Pediatric Dentistry
Your child's smile is priceless, and our goal at Staten Island Pediatric Dentistry is to provide dental care that keeps it strong and healthy during their childhood and into adulthood.
Dr. Michelle Flanigan and Dr. Yelena Lange are our experienced board-certified pediatric dentists. They have devoted four additional years to specialized education and training beyond dental school. Both doctors have worked in hospital settings addressing numerous childhood oral health conditions and learning specialized procedures.
We Treat Children of All Ages
We are pleased to treat children of all ages at our Staten Island pediatric dental office, from infants to young adults. Our caring dentists will help you and your child through all of their exciting developmental milestones, from baby teeth to braces.
As experienced pediatric dentists, Dr. Michelle and Dr. Yelena understand that each child is precious and unique. There is no cookie-cutter approach to working with children, but our doctors have the experience, skill, and training to enable them to understand your child, anticipate their needs, and approach them in a way that helps them feel safe and secure. We'll treat your child with empathy and compassion—the same way we would want our own children to be treated.
The Importance of Preserving Baby Teeth
It's thrilling to watch those cute baby teeth erupt one by one, and it is so important to protect them from decay. Baby teeth may last a relatively short time before they fall out, but it is crucial for your child's future oral health to preserve them until they do.
You may have heard the terms "Baby Bottle Tooth Decay" and "Early Childhood Caries." This condition refers to cavities that develop on infant and toddler baby teeth. Drs. Michelle and Yelena can help guide and teach you how to best avoid this situation that often requires some form of treatment at a very young age.
Losing a baby tooth too soon creates a space that allows surrounding teeth to shift and move. If the space begins to close, the permanent tooth that should soon erupt into the mouth will not have enough space to emerge correctly. This can lead to tooth misalignment and the possible need for orthodontic treatment in the future.
Dental Care as Your Child Grows
As your child grows, we incorporate teeth cleanings into their six-month visits. Please don't worry about what will happen if your child resists treatment! Our caring, compassionate pediatric dentists and team specialize in helping children adapt to the new experience of being in a dental office.
Their training and experience working with children of all ages and with diverse needs ensure that your child will have a great experience and get the essential dental care they need.
Preventive Dentistry for Children
As your children get older, we may recommend dental sealants and fluoride treatments to protect their oral health. 
Fluoride helps strengthen teeth as they develop and helps repair teeth with decay. We can easily include a fluoride treatment in your child's cleanings without adding any time to their appointment.
Dental sealants are a protective coating that we place on the biting surface of teeth with deep grooves, pits, and fissures. These teeth are prone to attracting bacteria and plaque due to their rough and uneven surfaces. Smoothing them over with a sealant helps protect them against cavities.
ICON resin infiltration and MI Paste are treatments that help protect your child's teeth and prevent small cavities from spreading. You can learn more about these treatments here.
Protecting Your Child's Precious Teeth
Another preventive measure we recommend is a custom mouth guard to protect your child's teeth from injury. Nearly 40 percent of dental emergencies are sports-related, and a custom mouthguard provides more protection than the generic store-bought versions.
Pediatric Dental Services We Provide
Pediatric dental care starts at an early age and paves the way for a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles, laughs, and giggles. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child's first dental visit by age one or within six months of getting their first baby tooth. Baby teeth typically will fall out, but in some situations, they must last much longer than usual. Caring for these primary teeth is just as crucial as caring for adult teeth.
At Staten Island Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend parents bring their children in every six months for dental exams and teeth cleanings. We offer a comprehensive range of pediatric dental services that we tailor to meet your child's unique needs:
- Teeth cleanings and dental exams
- Fluoride applications and dental sealants
- Fillings and crowns
- Laser frenectomies and release of tethered tissues
- Dental emergencies
- Cosmetic dentistry
- ICON and Resin Infiltration for white spots and discolorations
- Space maintenance
- Minimally invasive dentistry and SDF (Silver Diamine Fluoride)
- Gentle tooth extraction
- Special needs dentistry
- Orthodontics with braces and clear aligners
- Custom sports mouthguards and nightguards
- Sedation dentistry in the hospital operating room
Gentle Laser Dentistry for Your Child's Comfort
Dr. Michelle Flanigan and Dr. Yelena Lange are committed to staying on the leading edge of advances in dentistry. Using technology like dental lasers allows them to improve your child's comfort during treatment and achieve more positive outcomes.
Using laser dentistry means fewer shots, less drilling, minimal bleeding, and faster recovery times. Because we can work efficiently with lasers, your child can get out of the dental chair faster.
Your Partner in Your Child's Oral Health Care
At Staten Island Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that working in partnership with parents is the best way to achieve our shared goal of helping your children enjoy a childhood free of dental problems. Dr. Michelle and Dr. Yelena will take the time to explain the value of preventive dental care, the benefits of early treatment, and the importance of practicing good oral hygiene at home.
As a parent, there is a lot that you can do at home, and we will provide the guidance and information you need, including:
- Recommendations for dental exams and teeth cleanings
- Best oral hygiene practices and tips for getting your children to brush and floss
- Guidance throughout all the stages of their dental development, from baby teeth to braces and beyond
- The benefit of preventive fluoride applications and dental sealants
- Nutritional guidance and support
- Tips for dealing with habits like thumb-sucking and bottle feeding
Dr. Michelle and Dr. Yelena are always available and encourage you to use us as a resource if you have questions or concerns. We are here to help you!
Schedule Your Child's First Dental Appointment
We would love to welcome you and your child to our warm and caring pediatric dental office, where we offer amenities for children, including TV, the Kidzpace Interactive Gaming Systems, toys, stickers, and prizes.
Please call (718) 761-7316, and a friendly member of our team will help you schedule a convenient appointment. We look forward to welcoming you!
