Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry

Our Solea dental laser lets us deliver virtually anesthesia-free, blood-free, suture-free, and pain-free procedures for both teeth and gums, from simple filling prep to complex surgeries.

Solea is the first CO2 dental laser system cleared by the FDA for hard and soft tissue procedures. It was developed in Boston, Massachusetts by Convergent Dental, based on research conducted at the University of California School of Dentistry. Solea offers a unique wavelength guided by sophisticated computers to deliver virtually painless dental procedures for both teeth and gums from simple cavity prep to complex surgeries. Not only is the laser virtually painless, it is also vibrationless and noiseless. The experience is so unique that you will find it hard to believe you were just at a dental appointment.

Although there is some risk associated with general anesthesia, it can be used safely and effectively when administered by an appropriately-trained individual in an appropriately-equipped facility. Precautions are taken to protect your child during general anesthesia; personnel who are trained to manage complications will monitor your child closely. Dr. Laura will discuss the benefits and risks of general anesthesia and why it is recommended for your child.

General anesthesia may be indicated for children with extensive dental needs who are extremely uncooperative, fearful or anxious or for the very young who do not understand how to cope in a cooperative fashion. General anesthesia also can be helpful for children requiring significant surgical procedures or patients having special health care needs.

Does Your Baby Experience any of these symptoms? No latch or poor latch Prolonged feeding Frequent feeding Baby seems unsatisfied despite long feeding and adequate milk supply Baby falls asleep on the breast Colic and/or reflux symptoms Baby gums or bites the nipple rather than sucking Poor weight gain Inability to hold the pacifier Do You Experience any of these symptoms? Creased or discolored nipples after feeding Flattened nipples after feeding Cracked, bruised, blistered or bleeding nipples Painful latch Incomplete drainage Infected nipples Plugged ducts Mastitis and nipple thrush If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to have your child evaluated for tongue or lip-tie.

Before we are born, a strong cord of tissue that guides the development of mouth structures is positioned in the center of the mouth. It is called a frenum. As we develop in the womb, this frenum is supposed to recede and thin by birth, but in about 4-10% of children, this doesn’t occur for the tongue and/or lip. This leaves the tongue and/or lip connected. Tongue-tie (or ankyloglossia) is a condition that limits the use of the tongue. Lip-­tie is a condition where the upper lip cannot be curled or moved normally. The lingual (tongue) or labial (lip) frenum is visible and easily felt if you look in the mirror under your tongue and lip. Everyone has a frenum, but in some people, the frenum is especially tight or fails to recede and may cause tongue/lip mobility problems. The tongue and lip are a very complex group of muscles and are important for all oral functions. For this reason, having a tongue-tie or a lip-tie can lead to nursing, feeding, dental, or speech problems.

We are gladly accepting the following Insurances at Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry: ​Delta Dental CIGNA CSEA Metlife United Healthcare PPO United Concordia Emblem Health (GHI)* Guardian Ameritas Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield EBS RMSCO & Teamsters Healthplex PPO & Child Health Plus Fidelis United Healthcare Community Plan Medicaid We are more than happy to work with your insurance company, to provide you the best dental care, and utilize your insurance benefits to the fullest. We will send claims and pre-treatment estimates electronically, and get the best, estimated price of what your insurance will cover, and also get an idea of what may be an out of pocket cost to you. Our office also participates with CARECREDIT, which can be used as another form of payment, providing low monthly payments, and zero-interest payment options.

The purpose of the first dental visit is to establish a positive relationship with your child and to evaluate your child’s dental health while laying the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy gum and teeth. Ideally, the first dental visit takes place when your child gets their first teeth around the age of one. At this appointment, the pediatric dentist and dental staff will get to know your child, thoroughly explain all of the procedures and answer any questions you or your child may have. Along with a general examination and teeth cleaning, we will discuss brushing techniques, flossing, fluoride recommendations and diet as beginning steps toward good dental hygiene. Your child’s first dental visit will rarely require the use of what most parents consider “negative” things, such as “drills, hurting, pulling”.

Dr. Laura YBarra owns it. She left McCue and opened her own place.