Special children can be very susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease or even oral trauma. Some may have taken medications that can damage their teeth. Others may have difficulty with good dental habits at home. Some special needs patients can be treated in the office with Nitrous Oxide and others may require treatment in the operating room while under general anesthesia.
Pediatric dentistry is a specialty that is dedicated to the oral health of infants, children, adolescents as well as those with special needs. A Pediatric Dentist has completed 24-36 months of specialty training after dental school during this residency. Pediatric Dentists modify techniques and use special words to help make dental visits easy and fun.
Sometimes a patient may have dental needs that cannot be completed in an office setting. This may be because of young age, compromised health, special needs or just severe anxiety. For those patients, dental treatment can be completed in the operating room while under general anesthesia. This can be done at a hospital or outpatient surgery center.
ABOUT DR. TEMPLETON
Dr. Angela Templeton was born in Gallatin, Tennessee. She graduated from Gallatin High School. She earned her Bachelors Degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she majored in Zoology. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry in Memphis. She earned her certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and Hospital in Lexington. She also served as Chief Resident in her last year of specialty training.
Her specialty training provided comprehensive training that included preventative and restorative dentistry, sedation, dental trauma and emergencies, orthodontics, as well as hospital dentistry for infants, children, adolescents and those with special needs.
After completing her residency, she worked for the University of Kentucky as an Assistant Clinical Professor on the Mobile Dental Facility. She then returned home to Gallatin and opened her own practice in Hendersonville.
OUR SERVICES
First Visit-Routine Exams
It is beneficial for a child to see a dentist within the first six months after their first tooth erupts and no later than their first birthday. Teeth will be checked for decay (cavities), habits (thumbsucking, pacifiers, nursing) evaluated, oral care products (toothbrush, toothaste, training gel) discussed and proper oral hygiene (toothbrushing) discussed. It is beneficial for children to have routine checkups every six months. An exam will be performed, any needed x-rays taken and evaluated, a prophylaxis performed and topical fluoride applied.
Dental Restorations
When a child has a cavity it needs to be restored. Dental Restorations include amalgam (silver) fillings, composite (white) fillings and stainless steel crowns. Stainless steel crowns are placed over a tooth when the cavity is so large that after the decay is removed, there isn't enough healthy tooth structure left to support the restoration. If the cavity has extended into the nerve tissue, it is necessary to treat the nerve with a pulpotomy or pulpectomy (baby root canal) before placing the stainless steel crown.
Sealants
Sealants are a clear or tooth colored plastic material applied to cavity free permanent molars. They are placed in these molars to protect the tiny grooves, pits and fissures from food and bacteria build up. The teeth being sealed are painted with a blue gel to clean the surface and grooves. Once the tooth is rinsed and dried, the liquid is placed in the grooves. A special light is then used to harden the sealant in the pits and fissures of the teeth. They are checked at each recall appointment. Chewing on objects or sticky candies and gum can pull the sealants off. They can be reapplied. Sealants are applied easily and no local anesthesia is needed for their application. It is an easy and comfortable visit.
Space Maintenance
On occasion a child may lose a primary (baby) tooth before the permanent (adult) tooth erupts. This may be a result of an extraction due to extensive decay or trauma where the tooth may have been accidentally knocked out. When this happens, it is important to place a space maintainer to hold the space for the permanent tooth. If a space maintainer is not placed, the other erupting permanent teeth may drift or move into that space and block out the permanent tooth underneath causing crowding. Space maintainers are metal appliances that are cemented to teeth on either side of the lost primary tooth. They are removed when the permanent tooth erupts into the space being held for it.
Nitrous Oxide
Most often called Laughing Gas, Nitrous Oxide is consiered very safe and effective for use in children during dental treatment. It can help to reduce anxiety and provide analgesia. Children are able to wear a small mask over their nose and inhale an oxygen/nitrous oxide mixture during their procedure. This helps children remain calm and relaxed for their treatment. Some feel euphoria and may also laugh. At the end of the procedure, the children are administered 100% oxygen for several minutes prior to their dismissal. An Informed Consent Form is found under the forms section.
Emergency Care
If your child has a dental accident or needs urgent dental treatment, please let us know. Please call 615-826-9259. If your child has a severe blow to the head or has a jaw fracture, please go to the Emergency Room as a blow to the head can be life threatening. A First Aid for Dental Emergencies page is found under the forms section for your help.
PATIENT FORMS
Patient Forms-English
Patient Forms-Spanish
Print, complete and bring requested forms to the dentist's office on your next visit.
HAPPY CLIENTS
Loved this dentist. My 10 year old had no complaints. They are very courteous and welcoming. Dr. Templeton is down to earth, very friendly and knowledgeable. Each time we went she recommended the best course of treatment. Hated we had to move away from Hendersonville.
P Smith
We just had our first visit and I am very happy with them. Two of my kids had their teeth cleaned today, they were very patient and very kind and helping us to get our other child in to see them. Definitely would recommend.
Paul Watson
My special needs daughter has been a patient of Dr. Templeton for almost 5 years now. We couldn't be more pleased and happy with their office. Everyone is so kind, understanding, thorough and timely! Highly recommend!
Christy Fite
CONTACT US
Our Address
320 New Shackle Island Rd., Suite B1
Hendersonville, TN 37075
Phone 615-826-9259|Fax 615-826-9806
Opening Hours
Monday – Wednesday 8AM – 5PM
Thursday 7AM – 4PM
Emergency As Needed