Children’s Dentistry in Calgary
Common Dental Procedures for Healthy Smiles
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If you’re looking for a kids dentist near me who offers compassionate care and advanced pediatric dental services, trust Calgary Smiles Children’s Dental Specialists. We’re dedicated to building bright, confident smiles for children across Calgary.
Common Services
Exams and cleanings help to remove tartar from both above and below the gums, leaving the teeth whiter and gums healthier. During the exam, our team checks for early signs of tooth decay, evaluates gum health, monitors tooth development, and looks for any bite concerns. Regular cleanings — typically every 6 months — are the cornerstone of good oral health and help prevent more costly problems down the road.
Digital X-rays are an essential part of our diagnostic assessment and let us detect hidden cavities that are not visible during a clinical exam. We use low-radiation digital technology, which produces up to 90% less radiation than traditional X-rays — making them safe for children. X-rays also help us monitor tooth development, check the progress of incoming permanent teeth, and identify any bone-related concerns.
Sealants are thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth, covering the grooves and pits where food and bacteria commonly get trapped. Since these areas are difficult to clean with a toothbrush alone, sealants act as a physical barrier against cavities. The application is quick, painless, and can significantly reduce your child’s risk of developing decay in treated teeth.
Sometimes teeth need extra protection after a larger cavity or dental injury. A crown — or “cap” — covers the entire tooth, offering full protection and restoring its strength and appearance. At Calgary Smiles, we offer white (tooth-coloured) crowns for both front and back teeth so the restoration looks natural. Crowns on baby teeth are important for preserving space and function until the permanent teeth come in.
There are many reasons why a tooth may need to be removed — including severe decay, infection, overcrowding, or to make room for orthodontic treatment. Our team performs both baby tooth and permanent tooth extractions with a gentle, child-friendly approach. Local anesthetic ensures the procedure is comfortable, and our team will walk you through aftercare to support quick healing.
Cavities happen — even with the best brushing habits. Our team treats cavities with tooth-coloured composite fillings that blend naturally with your child’s teeth. The filling material bonds directly to the tooth, restoring its shape and preventing the cavity from progressing. Treating cavities early matters: even in baby teeth, untreated decay can cause pain, infection, and affect the development of nearby permanent teeth.
We provide fluoride varnish to help strengthen your child’s tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities. Fluoride works by remineralizing weakened enamel and making teeth more resistant to acid from bacteria and sugary foods. The treatment takes just a few minutes, is completely safe, and is recommended for most children at each routine checkup — especially those with a higher cavity risk.
Our team teaches your child how to brush and floss properly using age-appropriate techniques, while educating families on which foods and drinks are most likely to contribute to tooth decay. As part of each visit, we perform a caries risk assessment to identify factors that put your child at higher risk — such as diet, fluoride exposure, oral hygiene habits, and family history. This allows us to create a personalized prevention plan for your child.
When a cavity reaches the nerve chamber of a baby tooth, a pulpotomy (baby root canal) may be needed to remove the infected nerve tissue and preserve the tooth. Keeping baby teeth in place is important for chewing, speech development, and holding space for permanent teeth. The procedure is performed under local anesthetic and is typically completed in one visit, often followed by placement of a crown to protect the remaining tooth structure.
Laughing gas is a safe, fast-acting gas that helps your child feel relaxed and at ease during dental treatment. It is inhaled through a small mask placed over the nose and takes effect within minutes. The gas wears off almost instantly once removed, meaning your child can return to normal activities right after the appointment — making it one of our most effective tools for managing mild to moderate dental anxiety.
Some children — particularly those with significant dental anxiety, special needs, or extensive treatment requirements — benefit from being fully asleep for their dental procedures. We offer general anesthesia through our affiliate dental surgical locations, where procedures are performed safely in a hospital or surgical facility. Our team will assess your child thoroughly and discuss all available options with you before recommending this approach.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is one of the most innovative treatments in modern pediatric dentistry. This liquid medication is applied directly to cavities to stop decay from progressing — without drilling. It’s especially useful for very young children, anxious patients, or cases where conventional treatment is not immediately possible. SDF is quick to apply, non-invasive, and highly effective at arresting active cavities.
When a baby tooth is lost earlier than expected — due to extraction or injury — surrounding teeth can begin to shift into the empty space, potentially blocking the permanent tooth from erupting correctly. Space maintainers are custom-fitted appliances that hold the gap open until the permanent tooth is ready to come in. They help prevent crowding and reduce the likelihood of needing more extensive orthodontic treatment later.
Parents want to feel confident and well-informed about their child’s dental treatment — and we fully support that. We offer appointments specifically for second opinions, giving you the opportunity to discuss a diagnosis or treatment plan you’ve received elsewhere. Our team will review your child’s records, perform our own assessment if needed, and provide an honest, thorough explanation so you can make the best decision for your child.
Not all children with tongue tie or lip tie require treatment — but when left unaddressed, these conditions can affect feeding, speech development, and oral hygiene. Our team will assess your child’s specific situation and help you make an informed decision about whether a simple release procedure (frenectomy) is appropriate. We take a conservative approach, only recommending treatment when there is a clear functional benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Pediatric Dental Procedures
Most children should have a professional cleaning every 6 months. Some children with a higher risk of cavities may benefit from more frequent visits. Our team will recommend the right schedule based on your child’s individual needs at each checkup.
Yes. Untreated cavities in baby teeth can cause pain, spread to neighbouring teeth, lead to infection, and affect the development of the permanent teeth underneath. Baby teeth also hold space for permanent teeth — losing them too early can cause crowding and alignment problems. Treating cavities early, even in baby teeth, saves your child from discomfort and more complex treatment later.
Yes. Nitrous oxide has been used safely in dentistry for decades. It works quickly, wears off almost immediately, and has no lingering side effects. Our team monitors your child throughout the procedure and adjusts the level as needed. It is suitable for most children and is an excellent tool for managing mild to moderate dental anxiety.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a liquid medication that stops an active cavity from progressing without drilling. It is particularly useful for very young children, anxious patients, or situations where immediate conventional treatment isn’t possible. The main consideration is that it turns the treated area of the cavity dark, which is more noticeable on front teeth. Our team will discuss whether SDF is the right choice for your child’s specific situation.
Sealants are recommended for most children once their permanent molars come in — typically around ages 6 and 12. They provide significant protection for children at moderate to high cavity risk. Our team will assess your child’s individual risk factors and let you know whether sealants are appropriate at each checkup.
If a baby tooth is lost earlier than expected, nearby teeth can drift into the empty space — blocking the permanent tooth and causing crowding or misalignment. We may recommend a space maintainer to hold the gap open until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. Addressing this early can reduce the need for more complex orthodontic treatment later.
