FAQ

Dr. Callahan Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should my child see a dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children should establish a dental home by their first birthday. This early introduction allows us to see your child before the decay process starts and enables us to start the child on a prevention program to keep them cavity-free. Also, children that are introduced to the dentist at an early age seem to be the patients that are most comfortable in the dental office as they get older. If your child is already past this age, don’t worry! It’s never too late to get your child on the path to good dental health. We look forward to meeting you!

Will I be able to be with my child during the dental appointment?
Absolutely. We welcome your presence in the operatory and we want you to be a part of the decision making process. We invite parents to be present for everything from cleanings to restorative or surgical care. The exception is for conscious sedation. For sedation appointments, we ask parents to step out to the reception area during the actual treatment time so that my staff and I can focus 100% of our attention on the patient.

Does Dr. Callahan use a papoose board?
We don’t even have a papoose board, so the answer is no. Treatment under restraint has long been accepted as a viable option in pediatric dentistry, but I wouldn’t want it for my children, so this is a service that I simply don’t offer. Too often I meet adults that fear the dentist because of a traumatic childhood experience; I don’t want that to happen in my office.

Does Dr. Callahan use silver amalgam fillings?
I haven’t placed an amalgam filling in years. Not so much because of concerns over mercury toxicity (I have several amalgam restorations in my own mouth), but because we have esthetic alternatives that can restore the natural appearance of the tooth. For the restoration of most cavities, we are able use tooth-colored fillings that blend into the natural color of the tooth. For severe cases of tooth decay, however, I may recommend a metal (stainless steel) crown to restore the function of badly decayed baby teeth. Stainless steel crowns are not as cosmetic, but they are extremely durable and economical and are almost always limited to molar teeth. We do have tooth-colored crowns for front teeth that need extensive restoration.

Should I be concerned about radiation exposure from dental x-rays?
We should all be concerned about radiation exposure; but we should probably be more worried about protecting our children from the Colorado sun than from dental x-rays. For most children, we recommend bitewing x-rays on a yearly basis, while a panoramic x-ray is recommended roughly every three years. We use digital x-ray technology, so your child’s radiation exposure is about ¼ of the exposure of the fastest traditional film. Dental x-rays (especially digital images) represent a very small amount of radiation exposure.

Do dental assistants place fillings at Dr. Callahan’s office?
All restorative work is completed by me from start to finish. Although it is both legal and very common in Colorado for the dentist to prepare the tooth and allow the assistant to place the restoration, I have never been comfortable with the delegation of this duty.

Is conscious sedation safe?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has established guidelines for the safe sedation of pediatric patients. When these guidelines are followed, pediatric dentists have an outstanding record of safety in performing procedures under conscious sedation. We adhere to these guidelines, which means that we select our sedation patients carefully, we carefully calculate doses according to weight and body type, we monitor vital signs throughout treatment, and patients must meet certain criteria before discharge. Conscious sedation is not something that we take lightly, but we do it with a very high level of confidence.