Recommended Visits for Your Children

Recommended Visits for Your Children

At Vernon Hill Pediatric Dentistry, we focus on preventative dental care. We recommend regular exams and regular hygiene visits to ensure that your child is healthy as well as to monitor his or her dental growth and development.

Smiling Kid on Dental Office — Worcester, MA — Vernon Hill Pediatric

Fillings & Restorative Treatment

When a primary tooth or permanent tooth is infected with a cavity, the dentist may recommend filling the cavity with a composite filling or a white filling. If the cavity extends across a large area of the tooth, or if the nerve of the tooth has been affected, the dentist may recommend a crown to cover and protect the tooth once the cavity has been removed. When treating a cavity on a primary or permanent tooth, the goal is to create an infection-free mouth, as well as reduce the risk of having cavities spread to other healthy teeth. When possible, primary teeth should be maintained and kept healthy until permanent teeth replace them. If measures aren’t taken, crowding of permanent teeth may occur as your child gets older if primary teeth are lost early due to dental disease.

Nitrous Oxide

Anxiety when going to the dentist is a very real and common thing. We understand that some children may be apprehensive for their dental treatment, and we strive to create a comfortable and positive visit for your child when they come to Vernon Hill Pediatric Dentistry. As an aid during restorative visits, your dentist may recommend the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Nitrous Oxide is a colorless gas with a slightly sweet smell that is a safe and effective agent that reduces the feeling of anxiety and also helps to minimize mild discomfort. It is not intended to put your child to sleep, and your child will be able to speak to and communicate with the dentist and dental assistant for the entire appointment while feeling calm and comfortable. Nitrous Oxide use is recommended for children who are able and willing to cooperate, but experience apprehension and/or anxiety for dental treatment. We will discuss the use of laughing gas, if necessary, at your child’s initial visit.

Nitrous Oxide

Anxiety when going to the dentist is a very real and common thing. We understand that some children may be apprehensive for their dental treatment, and we strive to create a comfortable and positive visit for your child when they come to Vernon Hill Pediatric Dentistry. As an aid during restorative visits, your dentist may recommend the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Nitrous Oxide is a colorless gas with a slightly sweet smell that is a safe and effective agent that reduces the feeling of anxiety and also helps to minimize mild discomfort. It is not intended to put your child to sleep, and your child will be able to speak to and communicate with the dentist and dental assistant for the entire appointment while feeling calm and comfortable. Nitrous Oxide use is recommended for children who are able and willing to cooperate, but experience apprehension and/or anxiety for dental treatment. We will discuss the use of laughing gas, if necessary, at your child’s initial visit.

Child on Dental Clinic — Worcester, MA — Vernon Hill Pediatric

General Anesthesia

At your child’s first visit, Dr. Kapadia or Dr. Rodenas will evaluate your child to determine the extent of your child dental needs. They will also evaluate whether the child can cooperate in the dental office. Factors such as young age, special healthcare needs, or extreme dental anxiety will be assessed. If necessary, the dentist may recommend treatment under general anesthesia. Should your child need general anesthesia, Dr. Kapadia will provide your child’s comprehensive dental treatment in a safe, outpatient operating room setting at UMASS Hahnemann in Worcester.


If general anesthesia is indicated, our staff will work with you to review insurance benefits, coordinate a pre-operative visit to be scheduled with your child’s pediatrician, and of course to answer any additional questions you may have before the scheduled day of treatment.

Once your child has been treated and is cavity-free, Dr. Kapadia will see your child for a post-operative visit. At this appointment, she will evaluate your child for normal healing, as well as review healthy diet and oral hygiene practices at home in order to prevent new cavities from forming. In order to maintain good oral health and overall health after all the cavities are treated, we recommend being seen regularly for hygiene and exam visits.