Safe, Comfortable, and Easy Pediatric Dental Care in Pennsylvania

We provide dental care for all children, including those who need a little extra time and attention, in a professional, comfortable atmosphere.
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Safe, Comfortable, and Easy Pediatric Dental Care in Pennsylvania

Service offered at the following location(s): Hollidaysburg, Johnstown, Selinsgrove and Williamsport

Pediatric Dentistry

Why Pediatric Dentistry?

Regular dental care ensures that your child’s smile stays healthy through the years. Establishing a dental home for your child allows you to teach preventative dental health habits that protect your child from dental/oral disease. Here are some important things to know about pediatric dentistry:

  • New research suggests a link between dental health and overall health, making it even more critical to develop good habits at a young age.
  • Pediatric dentistry is comprehensive dental care that focuses on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of dental diseases.

Pediatric dentists (pedodontists) must complete an additional two years of specialty training in child psychology after completing the required four years of dental school. This specialized program of study and hands-on experience prepares pediatric dentists to meet the unique needs of infants, children, and adolescents, including people with special healthcare needs. 

What to Expect

Our pediatric dentist and dental team will treat your children as they grow and continue to treat your family like ours.

BeforeTreatment

Our goal is to provide a positive experience through comprehensive dental care for infants, children, and adolescents in a friendly and safe environment, focusing on prevention and education. We will always do our best to make sure that your child is comfortable in a dental setting, working to ensure that the common fear of the dentist isn't something you'll have to worry about. Talking with your child about going to the dentist is always a great idea before their first dental treatment.

DuringTreatment

With the latest equipment and materials, including digital x-rays, which minimize radiation exposure, to our warm, welcoming environment, our pediatric dental services ensure that your child has the best dental and oral care experience possible. Some of our pediatric dentistry services include:

  • Oral health
  • Cleanings
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Dental sealants
  • Digital x-rays
  • Tooth-colored fillings
  • Anticipatory guidance
  • Nutrition and diet counseling
  • Crowns
  • Orthodontics
  • Emergency care, including tooth pain relief and trauma management

AfterTreatment

After dental treatment, it is normal for your child to feel anxious or experience minor pain or discomfort. Feeding them soft foods, encouraging them to drink plenty of liquids and get adequate rest is crucial to ensuring that they feel better – even if they just went in for a cleaning.

Your First Visit

During the first visit and every dental visit, your child is treated with kindness and patience. We build a personal relationship with your child to lay a foundation for good oral hygiene habits. We believe that trust and a positive attitude towards dental health begin on the first visit while we learn about your child’s needs and previous dental experience. Our dental team understands that every child is different, and we tailor our approach accordingly.

 
Modern Dentistry

Modern Dentistry

All the latest technology can be found at all of our Pennsylvania, PA dental offices.
Judgment-Free Office

Judgment-Free Office

We're here to help you feel confident in your smile. We provide a safe, judge-free zone for any dental issue or concern you have.
On Your Schedule

On Your Schedule

Taking care of your dental health should fit within your schedule. We are open late and on weekends so you can get the care you need.

Insurance
and Financing

Are you worried about the cost of a visit to get partial or full dentures? Don't panic. We work with over 200 dental insurance plans and offer flexible payment plans for your convenience.

No Insurance?
No Problem.

Making An Appointment Is Easy

Don't have insurance? That's not a problem with us. We offer payment plans and accept most major credit cards, personal checks, and more.
Ask Us
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How can mouth guards protect my child?

The majority of sporting organizations now require participants to routinely wear mouth guards.   Though mouth guards are primarily designed to protect the teeth, they can also vastly reduce the degree of force transmitted from a trauma impact point (jaw) to the central nervous system (base of the brain).  In this way, mouth guards help minimize the risk of traumatic brain injury, which is especially important for younger children.

Will mouthgaurds prevent my child from injury?

Mouth guards also reduce the prevalence of the following injuries:

  • Cheek lesions
  • Concussions
  • Gum and soft tissue injuries
  • Jawbone fractures
  • Lip lesions
  • Neck injuries
  • Tongue lesions
  • Tooth fractures
What type of mouth guard should I purchase for my child?

Though there are literally thousands of mouth guard brands, most brands fall into three major categories: stock mouth guards, boil and bite mouth guards, and customized mouth guards.

Some points to consider when choosing a mouth guard include:

  • How much money is available to spend?
  • How often does the child play sports?
  • What kind of sport does the child play? (Basketball and baseball tend to cause the most oral injuries).

In light of these points, here is an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of mouth guard:

Stock mouth guards – These mouth guards can be bought directly off the shelf and immediately fitted into the child’s mouth.  The fit is universal (one-size-fits-all), meaning that that the mouth guard doesn’t adjust.  Stock mouth guards are very cheap, easy to fit, and quick to locate at sporting goods stores.  Pediatric dentists favor this type of mouth guard least, as it provides minimal protection, obstructs proper breathing and speaking, and tends to be uncomfortable.

Boil and bite mouth guards – These mouth guards are usually made from thermoplastic and are easily located at most sporting goods stores.  First, the thermoplastic must be immersed in hot water to make it pliable, and then it must be pressed on the child’s teeth to create a custom mold.  Boil and bite mouth guards are slightly more expensive than stock mouth guards, but tend to offer more protection, feel more comfortable in the mouth, and allow for easy speech production and breathing.

Customized mouth guards – These mouth guards offer the greatest degree of protection, and are custom-made by the dentist.  First, the dentist makes an impression of the child’s teeth using special material, and then the mouth guard is constructed over the mold.  Customized mouth guards are more expensive and take longer to fit, but are more comfortable, orthodontically correct, and fully approved by the dentist.

What is a fluoride treatment, and does my child need one?

Treatment with fluoride is an effective way to strengthen your tooth's enamel. It takes a few minutes to apply a fluoridated varnish or gel that has a higher concentration of fluoride than over-the-counter products. Your hygienist can apply the product with a soft brush. After application, you should not brush or floss for 4 to 6 hours afterward, and not eat for a few hours. Drinking can resume immediately. The American Dental Association recommends fluoride treatments for adults as well as children. Speak to your dentist about how fluoride can help you achieve optimal dental health.

Fluoride varnish is applied with a soft brush and you will not be able to eat or drink for a few hours afterward. A fluoride gel takes 4 minutes to be applied, and you should avoid eating and drinking for 30 minutes after treatment.

When should my child have dental x-rays taken?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association has guidelines to determine when and how often children should have x-rays. The dentist will use his or her clinical judgment, using these guidelines, after a thorough review of your child's health history and a clinical exam. Your child's first dental appointment can be by age 1 or 6 months from the first tooth eruption.