FAQ's

  • How old should my child be to come to the dentist?

    According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association, your child’s first visit should occur about 6 months after their first tooth erupts, but no later than your child’s first birthday.  Although it may seem young, finding your child’s “dental home” is a key to a lifetime of good dental health.

  • What is a pediatric dentist?

    A pediatric dentist like Dr. Miller, Dr. Shilpa and Dr. Hollier has an extra two years of specialized training after dental school and is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teenage years.  The very young, pre-teens, and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with behavior, guiding their growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems.

     

    With the additional education, pediatric dentists have the training which allows them to offer the most up-to-date and thorough treatment for a wide variety of pediatric dental problems.

  • Why are baby teeth so important?

    It is very important to maintain the health of primary teeth (baby teeth).  Neglected cavities can cause pain and infection, and it can also lead to problems which affect the developing permanent teeth.

     

    Primary teeth are important for (1) proper chewing and eating, (2) providing space for permanent teeth and guiding them into position, and (3) permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles.

  • Why does my child need dental x-rays?

    Radiographs (x-rays) are a necessary part of your child's dental diagnostic process. Without them, certain cavities will be missed.  They also help survey developing teeth, evaluate results of an injury, or plan for orthodontic treatment.  If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable for your child, and more affordable for you.

     

    On average, our office will request bitewing radiographs approximately once a year and panoramic radiographs every 3-5 years.  In children with a high risk of tooth decay we may recommend radiographs at more frequent intervals.

     

    With contemporary safeguards and digital radiography, the amount of radiation received in a dental x-ray examination is extremely small.  The risk is negligible.

    In fact, the dental radiographs represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem.  Lead body aprons and shields will protect your child. Today's equipment restricts the beam to the area of interest.

  • What are sealants, fillings and crowns?

    A sealant is a composite material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where most cavities in children can form.  This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque, and acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth.  However, cavities between the teeth are not protected by sealants.  As long as there is no cavity in the tooth, sealants will be recommended for most children.

     

    If your child has a cavity, a filling is placed after the cavity is removed. The filling is tooth colored (white).

     

    In a primary tooth, if a cavity is too large to restore with a filling, a crown may be recommend or the tooth may need to come out.  If the cavity is too large and has involved the nerve of the tooth, then the nerve will be removed (pulpotomy) along with the cavity, and a crown will be placed.  For front teeth, white restorations are used.  For back teeth, white or stainless steel crowns are options. The purpose of the crown is to help provide structure for the tooth, to help maintain space for permanent teeth to erupt properly, and to help protect the remaining tooth.

  • What can I do about my child’s toothache?

    Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly.  Rinse the mouth with warm salt water or use dental floss to dislodge impacted food or debris.  DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth.  If the face is swollen or the pain still persists, contact our office as soon as possible.

  • My child accidentally knocked out her permanent tooth,

    what should I do?

    If the tooth is knocked out, try to replace back into socket or if the child can hold it under the tongue  until you come into our office.

     

    Contact our office as soon as possible.

  • Our son has fractured his tooth.
    What do you suggest?

    If the tooth is knocked out, try to replace back into socket or if the child can hold it under the tongue  until you come into our office.

     

    Contact our office as soon as possible.

  • When should my child wear a mouth guard?

    Your child should wear a mouthguard whenever he or she is in an activity with a risk of falls or of head contact with other players or equipment. We usually think of football and hockey as the most dangerous to the teeth, but nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball.

     

    Our doctors will recommend the best mouth guard for your child.

Group of children jumping with arms up in the air

Connect with Us!

See how much fun we have and what others have to say about us at

Quest Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.

Our goal is to exceed your expectations.

We strive to provide the best possible dental care  for infants, children, teens, and kids with special healthcare needs.  We also offer orthodontics for all ages.

 

Our team will strive to make sure your child has a positive experience while maintaining the highest level of safety and care. Our pediatric dental office has the latest state-of-the-art equipment to make sure your child has access to everything they may need. We built our office with children in mind. We offer a fun, comfortable environment, which ensures an enjoyable and productive experience.

