Frequently Asked Questions What is the age of the first dental checkup? Why should I bring my child to a pediatric dentist? How do you treat frightened children? What if my child gags on the fluoride applications? What does it cost for an exam? How often do you take X-rays? My child uses a pacifier is that OK? Do you do preventative orthodontics care? Can parents be in the room with their child? Do you charge for light sedation? What does your office look like? Do you have an associate? What education is needed to be a Pediatric Dentist? Why treat baby teeth? Does it cost more to see a specialist in Pediatric Dentistry or a family dentist? What is hospital dentistry? What is in-office sedation? What education is needed to be a Pediatric Dentist? What are your guarantees? I have a Question(s) not answered here? What is the age of the first dental checkup?   If your child goes to bed with a bottle that is not only water, is a frequent juice/chocolate milk drinker, uses a sippy cup with liquids other than water or if you have questions please call our office to schedule an appointment. If your child does not fall into those categories, we recommend the first visit by age 3 years because we have trained the local pediatricians and many family physicians on preventive dental care and also treat many of their own children.  Why should I bring my child to a pediatric dentist?   Our office is a child friendly, cowboy/cowgirl themed FUN practice and our team loves to care for children. We trained for 2 years beyond dental school solely in treating children. We know how to care for your children using kind, supportive, behavior techniques to help them accept care. We are also trained in light nitrous oxide sedation as well as hospital dentistry when extensive dental care is needed, and to reduce stress to your child.  How do you treat frightened children?   Our office does not use restraints. Instead we use kind, supportive and caring behavior guidance techniques such as praise, verbal distraction, story-telling, singing, and reward. We are also trained in and utilize nitrous oxide and oxygen “fuzzy air” light sedation that the child breathes through his/her nose which helps them be less worried and often allows us to treat small decay areas “dents” without Novocain injections. The sedation works within five minutes and children are recovered after five to ten minutes of breathing oxygen. The parent can hold the child’s hand or even sit in the chair with their child on their lap if it is more comfortable for their child for most procedures. If these options are not possible we are also trained in hospital dentistry and offer in-office sedation which is administered by a certified anesthesiologist.  What if my child gags on the fluoride applications?   We do not use the gaggy fluoride trays. We apply fluoride varnish using a small dental paint brush. This prevents upsetting the child and it only takes a few moments. The varnish helps strengthen teeth, helps prevent cavities and children can eat and drink right away.  What does it cost for an exam?   If only an exam or evaluation is done the cost is $48.00. If an exam, cleaning, fluoride application, orthodontic evaluation, and preventive dentistry is presented the fee is $91.00. The child is also given a cartoon picture with their name on it and a list of Good and Bad snacks that they can color at home. If X-rays are required it will be discussed with the parent prior and the cost depends on what is needed.   How often do you take X-rays?   X-rays are taken based on your child’s need in accordance with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Usually, 2 X-rays are taken every 12-18 months and cost $43.00 for total. We also take a Panorex X-ray, infrequently, which is great to show wisdom teeth, missing or extra teeth in the jaws, and helps determine the need for braces.  My child uses a pacifier is that OK?   No problem until the age of 4 years old. Usually we trade a gift for the pacifier at age 4. The results are great. If a pacifier is taken away too early, they may switch to their thumb and this is much more difficult to stop.  Do you do preventative orthodontics care?   Yes, many of the beginning orthodontic problems can be prevented or decreased by less involved and less expensive care. This is called preventive and interceptive orthodontic care   Can parents be in the room with their child?   Absolutely, we welcome the family to be with their child for all care.  Do you charge for light sedation?   No. We do not charge for Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen “fuzzy air.” It is a benefit for coming to our office.  What does your office look like?   Our office is a Western Themed, child friendly, pediatric dental practice. We have cowboy music and paintings throughout the office and a large mechanical horse in one of our treatment areas, as well as toys, trains and games. This is a WOW practice!!  Do you have an associate?   My son Dr. Aaron has been in private practice for 3 years and has been caring for our patients full time for over a year. He is better at everything that Dr. Miller can do, except cracking a 16 foot Bull Whip.  What education is needed to be a Pediatric Dentist?   After 4 years in dental school, an additional 2 years of training is needed to become a specialist. The extra schooling emphasizes gentle psychological approaches to stress, use of sedation, preventative orthodontic care, additional dental techniques in dentistry for children and developing a friendship with your child.  Why treat baby teeth?   Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth and are needed for chewing and speech. An infected baby tooth can cause pain and need removal. If a space maintainer is not used to hold the space left after an extraction of the baby tooth orthodontic care may be necessary. Baby teeth in the back typically come out between 10-12 years old.  Does it cost more to see a specialist in Pediatric Dentistry or a family dentist?   We are more efficient because we are set up to only treat children. So you will see that our fees are comparable to a family dentist, if not less, while still offering a specialized experience.  What is hospital dentistry?   Dr. Aaron is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist who is specially trained in treating children while they are asleep under general anesthesia in a local hospital operating room. This treatment allows for all dental care to be completed in one visit while your child is asleep. It is a great way to care for young children (ages 2 -8 years old) who are either unable to cooperate in the office and have multiple cavities or unwilling to cooperate in the office and have multiple cavities. This type of treatment is sometimes necessary for patients who have certain medical conditions. We utilize the Operating Room three Tuesday’s a month depending on patient need.   What is in-office sedation?   We have an anesthesiologist come to our office at least one Saturday per month and administer intravenous sedation where your child is asleep for dental care. We offer this option for children who are unable to cooperate in the dental setting, who are very anxious, and have dental cavities. If decay is extensive or treatment is more urgent then the operating room might be recommended. In-office sedation is reserved for healthy patients over 35lbs and procedure times lasting roughly 30 to 90 minutes. Parents are invited to the recovery area to sit with their child until they wake up and are ready to be discharged.   What education is needed to be a Pediatric Dentist?   After four years of dental school, we trained for an additional two years in a children’s hospital (Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for Dr. Aaron and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for Dr. Miller) specializing in only caring for children. Our specialty emphasizes gentle psychological approaches to stress, dental trauma, use of sedation and hospital dentistry, preventive orthodontic care, caring for special needs children, as well as dental techniques unique to treating children and primary teeth.   What are your guarantees?   Any dental care (except posterior white composite filling) that our office performs that requires being redone within five years of placement will be performed at no charge to the family if the child is an active patient and 6 month check-ups are kept in our office. If decay occurs below one of our sealants, and the above conditions are met, it will be filled with a silver amalgam filling at no charge to the family.  I have a Question(s) not answered here?   Please feel free to call us at 569-4597 with your question(s) & we'll be more than happy to help you.
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