A pediatric dentist like Drs. Piedad and Richardson have 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 including children with special healthcare needs. The very young, pre-teens, and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with behavior, guiding their facial growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems.
With the additional education, Dr. Piedad and Dr. Richardson have the training which allows them to offer the most up-to-date and thorough treatment for a wide variety of pediatric dental problems.
In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday. Of course, if there are any issues such as tooth decay or pain, please make an appointment with our office. Beginning dental care at an early age allows guidance for caring for your child's teeth and opportunities to address preventive issues that are important for healthy teeth and a pleasing smile. Early visits also help establish a positive relationship between the dentist and your child.
With each subsequent visit, your child will mature and confidence and trust will most likely increase. Usually at their first visit, we will begin preventive care visits which include examination, cleaning, fluoride treatments, and appropriate radiographs.
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.
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.
According to established guidelines of the AAPD, we are committed to utilizing the lowest level of radiation to adequately diagnose your child's dental condition. Click here for the AAPD x-ray use and safety brochure.
With contemporary safeguards, the amount of radiation received in a dental x-ray examination is extremely small. In fact, the radiographs represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem. Lead body aprons, shields and a thyroid collar will protect your child. Our digitial equipment restricts the beam to the area of interest, minimizing your child’s exposure to radiation.
A sealant is a tooth-colored resin material that is applied by bonding to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where most cavities in children can form. The sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque, and acid, thus protecting the chewing surface of the tooth, but not however, the smooth surfaces in between teeth. For more info, CLICK HERE to go to the AAPD’s sealants brochure.
If your child has a cavity that requires treatment, a filling is placed after the decay is removed. In our practice, we use aesthetic tooth-colored resin materials for restorations.
In a primary tooth, if the decay is too large to restore with a filling, the tooth may be crowned or extracted. A crown can either be tooth-colored or stainless steel. For front teeth, white crowns are always used for esthetics. For back teeth, stainless steel crowns are often used for their durability and longevity. Recently, more aesthetic options for posterior crowns have become available, however, they may not be appropriate in every situation. Although not appropriate in every situation, every attempt will be made to utilize these tooth-colored crowns. 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.
General anesthesia may be indicated for children with extensive dental needs who are extremely uncooperative, fearful or anxious or for the very young who do not understand how to cope in a cooperative fashion. General anesthesia also can be helpful for children requiring significant surgical procedures or certain children with special health care needs.
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. You may administer acetominophen or ibuprofen for pain. If the face is swollen or the pain still persists, contact our office as soon as possible.
Rinse debris from injured area with warm water. Place cold compresses over the face in the area of injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments in milk. Oftentimes small chips, especially of baby teeth, are asymptotic and do not need immediate attention. Larger fractures and those where you see blood coming from the pulp of the tooth, should be addressed sooner.
Contact our office for more instructions.
If the tooth is knocked out, try to replace back into socket or if your child can hold it under the tongue until you come into our office.
Contact our office as soon as possible.
Welcome to the pediatric dental office of Drs. Stacy T. Piedad and Laura S. Richardson located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, Georgia. Superior oral health is vital for a child’s development, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
We are committed to making your child’s first dental visit a pleasant and comfortable one. We understand the importance of establishing a good oral hygiene regimen early in a child’s life, and we provide children with the necessary knowledge and treatment to maintain a healthy smile.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a dental home for our patients. Along with the American Dental Association, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics we recommend the age one dental visit so that we can educate and instruct families in proper oral health care for their children. We believe in the prevention, not just treatment, of dental disease and malocclusion in children from birth through high school age. Our goals are to make your child’s experience in our office a positive one which is free of anxiety and fear and to promote oral health which will last a lifetime.
WHY CHOOSE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST?
Pediatric Dentistry is one of the nine recognized dental specialties of the American Dental Association. Our doctors have completed two years of additional specialized training (after the required four years of dental school) to prepare them for treating a wide variety of children’s dental problems. Drs. Piedad and Richardson are also trained and qualified to care for patients with special health care needs. Both of our doctors are board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry meaning they have not only successfully completed accredited training, but have also undergone a voluntary examination designed to continually validate the knowledge, skills & experience requisite to the delivery of quality patient care.
Everyone at Buckhead Pediatric Dentistry uses positive reinforcement and child friendly descriptions to help your child feel at ease during the dental procedure. We make individualized recommendations depending on your child’s age, ability to cooperate, and type of treatment needed. The treatments provided take the dental needs and behavioral aspects into consideration.
To learn more, visit The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
We are available to serve you, answer questions or schedule an appointment during the following hours at our Buckhead location in Atlanta.
Normal Hours:
Monday – Thursday:
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Summer Hours:
Monday – Thursday:
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Preferred Day:
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