West Maple Pediatric Dentistry
We at West Maple Pediatric Dentistry are focused and committed to providing optimal dental care in a friendly, caring and family oriented atmosphere. Our goal is to educate our patients, parents and community in preventative dental health care and in “Healthy Ways of Living.” Our ambition is to promote a lifetime of the richest health – for you and yours.
Dr. Lourdes Secola has lived in Omaha for almost 25 years. She opened her practice April 12th, 1995 at West Maple Pediatric Dentistry on 142nd and Maple in Omaha. Dr. Lourdes Secola says, “My reward is a job well done, a close relationship with my patients and their families and service to my community at large to the best of my abilities.
I truly appreciate my interactions with peers locally, nationally and abroad, and the opportunity to continue to learn and apply the new advances in our profession.”
“I attended Central University of Venezuela and graduated with honors as an odontologa (i.e. Doctor in Dental Medicine); completed studies at Boston University with both a Masters of Dental Science in Pediatric Dentistry and with a Certificate in Advanced Studies in Pedodontics (Pediatric dentistry). After 7 years at the University of Florida as a part-time adjunct assistant professor in Dental Education and part-time in private practice, I moved to Omaha and completed an advanced standing two-year program at Creighton University School of Dentistry which allowed me to obtain my license and practice dentistry in the State of Nebraska. I was a part-time faculty member of Creighton University in Operative Dentistry at the Preclinical level for 9 years.
Currently, I am in private practice on full time basis. I have joined the clinical staff at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program and more recently the staff at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.”
West Maple Pediatric Dentistry provides comprehensive dental care regardless of your financial position.
Our dental services include restorative, preventive educational, emergency management as well as referrals and consultations to general medical services, specialty medical services and non-medical services. Non-medical services include cultural support for new immigrants.
Interceptive orthodontics is the guid
ance of teeth eruption and correction of malocclusion or abnormal bite, by early intervention in order to improve future outcome. This is usually achieved by simple or removable appliances.
If your child loses any primary teeth as a result of trauma, decay or congenital reasons, your child may benefit from space maintainers. Space maintainers are appliances made of metal that are custom fit to your child’s mouth. They are small and unobtrusive in appearance. Most children easily adjust to them after the first few days.
If your child requires more extensive orthodontic treatment, we would be more than happy to refer him/her to a certified orthodontist whom we work closely with.
If a baby tooth is lost too soon, the teeth or tooth beside it may tilt or drift into the empty space. Teeth in the other jaw may move up or down to fill the gap. When adjacent teeth shift into the empty space, they create a lack of space in the jaw for the permanent teeth. Permanent teeth are crowded and come in crooked If left untreated. This condition may require extensive orthodontic treatment.
Space maintainers help to maintain the space previously occupied by the missing tooth and works to avoid further space loss. When your child reaches the appropriate age, the spacer will be removed so that the permanent teeth can erupt properly into the mouth. (Remember: Some baby teeth are not replaced until a child is 12 or 14 years of age.)
It’s never too early to keep an eye on your child’s oral development. Our doctor can identify malocclusion—crowded/crooked teeth or bite problems—and actively intervene to guide the teeth as they emerge in the mouth. Early orthodontic treatment can prevent more extensive treatment later.
Orthodontics can straighten crooked teeth, guide erupting teeth into position, and correct bite problems. Straight teeth are easier to keep clean and less susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.
Different orthodontic appliances work in different ways to benefit your child’s dental health. Some are fixed; others are removable. Our doctor will explain which appliance is best for your child, what the treatment can do, and how long it will take.
As with any dental treatment, the more your child cooperates, the better the results.
Careful brushing and flossing keep the appliance and your child’s dental health in top shape. Removable appliances should be brushed each time the teeth are brushed.
Regular dental checkups protect your child from tooth decay and gum disease.
Promptly contact our office when an appliance breaks. This will keep orthodontic treatment on time and on track. Check with our doctor for specific advice on your child’s activities.
Sedation dentistry refers to the use of sedation during dental treatment. Sedation is most commonly used during extensive procedures, for patients with dental phobias or for patients who find it difficult to sit still or have a special need. Sedation medication is used to calm a patient and is administered orally based on the patient’s weight. Patients with dental phobia, low pain tolerance, major dental treatment, physical handicaps or strong gag reflexes may require sedation. Procedures like fillings, crowns, and extractions often require sedation especially for patient’s under the age of 5 but may vary.
Sedation is endorsed by the American Dental Association and is an effective way to make many patients comfortable during their dental visit. Before using a sedative, it is important to tell your pediatric dentist about any medications or medical treatments your child is receiving. Before administering any sedative, your pediatric dentist will talk to you about the process of sedation and pre- and post-sedation instructions.
Please be prepared to wait between 1 and 2 hours. Appointment time varies depending on the procedure that your child is scheduled for.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask a member of our staff.
West Maple Pediatric Dentistry strives to go the extra mile in providing a service to your child. In return, we simply ask for your cooperation with the following rules to ensure only the best service for your children.
