Business Details
10 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Expert Pediatric Dentistry Services in Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois Pediatric Dentistry is dedicated to providing specialized dental care for children, emphasizing preventive strategies and early intervention. Our team of board-certified pediatric dentists combines advanced training with a compassionate approach to create positive, stress-free experiences for young patients. We prioritize establishing lifelong oral health habits through routine check-ups, digital radiography, and educational guidance for families.Our practice utilizes modern technology and evidence-based techniques to address restorative needs, including sealants, pulp therapy, and space maintainers. With locations in Columbia, Edwardsville, and Godfrey, Illinois, we serve as a trusted resource for parents seeking expert pediatric dental care tailored to children's unique developmental needs.
Services
Routine check-ups
Digital x-rays
Sealants
Restorative services
Stainless steel crowns
Pulpotomies
Extractions
Space maintainers
General anesthesia treatment
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- Our dentists are board-certified with advanced pediatric specialty training
- We utilize digital radiography for precise, low-radiation diagnostics
- Specialized behavior management techniques for anxious or uncooperative children
- Emergency dental care available after regular office hours
- Focus on early intervention to prevent complex dental issues
Associations and certifications
- American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Services
Routine check-ups
Regular dental examinations help maintain children's oral health through early detection of potential issues. Our child-friendly exams include thorough teeth and gum evaluations, developmental assessments, and personalized hygiene guidance. The process typically takes 20 minutes while ensuring a positive experience for young patients.
Digital x-rays
Digital radiography provides detailed images of teeth and jaw structures with reduced radiation exposure. This technology enables early cavity detection between teeth, monitoring of tooth development, and assessment of potential orthodontic concerns. The non-invasive process is essential for comprehensive pediatric dental care.
Sealants
Dental sealants protect permanent molars from decay by sealing deep grooves where food particles accumulate. Applied painlessly to clean tooth surfaces, this preventive treatment creates smooth chewing surfaces that resist plaque buildup, significantly reducing cavity risk in children.
Restorative services
Our restorative treatments address dental decay through tooth-colored fillings and stainless steel crowns. When decay reaches the tooth's nerve, pulpotomies preserve primary teeth until natural exfoliation. All procedures prioritize patient comfort and long-term oral health outcomes.
Space maintainers
Space maintainers preserve proper dental arch space when primary teeth are lost prematurely. Custom-fitted appliances prevent adjacent teeth from shifting, ensuring adequate room for permanent teeth eruption. This preventive measure helps avoid future orthodontic complications.
People
Dr. Christine Wohlford
Owner, Pediatric Dentist
Board-certified pediatric dentist with advanced training from Ohio State University. Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 2008. Specializes in creating positive dental experiences for children while maintaining high clinical standards.
Dr. Adam Snyder
Pediatric Dentist
Board-certified specialist with residency training from University of Louisville. Combines hospital dentistry experience with academic appointments at Southern Illinois University. Focuses on advanced behavior management and treatment of special needs patients.
Dr. Austin LaMay
Pediatric Dentist
Graduated Magna Cum Laude from SIU School of Dental Medicine in 2018. Completed residency at University of Illinois-Chicago with expertise in pediatric sedation and dental trauma. Member of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Valerie Spivey
Pediatric Dentist
Board-certified specialist with seven years as Section Head at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. Published researcher on pediatric dental materials. Specializes in hospital dentistry and treatment under general anesthesia.
Questions
When should my child's first dental visit occur?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first visit between 6-12 months of age to establish a dental home and monitor early development.
Do you treat anxious or uncooperative children?
Our board-certified pediatric dentists use specialized behavior management techniques and offer multiple treatment options to ensure comfortable care for all children.
What emergency dental services are available?
We provide after-hours emergency care for dental trauma, infections, and urgent dental pain outside regular business hours.
How do pediatric dentists differ from general dentists?
Pediatric dentists complete two additional years of specialized training in child development, behavior management, and treating dental issues unique to children.
What preventive treatments do you recommend?
We emphasize routine check-ups, professional cleanings, fluoride applications, and dental sealants to prevent cavities and promote lifelong oral health.
