FAQs

A pediatric dentist serves as a specialist in the field of dentistry dealing particularly with the oral healthcare of children. This dental professional plays an important role in a child's oral health, from infancy to the teenage years. The Super Dentists is the premier pediatric dental network in San Diego, with six locations throughout the city.

We recommend a check-up every six months to prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, more frequent check-ups may be necessary based on your personal oral health. If you or your child have experienced cavities, toothaches, or other dental issues, you may need to visit The Super Dentists every 2-3 months, at least until any problems are taken care of.

A child should go to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Because a child's primary teeth typically begin growing in around 6 months of age, taking a baby to the dentist empowers parents to take a proactive approach to their child's oral health. And ultimately, this allows parents to reduce a child's risk of short- and long-term oral health issues.  What’s more, a baby’s first visit to the dentist encourages life-long, positive dental care habits. The Super Dentists have the region’s best pediatric dentist and orthodontic team, and we also treat teenagers, adults, and senior citizens as well!

Typically, your child will lose all 20 of his or her baby teeth over the course of several years. This usually occurs by the age of 13. Baby teeth eventually will be replaced by up to 32 permanent teeth (28 without wisdom teeth). And as your child loses baby teeth, permanent ones will begin to erupt in their place.

Children have 20 baby teeth – 10 on the top and 10 on the bottom. These teeth act as placeholders for the adult teeth that grow in after the baby teeth fall out.

Adults have more teeth than children. Most adults have 32 teeth, including four canines, eight incisors, eight premolars and 12 molars (as well as four wisdom teeth).

For the most part, a child's 20 baby teeth usually fall out in the order in which they developed. A child's baby teeth typically come in by age 3, and the lower center teeth (lower center incisors) are usually the first to go. This typically occurs around age 5 or 6.

Ideally, your child's first visit to the dentist should happen before his or her first birthday. Taking your child to the dentist at a young age empowers you to prevent problems such as tooth decay, along with allowing you to learn how to clean your child's teeth and identify his or her fluoride needs. Plus, bringing your child to the dentist early often leads to a lifetime of good oral care habits and acclimates your child to the dental office, reducing the stress frequently associated with visiting the dentist.

At The Super Dentists, we're prepared to answer any and all dental questions, at any time. Our expert team will take the time to understand your pediatric dentistry questions and will handle all of your dental questions as needed. Therefore, we're ready to provide you with informative, easy-to-understand answers to your dental questions and offer you the dental services you need consistently. Our reputation is built on exceptional services, professional patient care, and the most comprehensive dental care available anywhere in San Diego County.

Find out more about the pediatric dentistry and orthodontic specialties available from The Super Dentists – you'll be happy you did! To learn more about our family dental services, please contact us today at (760) or (619) DENTIST (336-8478) or email us at webcontact@thesuperdentists.com.

Braces can be installed at any age. However, many dentists recommend braces for children between the ages of 10 and 14.

At this time, the child’s head and mouth are still growing, which makes it easier to move the teeth to their ideal location. If an experienced orthodontist has not seen by your pre-teen, you may want to schedule an appointment today. The Super Dentists orthodontists are skilled in straightening teeth and will let you know if your child needs braces.

Orthodontists commonly will spend one to two hours installing braces.

First, the orthodontist will clean a child's mouth and ensure his or her teeth are dry. Next, the orthodontist will apply bonding glue to the teeth and attach brackets for the braces. And for the final step, the orthodontist will place the archwire in the brackets and secure it with elastic bands.

The braces installation procedure is usually painless. When the bonding glue is applied to the teeth, a child may experience an unpleasant taste in his or her mouth that will dissipate quickly. Furthermore, a child's teeth and mouth will be sore as he or she adjusts to the braces after the procedure, but this soreness should go away within about a week.

Throughout the entire braces installation process, the dental care professionals at The Super Dentists ensure your child’s utmost comfort and confidence. We’ve installed braces on hundreds of area patients, and our considerable experience means that your child will receive the best care, professional courtesy, and ongoing support.

Every patient is different, and early orthodontic treatment may prove to be a viable option to reduce the risk of serious oral health problems from developing down the line.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children should have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this time, a pediatric orthodontist will be able to pinpoint developmental oral health issues that could become long-term problems. Common orthodontic problems such as crowding, premature loss of baby teeth and cross bites may lead to the implementation of braces or other oral health treatments.

