Welcome to Kanoknuch Shiflett Dental Corp where little smiles are our biggest priority! We understand that visiting the dentist can be a new and sometimes intimidating experience for children, which is why our warm and friendly team is dedicated to creating a positive, comfortable environment for your little one.

From routine check-ups and gentle cleanings to specialized treatments tailored for young smiles, we offer a full range of pediatric dental services designed to keep your child’s teeth healthy as they grow. Our compassionate approach helps ease any worries and makes each visit enjoyable—because we believe that great dental care starts with happy experiences.

Below are the services we regularly provide to our patients. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today. We look forward to welcome you and your child into our dental family!

Preventative Dentistry A bright, healthy smile starts with regular dental cleanings! Our gentle approach ensures that even the hardest-to-reach areas—like beneath the gums—are thoroughly cleaned, helping to prevent future dental issues.

We make each visit a positive experience for your child. After their cleaning, we polish their teeth for a sparkling finish and, if needed, provide a fluoride treatment to strengthen enamel and protect against cavities.

By prioritizing preventative care, you’re setting your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles!

Oral Health Exams A healthy smile starts with regular dental checkups! Our team believes that routine exams are essential for maintaining your child's oral health and confidence.

We begin each visit with a thorough professional cleaning, removing plaque, tartar, and buildup to keep teeth fresh and healthy.

Next, we perform a comprehensive examination, carefully checking each tooth for signs of decay, damage, infection, and other concerns. We also assess your child's occlusion—the way their teeth come together—ensuring proper alignment and bite function. By identifying potential issues early, we can address them before they develop into bigger concerns, helping your child maintain a strong and healthy smile.

Restorative Dentistry A healthy, confident smile is always within reach! Our team specializes in restoring damaged teeth with advanced techniques, helping your child achieve a natural-looking, functional smile.

For chipped or broken teeth, we use tooth-colored bonding materials to seamlessly repair the damage. In cases of severe decay or fractures, we provide tooth-colored crowns to restore strength, shape, and function—ensuring a comfortable and long-lasting solution.

With our restorative treatments, your child can enjoy a strong, beautifully renewed smile that feels just like their natural teeth.

Special Needs Dentistry Dentists at Dr. Shiflett's office understands that children with special needs often require a tailored approach to dental care. Some may have medical or dietary conditions that affect their oral health, while others may struggle with maintaining consistent hygiene habits. We also recognize that sitting still during a dental exam can be challenging for some children.

Due to these factors, children with special needs may face an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, tartar buildup, and oral trauma.

Our experienced team is dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized care for your child. With a gentle approach and years of expertise, we ensure that each child receives the attention and treatment they need to maintain a healthy smile.

Sedation Dentistry Helping children feel at ease during their dental visit is our priority. One of the most commonly used sedation methods is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, which helps children relax throughout their procedure.

Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective blend of oxygen and nitrous oxide, administered through a small mask placed over your child's nose. It promotes relaxation without the full effects of anesthesia, ensuring a comfortable experience while allowing your child to remain awake and responsive.

Limitations & Safety Considerations

While nitrous oxide is highly effective for many children, it may not be suitable for very young children or those who are extremely nervous or fearful. In such cases, stronger sedation options—such as Pediatric Minimal Sedation (oral sedation) or IV sedation—may be recommended for a more comfortable experience.

Pediatric Minimal Sedation

Minimal sedation is a gentle and low-risk approach used to help children feel calm and comfortable during procedures. It typically involves medications that reduce anxiety while allowing the child to remain awake and responsive.

• How It Works: The child receives a mild sedative, often in the form of an oral liquid medication in combination of inhaled gas (such as nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas").
• Effects: The child remains conscious but feels relaxed and less anxious.
• Common Uses: Ideal for children who experience mild dental anxiety or need help staying still during treatment. This level of sedation may not be effective for very young child or very nervous child 
• Safety: Minimal sedation is carefully monitored, and children recover quickly after the procedure.

IV Sedation (Moderate to Deep Sedation)

IV sedation is a stronger form of sedation that helps children remain deeply relaxed or even lightly asleep during their procedure.

• How It Works: Medication is administered through an intravenous (IV) line, allowing for precise control over the level of sedation.
• Effects: Depending on the dosage, the child may be drowsy or sleeping but still able to respond to stimuli.
• Common Uses: Recommended for children with severe dental anxiety, those undergoing longer or more complex procedures, or children who have difficulty cooperating due to medical or behavioral conditions.
• Safety: IV sedation is closely monitored by trained professionals to ensure the child’s safety and comfort.

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a non-invasive treatment used to halt the progression of cavities and protect teeth from further decay. It is especially beneficial for young children or those who may struggle with traditional dental procedures.

How It Works

SDF is a liquid solution containing silver, which has antibacterial properties, and fluoride, which strengthens enamel. When applied to a cavity, it:

• Kills bacteria that cause tooth decay.
• Hardens the affected area, preventing further breakdown.
• Slows or stops cavity progression, buying time until definitive treatment can be performed.

