Pediatric Dentist and Pediatric Orthodontist in Cookeville, TN!

Children have different dental needs. If you have a special needs child, we offer unique care for unique kids. Whether the concern is anxiety or emotional distress, physical disability, or special problems that require dental attention, such as cleft palate, our orthodontic team has the ability to provide special needs orthodontic treatment at our offices, providing the flexibility that special needs children need from their dental care.

Dental emergencies can be distressing and worrisome. Knowing what types of injuries can help to avoid unnecessary emergency room visits. Dental emergencies can include facial trauma that damages the structure of the teeth or jaw, loss of a permanent tooth, severe tooth pain, or signs of infection. Our teams are available day or night to assist our patients needs. We have pediatric dentists and staff on call to better serve all existing patients during a time of emergency while the office is closed.

To learn more about our payment and insurance policies, check out our Payment & Insurance page.

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand-in-hand. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.

We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. This will not be the frightening experience you may remember from your youth. If you are nervous about the trip, then the less you say the better. You cannot hide your anxiety from a child (they have radar for these things). We will send you an activity/coloring book before the appointment that will explain everything. Have fun going through it with your child. Your child’s reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you. Click here to see a youtube video of a real cleaning in our office!

In the same way that pediatricians are trained to meet a child’s medical needs, our pediatric dental specialists are uniquely qualified to protect your child’s oral health using the most advanced techniques, and all in our delightfully friendly open treatment area. Pediatric dentists have an additional two to three years of training at university pediatric facilities in addition to four years of dental school and four years of college study. Some pediatric dentists (including all of ours) practice general dentistry before specializing, giving them a unique perspective. They learn how to deal with the behavioral aspects of children, how to make them feel comfortable, and to make the experience pleasant. They also are trained and qualified to treat special needs patients.

Some dental problems begin very early in life. One concern is early childhood tooth decay, a serious condition caused by a child staying on the bottle (or breast) too long. Oral habits (such as digit sucking) should also be checked. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chances of preventing problems. Strong, healthy teeth help your child chew food easily, speak clearly, and feel good about his or her appearance.

Primary teeth are important because they help with proper chewing and eating, help in speech development, and add to an attractive appearance. A child who can chew easily, speak clearly, and smile confidently is a happier child. Healthy primary teeth allow normal development of the jaw bones and muscles, save space for the permanent teeth, and guide them into place. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, permanent teeth may come in crooked. Decayed baby teeth can cause pain, abscesses, infections, and can spread to the permanent teeth. Also, your child’s general health can be affected if diseased baby teeth aren’t treated. Remember, some primary molars are not replaced until age 10-14, so they must last for years.

Has your child ever begged you not to leave the dentist? Impossible you say? Not at our office. It could be our gentle touch and special way with kids. Our pediatric specialists and staff love children and are specially trained to put them at ease. We teach your children the proper way to take care of their teeth and just as important, they learn that going to the dentist can be fun.

We have several options available from traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, and clear removable aligners. We offer braces for all ages! For more information please follow the link below.

Learn More About Braces

To learn more about our payment and insurance policies, check out our Payment & Insurance page.

We believe it is important for every person to have a healthy and perfect smile! We offer custom financing options to fit anyone’s budget. We do this by providing low down payments and flexible monthly payments over an adjustable time period. We are honored to offer 0%, in house financing to our patients to help achieve the perfect payment plan for you. Contact our office for more information.

Your first appointment with our orthodontist is FUN! We will give you a tour of our office, and then take some photos of your teeth. You will meet our orthodontist and he/she will discuss if orthodontic treatment is necessary. If orthodontic treatment is prescribed we offer the option to get you treatment started the same day, making the best use of your valuable time!

We get asked this a lot and in various ways “Is my child READY for braces?” or “Shouldn’t we wait until all their baby teeth are gone?” The answer to this question is unique to every child. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children by the age of 7 be seen by an orthodontist. Early detection of some orthodontic problems is important to correct and the key to avoid difficult treatment later. This is why we offer FREE orthodontic exams! Call us today to get your child’s free orthodontic exam.

Different children have different dental needs. If you have a special needs child, we offer unique care for unique kids. Whether the concern is anxiety or emotional distress, physical disability, or special problems that require dental attention, such as cleft palate, our pediatric dentists have the ability to provide special needs dental treatment at our offices and the hospital, providing the flexibility that special needs children need from their dental care.