Business Details
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Your Trusted Pediatric Dentistry Team in Sanford, NC
Sanford Pediatric Dentistry is a dedicated pediatric dental practice committed to providing high-quality, inclusive care for children. Our team prioritizes transparency, ensuring parents are fully informed and involved in every aspect of their child's oral health. We create a fun, welcoming environment to ease anxiety and foster positive dental experiences. With a focus on comprehensive care, we offer a wide range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of young patients.Our diverse team brings expertise and compassion to every visit, emphasizing preventive care and early education. We believe in building trust through clear communication and personalized attention, making dental visits enjoyable for children while giving parents peace of mind. Our practice combines advanced technology with a child-friendly atmosphere to deliver exceptional care that sets the foundation for lifelong oral health.
Services
Sealants
Restorative Treatment
Space Maintainers
Pulp Therapy
Nitrous Oxide
General Anesthesia
Highlights and features
- We create a fun, anxiety-free environment for children's dental visits
- Our board-certified pediatric dentists have specialized training in child care
- We maintain full transparency and involve parents in all treatment decisions
- Our diverse team reflects the community we serve and its varied needs
- We offer comprehensive care from preventive to restorative treatments
What people say
Kids love the fun environment
Staff is friendly and patient
Dentists are informative and efficient
Short wait times
Great with anxious children
Services
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants provide protective barriers on children's back teeth to prevent cavities. Applied without numbing, these coatings last 3-4 years and guard against food particles and acid. Our team educates families on maintaining sealants through proper oral hygiene while monitoring their condition during regular checkups. This preventive treatment significantly reduces decay risk in children's most vulnerable tooth surfaces.
Restorative Treatment
Our restorative options include tooth-colored fillings, silver amalgam fillings, and stainless steel crowns for severely decayed teeth. We use age-appropriate techniques to ensure children's comfort while restoring dental health. The treatment approach considers each child's specific needs, with clear explanations provided to both patient and parents throughout the process.
Pulp Therapy
Pulp therapy preserves damaged primary teeth through pulpotomy or pulpectomy procedures. Our specialists remove infected pulp tissue while maintaining tooth vitality when possible. This treatment prevents premature tooth loss and supports proper dental development, using child-friendly techniques and clear post-treatment care instructions for optimal recovery.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation helps anxious children relax during dental procedures while remaining fully conscious. Administered through a comfortable nasal mask, this safe and effective technique allows immediate return to normal activities after appointments. Our team closely monitors patients to ensure appropriate sedation levels throughout treatment.
General Anesthesia
Outpatient general anesthesia provides comprehensive dental care for apprehensive children or those requiring extensive treatment. Performed in hospital settings, this option allows completion of all necessary procedures in one visit. Our specialists carefully evaluate each case to determine if the benefits outweigh potential risks associated with anesthesia.
People
Dr. Antonio S. Braithwaite
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Braithwaite earned his dental degree and Master of Public Health from UNC. He leads with expertise in pediatric dentistry, combining clinical excellence with community health focus. Outside practice, he enjoys family time and Tarheel sports.
Dr. Brandon M. Knockum
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Knockum completed pediatric dentistry training at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. He brings global dental outreach experience and a passion for children's oral health. Enjoys reading, football, and family time.
Dr. Nicole H. Nelson
General Dentist
Dr. Nelson specializes in adolescent dental care with a public health background. She previously served as dental director at a community health center and clinical instructor. Focuses on restorative treatments for growing teenagers.
Christina Murray
Lead Surgical Operations Coordinator
Christina has served SPD since 2010, specializing in surgical coordination. With extensive experience in clinical operations, she ensures smooth treatment processes while maintaining patient comfort and safety standards.
Katherine Matthews
Registered Dental Hygienist
Katherine graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a dental hygiene degree. She provides preventive care with a focus on making children comfortable. Enjoys family time, lake outings, and cooking.
Questions
What makes your pediatric dental practice different?
Our child-focused approach combines specialized training with a fun environment. Board-certified dentists and experienced staff create personalized experiences that make dental care enjoyable for children while keeping parents fully informed.
Do you handle dental emergencies for children?
Yes, we provide emergency dental care for children. Contact us immediately for knocked-out teeth, severe toothaches, or facial swelling. Our team provides immediate guidance and urgent care when needed.
What payment options do you offer?
We accept cash, checks, and major credit/debit cards. Payment is due at treatment time, with insurance claims filed as a courtesy. Flexible financial arrangements can be discussed for extensive treatments.
How do you help anxious children during visits?
We use nitrous oxide sedation, child-friendly explanations, and a playful environment to ease anxiety. Our team specializes in pediatric behavior management to create positive dental experiences for nervous patients.
What ages do you treat?
We care for infants through teenagers, including specialized treatment for children with special needs. Our services accommodate all stages of pediatric dental development from first teeth through adolescent care.
Do you offer orthodontic evaluations?
While we focus on pediatric dental care, we provide space maintainers and monitor orthodontic development. We'll refer patients to trusted orthodontic specialists when comprehensive treatment becomes necessary.
