Other Services

5251 S. Laburnum Ave
Richmond, VA 23231

(Conveniently located across from Lidl’s)

Phone (804) 236-2000

Children’s Dentistry
Dental Bridge
Dental Crown
Extractions
Root Canal Therapy
Preventive Dentistry
Children’s Dentistry

Dr. Allen and staff takes pride in understanding of the special care needed by your child. Whether this is your child’s first visit to a dentist, or if they have been in care for some years, we do all we can to help them (and you!) feel at ease.

When Should My Child Start Seeing a Dentist?

The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child’s first dental appointment once the first tooth has erupted. This usually occurs by 1 year of age. As soon as a child has teeth, those teeth are subject to decay. The primary concern in very young children is “Early Childhood Caries” also known as “baby bottle tooth decay,” which can be avoided with early prevention and home care.

First Visit

Despite our best efforts, this first visit to a dentist can sometimes be intimidating. We encourage you to talk to your child about what to expect before coming in, without using any language that might cause apprehension (e.g., needles or pain).

During the appointment, Dr. Allen will review your child’s medical and dental history. She will gently examine your child’s teeth, gum tissue and jaw. The teeth will be cleaned and polished, followed by the application of a fluoride solution. At each step, we will let your child know what to expect, using pictures and easily understandable language. Part of a visit to our office also includes motivating you and your child toward a healthy diet and hygiene activities to get them off to a great start. Call our office today 804 236-2000.

Dental Bridge

If you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth in a row, we may recommend a dental bridge to restore your smile. A bridge is a fixed dental restoration, meaning it is non-removable and is an excellent way to restore missing teeth. When teeth are missing the remaining teeth may begin to shift or change position. This can lead to many problems, including loss of more teeth. The dental bridge is anchored in place using two or more dental crowns, which are custom made to fit your smile and are placed on the teeth or dental implants next to the space left by the missing tooth. These crowns hold the artificial tooth in place to restore your smile, ensuring that your restoration will not easily shift or come loose.

Reasons for a fixed dental bridge

Fill space of missing teeth.
Maintain facial shape.
Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
Restore chewing and speaking ability.
Restore your smile.

What’s involved?

Getting a dental bridge usually requires two or more visits. While the teeth are numb, the two anchoring teeth are prepared by removing a portion of enamel to allow for a crown. Next, a highly accurate impression (mold) is made which will be sent to a dental laboratory where the bridge will be fabricated. In addition, a temporary bridge will be made and worn for several weeks until your next appointment.

At the second visit, your permanent bridge will be carefully checked, adjusted, and cemented to achieve a proper fit. Occasionally Dr. Allen may temporarily cement the bridge, allowing your teeth and tissue time to get used to the new bridge. The new bridge will then be permanently cemented at a later time.

Dental bridges are custom-made to match your natural teeth in color, size, shape and function. They are made from strong and durable materials such as gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all-ceramic materials. With appropriate at home and professional care, your dental bridges may last for years. Call our office for a consultation today 804 236-2000.

Dental Crown

A dental crown, or cap, is a restoration that can be used for several purposes. One of the most common uses of a dental crown is to restore a tooth that is significantly damaged or decayed. The crown is custom made to fit over the entire tooth starting at the gum line.

Your smile may benefit from a crown if a tooth is damaged or decayed to the point that a dental filling will not provide a successful restoration. Crowns can also be used for several other restorative and aesthetic purposes, including:

To protect a tooth following root canal therapy
To anchor and attach a dental bridge
To cover and complete a dental implant
To enhance the beauty of your smile
To improve a misshapen tooth
To strengthen a tooth that is fractured, cracked or weakened
To support a large filling when little natural tooth structure remains

What’s involved

A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. A mold will also be used to create a temporary crown which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory.

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to properly fit the crown. Once these details are accomplished, your temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement and your bite will be checked to ensure you are biting properly.

At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure the spacing and bite are accurate.

Dental crowns can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal; porcelain crowns are popular because they match the natural color and appearance of your teeth. Dr. Allen will help you determine which type of dental crown is right for your smile. Call our office today 804 236-2000.

Extractions

Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth. The loss of your teeth can have a major impact on overall oral health and appearance. Although dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are still some occasions when a tooth needs to be extracted. A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:

Severe decay
Advanced gum disease
Infection or abscess
Orthodontic correction
Mispositioned teeth
Fractured teeth or roots
Impacted teeth

Dr. Allen may suggest an extraction after careful examination and treatment. X-rays will be used to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone before extracting the tooth. Based on the degree of difficulty, we may refer you to an oral surgeon.

What’s involved?

After careful examination Dr. Allen will prepare a method of extraction. You will then be given a local anesthetic that will prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure. Next, we will gently loosen the ligaments and gum tissue around the base of the tooth. We will also elevate your tooth from the tooth socket. Finally, Dr. Allen will use a pair of forceps, to gently rock the tooth back and forth until it breaks free of the ligaments holding it in the gum tissue. Occasionally, a stubborn tooth will resist the soft tug, refusing to come out. In these and more complex cases, the tooth may need to be broken up into smaller pieces for removal. Afterwards, if needed, Dr. Allen will place sutures and medicine to aid in your healing. You will be given special instructions on how to care for your extraction site and if you have any questions you can always call our office. 804 236-2000

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment, also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy, is used to save an infected or damaged tooth and avoid having to remove it. A root canal becomes necessary when a neglected cavity reaches all the way to the pulp at the center of the tooth, causing the pulp to become infected. Regular cleanings and checkups detect and prevent problems early on.

Trauma can also cause deep damage to the nerve of a tooth. Once this occurs, the pulp becomes infected, and it begins to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is called an abscess). By the time the pulp is infected it must be treated and cannot heal on its own. It can even weaken the entire immune system, making it very dangerous and painful.

Symptoms of infected pulp may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain with biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms at all.

What’s involved:

A root canal procedure requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a general dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist).

While the tooth is numb, a rubber dam (a sheet of rubber) will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva. An access opening is made on top of the tooth and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. If tooth decay is present, it will also be removed with special dental instruments. Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are needed, a temporary filling will be placed.

At the next appointment, usually a week later, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with special dental materials. A filling will be placed to cover the opening on top of the tooth. In addition, all teeth that have root canal treatment should have a crown (cap) placed. This will protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking and restore it to its full function.

After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed. You will be given care instructions after each appointment. Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your root canal treatment. If you’re in pain and feel you may need a root canal, call our office today 804 236-2000.

Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is oral care that involves education, treatment and maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. The goal of preventive dentistry is to preserve oral health by preventing the development of any dental disease such as cavities, infections or periodontal (gum) disease. At Allen Family Dental we understand that there’s a direct link between your oral health and your overall health therefore, will treat your oral disease, but we will also give you the tools needed to maintain both.

Call our office for an appointment today!

(804)236-2000