New Patients (301) 508-9755

Current Patients (301) 949-5400

12900 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20906

Family Dentistry Silver Spring, MD

Family Dentistry An Overview

The Silver Spring dental office of Dr. Alan Dechter and Dr. Matthew Moy offers local families the convenience of comprehensive dental care and services for children and adults under one roof. Family dentistry enables all members to be seen in one location, usually in the same day.

We can work with you to coordinate appointment times in succession so that everyone can visit the same day! Our office also has evening and Saturday dental appointments to accommodate busy work-week schedules. Your time and convenience is very important to us. We strive to provide excellent dental services in a timely manner so you can get back to your life.

family dentist in Silver Spring MD

Benefits of Early Dental Visits

We recommend that parents and caregivers bring children in for their first dental appointment soon after the primary teeth begin erupting, or by the age of one year.

Early visits with us serve several important purposes for the long-term oral health of your child:

Reduces anxiety at the dentist: Starting with dental care as a young child often minimizes anxious feelings and helps to 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.

Monitoring oral development: Early visits provide us the opportunity to monitor your child’s oral development and alert you to any concerns that could impact their speech, the health or appearance of their smile.

Teaching good oral habits: When your child visits we offer age-appropriate oral hygiene tips and demonstrate proper tooth brushing. We want pediatric patients to learn how to care for their smile and to develop an appreciation for the benefits of good oral health.

Family Dentistry What to Expect

The goal of our preventive dental care program for you and your family is to help everyone maintain their oral health with personalized care that meets each person’s needs and addresses their concerns and risk factors.

Drs. Dechter and Moy believe in the value of relationship dentistry and spend time individually with patients to get to know them and understand their oral health.

Children’s Dental Services in Silver Spring

Our office can be your dental home, offering comprehensive dental care for the needs of a growing smile in a friendly environment. Our pediatric dental services will help your child maintain a healthy smile and address any problems or disease along the way.

  • Dental exams and cleanings: We look for the early signs of tooth cavities using a visual exam and the added enhancement of a handheld scanner that can detect small changes in tissues and tooth structure.
  • Dental sealants: Placed on the permanent molars, sealants can prevent cavities that are common in teeth with multiple cusps where food is easily trapped.
  • Sports mouthguards: We offer custom sports mouthguards for athletic and active patients of all ages. A custom sports mouthguard offers superior comfort and protection for the teeth and gums.
  • Invisible braces: When appropriate, clear aligners can straighten teeth for teens and adults without the hassles of metal braces.

We also offer cosmetic and restorative dental treatments for all ages as needed for maintaining the health of your smile or enhancing your appearance.

Family Dentistry FAQs

How do I choose a family dentist?

Choosing a family dentist can be a big decision. There are some things to lookout for that will make your choice for a family dentist easier. When choosing a family dentist it is important to be sure that they are qualified and trained with children and adults. It is also a good idea to look at their reviews online and see what their patients have to say about them. Lastly, it is wise to visit the dentist’s office and make sure that you and your family feel comfortable and welcomed there.

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 once their first tooth starts to erupt. Once your child teeth start to come in it is important to bring them to the dentist to be sure everything is coming in properly.

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.