Before a child gets braces, it is important for a parent to discuss the procedure with his or her son or daughter. By doing so, this child will understand exactly what to expect from the installation procedure, along with how braces will help improve his or her teeth. The Super Dentists can discuss all about braces with you and your child to better prepare you both for the process.

For children, it is common to wear braces for one to two years. And in some cases, kids may need to wear braces for up to three years.

Comparatively, adult braces treatments may require more time than children's treatments because their bones have finished growing. Adults frequently wear braces for 18 months to three years. However, there are new dental technologies available to accelerate the time in braces. The Super Dentists use both AcceleDent and PROPEL to reduce time in braces by about half the time.

Also, both children and adults may need to wear a retainer after their braces are removed to help maintain the results of a braces treatment.

The Super Dentists also offer Acceledontics, a next-generation orthodontic procedure and process that offers the most advanced technology, less time in braces, and an aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional braces. Thanks to our AADvance Braces and AADvance Auxiliary Devices, we’ve made braces more accessible and affordable than ever before – without the hassles usually associated with braces. The Super Dentists also offer AADvance Whitening, a revolutionary teeth whitening process that can help improve your smile in a matter of minutes. For more information about our groundbreaking orthodontic processes, please visit our Acceledontics website.

There are many key indicators that can help determine if braces are right for your child, including:

• Your child's teeth appear crowded or crooked
• Your child's jaw shifts or make noises
• Your child commonly bites the sides or roof of his or her mouth
• Your child often struggles to chew food
• Your child frequently breathes through his or her mouth

The orthodontic professionals at The Super Dentist can work with you and your child to determine the feasibility of braces. We realize that getting braces is one of life’s most anxious times – especially for children! Our careful, collaborative process ensures that you and your child come first, and we’ll gladly answer any questions you have about braces.

If your son or daughter encounters any of these issues, you should consider a pediatric orthodontic evaluation to determine if braces will serve as a viable option to help him or her overcome such problems. The Super Dentists can let you know if your child needs braces or another treatment to help with their dental issue.

Yes! Both children and adults can reap the benefits of braces. Perhaps you had braces as a kid and now your teeth have shifted. The Super Dentists have an array of teeth straightening methods that weren’t around when you were a kid. From their exclusive AADvance Braces™ to Invisalign and Incognito, ask The Super Dentists if you would be a good candidate for braces. 

For children, crooked or crowded teeth, overbites or underbites may cause long-lasting oral health problems if they are not treated. In addition, incorrect jaw position and disorders may result in chewing and speaking problems that can be exceedingly difficult to repair as a child ages.

Braces, however, can help correct these problems at an early age. Thus, braces can correct many oral health issues to provide significant value for your child and enable him or her to enjoy a healthy smile for a lifetime.

Simply meet with a pediatric orthodontist for an evaluation, and your child will be able to get the support that he or she needs and find out how braces can help improve his or her smile. The Super Dentists will let you know all that needs to be done if your child needs braces.

According to the American Dental Association, an overbite typically can be treated within one to three years with braces.

An overbite occurs when the top teeth vertically overlap the bottom teeth. This issue is most commonly seen in children. And if left untreated, an overbite may cause gum disease, tooth decay and other oral health problems that may affect a child's teeth, along with his or her speech and chewing.

Fortunately, braces can be adjusted to even out the top and bottom teeth. That way, braces can help improve a child's smile and reduce the risk of many common oral health problems.

To learn more about our pediatric orthodontia services, please contact us today at 1 855 Go SUPER (855-467-8737.

After two decades of treating kids, The Super Dentists now welcomes mom, dad and our grown-up patients to adult dentistry. Parents can enjoy the convenience of a “one-stop shop” having their dental appointments at the same time as the kids. And, for our pediatric dental patients who have grown up loving The Super Dentists, you can continue to enjoy the quality care you’ve always received. Convenience, grownup amenities and exceptional dental care make The Super Dentists the #1 choice for the whole family.

Here are the most frequently asked questions about our parent dentistry. If you have other questions, please call us at 1-855-Go-SUPER (855-467-8737) or email webcontact@thesuperdentists.com.

While you are receiving dental treatment with your dentist, your child will be with his/her pediatric dentist or orthodontist and dental assistant. The Super Dentists understand the needs of children, including those with special needs, and will ensure your child’s comfort and safety.

