FAQs

Dental insurance is designed to help with the cost of dental care, not to pay for all of it. Most plans cover between 50% and 80% of the total fee for many procedures, depending on the plan your employer selected and the contract it has with the insurance company.

No. Each insurance company sets its own fee schedule and benefits. Coverage is determined by the contract between you or your employer and the insurance company. We always recommend contacting your insurance provider directly for the most accurate details about your plan, including coverage limits and benefit periods.

UCR stands for "usual, customary, and reasonable." It is the amount an insurance company decides it will allow for a procedure. These figures vary widely between companies and are often based on older claims data. If your insurance pays less than the office fee, it does not mean the fee is unreasonable. It reflects the limits of your particular plan, and lower-cost plans generally use lower UCR amounts.

Yes, tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite fillings, are designed to be both long-lasting and reliable for everyday wear like chewing, biting, and normal use. While no filling lasts forever, modern composite materials have come a long way and can hold up well for many years with proper care.

Several factors influence how long a filling will last, including the size and location of the filling, your child's bite and chewing habits, and how consistently they maintain good oral hygiene. Smaller fillings on less stressed teeth tend to last longer than larger fillings on molars that handle heavy chewing forces.

To help a tooth-colored filling last as long as possible, we recommend:

• Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing daily to remove plaque near the filling's edges
• Avoiding excessive chewing on hard items like ice or hard candy
• Limiting sugary snacks and drinks that contribute to new decay
• Keeping up with regular dental checkups so we can monitor the filling over time

During routine visits, we'll check the filling for any signs of wear, chipping, or new decay around its edges. Catching small issues early helps prevent the need for more extensive treatment down the road.

While tooth-colored fillings are a durable and aesthetically pleasing option for treating cavities, durability ultimately depends on consistent home care and regular professional monitoring. With good habits, most fillings serve children well throughout their developing years.

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If your son or daughter is experiencing a toothache or any other dental emergency, we encourage you to contact our office first. It is best for Dr. Reed and our team to handle most dental emergencies since hospitals and emergency rooms are not equipped to repair or restore teeth.

If your child has a toothache, it may indicate an infection in their tooth. It is crucial for Dr. Reed to evaluate them as soon as possible since infections won't resolve without treatment.

For a broken tooth, contact our office, as Dr. Reed may be able to bond the tooth back together. Even if that is a temporary fix, it will keep your child comfortable until their tooth can be restored.

If your child's tooth has been knocked out, it is essential to see Dr. Reed immediately. If it's a primary (baby) tooth, Dr. Reed will determine if treatment is needed. If it's a permanent adult tooth, there is only a short window for Dr. Reed to save the tooth, so time is of the essence. Placing the tooth back in its socket is the best way to transport it, if possible, or use milk to keep it moist and carry it safely to our office.

Even if you're unsure that your child is experiencing an actual emergency, contact our office for further instruction.

Most dental professionals recommend a child’s first visit on or before their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth erupting. Early visits help establish a baseline for oral health and give parents trusted guidance during the earliest stages of development.

What to Expect at a First Pediatric Dental Visit

During the first appointment, our team will:

• Gently examine the teeth, gums, and oral tissues
• Assess early risk factors for cavities
• Discuss teething discomfort and how to soothe it safely
• Review feeding habits, oral hygiene, and daily routines
• Share age-appropriate guidance for brushing and home care

Our goal is to make the experience comfortable for both child and parent. Early visits help build familiarity and trust, so future appointments feel routine.

As your pediatric dental team, one of our primary goals is to partner with parents to help them understand how they can help their children with brushing, flossing, and protecting their oral health. Many of the choices you make each day affect your son or daughter's oral health, such as their nutrition and home care routine. Offering children healthy snacks, a balanced diet, and assistance in using proper brushing and flossing techniques will help your child achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.

Good oral hygiene habits begin before your infant's teeth arrive. Use a warm washcloth to remove bacteria from their gums after feedings. When their first teeth erupt, start brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for infants.

As they progress, you can begin using a small smear of fluoride toothpaste from ages one to three years and a pea-sized amount when they are between the ages of three and six. If you have concerns about using fluoride toothpaste before your son or daughter can spit it out, you can look for xylitol toothpaste instead. Consistent checkups with Dr. Reed and our team will also be essential for maintaining your child's oral health. Children should visit our office every six months for a routine cleaning and checkup, beginning at age one. Contact our office for more information.

Many people feel fearful about visiting the dentist, and your child is not alone. Many adults who suffer from dental anxiety report that it's from a bad experience they had at the dentist as a child.

There are a few things you can do to help prepare your child for their dental visits:

• Talk about the dentist in a positive way. Even if you have dental anxiety, be careful not to project your fear onto your child.
• Read stories or color pictures about the dentist, and even role-play visiting the dentist with their stuffed animals or toys.
• Consider bringing your child to our office for a tour so they can get excited about coming for their appointment.

You can also speak with Dr. Reed and our team about the solutions we offer to help relieve dental anxiety. There are sedation dentistry options, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), that can help your child feel at ease during most types of procedures. Be sure to discuss your concerns with Dr. Reed and our team before your child arrives for their appointment so we can have an effective plan in place to create a positive experience.

At Frontenac Pediatric Dentistry of St. Louis, we offer several types of dental crowns to fit your child’s specific needs. Each option is chosen with durability, function, and your child’s comfort in mind.

Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are a trusted, budget-friendly choice for primary (baby) teeth. These ready-made crowns are exceptionally strong, making them a great fit for teeth that are heavily decayed or damaged, especially the back teeth, where chewing forces are greatest. They also work well as a sturdy, temporary solution while your child waits for their permanent teeth to come in.

Zirconia crowns are a more natural-looking option for both baby and permanent teeth. Made from a strong, tooth-colored ceramic called zirconium oxide, they combine impressive durability with a smile-friendly appearance. Because they blend in so seamlessly, zirconia crowns are an excellent choice for front teeth or any time a more esthetic result is the goal. That said, zirconia crowns do come with a few limitations, so not every child is a good candidate. If this is an option you’re interested in for your child, Dr. Reed will perform an exam, take any necessary x-rays, and help you decide whether a zirconia crown is the right choice for your child.