Pediatric Dentist Services in Bradenton and Sarasota

Although most periodontal treatment is provided to adults, there are occasions when children and teens need certain periodontal procedures.

Schedule a pediatric dental exam for your children with us today.

Gentle and Effective Periodontics Dentistry for Children and Teens

Most children and teens rarely need gum disease treatment, but occasionally, you might find that your child needs to see a pediatric dentist. Children sometimes need correction of gum and soft tissue situations that are the result of other factors. A pediatric dentist can perform periodontal procedures on young people to assist orthodontic treatment. Some teens with fully developed jaws can receive dental implants for missing teeth.

Our team is proud to serve families from North Port, St. Petersburg, and Largo at our state-of-the-art Florida dental offices in Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and Sun City Center. We’re excited to care for you! Call 941-201-3055 for Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch, 941-209-5052 for Bradenton, or 813-331-5845 for Sun City Center.

Attentive and Comfortable Children’s Dentistry in Florida in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Sun City Center

Drs. Ryan, Tyler, and Thomas Rubino are highly trained and experienced in all periodontal procedures your child would need. They know that children require a delicate touch and provide treatment in a gentle and reassuring manner while ensuring your child is always as comfortable as possible. We have dental sedation methods available, including safe sedation dentistry for children, to ensure a relaxed dental visit.

We always make sure both you and your child understand what is going to be done and answer all questions before any procedure begins. In this way, your child can relax, and you can reassure them as needed.

You Can Attend the Exam Visit

The doctors conduct a complete new patient exam on all children and teens coming to our office for possible treatment. You are welcome to accompany your child during the examination.

You and your child will be included together in treatment discussions so you both can fully understand what is to be done and have your questions fully answered. Once treatment begins, you may sit with your child in the treatment room until the procedure actually starts.

Procedures for Children and Teens

Below are the main procedures performed for children and teens.

Tooth Exposure for Orthodontics

Certain teeth, such as canines, occasionally fail to erupt (break through the gum line) and move into their proper position on the dental arch. An orthodontist will need to have the crown of this tooth exposed in order to move the tooth into its correct place in your child’s smile.

Drs. Ryan, Tyler, and Thomas Rubino assist the work of the orthodontist by gently exposing the crown of an unerupted tooth and attaching an orthodontic bracket to it. This will then allow the orthodontist to correct the tooth’s position with standard orthodontic treatment.

Accelerated Orthodontics

Accelerated Orthodontics (Periodontally Assisted Osteogenic Orthodontics, or Wilckodontics) is a treatment that can be performed on any teen who has all their permanent teeth and is receiving orthodontic correction with conventional braces. A quick and simple perform quick and simple procedure on your teen’s jaw bone will be performed, which greatly reduces resistance to tooth movement.

This allows the orthodontist to rapidly and safely change the position of your teenager’s teeth up to four times faster than is possible using braces alone. With Accelerated Orthodontics, your teenager can achieve full corrective results in about seven months as opposed to the 18-36 months it would take with conventional braces alone.

Learn more about Accelerated Orthodontics treatment from your pediatric dentist.

Gum Grafting Services for Receding Gums in Children

Children and teens will sometimes have an area of gum recession as a result of orthodontic treatment or other factors. This exposes the tooth roots, leaving them susceptible to damage and decay, and jeopardizes their long-term health. Your child’s pediatric dentist can gently restore the gum line around the tooth roots with minimally invasive gum grafting procedures.

Learn more about how your pediatric dentist can perform Gum Recession treatments.

Recontouring the Gum Line

Occasionally, the gums swell up and change their bordering lines around the teeth after orthodontics, causing the gum line to become uneven and excessively cover certain teeth. Gum lines around the teeth can also be uneven due to genetics. Recontouring the gum line around the teeth will give your child’s gums a new, aesthetic, and symmetrical look.

Fixing a Gummy Smile

Occasionally, a person’s gum and bone tissue cover more of the crown of the teeth than usual and make the teeth look short. This is what gives someone a “gummy smile.” Although it can make a person very self-conscious and cause them to not want to smile, it also makes it very hard to clean the teeth completely or treat any decay that might develop.

For teens who have a gummy smile, a pediatric dentist can gently remove the excess gum and bone tissue covering the crowns of the teeth and recontour them so the teeth are evenly bordered. This makes the teeth look their normal size in relationship to the gums and gives your teen a healthy, natural-looking, and nice smile.

Correcting an Oversized Frenum

The frenum, or frenulum, is a small fold of tissue that connects two parts of the inside of your mouth and limits the motion of one of the parts. The frenulae are found on the inside center of your lips and in the center of the underside of your tongue.

