(805) 456-2866
Proactive Oral Healthcare
at your child’s dental home.We understand that even a teeth cleaning can be scary for young children. We use warmth, friendliness, persuasion, humor, gentleness, patience, kindness, and understanding to obtain cooperation for cleanings, exams, x-rays, and fluoride treatments.
At every appointment, we discuss oral hygiene techniques (brushing/flossing) and healthy nutritional habits. We also strongly consider the child’s medical history, dental experience, and social environment when determining their cavity risk.
Dental sealants are proactive procedures that can reduce cavities in the pits and fissures of important permanent molars by up to 80% (American Dental Association). Our sealants are drill-free and painless to place.
Infant & Toddler Dentistry
It is important to start dental care early to establish good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime. An infant oral care exam is a quick and gentle procedure designed to ensure the baby's mouth is healthy and free from oral health problems. We will discuss your baby’s medical history, feeding habits, examine the mouth and teeth, provide guidance, and address concerns.
Laser Frenectomies - This procedure may be recommended for infants with a frenum that is too tight or short, which can cause problems with feeding, speech, and oral hygiene. Some of the indications for an infant frenectomy include the following: Difficulty with breastfeeding, speech problems, diastemas, oral hygiene issues, or oral discomfort.
Pediatric dentistry that protects your child’s developing psyche
Your child deserves honest dental care tailored to their needs. We’ll listen to your concerns and recommend proven treatment options.
White fillings
We only use white resin-bonded restorations for filling material since these materials have dramatically improved over the past 10 years. We do not see the need to place silver-colored (amalgam) fillings in our practice.
White and Silver crowns
- Tooth-colored zirconia crowns can be placed in one appointment for front and back baby teeth.
- Stainless steel crowns are appropriate for back baby teeth with large cavities. They exfoliate naturally with the baby tooth in the child’s early teen years. We will never place silver crowns on front teeth.
Ongoing education
Board-certified pediatric dentists are required to maintain their certification by participating in ongoing education and training to stay up-to-date with the latest advances in pediatric dentistry. This commitment to continuing education ensures that they provide the highest level of care for your child.
Surgical Procedures
From routine extractions to complicated biopsy procedures, Dr. Trahan has extensive surgical experience from her service in the Air Force and lectures to other pediatric dentists nationwide on surgical techniques. She is a visiting professor with UCLA’s Advanced Pediatric Dentistry Program and teaches microsurgical techniques to pediatric dental residents. View a complete list of her surgical presentations.
Modern, Minimally Invasive Dentistry:
Dental work is very technique sensitive and requires a patient to sit still for up to 20 minutes. The following techniques are practical alternatives to sedation but may only be appropriate for some situations.- Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF): For smaller cavities in primary teeth, SDF can crystalize decay and prevent it from making a larger cavity. SDF is a harmless liquid placed on the teeth in an atraumatic and quick procedure. The procedure may need to be repeated several times for the desired effect, but it is a very effective treatment for children who cannot tolerate traditional dental filling techniques.
- Interim Therapeutic Restorations (ITR) for young children: ITR is a white filling using glass-ionomer, fluoride-charged resin that will allow us to postpone placing permanent fillings or crowns until a child can tolerate dental treatment.
- Resin infiltration: This treatment option is drill-free and can restore smaller cavities between permanent teeth.
Sedation
Appropriate sedation options for a child will depend on various factors, such as the child's age, medical history, anxiety level, and the complexity of the dental procedures. Our office offers conscious sedation options, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation. General anesthesia is provided in conjunction with a hospital-based facility outside our office.| Sedation Type | Level of Sedation | Administration Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) | Mild | Inhalation | Rapid onset and recovery, Safe and effective, No injection required, Can be used alone or in combination with other sedatives | Not effective for all patients, May cause nausea or vomiting, Patients may not like the mask or feel claustrophobic |
| Oral or intranasal sedation | Mild to moderate | Oral or Intranasal | Simple and non-invasive, Easy to administer, Can be used alone or in combination with other sedatives | Longer onset and recovery times, May be difficult to achieve desired level of sedation, Can cause nausea, vomiting, or paradoxical reactions |
| General anesthesia | Deep | Injection or inhalation | Complete loss of consciousness and pain sensation Ability to perform extensive dental work | Invasive, Requires specialized training and equipment, Potential for serious complications such as airway obstruction, aspiration, or cardiac arrest |
The decision to use sedation will be discussed at length with parents.
Pre-Orthodontic Evaluations
Timing of orthodontic treatment can avoid surgical procedures in the future and give an esthetic result more naturally. However, if not timed correctly, you may spend time and money on orthodontics, which will be negated by a growth spurt. We will discuss if your child could benefit from “early braces” and give you honest options for treatment with an orthodontist.
Special Needs Dentistry
We care for many patients with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and craniofacial anomalies. We offer treatment options, including deep cleanings, minimally invasive dentistry, sedation, and hospital dentistry.
Dental Emergencies
Unfortunately, dental trauma in the pediatric population is very common. Young children frequently fall at home, and older children have many sports-related accidents. Fortunately, we are here to help! Please call us immediately at (805) 456-2866 if your child is experiencing a dental emergency.
Community Outreach and Public Health Dentistry
A significant component of pediatric dentistry is to provide community programs and services for all children in the community and beyond.Pediatric dentistry policy advocacy - We regularly advocate for policies affecting pediatric dentistry by writing to our political representatives and visiting Sacramento and Washington, DC, to discuss specific policies in-person with representatives and congress.
Guatemala dental missions - Dr. Trahan travels to Guatemala yearly to provide dental care for children in disadvantaged areas of Guatemala. See photos of her trips here.
Kids at Heart
If you are an adult looking for cleanings and routine dental care in a warm and encouraging environment, honest options, and timely referrals, we would be happy to care for you. Dr. Trahan performed comprehensive dentistry for active-duty soldiers for 5 years as a Major in the United States Air Force and continued working on adults after completing her military obligation. Combined with her gentle and conscientious pediatric dentistry skills, she provides a gentle approach to adult dentistry.