Practice Features  /  Early Orthdontics  /  New Technology
General Anesthesia  /  Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Practice Features

Dr. Minutillo and his team want every aspect of your child's visits to our office to be as pleasant and enjoyable as possible. We make appointment reminder telephone calls and send recall cards to remind you of your child's upcoming appointments. Our reception area is complete with puzzles for younger children and a video room with games for the older children. Our treatment areas have televisions and nitrous oxide laughing gas to help calm the fears of children who experience anxiety during a visit. Dr. Minutillo also provides treatment under general anesthesia in his office or at one of the area hospitals where he is on staff.

Early Orthodontics

The American Association for Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. Early detection and treatment gives your child the edge: a much better chance for natural and normal development. By working with the natural growth instead of against it, we can prevent problems from becoming worse, and give your child a lifetime of healthy smiles!

Early treatment should be initiated for:

·         Habits such as tongue thrusting and thumb sucking

·         A constricted airway due to swollen adenoids or tonsils

·         Mouth breathing or snoring problems

·         A bad bite

·         Bone problems (i.e. narrow or underdeveloped jaws)

·         Space maintenance (for missing teeth)

Phase One - Functional (Growth) Appliances and/or Limited Braces - Ages 5 to 12

In the first phase, the doctor is interested in the position and symmetry of the jaws, future growth, spacing of the teeth, breathing and other oral habits which may, over a period of time, result in abnormal dentofacial development.

Treatment initiated in this phase of development is often very successful and some times, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic treatment.

Phase Two - Braces - Ages 12 to 14

In the second phase, the doctor will be looking at how your child’s teeth and jaws fit, and more specifically work, together. Your child’s teeth will be straightened and their occlusion (bite) is properly aligned. Attention will be given to the jaw joint, (TMJ), the facial profile and periodontal (gum) tissues. By undergoing the first phase, we can usually reduce the amount of time needed for braces.

Facts: Early Treatment is Important to Consider!

Facial Development - Seventy-five percent of 12-year-olds need orthodontic treatment. Yet 90% of a child's face has already developed! By guiding facial development earlier, through the use of functional appliances, 80% of the treatment can be corrected before the adult teeth are present!

Cooperation - Younger children between the ages of 8 and 11 are often much more cooperative than children of ages 12 to 14.

Shorter Treatment Time - Another advantage of early Phase One treatment is that children will need to wear fixed braces on their adult teeth for less time.

To Correct Underdeveloped or Overdeveloped Jaws - Almost 55% of children who need orthodontic treatment due to a bad bite have underdeveloped or overdeveloped upper or lower jaws. Functional appliances and/or limited braces can reposition the jaws, improving the child's profile and correcting the bite problem - within 7 to 9 months!

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New Technology

Dr. Minutillo's office is a state of the art pediatric dental center. We utilize an intra oral camera so you and your child can see what is going on inside their mouth! Our high tech sterilization techniques ensure the safety of your child's treatment. Our fully computerized facility allows for more efficient and convenient visits to our office.

We have televisions at every chair and cartoons for your child to enjoy. We feel our modern practice and state of the art technology enhance the outstanding care we strive to provide our young patients.

General Anesthesia

More information on General Anesthesia coming soon.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask which is placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective technique to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with normal breathing, it is quickly eliminated from the body. It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.

Prior to your appointment:

Please inform us of any change to your child’s health and/or medical condition.

Tell us about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child. It may limit the effectiveness of the nitrous oxide/oxygen.

Let us know if your child is taking any medication on the day of the appointment.
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Dr. Anthony Minutillo Pediatric Dentist, Crystal Lake, IL