New Patients (301) 508-9755

Current Patients (301) 949-5400

12900 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20906

Family Dentistry Silver Spring, MD

The Silver Spring dental office of Dr. Alan Dechter and Dr. Matthew Moy offers general dental services to all families. Get the convenience of comprehensive dental care for children and adults under one roof. Family dentistry in our Silver Spring, MD office lets your family visit one location, usually on the same day, for preventive care appointments.

We can work with you to coordinate appointment times so everyone can visit on the same day! Our family dental office also has evening and Saturday dental appointments to accommodate busy work-week schedules. Your time and convenience are important to us.

Contact our friendly staff to set up dentist appointments that work for your busy schedule. We strive to provide quality dental services on time so that you can get back to your life.

family dentistry in Silver Spring, Maryland at Dechter and Moy Dentistry

Benefits of Early Dental Visits

Visit our family dentistry to enjoy all the benefits that our practice has to offer. Parents and caregivers bring children in for their first dental appointment soon after the primary teeth erupt. Early visits with our family dentist serve several vital purposes for the long-term oral health of your child. You can look forward to the benefits of children’s dental visits:

  • Reduces anxiety at the dentist: Starting dental care as a young child minimizes anxious feelings and helps foster a healthy doctor-patient relationship along the way. This helps curb and avoid developing dental anxiety and fear of the dentist in young patients.
  • Monitors oral development: Early visits provide us the opportunity to monitor your child’s oral development. We will alert you to any concerns that could impact their speech, health, and appearance of their teeth.
  • Teaches good oral habits: In our office, we offer age-appropriate oral hygiene tips and demonstrate proper teeth brushing techniques. We want our pediatric patients to learn how to maintain their teeth and mouth at home. We also want them to learn about the benefits of good oral health to have a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Age-Specific Dental Care

The goal of our preventive dental care is to help maintain your oral health using personalized care. We aim to provide each patient with the services they need to address their concerns and risk factors. Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy believe in the value of relationship dentistry.

Dental Care in Your Early Years

We spend time with each of our younger patients to get to know them and understand their oral health. However, children aren’t the only ones with specialized oral health needs. Certain ages are more likely to experience certain oral health problems.

In the late teens and early twenties, wisdom teeth begin to erupt. Many of our mouths don’t have space for these to come in, so we seek wisdom teeth removal. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and shift your teeth, causing crowding. To learn more about our wisdom teeth removal services, visit Tooth extraction.

At this age, many people want to focus on getting straighter teeth as well. Clear aligners are the choice for many in this age group. Many people aren’t able to tell that you are currently straightening your teeth using aligners. To learn about our ClearCorrect® aligner services, visit Clear aligners.

Dental Care in Your Later Years

As we age, our lifestyle habits and extra years begin to take their toll. Our tooth enamel thins, showing more of the yellow dentin inside. If you’re a regular smoker or coffee drinker, years of bad habits are going to permanently stain your teeth.

Fortunately, our dentists can provide professional teeth whitening to remove years of stains from your teeth. Our professional teeth whitening services can brighten your teeth by many shades in a single treatment. To learn about getting teeth whitening treatments at our dental office, visit Teeth whitening.

You may have another dental issue if you have more severely stained teeth that do not respond to teeth whitening. Sometimes ,certain medications or a genetic issue can cause teeth to stain. Our dentist can not whiten deep and dark stains that are past the surface level of you teeth using whitening treatments.

If the deep stain is not causing dental health issues, we can hide it using a cosmetic treatment like porcelain veneers. Our porcelain veneers can cover imperfections. To learn more about these veneers, visit Porcelain veneers.

Are you experiencing tooth loss? Seniors are more likely than other age groups to suffer from tooth loss. However, everyone’s situation is different and tooth loss can occur in any age group. We offer a variety of tooth replacement options.

We will work with you to develop a dental plan to replace missing and lost teeth. Common treatments we use to replace missing and lost teeth include the following:

Children’s Dental Services in Silver Spring

We offer complete dental care for the needs of a growing smile in a friendly environment. Our dental services for children will help your child maintain a healthy smile. We will address any problems or diseases along the way.

