FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

If you don't find the answers you are looking for feel free to contact our office and we will do our very best to help you out. Clear and open communication is the key to good care.

What is a pediatric dentist and how are they different from any other dentist?

A pediatric dentist, or children's dentist, is a dentist that has attended several more years of specialty training in the field of children's dentistry. Pediatric Dentists are the Pediatricians of Dentistry.

Do I need a referral for my child before coming to see a specialist in children's dentistry?

Not at all. Although we do accept referrals from many general dentists in the community, we also see children that come to our office directly without a referral.

I dread putting my child under general anesthesia for their dental work. Are there any alternatives to general anesthesia when treating fearful children?

We are currently using a method supported by many years of research. Rather than general anesthesia, we use a sedative that calms your child while they receive their dental work. Children respond very well to this safe and proven alternative to general anesthesia. There are some patients, however, where anxiety-reducing medications may not be effective enough and a General Anesthetic is necessary.

Why would a child require an anxiety-reducing medication just to have their teeth fixed?

Unfortunately, many children suffer from serious, potentially painful dental diseases. Unlike such health conditions as colds or the flu, dental disease won't go away on its own. When treatment is required for a serious dental condition, anxiety-reducing medications may be recommended to make delivery of that treatment possible in a more comfortable manner. Without treatment, dental disease can adversely affect learning, communication, nutrition, and other activities necessary for the normal growth and development of your child.

If an anxiety-reducing medication is recommended to treat my child's teeth, how can I be sure this is the best option?

Parents should have a right to be carefully informed about the benefits and risks of any dental treatment for their children. The anxiety-reducing medication, Nozinan, has been used in our office for over 30 years with no major side effects.

How are pediatric dentists making sure anxiety-reducing medications are safe?

Pediatric dentists are carefully trained in the safe administration of anxiety-reducing medications as part of their specialty education, which lasts two to three years beyond their general dental training.

Have any children been injured from complications of anxiety-reducing medication use while under a pediatric dentists care?

Pediatric dentists have an extensive safety record in anxiety-reducing medication procedures. At this time, we are not aware of a single case of morbidity or mortality in a pediatric dental office when the guidelines of anxiety-reducing medication use have been followed conscientiously.

Why would you need to put metal crowns in my child's mouth?

Stainless Steel Crowns are an excellent restoratve option in those cases where there has been extensive damage to your child's tooth due to cavities. In our office, they are only used on molars (the back teeth).