Pediatric dental specialists, like Dr. Michael Coppe and Dr. Carolyn Coppe, are dentists who are well-trained and experienced in treating infants, children, and adolescents.

By completing advanced courses in the specialty of pediatric dentistry, our doctors have obtained the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a positive dental experience for our younger patients. While any dentist can treat your child, pediatric dentists are often better prepared to handle the emotional and developmental issues that can have an impact on a child’s dental appointments. Coppe + Sears offer this kind of specialized care for our pediatric patients and are an excellent choice for taking care of your child’s smile.

Convenience

Conveniently located in Lexington center, just off Massachusetts Avenue, our office will take into consideration not only your schedule when booking appointments, but also the time of day when your child feels most rested and calm. We have found that proper appointment timing enhances cooperation, making the dental appointment a positive experience. For many children, morning appointments are best because they are more alert, as opposed to appointments scheduled for after school or the end of the day when a child tends to be tired and less cooperative. We will work with both you and your child to schedule an appointment that can be stress-free for everyone!

Orthodontics

Dr. Chad Sears provides orthodontic services to patients of all ages at Coppe + Sears. Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics go hand in hand, as the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic exam no later than the age of seven. Having an experienced orthodontist in our practice alongside the pediatric dentists allows for greater collaboration between our two specialties, which ultimately is very beneficial to your child’s oral health. Dr. Sears is proud to offer complete orthodontic services including:

  • clear and traditional metal braces
  • Invisalign (as a Premier Preferred Invisalign Provider)
  • jaw growth modification
  • orthodontics for severe bite problems

Nervous patients

We understand that dental procedures can be a source of stress and anxiety for some patients. Because our goal is to provide the most positive and stress-free dental experience as possible, we offer the following sedative options which we would be happy to review in detail for interested parents:

“Laughing gas”

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is often used as a conscious sedative during a dental visit. This gas is administered with no less than 50% oxygen and has a calming effect that allows phobic or anxious children to relax during their dental treatment. This mild sedative means patients are still conscious and able to talk to us during their visit. After treatment is completed, the nitrous is turned off and oxygen is administered for five to ten minutes to help flush out any remaining laughing gas. The effects of the sedative wear off almost immediately. Nitrous oxide rarely has any negative side effects, although some children may experience minor nausea temporarily.

Sedation

Some children may need more than nitrous oxide to get through an appointment. In these cases, we can use an oral sedative in conjunction with nitrous oxide. Sedation is endorsed by the American Dental Association and is an effective way to help make anxious patients more comfortable while dental treatment is being completed. We follow the sedation guidelines that have been set by the American Society of Anesthesiologists as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and we are appropriately licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Hospital dentistry

Patients with dental phobia, low pain tolerance, major dental treatment, or physical, psychological, or emotional special needs may require general anesthesia when conscious oral sedation is inadequate. For those children who cannot maintain or receive traditional dental care, hospital dentistry offers a compassionate, efficient alternative. As the name suggests, hospital dentistry is practiced within a hospital setting. Dr. Carolyn Coppe provides hospital dentistry through Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. If you have any questions about this service, or think that it may be necessary for your child, please let us know.

Special needs patients

Our doctors have undergone extensive training that allow us to provide dental care for children of all ages, including those with special needs. Our highly trained, compassionate dental team has experience in caring for:

  • infants
  • toddlers
  • children
  • adolescents and teenagers
  • children with special healthcare needs
  • children with behavioral disorders
  • children with mental disabilities
  • children with physical disabilities

While we generally treat our patients from birth into their college years, some of our special needs patients may remain with us throughout their lives. Every patient we see, no matter what his or her special need may be, is treated with equal respect and care. At Coppe + Sears we take pride in our ability to care for our special needs patients, and we continually educate ourselves in order to serve them with the highest standard of care.

Going green

Coppe + Sears care about the environment and have created a “green” office atmosphere in the following ways:

Electronic medical history forms

You will be asked to fill out a medical history form at each hygiene appointment. We encourage you to fill these out prior to your visit by utilizing the “patient forms” feature on our website.

Digital radiographs

We use a digital radiograph machine to take any needed x-rays. Because the technology is digital, no dangerous chemicals are used to develop the pictures. Not only is this option more environmentally friendly, but also digital x-rays can be much safer than the more traditional ones. Digital radiographs have been shown to reduce a patient’s radiation exposure by up to 90%.

Mercury free

Instead of using old-fashioned, mercury-based amalgams to fill teeth (silver fillings), we use white composite resins, which come in a variety of shades to match almost any tooth color. These silica quartz-filled polymers adhere to a tooth by chemically bonding to both the enamel and underlying dentin of its structure. Composites are as strong and durable as amalgam fillings.

We believe that fewer toxins in the environment equal fewer toxins in the body, and we strive to do what we can to make the planet safer.