We recommend a child be seen between the ages of two and three. All of their baby teeth should be in by then, and the child is old enough for the visit to go smoothly.

If the child is seen between the ages of two and three, the appointment consists of an oral examination. We usually don’t take dental X-rays unless there is a suspicion of tooth decay. If necessary, we will do a dental cleaning. We will also assess early growth and development.

A great many orthodontic problems are related to growth and development problems or crowded teeth. Growth problems are best dealt with at the earliest possible time. We encourage early consultation since this gives the orthodontist the best chance to treat the child at the appropriate time.

Your child should use a children’s toothpaste that contains fluoride when they are old enough to spit. Only use a pea-sized drop of toothpaste.

Yes, silver amalgam fillings have been used for more than 100 years. They have been found to be overwhelmingly safe.

All materials have advantages and disadvantages. The choice depends on which characteristics are most important. If a great deal of the tooth needs to be replaced, a stronger material such as gold or porcelain is often the best choice. For smaller fillings, silver amalgam or tooth-colored composite are usually good options, depending on appearance considerations.

This is an impossible question to answer in a specific way. There are dozens of dental insurance plans, and they differ in the percentages of various services they cover and the maximum dollar amount they pay in a given year. Some services may not be covered at all. We will do everything we can to determine what your specific dental plan covers.

Teeth whitening is a bleaching process that reverses discolorations of enamel (the outside layer of tooth structure). The process requires a mild solution retained in a custom-fitted appliance that slips over your teeth.

No. Bleaching is safe and effective, making it a popular, common, cosmetic dental procedure.