Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics FAQs — Northridge & Woodland Hills

Yes, completely free. Blooming Smiles offers no-cost, no-obligation orthodontic consultations at both our Northridge and Woodland Hills offices. During the consultation, our orthodontist will examine your child's teeth, take any necessary records, and discuss all treatment options and associated costs with full transparency.

Yes. Blooming Smiles offers Invisalign Teen at both our Northridge and Woodland Hills orthodontic offices. Invisalign Teen is designed specifically for teenagers and includes features like compliance indicators and replacement aligners. Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Sanjideh or Dr. Abed to find out if Invisalign Teen is right for your child.

Blooming Smiles serves families throughout the San Fernando Valley from our two convenient locations. Our Northridge office serves Northridge, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch, Reseda, North Hills, West Hills, and surrounding communities. Our Woodland Hills office serves Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Tarzana, Encino, and the western San Fernando Valley.

Yes, our Northridge office offers Saturday appointments twice monthly from 9AM to 2PM. Our Woodland Hills location is open Monday through Friday 9AM to 6PM. Call us to find the next available Saturday appointment in Northridge.

Yes, Blooming Smiles accepts most major dental insurance plans at both our Northridge and Woodland Hills locations. Our team will verify your benefits before your appointment and clearly explain any out-of-pocket costs. We also offer our VIP Club membership program and flexible financing options for families without dental insurance. Call (818) 727-1800 (Northridge) or (818) 932-9100 (Woodland Hills) to verify your coverage.

Teach your child to brush and floss regularly and properly. In addition, visiting the dentist regularly is extremely important, as it helps prevent cavities and other dental problems. Teaching them to avoid large amounts of sugars and starches that can result in dental issues is crucial to their oral health, and overall health. Also, teaching them the importance of drinking water is essential, as water acts as a natural fluoride to help protect their teeth from cavities.

Generally, a pediatric dentist is slightly more expensive than a general dentist, as a pediatric dentists' entire practice revolves around children. This means that not only the dentist, but the staff, equipment, technology, skill, training and many other factors are geared to only cater to children. The cost of pediatric dental care depends on the specific treatment your child needs and your dental insurance benefits. Because pediatric dentists focus on preventive care and early intervention, regular visits may help identify dental concerns before they become more complex and costly to treat. Blooming Smiles works with many dental insurance plans and our knowledgeable team is happy to help families understand their coverage and estimate treatment costs before care begins. If you have questions about insurance or payment options, our office staff is available to assist you.

Teach your child to brush and floss regularly and properly. In addition, visiting the dentist regularly is extremely important, as it helps prevent cavities and other dental problems. Teaching them to avoid large amounts of sugars and starches that can result in dental issues is crucial to their oral health, and overall health. Also, teaching them the importance of drinking water is essential, as water acts as a natural fluoride to help protect their teeth from cavities.

Pediatric dentistry is extremely important when it comes to your child's oral health, as well as their overall health, from infancy through adolescence. By scheduling regular examinations and cleanings, the healthier their smiles will be. Regular checkups help prevent tooth decay and cavities, which can lead to serious pain and further complications.

Generally, pediatric dentists see patients from age 0 to 18 years old.

A routine exam every six months is recommended for children in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems.

You can prepare your child for their first dental appointment by explaining what a dentist does and talk to them about their upcoming trip. You can reassure them that the dentist will simply examine and clean their teeth and talk to them about how to keep their smile healthy. Let them know that the dentist will explain each tool before the procedure. You can also plan a trip to the park or toy store for extra motivation.

If your child is a toddler, the dentist will examine their teeth and gums for tooth decay and if necessary, your child's teeth may be cleaned. In addition, your child will also be examined for issues formed from habits such as thumb sucking, etc.

A pediatric dentist has more education and training specific to children, making them more qualified to work with children as opposed to a general dentist. A pediatric dentist also has specific equipment and techniques made specifically for children. At Blooming Smiles, both Dr. Golian and Dr. Sanchez are board-certified by the ABPD, a distinction held by fewer than 30% of pediatric dentists.

It is recommended to bring in your child for their first dentist visit 6 months after their first tooth appears, no later than their 1st birthday. At Blooming Smiles in Northridge and Woodland Hills, we welcome infants and toddlers for their first visit.' Add booking CTA.

The best age for orthodontic treatment is typically 7-10 years old, as by this time, all permanent teeth should be fully erupted.

The minimum time to wear braces can be as little as six months to fix a basic crooked tooth or spacing issue.

Generally, there are a few appointments involved prior to getting braces, including the initial consultation, adding separators (spacers), and adding bands to the separators.

The average orthodontic treatment lasts between 16-18 months, but can take up to 24 months, or even longer. At Blooming Smiles, our orthodontists Dr. Sanjideh and Dr. Abed create personalized treatment timelines during your free consultation.

Yes, it is possible to have braces with missing teeth. In fact, braces are a great option for people with missing teeth, as they can close or widen gaps that will make an easier fit for a replacement. Yes. Missing teeth do not automatically prevent orthodontic treatment, and many patients with missing teeth are candidates for braces or other orthodontic treatment options. During your orthodontic evaluation, our team will examine your bite, tooth alignment, and overall oral health to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. Treatment recommendations are based on your individual condition and long-term oral health goals.

No, you can never be too old for braces. In fact, braces have become increasingly popular for adults, allowing them to reap the benefits of a beautiful, healthy, and functional smile at any age. Blooming Smiles offers adult braces and Invisalign at our Northridge and Woodland Hills locations for patients of any age.

Children should see an orthodontist no later than age 7, as by this age, an orthodontist can detect issues that may arise from jaw growth and emerging teeth.

Orthodontists are doctors of oral health. While orthodontists are also dentists, they receive an extra set of special training that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the teeth, gums, jaw, and mouth. This can include jaw alignment, braces, retainers, teeth straightening surgery, and more.

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the teeth and jaw that are positioned improperly.