Southern Illinois Pediatric Dentistry

Southern Illinois Pediatric Dentistry (SIPD) is a dedicated pediatric dental clinic with multiple locations across Southern Illinois, including Godfrey, Columbia, and Edwardsville. The practice specializes exclusively in the dental care of infants, children, adolescents, and individuals with special healthcare needs. Their mission is to provide the highest quality specialized pediatric dental care in a fun and safe environment, aiming to instill healthy dental habits that last a lifetime. The team at Southern Illinois Pediatric Dentistry comprises several board-certified pediatric dentists, including Dr. Christine A. Wohlford (known as Dr. Christy), Dr. Adam Snyder, Dr. Austin LaMay, and Dr. Valerie Spivey. These dentists have undergone extensive training beyond general dentistry to address the unique oral health needs of children, focusing on areas like behavior management, hospital dentistry, oral sedation, dental trauma, and comprehensive care for patients with special health considerations. SIPD offers a wide range of pediatric dental services, with a strong emphasis on prevention. Key services include: Preventative Care: Routine dental exams, professional cleanings, digital X-rays (including panoramic X-rays for a complete view of developing dentition), and dental sealants to protect against cavities. Restorative Services: Tooth-colored fillings, crowns for severely broken-down teeth, pulpotomies (sometimes referred to as "baby root canals" for decay reaching the nerve), and extractions when necessary. Space Maintainers: Used when a baby tooth is extracted prematurely to prevent space loss in the dental arches. Sedation Options: Including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation, and treatment under general anesthesia in a surgical center or hospital setting for patients requiring deeper levels of sedation or with special needs. Southern Illinois Pediatric Dentistry is committed to making dental visits a positive and comfortable experience for children. They strive to create an environment where children feel at ease and look forward to their appointments. The practice also emphasizes educating both children and parents on proper oral hygiene and nutrition to foster lifelong dental health. They accept most major insurance plans and encourage parents to bring their children for their first dental visit by the age of one or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth.