Restorative Dentistry
in Charlotte, NC

If a cavity is large or the tooth is weak, a stainless steel crown may be the best way to protect it. These crowns are durable, long-lasting, and ideal for back baby teeth that need to stay in place until adult teeth are ready to come in.

The material used is medical-grade stainless steel, trusted for decades in pediatric dentistry and widely considered safe and effective. It offers full coverage to protect the tooth and restore function, allowing your child to eat, speak, and grow with confidence.

For families who prefer a more natural, esthetic option, zirconia crowns are tooth-colored, metal-free, and beautifully durable. These are especially popular for front baby teeth and are placed with great care to preserve both function and appearance.

Dr. Simon will review which type of crown—zirconia or stainless steel—is best suited for your child’s needs and will walk you through the risks and benefits of each option with honesty and care. Our goal is to support you in making the best decision for your child’s health, comfort, and smile.

When decay reaches the nerve of the tooth, we may recommend pulp therapy (sometimes called a baby root canal). This gentle procedure helps save the tooth, relieve discomfort, and preserve function until the tooth is naturally ready to fall out.

In this treatment, the affected portion of the nerve is carefully removed, and a special medication is placed to calm the area and prevent bacteria from spreading into the roots of the tooth.
We use local anesthesia, calming techniques, and a patient-first approach to make sure your child stays relaxed and comfortable.

If a tooth is severely decayed, damaged, or preventing other teeth from coming in properly, an extraction may be the best option. Extractions are always a last resort, and we’ll walk you through every alternative before making that recommendation.

When needed, we perform extractions with age-appropriate explanations, sensory-friendly supports, and space management plans when appropriate. Dr. Simon will review your child’s needs and discuss sedation options with you, if necessary.

If your child loses a baby tooth early due to decay or trauma, a space maintainer helps keep that spot open so the adult tooth can come in correctly. Without it, nearby teeth may shift into the space, which can lead to crowding and increase the chance of needing braces later on.

The space maintainer is custom-fit and placed to hold the space and then removed once the adult tooth begins to erupt. It’s a simple, preventive step that helps protect your child’s developing smile.

When cavities are small—or your child isn’t ready for traditional dental treatment—Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) offers a safe, gentle, non-invasive way to stop decay from progressing. It’s a liquid solution that’s simply brushed onto the affected area.

One of the visible effects of SDF is that it can cause the treated area to turn black. While this can look concerning at first, it’s actually a good thing—it means the cavity has been stopped in its tracks. The discoloration is a sign that the decay has been successfully arrested.

SDF is especially helpful for very young children, children with sensory sensitivities, or when treatment needs to be delayed. It gives us time—time for your child to grow, feel more confident, or prepare for future treatment. And when they’re ready, that tooth can always be restored later for esthetics.

At Pure Hearts Pediatric Dentistry, we’ll walk you through when and why this option might be best for your child, and we’ll always honor your comfort and preferences every step of the way.