If your appointment takes longer, no worries, we’ll watch and entertain your children. When you check in for your appointments, your child will receive a super tracker watch and you will receive a super tracker phone. Your phone and your child’s watch are synced to let you know where your child is and allow you to communicate at all times to give you peace of mind. Once your child’s dental care is complete, one of The Super Dentists superheroes will supervise and entertain your child in our theme park designed super lounge until you're ready to go.

Our patients will tell you that The Super Dentists have exceeded their goal to “Reinvent and Transform the Dental Experience” for children, now it’s time to do that for parents. In addition to the trust and care we provide, you can now enjoy additional conveniences.

• Extended hours: Monday through Friday 7am to 7pm and Saturday
• One-stop dental specialties: From routine cleanings and braces to cosmetic dentistry and periodontal treatments, we’re the only dental group you’ll need for you and your entire family’s oral health needs.
• VIP lounge: Just like kids love our theme park designed office, adults will love hanging out in our VIP — Very Important Parents — lounge. Enjoy lattes that have your child’s image in the foam, free Wifi and a quiet place to think.
• VIP treatment: Going to the dentist will feel like a spa day with relaxing aroma therapy in the exam rooms, warm towels, massage chairs and flavored gloves. You can even request a piña colada — no ID required.
• Super Bucks: Earn points when you receive preventative care in our office that can be redeemable for treatments. With the entire family visiting The Super Dentists and earning Super Bucks, you can qualify for discount levels that reward you for practicing healthy dental habits.

Definitely! In addition to our pediatric dentists and orthodontists, The Super Dentists also have adult dentists and hygienists at our locations. Keep in mind that pediatric dentists and orthodontists are dental specialist who attended dental school in addition to their specialty training. That means all of our dentists are proficient in treating all ages in addition to their specialties.

The Super Dentists have changed everything you hate about going to the dentist. In addition to having specialists for every member of your family’s dental needs in one location, The Super Dentists have state-of-the-art equipment to make a trip to the dentist as convenient and comfortable as possible.

• Digital scanner: Avoids gooey impressions
• Digital x-ray: Minimal radiation
• Flavored fluoride: Protecting teeth never tasted so good
• In-house lab: Fillings, inlays and crowns can be milled and placed at the same visit saving you an extra trip to the dentist
• Acceledontics: Accelerated teeth straightening and whitening so you don’t have to wait years for the perfect smile

Visiting the dentist twice a year has become the norm. The benefit of regular dental checkups is to prevent problems. Catching dental issues and treating them at an early stage is more manageable and can save money. Visiting the dentist every six months is a good recommendation; however, people with good oral health who are low risk for cavities or gum disease may be able to go annually. While those with a higher risk for dental disease may want to see their dentist every three to four months.

Yes, adults can get cavities. However, adults are generally more conscientious about brushing, flossing and limiting sweets in their diets, which can help prevent cavities. Adult teeth are also not as soft as baby teeth.

Of course! Teeth can shift with age, so it isn’t unusual to need braces again as an adult. Braces have come a long way since you were a kid. The Super Dentists use the newest technologies to straighten teeth including Invisalign, Incognito and our exclusive and proprietary AADvance Braces. Plus, by combining an FDA-cleared accelerator with your braces, your teeth can be straightened in less time. The Super Dentists’ proprietary Acceledontics program straightens teeth in months instead of years and includes a whitening treatment after teeth are straight for the perfect smile.

There is no age limit for braces, as long as your teeth, gums and jaw are healthy. Whether you had braces in the past, or you’ve decided that now is the time to perfect your smile, our orthodontists can help. If you want your teeth straightened, The Super Dentists can advise you and create a treatment plan.

Generally, any type of braces may be used for adults. Specifically, you will need to meet with The Super Dentists orthodontist to determine the best type of braces for you. Nowadays more adults are getting braces, so The Super Dentists created the Acceledontics orthodontic package. Acceledontics is a proprietary 5-step program including our exclusive AADvance Braces and AADvance Whitening. The Super Dentists will advise you on our comprehensive options for adult braces.

While technologies for braces have changed, some things have remained the same. Yes, you will need a retainer to keep your teeth in place once the braces have done their job.

Research has shown that fluoride disrupts acid production and is important for fighting tooth decay in adult teeth. Many adults drink fluoridated water or use dental products such as toothpaste or mouthwash with fluoride, which is sufficient. Your dentist will let you know if your teeth need additional fluoride treatment.