  • Dental exams and cleanings: We look for the early signs of tooth cavities using a visual exam and a handheld scanner. With this exam, we can detect the smallest changes in tissues and tooth structure to address issues before they become larger. Our hygienists also provide thorough pediatric cleanings.
  • Dental sealants: Sealants can prevent cavities in teeth with many cusps that can easily trap food particles. Our dentist places sealants on the permanent molars after dental cleanings. Dental sealants last several years.
  • Fluoride treatment: Like sealants, we recommend fluoride treatments after cleanings to prevent cavities. These treatments strengthen your child’s tooth enamel. A fluoride varnish can cover every tooth to strengthen the outer tooth enamel.
  • Sports mouthguards: We offer sports mouthguards for athletic and active patients of all ages. Our team can create custom mouthguards for kids and adults. These mouthguards feel comfortable and protect the teeth and gums.
  • Invisible aligners: Clear aligners can straighten teeth for teens and adults without the hassles of metal braces. They offer a less noticeable treatment. We recommend using clear aligners to correct mild to moderate orthodontic issues.

We also offer cosmetic dentistry procedures and restorative dental treatments near you for all ages. Maintaining the health of your smile is our first priority. These services are a part of family dentistry services in our Silver Spring, MD dental office.

Family Dentistry FAQs

Learn more about family dentistry in Silver Spring, MD, with answers to these common patient questions:

How do I choose a family dentist?

Choosing a family dentist can be a huge decision. To make it easier, look for the following things. First, ensure the dentist is qualified to treat children and adults. Some dentists claim to be able to work with children but don’t have the experience.

Next, search for online reviews and see what their past and current patients say about them. Reviews not on their website hold more merit because they cannot manipulate them. Schedule an initial visit to their office to see if you and your family will feel comfortable there. A great first impression can go a long way.

When should my child first visit the dentist?

The ADA recommends that you schedule your child’s first dental visit before their first birthday or when their first tooth erupts. Take your child to the dentist once their teeth start coming in to ensure proper development.

Their first impression should be a positive and friendly one. Bring some of their favorite toys to keep them happy and alleviate anxiety. Remember, the dentist is here to help patients, not scare them away.

Can family dentists do fillings?

Family dentists do fill cavities. They typically specialize in working with general dentistry procedures such as fillings, cleanings, and removing plaque and tooth decay. If you need dental work done that your family dentist does not work with, they will typically recommend you to a specialist.

What is the best age to get clear aligners?

There is no single “best age” to get clear aligners. They can be effective for patients across a wide age range.  Many adults choose aligners for their discreet appearance.

Teens can also benefit from this treatment. We typically recommend waiting until all permanent teeth have come in. This usually happens in the early teens.

How long do porcelain veneers take to put on?

Porcelain veneers usually require two appointments. The first visit involves preparing your teeth and taking impressions. This takes 1-2 hours. We’ll place temporary veneers while the lab crafts your custom set.

About two weeks later, you’ll return for the final fitting. This second appointment usually lasts about an hour. The process, from consultation to final placement, generally takes 2-4 weeks.

Does teeth whitening cause sensitivity?

Teeth whitening can cause temporary sensitivity. Many patients experience some discomfort during or after treatment. It happens because whitening opens tiny pores in your enamel, exposing nerve endings. However, this sensitivity usually fades within a few days. We offer desensitizing treatments and recommend special toothpaste to manage any discomfort.

What do I do if my child is nervous about going to the dentist?

If your child is nervous about going to the dentist, there are several things you can do to help them feel more comfortable:

  • Talk About It Positively: Before the visit, talk to your child about the dentist calmly and positively. Explain that the dentist helps keep teeth clean and healthy. Avoid using words like “pain,” “hurt,” or “shot,” as this might make them more anxious.
  • Use a Fun Story or Book: Many children’s books and videos about going to the dentist show the experience in a fun, friendly way. These can help your child understand what to expect and make them feel more at ease. Some kids’ shows even feature characters going to the dentist, which can help reduce their fear.
  • Visit the Dentist Early: Take your child to the dentist regularly, even from a young age. Early visits help them get used to the office and the process so they won’t feel scared when they get older. Make the first few visits short and non-threatening, focusing on just cleaning and counting teeth.
  • Bring Comfort Items: Some kids feel better if they bring along a favorite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal. Having something familiar can help them feel more secure during the visit.

Does insurance cover family dentistry?

Yes, family dentistry is often covered by insurance, but it depends on your specific dental plan. Most dental insurance plans cover preventive care like routine exams, cleanings, and X-rays. This means your family can get regular checkups and cleanings without having to pay the full cost out of pocket.

Contact Our Office

Do you need to make a dental visit for you and your child? Get family dentistry services in Silver Spring, MD, for children, teens, and adults. Call Dechter and Moy Dentistry at (301) 508-9755 or schedule an appointment online.