Questions parents ask our Stonecrest pediatric dentist

Lithonia Pediatric Dentistry is a pediatric dentist at 7215 Stonecrest Pkwy, Stonecrest, GA 30038, serving infants, children and teens from Stonecrest, Lithonia, Conyers and the rest of DeKalb County. Call 770-482-4661 to book.

Yes. We accept all major PPO dental insurance, including Delta Dental, Cigna, Guardian, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, HealthSCOPE Benefits, Sun Life, Ameritas and United Concordia. Our insurance specialist verifies your benefits before your visit and explains your out-of-pocket cost up front — no hidden fees.

Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with Saturday visits by appointment. We're closed Sunday. Our 7 AM appointments make it easy to fit a visit in before school or work.

By their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Early visits let us check development, apply fluoride and show you how to care for your baby's teeth.

Yes. We treat knocked-out, broken and cracked teeth, severe toothaches, facial swelling and mouth injuries. Call 770-482-4661 right away. For a knocked-out adult tooth, keep it in milk and come in immediately.

Yes. We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation and general anesthesia (onsite or in a hospital), always choosing the lightest option that keeps your child safe and comfortable.

Yes. Our team has training beyond dental school in caring for children with special healthcare needs. We plan each visit around your child and offer sedation when it makes care safer and calmer.

A pediatric dental office is set up entirely for children — from how we explain treatment, to child-sized tools, to sedation options for anxious kids. Our team is trained in the dental problems children face and in keeping them calm during care.

Every six months for most children. Kids with a higher cavity risk may need visits every three to four months — we'll tell you after the first exam.

By their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. That is the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Yes for most children. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where most childhood cavities start. They are quick, painless and need no drilling.

Professionally applied fluoride is safe and effective, and it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. We use the amount appropriate for your child's age.

Preventive visits — exams, cleanings, fluoride and often sealants — are usually the best-covered services in a PPO plan. Exact coverage depends on your plan, so we check it for you before the visit.

It depends on the size of the cavity. Small cavities can be filled. When decay is too large for a filling to seal reliably, a crown is the stronger, longer-lasting choice — especially for children who get cavities often.

Composite fillings in baby teeth may not last as long as fillings in adult teeth, especially for large cavities. That's why we recommend a stainless steel crown when a cavity is large.

The tooth is numbed first, so most children feel pressure but not pain. Laughing gas and other sedation options are available for anxious kids.

Generally no. These are not usually recommended for children because their jaws are still growing and baby teeth are temporary. Space maintainers are used instead when a tooth is lost early.

Most PPO plans cover fillings and crowns as basic or major services, with a share paid by you. We verify your plan and explain your out-of-pocket cost before treatment.

Yes. Nitrous oxide is the mildest form of dental sedation. Your child stays awake and breathes normally, and the effect wears off within minutes of removing the mask.

Not fully. Most children become relaxed or drowsy and some drift into a light sleep, but they remain easy to wake. Oral sedation is not meant to make a child unconscious.

For very young children, children with high anxiety or special healthcare needs, or those who need extensive treatment. It allows all care to be done safely in one visit.

It depends on the type of sedation. We give you exact eating and drinking instructions when we schedule the visit — please follow them closely, as they are important for safety.

Coverage for nitrous oxide and sedation varies widely between PPO plans. We check your specific plan and tell you the cost before the appointment.

The tooth is numbed first, so children typically feel pressure rather than pain. Most feel relief afterward because the source of the toothache is gone.

Losing a baby tooth too early can let nearby teeth shift and crowd the adult tooth, which can lead to orthodontic problems. When the tooth can be saved, saving it is usually better.

Most pulpotomies, including the crown, are completed in a single visit.

A pulpotomy removes infected nerve tissue only in the crown of the tooth. A pulpectomy also removes nerve tissue from the roots. Both are usually finished with a crown.

Around age 6 or 7, when adult teeth begin to come in and the jaw is still growing. We also check the bite at every routine checkup.

Crowding, cross-bites, tongue thrust, thumb-sucking habits and space lost from early tooth loss. Treating these early can make later braces simpler or shorter.

Children usually feel pressure for a few days after each adjustment, which settles as they get used to it. We show you exactly how to care for it at home.

Some children will and some won't. Early treatment aims to correct problems while growth can help, which often makes later treatment shorter or unnecessary. We'll tell you honestly what to expect.

Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it briefly if dirty, then put it back in the socket or keep it in cold milk. Call 770-482-4661 and come in immediately — the best chance of saving it is within the first hour.

No. Replanting a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze to stop bleeding and call us so we can check for other injuries.

Go to the ER for difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, a possible broken jaw or a head injury. For tooth injuries and toothaches, call our office first.

Rinse with warm salt water, gently floss to remove trapped food, use a cold compress on the cheek, and give an age-appropriate pain reliever as directed on the label. Then call us.

Call us the same day. Small chips are often cosmetic, but a chip that exposes the nerve, causes pain or bleeds needs prompt treatment.

No. SDF is brushed onto the tooth in minutes. There's no drilling and no numbing shot.

Yes — it permanently darkens the decayed part of the tooth. Healthy enamel is not stained. A tooth-colored filling or crown can cover the area later if you prefer.

Sometimes. SDF can stop many cavities from growing, but some teeth still need a filling or crown later to restore shape and function.

Many cavities need more than one application over time. We'll recheck the teeth at follow-up visits and re-apply when needed.

Yes. Digital x-rays use up to 90% less radiation than traditional film, and we take them only when they're needed to diagnose or monitor your child's teeth.

It depends on age and cavity risk. Many children need bitewing x-rays about once a year; low-risk children may need them less often. We follow pediatric dental guidelines.

Yes. Digital images appear instantly on screen, and we walk you through what they show.

Tell us about your child's diagnosis, sensory sensitivities, communication preferences and what calms them when you book. We'll plan the visit around their needs, and you're welcome to stay with your child.

Yes. Options range from laughing gas to oral sedation and general anesthesia, chosen based on your child's health, comfort and treatment needs.

Yes. A favorite toy, blanket, headphones or tablet can make visits easier — bring whatever helps your child feel safe.