Pediatric Dentistry in Natick

Chang Dental Group provides comprehensive dentistry services for families in Natick and throughout the MetroWest region of Massachusetts.

To schedule an appointment, call or text 508-653-0444.

What Is Pediatric Dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry refers to dental care for infants, children, and adolescents. A pediatric dentist specializes in diagnosing and treating dental problems that are common in young people who are still growing and developing.

Benefits of Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry offers many benefits to children and teens:

hygienist and patient dressed as tooth fairies holding toothbrush

Specializes in children’s dental needs. The dental needs of children differ in many ways from the dental needs of adults. While preventive care and restorative procedures are mostly similar, children’s teeth are still erupting and shedding, and their mouths and jaws are still growing. Pediatric dentistry focuses on the specific needs of children and adolescents, helping them keep their natural teeth healthy to last a lifetime.
Kid-friendly environment. We provide an environment that is inviting for children. Our pediatric dentists have experience talking to children and establishing positive relationships that can establish a foundation for a lifetime of dental health. Early experiences at the dentist have a profound impact on a person’s lifelong view of dentistry.
Orthodontic screenings. At regular dental appointments, we also perform orthodontic screenings to look for any problems that may need early treatment. We recommend orthodontic intervention as needed and either provide treatment or refer you to an orthodontist.
Infant Dental Care. We can perform a tongue-tie check for infants to determine whether or not a frenectomy is needed. The connective tissue between the tongue and the floor of the mouth can be too tight, restricting the movement of the tongue and preventing a proper latch for breastfeeding. This can also occur with the connective tissue between the lip and gums. A frenectomy can correct tongue-tie and lip-tie so that infants can latch properly, as well as prevent future problems with speech, dental health, and orthodontics.

Why Choose Chang Dental Group?

Expert Care - Excellent Results

Patients choose Chang Dental Group because of our reputation for excellence in dentistry. With over 20 years of experience, we provide an advanced level of care that is also compassionate and patient-focused.

Our doctors have earned degrees in various specialties from esteemed institutions of higher education, including Tufts and Harvard Universities. Serving as faculty and continuing to educate in their respective fields, our doctors keep up to date with technological advancements, new techniques, and best practices to improve the patient experience.

Procedures Offered

We provide the following pediatric dental services:

Preventive dentistry. Preventive dentistry refers to dental care that prevents decay and other dental problems. Teeth cleanings, oral exams, fluoride treatments, and sealants are all forms of preventive dentistry.
Restorative dentistry. When there are signs of decay or damage to the teeth, restorative procedures repair the teeth. Fillings, root canals, and crowns are examples of restorative dentistry.
Early phase orthodontic treatment. Some orthodontic conditions are present from an early age. By treating these conditions in the early years with growth modification techniques, the need for future orthodontic treatment can be minimized.
Teen Invisalign. Invisalign Teen is a version of Invisalign designed specifically for adolescents. Additional features include built-in replacement aligners and wear indicators to encourage and track compliance.
Emergency trauma treatment. Children’s teeth can get injured from sports and accidents. We offer emergency treatment to stabilize trauma cases.
Extractions. We perform extractions for loose baby teeth, wisdom teeth, and teeth that are infected, severely decayed or broken beyond repair.
Cosmetic dentistry. Children and teens sometimes need procedures to improve the appearance of their teeth. Teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding are some examples of cosmetic procedures. Some children are built with smaller teeth, odd-shaped, missing, or discolored teeth.
Orthodontics. We offer some orthodontic treatments in our office to treat problems with teeth and bite alignment. Invisalign Teen is a popular choice for teenagers who want to straighten their teeth discreetly and maintain their regular diet during treatment. With metal bracket and wire orthodontic treatment, a patient has to avoid certain food throughout the entire treatment of 24 months. But Invisalign offers dietary freedom.
Breathing and wellness. Jaw and teeth positioning can sometimes lead to mouth breathing in children, which is an unhealthy habit. We provide treatment for mouth breathing to help children learn to breathe through their noses.
Pediatric sleep apnea. Snoring and breathing issues at night can indicate sleep apnea, which can lead to poor quality sleep and other health problems. We provide treatment for children with sleep apnea to improve nighttime breathing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should my child have their first dental appointment?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children have a dental evaluation by their first birthday. Most children will have at least a few teeth present by this age that should be examined and cleaned.

How often should children go to the dentist?

As with adults, it is recommended that children go to the dentist every 6 months for a teeth cleaning and oral examination. This allows for removal of plaque and early detection of any oral or dental health concerns.

How often and for how long should my child brush their teeth?

Children should brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day. We recommend brushing for at least 2 minutes, devoting 30 seconds to each quadrant of the mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left).

Is it worth filling cavities in baby teeth?

Although baby teeth do eventually fall out, they remain in place for many years. A cavity may start out small, but without treatment it will worsen, potentially resulting in a painful toothache. Pulling a tooth before it is ready to be shed can lead to orthodontic problems. Filling a cavity in the early stages is the best option for your child’s dental health.