Become a Patient
Pediatric Dentistry
Just like you take your child to a pediatrician, pediatric dentistry is a specialty that deals specifically with the dental needs of children and people with special needs.
Why Us?
Choosing a Pediatric Dentist
Most children have different dental and behavioral needs than adults. Our pediatric dentists and entire staff have extensive training, experience, and certification. We are dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teenage years. We also specialize in caring for people with special needs. Together, by building a foundation of trust, we strive to ensure that each child has the most positive experience possible.
About Kids Teeth
Every Child is Different
Throughout your life you will have two sets of teeth: primary or “baby” teeth and secondary or permanent teeth. Many teeth begin forming before a child is born with primary teeth developing at 6-8 weeks in utero and some permanent teeth starting to develop by week 20 in utero. Usually babies get their first tooth between 6-10 months of age. This will usually be the lower central incisors (the bottom front teeth). By the age of three, all the baby teeth should be in the mouth. See our eruption chart. This is a guideline and every child is different.
Baby Teeth Growth Chart
Permanent teeth will usually begin to erupt into the mouth around the age of six. All the permanent teeth, except for wisdom teeth should be in the mouth by ages 12-14.
Permanent Teeth Growth Chart
Your Child's First Visit
WHEN SHOULD YOU FIRST SEE US?
Both pediatricians and pediatric dentists recommend establishing a dental home by age 1 to create a lifetime of good health.
Dental decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting approximately 60% of children by age 5. The key to stopping dental decay and developmental issues before they happen is preparing a plan that is tailored to your family’s specific needs. Dental problems often start at or even before the age of 1. We work closely with your family to safeguard your children from early childhood caries, and we will be there for you when accidents happen especially during this critical time in your child’s motor development.
HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE?
Our goal for the first visit is to establish a warm connection with your child and to help relieve any fears your child may have. We understand that your child may be anxious, and our staff will help your child every step of the way. We encourage you to talk to your child in a positive way about what to expect and to build excitement about coming to the dentist.
We recommend that you schedule younger children earlier in the day, when they are more alert and fresh.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
A typical first visit starts with a cleaning. Our staff is trained to help guide your child through each step of the process. If it is indicated, we may recommend taking x-rays to check for developing cavities. A doctor will then examine your child, apply fluoride treatment, and give you any recommendations.
For a first visit, children must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
Swim by and Sea Us Sometime
We’d love to help your child develop a healthy, happy smile. Contact us today to set up a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve provided answers to some of the frequently asked questions about pediatric dentists and general dental health. If your question is not answered here, please contact us for help.
We are in-network with most major PPO insurance plans. Please call our office if you have questions about your insurance.
A pediatric dentist specializes in childhood dentistry. They usually have at least 2 to 3 years more education than the standard 4 years. They care for infants, children and adolescents, including those with special needs.
Pediatric dentists have special training in helping anxious children feel secure during dental treatment. And, pediatric dental offices are designed for children. Staff members choose to work in a pediatric dental practice because they like kids. So, most children are calm, comfortable and confident in a pediatric dental office.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a dental check-up at least twice a year for most children. Some children need more frequent dental visits because of increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns or poor oral hygiene. Your pediatric dentist will let you know the best appointment schedule for your child.
Infants and some young children may feel more confident when parents stay close during treatment. With older children, doctor-child communication is often enhanced if parents remain in the reception room.
Children learn by example. Follow a routine of regular brushing and flossing. Supervise your child when they are brushing their teeth and even better, brush your teeth with them! Remember that younger children will not have the ability to properly brush their teeth and will need help. Regular visits to the dentist and proper eating habits can ensure that your child will have a happy, healthy smile.
We are happy to treat persons with special needs at our clinic. We are wheelchair accessible and can accommodate special requests. For more information on these services, please contact us today.
Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. The baby tooth should not be replanted because of the potential for subsequent damage to the developing permanent tooth.
Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. (Do not scrub or clean it with soap — use only water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket immediately and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with cold milk, saliva or water. Get to the pediatric dental office immediately. (Call the emergency number if it’s after hours.) The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
Contact your pediatric dentist immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling if the lip also was injured. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, place it in cold milk or water and bring it with you to the dental office.
Call your pediatric dentist and visit the office promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Over-the-counter children’s pain medication, dosed according to your child’s weight and age, might ease the symptoms. You may apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the face in the area of the pain, but do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.
Common Dental Procedures
Sealants are a white resin material that is placed on the grooves of the chewing surface of the permanent molars to help prevent decay. The grooves are difficult to clean, no matter how much a child brushes. By placing the sealants, we are decreasing the chances of getting decay by approximately 60%. Once these sealants are placed, they usually last around 5-10 years depending on such factors as habits and diet. We check the sealants at every check-up.
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a non-invasive medicament that is applied topically. SDF has been used internationally for decades to arrest or delay dental caries in primary and permanent teeth. SDF is especially useful as an interim option for children and adolescents when patient cooperation for restorative dentistry is limited due to young age, situational anxiety, or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth.
Glass ionomer (GI) fillings are another common tooth colored filling. They may not be as durable as composite fillings in certain areas, but have certain advantages over composite fillings. GI fillings slowly release fluoride to the surrounding tooth structure, and strengthen the tooth. GI fillings are also a good alternative when patients are not as cooperative because GI can be more forgiving than composite when isolation of the area is not ideal.
Stainless steel crowns are prefabricated and are adapted to the child’s individual teeth. They are used when there is extensive decay, decalcification, and developmental defects. They are also used if your child has to have a pulpotomy for a better seal of the area. These crowns will usually last until the permanent tooth erupts.
Zirconium crowns are white ceramic crowns that are prefabricated similar to stainless steel crowns, and are used for the same purposes. The obvious benefit of zirconium crowns over stainless steel crowns is that they are tooth colored. However, they can take longer to place than stainless steel crowns, and some patients report more sensitivity after the procedure due to the need to remove more tooth structure than for a stainless steel crown
A pulpotomy is a procedure that requires partial removal of the pulp (nerve) tissue due to excessive amount of decay. The remaining vital tissue is then treated to preserve the function of the tooth. A crown is placed over a pulpotomy.
When a cavity is deep, but does not enter the pulp (nerve) of the tooth, we may recommend placing what is called an indirect pulp cap. An indirect pulp cap is a thin layer of medicine that we place to help heal the affected tissue, and make it more likely to save a tooth that has been affected by a large cavity.
The best space maintenance is the preservation of the primary molars until they are lost naturally. Sometimes, when the teeth are unrestorable or infected, the tooth (or teeth) have to be extracted. The purpose of the space maintainers is to hold space for the developing permanent teeth.
