due to decay, injury, or other causes, it's important to preserve that space for the future permanent tooth. Baby teeth serve as natural space holders, guiding permanent teeth into their proper positions. If this space is lost too early, surrounding teeth can shift, leading to alignment problems when permanent teeth eventually emerge.
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How Space Maintainers Help:
Space maintainers are custom-made appliances designed to hold open the space left by an early lost baby tooth. These small, comfortable devices prevent nearby teeth from drifting into the empty space, ensuring there's room for the permanent tooth to emerge naturally.
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When They're Needed:
Dr. Andrea may recommend a space maintainer when:
- A baby molar is lost before the permanent tooth is ready to emerge
- There's risk of neighboring teeth shifting into the empty space
- Maintaining proper spacing is crucial for future tooth alignment
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These simple yet effective appliances play an important role in preventing future orthodontic complications and supporting your child's developing smile.

Silver Diamine Fluoride is an innovative, FDA-approved liquid medication that can help stop active tooth decay in its tracks. This painless treatment combines the antibacterial effects of silver with the strengthening power of fluoride to create a powerful cavity-fighting solution. The application is quick and comfortable, requiring no drilling, numbing, or shots, making it an excellent option for young children.
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When SDF Can Help:
At Poppy Kids, we understand that every child's dental needs are unique. SDF can be particularly beneficial for very young children who may have difficulty cooperating for traditional treatment, children with special healthcare needs, or situations where multiple cavities need immediate management.
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Important Information for Parents:
One of the most important things to understand about SDF is that it permanently stains decay black, indicating where the cavity-causing bacteria have been stopped. While this staining remains until the tooth falls out or until traditional treatment is completed, it serves as a visible sign that the treatment is working. Some situations may require multiple applications for optimal results, and not all cavities are candidates for SDF treatment.
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Our Approach:
Dr. Andrea carefully evaluates each child's specific situation to determine if SDF is the right choice. We often recommend it as an interim solution, buying valuable time until a child is older or more cooperative for traditional treatment. This conservative approach allows us to manage decay while avoiding more invasive procedures when possible.
Whether SDF is the best choice for your child depends on many factors that we'll discuss together. Our goal is to provide you with all the information needed to make the best decision for your child's unique dental needs.

General anesthesia provides a safe and effective way to complete all necessary dental treatment in a single visit while your child sleeps peacefully. This option is particularly beneficial for children who need extensive work, experience significant anxiety, have special healthcare needs, or are too young to cooperate for lengthy treatment.
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We proudly partner with Bay Anesthesia, a highly respected team of dental anesthesiologists specializing in pediatric care. Dr. Andrea has worked alongside their experienced team for years, creating a trusted partnership that prioritizes your child's safety and comfort. During treatment, your child will be continuously monitored by the anesthesia team while Dr. Andrea completes the dental work. This teamwork approach ensures the highest level of care throughout the procedure.
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Every step of the process, from pre-operative preparation through recovery, is carefully managed with your child's wellbeing in mind. We'll provide detailed instructions to help you prepare for the appointment and guide you through the recovery process.