Family and Children’s Dentistry

We see every age in one office, from a first visit at age one to a grandparent’s implant crown. That matters when a family shares a schedule and a car. At Pearl32 Dentistry and Wellness in Laguna Hills, three general dentists provide routine care, and a pediatric dentist visits our office for children who need one. Suite 450 is reached by elevator, street parking is free, and the Laguna Woods Village resident bus stops at the plaza.

When should a child first be seen?

By the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. That sounds early and it is deliberate. The visit is short, friendly and mostly about habits: bottle and cup use, night feeding, brushing with a smear of fluoride toothpaste, and what to do if a tooth gets knocked.

Early visits also build familiarity before anything needs doing. A child who has sat in the chair three times for a count and a polish is a different patient when a filling is needed. Cavities in baby teeth are common and they matter, because they affect the adult teeth underneath.

What happens at a child’s visit?

A first visit takes about thirty minutes. We count the teeth, check the bite and how the jaws are growing, look for early decay, clean and polish, and apply fluoride varnish. X-rays are taken only when they are needed, usually once back teeth touch each other and decay can hide between them.

Young children often sit on a parent’s lap for the first look. We explain each instrument before it is used, in words the child follows. Nothing is forced. If a child needs more than we can provide calmly, a pediatric dentist visits our office and sees them here.

Do sealants and fluoride matter?

Yes, and the evidence is strong for both. Sealants are a thin coating flowed into the deep grooves of permanent molars, usually soon after they erupt around age six and again around age twelve. Sealants cut decay in those grooves substantially for several years.

Fluoride varnish is painted on in under a minute and strengthens the enamel surface. Applied two to four times a year for children at risk, it measurably lowers new cavities. Neither replaces brushing, flossing and sensible snacking. We tell you your child’s specific risk level rather than applying a blanket rule.

Teens, aligners and the years when teeth move

The teenage years are when crowding shows and when habits set. We track how the permanent teeth are coming in, watch wisdom teeth on a panoramic image, and discuss clear aligners where they fit the case. Some cases do better with braces, and we say so.

Teenagers also grind, chip front teeth playing sports and drink things that erode enamel. Mouth guards for sport are easy and worth it. We talk to teens directly rather than over their heads, because they are the ones who decide whether flossing happens.

Adults, parents and grandparents in one office

Three general dentists see adults here: Dr. Nojan Jahedmanesh, Dr. Masih Rezaei and Dr. Maneli Ardeshirzadeh, all holding a DDS from Loma Linda University. Dr. Rezaei is an Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Dr. Jahedmanesh also holds a certificate in prosthodontics from UCLA, and he practices as a general dentist.

Routine general dentistry, crowns, implants, gum treatment and root canals are all provided here. Visiting specialists in periodontics and endodontics come to the office, so families are not sent across town for one appointment.

What does family dentistry cost?

Every treatment is quoted in writing, itemized, after an examination. For families, we give one combined plan across everyone being treated, with the sequence and the timing, so you can plan around school terms and benefit years.

We are in network with most major PPO plans and Delta Dental HMO. If you have no insurance, our membership plan covers preventive visits for a set annual fee. Third party financing is available and the practice is not the creditor, through CareCredit, Cherry, Sunbit and Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub). See financing.

Questions people ask about family and Children’s Dentistry

Can the whole family be seen on the same day?

Usually yes, and we try to book families back to back. Tell the front desk when you call (949) 830-0074 and we will look for consecutive appointments. Our hours are Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Morning slots suit young children, who cooperate better before lunch, and after school times fill quickly during the school year.

At what age do children need x-rays?

When the back teeth touch tightly enough that decay could hide between them, often around age four to six. Frequency depends on risk: children with new cavities may need bitewings every six to twelve months, and children with none may go one to two years. Digital sensors use a lower dose than film, and we explain each image before taking it.

My child is frightened. What do you do?

We slow down. The first visit may be nothing more than a ride in the chair, a count of the teeth and a polish. We name each instrument and show it before it is used, and we never spring anything on a child. Nitrous oxide is available for a nervous child who needs treatment, and a pediatric dentist visits our office for children who need that.

Do baby teeth with cavities need treatment?

Often yes, depending on the tooth and the child’s age. Back baby teeth stay until about age ten to twelve and hold space for the adult teeth. Decay that reaches the nerve can cause infection above the developing adult tooth. We weigh how far the decay has gone against how soon the tooth will be lost, and we explain that choice to you.

Do you see patients from Laguna Woods Village?

Many, and the plaza is a stop on the resident bus route. Suite 450 is reached by elevator from the lobby. Street parking is free, there are free spaces behind the building, and the parking structure charges. If mobility or a walker is a consideration, tell us when booking so we can allow extra time and choose a suitable room.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. What is right for you can only be decided after an examination.