If your wisdom teeth are not causing pain and they are correctly positioned in your mouth, then you will likely not have to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Although, if you are feeling pain or suspect your wisdom teeth are problematic, The Super Dentists can check them and let you know if your wisdom teeth are okay or need to be removed.

TMJ is an acronym for the temporomandibular joint. When this joint along with surrounding muscles that control jaw movement cause pain, it may be a sign of a temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. The Super Dentists will be able to determine if you do have TMJ / TMD. Depending on your diagnosis, you may be prescribed a pain medication or an oral appliance to see if the pain dissipates. For chronic cases where the pain and other symptoms persist, The Super Dentists will discuss orthodontic options including surgical procedures. The first step is to find out if you do have TMJ / TMD. After evaluation, The Super Dentists can recommend a treatment plan.

As we age, the enamel on our teeth begins to wear down from use. If you are concerned about this, ask The Super Dentists about restorative dentistry. You will also want to keep your gums healthy to avoid disease. If gum disease isn’t treated, it can harm your bones. Another issue that can affect adults is dry mouth. Make sure you stay hydrated, as dry mouth can lead to tooth decay. The best way to keep your mouth healthy is to follow good dental habits and visit The Super Dentists regularly.

Research has shown that it is indeed safe to whiten teeth. The Super Dentists uses several safe and effective teeth whitening technologies including LaserSmile and ezlase laser whitening, along with Zoom! teeth bleaching. The Super Dentists have also created our exclusive AADvance Whitening that you can get only at our offices. Ask The Super Dentists which teeth whitening method will work best to improve your smile.

You can whiten your teeth before a special event such as a wedding or class reunion, or anytime you want a bright and confident smile. As we age, teeth can yellow. Whitening teeth can provide a younger appearance. If you have teeth sensitivity from whitening, you may want to wait a little longer between teeth whitening treatments. Most teeth whitening techniques will keep your smile bright for six months to a year.

Practicing good oral hygiene goes a long way to help prevent gum disease, also called periodontal disease. Daily habits including brushing teeth including along the gum line, flossing and using mouthwash, as well as eating a healthy diet and visiting The Super Dentists regularly will go a long way to keep your gums healthy.

Early stage gum disease is treated using non-surgical procedures. Deep cleaning under the gum line, called scaling and root planning, is performed to remove plaque and tarter that a regular cleaning cannot reach. If gum disease is more advanced, surgery may be required. It is important to treat gum disease so that it does not weaken bones, which can lead to tooth loss.

There are many toothpaste options. Depending on your particular needs, you can find a brand that will work best for you. With the popularity of bottled water, fluoride toothpaste is recommended to help fight cavities. The other beneficial health qualities you’ll find in toothpastes include whitening, sensitivity, tartar protection, enamel strengthening and plaque fighting. Some toothpaste brands have several benefits in one tube. Choose a paste or gel with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. The ADA seal ensures that the claims made by the manufacturer are true. Remember, the only way you can get the full benefit of whichever toothpaste you choose is to brush for two minutes at least twice a day.

Flossing should be performed at least once a day, but ideally every time you brush. Flossing reaches plaque and food particles that linger under the gum line and are not reached by brushing. You can also help prevent plaque buildup and gum disease. Unwaxed floss is recommended for people with teeth that are closer together. Waxed floss isn’t as easy to use if there is a tight fit between teeth, but it has less likelihood of breaking than unwaxed floss. A dental floss holder, a small plastic tool with a handle that has floss at the end, is an option for those who have trouble holding floss or reaching in their mouth. The Super Dentists encourages parents to teach their children to floss at a young age. Parents should floss as a good example for their children and to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Ask your dentists for a refresher course in flossing and if there is a specific floss that will work best for you.

Most people believe that mouthwash is just to prevent bad breath, but studies have shown there are other benefits to rinsing with mouthwash. Before using mouthwash to cover bad breath, make sure that you don’t have dental issues that are causing bad breath. A visit to The Super Dentists will let you know if your teeth and gums are healthy. Mouthwash has been shown to help prevent plaque buildup and reduce the chances of getting cavity. Check labels for brands that have the American Dental Association (ADA) seal so that you know the claims made on the package have been confirmed. Ask The Super Dentists if you would benefit from a mouthwash that contains fluoride, fights bacteria, has whitening or reduces sensitivity. With your dentist, you can find the best brand for your needs. Keep in mind that mouthwash alone cannot provide oral health benefits. Rinsing with mouthwash needs to be performed along with brushing and flossing to get the positive effects.