Dr. Lauren Gulka, D.M.D.

Dr. Gulka completed her undergraduate studies at Yale University, earning a BS in Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology. She received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed her residency at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado.

Pediatric dentistry has given Dr. Gulka the opportunity to educate families and potentially change their lives.  For Dr. Gulka, giving other people the tools to be successful is extremely rewarding. She believes that we all need to continue to learn, to better ourselves and best care for our patients. Collaboration with others and learning new techniques and advances in dentistry are of the utmost importance when striving to provide the highest standard of care for our patients. 

Yale University, Bachelor of Science, Molecular Cellular, and Developmental Biology, 2001
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Doctorate of Dental Medicine, 2008
The University of Colorado School of Dentistry, Children’s Hospital, Residency, 2010

University of Vermont Medical Center

Fillings, Crowns, Extractions

Dental fillings consist of a variety of metals, plastics, glass, or other materials that are used to repair or restore teeth. The filling is used to fill in the removed area of tooth where there was once decay, also known as a cavity. Fillings are also performed on broken, cracked, or worn-down teeth. The purpose of placing a filling is to save the tooth that was previously infected with decay and to restore the tooth’s structural integrity.  

A dental crown may be needed to cover a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength. A crown fully encases a tooth to the gum line to protect a weak tooth from breaking, restore an already broken tooth or prevent further​ problems.  

Children whose teeth have been damaged by decay that can’t support a filling may require a crown to protect the tooth from further damage and infection.  ​The gold standard for a molar crown in a child is the stainless-steel crown. It is strong and compatible with the body.  On front teeth, crowns are made with a tooth-colored composite filling material.

Dental extractions, also known as removal of teeth, are performed when a tooth is beyond repair due to trauma or decay. Dental extractions are performed to prevent further infection or prevent infection from occurring.  Occasionally extractions are performed to help with overcrowding of the teeth.