Build a Relationship with You and Your Child
We appreciate
the opportunity to apply our care, skill and judgments to your
child's total dental needs.
 Regular dental exams, just like physical examinations, are an
important part of your child's overall health care program. We
recommend your child's first dental visit take place between the
ages of 12 and 18 months, or even earlier if problems arise. We also
encourage you to contact us should you need counseling regarding
hygiene or dental care of your infant.
Before the first visit, please discuss the positive aspects of
dentistry with your child. Convey good feelings about dental visits
as being a part of growing up. Expect your child to react well and
enjoy the first visit to our office, and chances are, he or she will
do exactly that.
Parents are encouraged to come into the treatment room with their
child during the initial visit, which helps a child feel more at
ease.
During future appointments, parents are asked to remain in the
reception area. Although parents are regularly in and out of the
treatment area, we find that we can establish a direct and close
rapport more quickly with your child when the parent is not present.
Preserving the Health of Your Child's Teeth
Doctors Carey and Jones, along with their staff of dental
assistants, provide a variety of dental services to children:
- Fluoride Treatment
- Teeth Cleanings
- Sealant Applications
- Diet Counseling
- Orthodontics
- Treatments for decayed teeth, including fillings and caps
During dental appointments, we emphasize and demonstrate
important tooth brushing and flossing techniques for your child. We
also use local anesthetics and, at times, premedications to relax
your child or eliminate pain.
Treatments for Decay
Even primary (baby) teeth can get decayed.
 Primary teeth normally
remain in the child's mouth until age 11 or 12.
We treat decayed teeth with tooth-colored filling for smaller
cavities and caps for larger cavities that won't hold fillings. If
the decay is extensive and affects the tooth's nerve, we can often
still save the tooth with nerve treatment (pulpotomy).
Premature extraction is not recommended unless it is absolutely
necessary because it may cause loss of chewing ability and may shift
the position of the teeth, making braces a necessity later on.
Sealants
For children five or older, we often recommend sealants to
provide added protection against tooth decay. Molars and back teeth
have pits and grooves on their crowns that trap cavity-breeding food
particles, which are often difficult to remove with even the most
diligent brushing.
Sealants form a clear plastic shield upon the crown, filling the
pits and grooves and preventing those cavity traps from forming. A
single application of this clear liquid hardens to the tooth's
surface and usually lasts several years.
Orthodontics for Children and Adults
Orthodontic care is an important facet of dentistry for growing
children. Properly timed care can greatly improve the function of
the bite. In addition, the esthetics of the smile and overall
appearance of the face can be improved dramatically during the rapid
growth that occurs during childhood and the teen years.
 The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children
be seen by age seven for initial orthodontic screenings. Drs. Carey
and Jones do not generally start treatment at this age. However,
occasionally relatively simple treatments can alleviate larger
problems later.
Typically, the best time for full orthodontic treatment is during
the middle school years when all of the permanent teeth are
erupting. Treatment at this age generally allows for braces only one
time instead of two or more times, and is less costly because it
requires fewer appointments.
Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more commonplace.
New generation clear braces and retainers are making treatment more
socially acceptable. While adult treatment differs from treatment
for children due to the fact that adults aren't growing like
children do, great improvements in esthetics and function can still
be accomplished.
Our office is certified to offer the Invisalign System, a
state-of-the-art treatment that allows mature teens and adult
patients to straighten their teeth -- without braces. Check out
website: www.invisalign.com
for more information regarding the Invisalign System.
Payment of Fees
Payment is requested as service is rendered and can be made
in cash or by check, MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. We also participate with "Care Credit" for no interest payment plans..
Please be aware that the parent/guardian who accompanies the child to our office is responsible for payment at the time of service unless responsibility for payment has been received in writing from someone else, and payment received within 30 days.
Our office does not participate in any HMO or PPO insurance plans; however, as a courtesy we will file any claims for insurance companies that allow the patient to see an "out of network" dentist. We do ask for payment of non-covered fees, deductibles and co-payments at time of service. Please keep in mind that our office has no relationship with your insurance company and ultimately the fee is your responsibility to pay. If we have not received the insurance within 60 days, you are responsible for the balance.
We strictly follow OSHA and ADA guidelines to protect both our
patients and ourselves.
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