Benefits of SDF

• Non-invasive & painless—no drilling or injections required.
• Quick application—takes only minutes to apply.
• Helps prevent further decay—protects surrounding teeth from bacterial spread.
• Ideal for young children or those with dental anxiety—reduces the need for immediate restorative procedures.

Side Effects & Limitations

• Black staining—SDF permanently darkens the decayed portion of the tooth, which may be a cosmetic concern.
• Does not restore tooth structure—while SDF stops decay, the affected tooth may still need definitive treatment (such as fillings or crowns) once the child can tolerate traditional dental care.
• Requires follow-up applications—for sustained benefits, SDF may need to be reapplied periodically.

Important Considerations

SDF is not a permanent solution but rather a temporary measure to arrest decay until a child is ready for restorative treatment. It is often used as an interim option for children who are too young or anxious for traditional dental procedures.

If you have concerns about staining or long-term treatment options, your dentist can discuss alternative solutions to ensure the best care for your child’s smile.

Emergency Dental Care

Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them, and being prepared can make all the difference in protecting your child’s smile. Knowing what to do in a crisis could mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

If your child experiences a dental emergency—such as a knocked-out tooth, severe pain, or uncontrolled bleeding—contact us immediately. Our dentist on call will provide you with instructions on how to proceed. Alternatively, you can seek care at the nearest emergency or urgent care center to ensure prompt treatment.

Having our phone number readily available and staying informed about emergency dental care can help you act quickly and confidently when it matters most.

Cavities and Fillings

Dental fillings are essential for restoring teeth affected by cavities or damage. At our office, we exclusively use composite fillings, ensuring a natural appearance while maintaining strength and durability.

Composite resin is a tooth-colored material designed to blend seamlessly with natural teeth. Unlike traditional silver amalgam or gold fillings, composite fillings require multiple layers, each hardened with a special light to create a strong, long-lasting restoration.

While composite fillings take slightly longer to place, they offer aesthetic benefits and preserve more of the natural tooth structure. This makes them a preferred choice for parents looking for a safe, effective, and visually appealing solution for their child’s dental care.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants provide an extra layer of protection against cavities by covering the deep grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of teeth. This thin, plastic coating bonds to the enamel, creating a smooth surface that helps prevent food particles and bacteria from getting trapped.

Sealants are most commonly applied to back teeth (molars and premolars), as these areas are harder to clean and more prone to decay. Even with regular brushing and flossing, some areas may be missed, making sealants an effective preventive measure.

The application process is quick, painless, and non-invasive. After cleaning and drying the tooth, a special gel is used to prepare the surface. The sealant is then painted on and hardened with a curing light, forming a strong barrier that can last for several years.

By adding this extra protection, sealants help reduce the risk of cavities and support long-term oral health for your child.

Cleanings and Exams

Regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential for maintaining a healthy smile and preventing future oral health issues. These visits allow us to remove plaque and tartar buildup, assess the condition of your teeth and gums, and catch potential concerns before they become more serious.

During your appointment, our team will perform a thorough cleaning to keep your teeth fresh and healthy. We will also conduct a comprehensive exam, evaluating your overall oral health and identifying any areas that may need attention.

By staying proactive with routine cleanings and exams, you’re taking an important step toward long-term dental wellness and ensuring your smile stays strong and beautiful.

Sports Mouth Guards

As dentists, we are determined to make sure your mouth and teeth are well protected during sports activities, no matter what your passion is. To do this, we offer many different types of mouthguards, depending on the types of activities in which you are involved. There are some mouth guards for low-impact sports and others for high-impact sports.

Mouth guards not only protect your mouth and teeth, but also have other purposes. Mouth guards will help decrease the impact if you get hit in the jaw. They have also been shown to increase an athlete’s performance.

Many people clench their teeth while playing, which can give them temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ). Clenching your jaw the whole time can be quite exhausting. Mouth guards help to relax your jaw, allowing you to completely focus on the game!

Sports Mouth Guards

Protecting your child’s teeth during sports is essential, and our custom-fitted sports mouth guards provide the best defense against impact injuries. Whether your child plays a low-impact or high-impact sport, we offer mouth guards designed to suit their specific needs.

Mouth guards do more than just shield teeth—they also help absorb shock from hits to the jaw, reducing the risk of dental injuries and even concussions. Studies have shown that wearing a properly fitted mouth guard can enhance athletic performance by improving breathing and reducing jaw tension.

Many athletes unknowingly clench their teeth while playing, which can lead to jaw strain and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. A well-fitted mouth guard helps relax the jaw, allowing players to focus entirely on their game without discomfort.

Investing in a high-quality sports mouth guard ensures long-term protection and keeps your child’s smile safe while they play the sports they love.

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