Connect with Us!

See how much fun we have and what others have to say about us at

Quest Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.

Our goal is to exceed your expectations.
Quest Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics logo
Group of children jumping with arms up in the air

Connect with Us!

See how much fun we have and what others have to say about us at Quest Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.

Our goal is to exceed your expectations.
Group of children jumping with arms up in the air
  • How old should my child be to come to the dentist?

    According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association, your child’s first visit should occur about 6 months after their first tooth erupts, but no later than your child’s first birthday.  Although it may seem young, finding your child’s “dental home” is a key to a lifetime of good dental health.

  • What is a pediatric dentist?

    A pediatric dentist like Dr. Miller, Dr. Shilpa and Dr. Hollier has an extra two years of specialized training after dental school and is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teenage years.  The very young, pre-teens, and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with behavior, guiding their growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems.

     

    With the additional education, pediatric dentists have the training which allows them to offer the most up-to-date and thorough treatment for a wide variety of pediatric dental problems.

  • Why are baby teeth so important?

    It is very important to maintain the health of primary teeth (baby teeth).  Neglected cavities can cause pain and infection, and it can also lead to problems which affect the developing permanent teeth.

     

    Primary teeth are important for (1) proper chewing and eating, (2) providing space for permanent teeth and guiding them into position, and (3) permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles.

  • Why does my child need dental x-rays?

    Radiographs (x-rays) are a necessary part of your child's dental diagnostic process. Without them, certain cavities will be missed.  They also help survey developing teeth, evaluate results of an injury, or plan for orthodontic treatment.  If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable for your child, and more affordable for you.

     

    On average, our office will request bitewing radiographs approximately once a year and panoramic radiographs every 3-5 years.  In children with a high risk of tooth decay we may recommend radiographs at more frequent intervals.

     

    With contemporary safeguards and digital radiography, the amount of radiation received in a dental x-ray examination is extremely small.  The risk is negligible.

    In fact, the dental radiographs represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem.  Lead body aprons and shields will protect your child. Today's equipment restricts the beam to the area of interest.

  • What are sealants, fillings and crowns?

    A sealant is a composite material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where most cavities in children can form.  This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque, and acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth.  However, cavities between the teeth are not protected by sealants.  As long as there is no cavity in the tooth, sealants will be recommended for most children.

     

    If your child has a cavity, a filling is placed after the cavity is removed.

    The filling is tooth colored (white).

     

    In a primary tooth, if a cavity is too large to restore with a filling, a crown may be recommend or the tooth may need to come out.  If the cavity is too large and has involved the nerve of the tooth, then the nerve will be removed (pulpotomy) along with the cavity, and a crown will be placed.  For front teeth, white restorations are used.  For back teeth, white or stainless steel crowns are options. The purpose of the crown is to help provide structure for the tooth, to help maintain space for permanent teeth to erupt properly, and to help protect the remaining tooth.

  • What can I do about my child’s toothache?

    Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly.  Rinse the mouth with warm salt water or use dental floss to dislodge impacted food or debris.  DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth.  If the face is swollen or the pain still persists, contact our office as soon as possible.

  • My child accidentally knocked out her permanent tooth, what should I do?

    If the tooth is knocked out, try to replace back into socket or if the child can hold it under the tongue  until you come into our office.

     

    Contact our office as soon as possible.

  • Our son has fractured his tooth.
    What do you suggest?

    If the tooth is knocked out, try to replace back into socket or if the child can hold it under the tongue  until you come into our office.

     

    Contact our office as soon as possible.

  • When should my child wear a mouth guard?

    Your child should wear a mouthguard whenever he or she is in an activity with a risk of falls or of head contact with other players or equipment. We usually think of football and hockey as the most dangerous to the teeth, but nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball.

     

    Our doctors will recommend the best mouth guard for your child.