When the frenulums are too strong or too large, they restrict motion too much. An oversized frenum under your tongue will make it difficult to speak or chew food properly. Oversized frenula in your lips can pull against the gums in the jaw (where the frenum is attached) and cause the gums to recede. For teenagers, an oversized frenum can also cause problems with orthodontic treatment.

When a pediatric dentist determines it’s needed, the size and strength of the frenum can be reduced and thus bringing its motion-limiting function back to normal.

Dental Implants for Teens

Sometimes a permanent tooth is lost during the teen years due to injury or other causes, and occasionally, there is a baby tooth for which no permanent tooth was ever formed. A dental implant can be placed for teens who have a missing permanent tooth and whose jaws are fully grown.

A dental implant is a titanium post inserted into the jaw that functions as a replacement root for a missing tooth and forms the foundation for a restorative dental crown. The implant and crown feel and function just like a regular tooth and are the strongest and most lifelike of all tooth replacement options.

A dental-implant-supported replacement tooth provides the chewing pressure needed to prevent bone loss in that space. It will keep the adjacent teeth from shifting position, which, if not prevented, could adversely affect your teen’s bite. Dental implants have many major advantages that make them the gold standard of tooth replacement options.

Ask your pediatric dentist about dental implants, and learn more here.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can my child receive periodontal treatment?

There’s no specific minimum age for periodontal treatment, as it depends on your child’s individual needs and dental development. Some procedures, like frenectomies, can be performed on very young children when necessary. However, more complex procedures like dental implants typically require fully developed jaws, which usually occur around age 16-18 for girls and 18-21 for boys. Your pediatric periodontist will evaluate your child’s specific situation and recommend the most appropriate timing for any needed treatments.

How do I know if my child needs to see a periodontist rather than just a regular dentist?

You should consider a periodontal consultation if your child has specific issues such as teeth that haven’t erupted properly, significant gum recession, an uneven gum line, difficulty speaking due to tongue-tie, or if they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment that requires specialized gum procedures. Your regular dentist or orthodontist will typically refer you to a periodontist when specialized expertise is needed. Signs that warrant evaluation include persistent gum bleeding, loose teeth, or aesthetic concerns about your child’s smile.

Will periodontal procedures interfere with my child’s orthodontic treatment?

Most periodontal procedures are designed to complement and enhance orthodontic treatment, not interfere with it. Procedures like tooth exposure and accelerated orthodontics actually help orthodontic treatment work more effectively and potentially reduce treatment time. Your periodontist will coordinate closely with your orthodontist to ensure optimal timing and results. In some cases, periodontal treatment may need to be completed before orthodontic treatment begins, while other procedures can be done simultaneously.

Is sedation safe for children during periodontal procedures?

Yes, when administered by trained professionals, sedation is very safe for pediatric periodontal procedures. Our practice uses age-appropriate sedation methods specifically designed for children, with careful monitoring throughout the procedure. The type and level of sedation will depend on your child’s age, anxiety level, and the complexity of the procedure. We’ll discuss all sedation options with you beforehand and ensure you’re comfortable with the chosen approach for your child’s safety and comfort.

How long is the recovery time for pediatric periodontal procedures?

Recovery time varies depending on the specific procedure performed. Minor procedures like frenectomies may require only a few days of soft foods and careful oral hygiene, while more extensive procedures like gum grafting may require one to two weeks for initial healing. Most children can return to school within one to three days, though they may need to avoid certain activities or foods temporarily. We’ll provide detailed post-operative instructions and are always available to answer questions during your child’s recovery period.

Investing in Your Child’s Smile and Oral Health Future at Rubino Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

Pediatric periodontal care in Florida represents an investment in your child’s long-term oral health and confidence. While most children won’t require extensive periodontal treatment, addressing issues early when they do arise can prevent more complex problems later in life and ensure your child develops a healthy, beautiful smile they’ll be proud to share.

The specialized procedures available for children and teens today offer remarkable opportunities to correct developmental issues, enhance orthodontic outcomes, and address aesthetic concerns that might otherwise affect your child’s self-esteem. From simple frenectomies that improve speech to accelerated orthodontics that can dramatically reduce treatment time, modern pediatric periodontics provides gentle, effective solutions tailored specifically for young patients.

Make your smile a priority! Dial 941-201-3055 for Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch, 941-209-5052 for Bradenton, or 813-331-5845 for Sun City Center, or book online. Serving North Port, St. Petersburg, and Largo.