Your first visit at Arbor Family Dentistry takes about 60 to 90 minutes for adults and 30 to 45 minutes for kids, and it includes a full exam, digital X-rays, a professional cleaning, and a face-to-face review with Dr. Trieu Ton. Arbor is best known across Knightsen and East Contra Costa County for dental implants, our primary service, alongside a full menu of preventive and family care for every age. For Knightsen families, the drive is short, the office is calm, and the plan you leave with is clear. This guide explains what to expect from family dental care at Arbor, what family dentistry costs, and what makes a family-focused practice different, so no one is caught off guard.
What Is Family Dental Care?
Family dental care means one practice treats every age in the household, from a toddler’s first tooth to a grandparent’s crown. Instead of booking a pediatric dentist for the kids and a separate office for the adults, the whole family stays with one team that knows your dental history, your insurance, and your preferences. The result is fewer appointments, consistent advice, and a schedule that fits around school and work. You can see the full menu on our dental services page.
Family Dental Care by Age: What to Expect at Your First Visit
Great dental care for families starts with knowing what to expect before you walk in. The table below gives a quick snapshot of what each family member can expect at their first appointment, how long to block off on the calendar, and what to pack so you can plan the day with confidence.
| Family Member | What’s Included | Typical Time | What to Bring |
| Adults | Exam, X-rays, cleaning, oral cancer screening | 60 to 90 min | ID, insurance card, medication list |
| Teens | Exam, X-rays, cleaning, bite check | 45 to 60 min | Insurance info, mouthguard if used |
| Kids (6+) | Gentle exam, cleaning, fluoride, counting teeth together | 30 to 45 min | Favorite toy, light snack for after |
| Toddlers (1 to 5) | Knee-to-knee exam, quick polish, parent present | 20 to 30 min | Blanket or comfort item |
Appointments stack easily, so one trip from Knightsen can often cover the whole family in one morning.
What Happens Step by Step on Your First Appointment
Knowing the order of the visit removes most of the nerves. Here is what the first appointment looks like from the front door to the parking lot.
- Welcome and paperwork. Check in with your dental history, insurance, and any concerns you want addressed first. Most families finish this in under 10 minutes using our digital intake.
- Digital X-rays. Low-radiation images reveal decay, bone levels, and anything hiding between teeth. One full set every 12 to 24 months is standard for adults.
- Comprehensive exam. Dr. Ton checks each tooth, your gums, your bite, and your soft tissues, including an oral cancer screening. This is where problems get caught early.
- Professional cleaning. A hygienist removes plaque and tartar, polishes the surface, and reviews your home care in plain language.
- Plan and pricing. You leave with a written plan, a priority order, and a clear number for any recommended work. No pressure, no surprise bills later.
Family-Focused Care for Every Age
Not every dentist is set up to handle a toddler and a grandparent in the same hour. We are. Here is how we tailor the visit across ages.
- Little kids (1 to 5): Short visits, plain words, and a parent in the room. The first dental visit should happen by age one or within six months of the first tooth.
- School-age kids (6 to 12): We count teeth, show them the tools, and build the habit that the dentist is a friendly place. Sealants on new molars prevent the most common childhood cavities.
- Teens: Bite checks, early orthodontic signals, sports mouthguards, and straight talk about habits like sports drinks and vaping.
- Adults: Routine prevention plus restorative and cosmetic dentistry options when you want them, from whitening and veneers to dental implants for a missing tooth.
- Seniors: Gum health, dry mouth, bite changes, and care that works around existing dental work, including a straight answer when you are weighing dental implants vs dentures for a long-term fix.
What Does Family Dentistry Cost?
Family dentistry costs depend on who you’re seeing and what you need. Routine prevention is the smallest number on the bill, and restorative or cosmetic work scales up from there.
| Service | Typical Cost | Usually Covered by PPO Insurance? |
| Child cleaning and exam | $75 to $200 | Yes, usually 100% |
| Adult cleaning and exam | $150 to $350 | Yes, usually 100% |
| Digital X-rays (full set) | $100 to $250 | Yes, often 100% |
| Dental sealants (per tooth) | $30 to $60 | Often, for kids |
| Filling (one tooth) | $150 to $450 | Yes, usually 80% |
| Dental implant (per tooth) | $3,000 to $5,000 | Partial, varies by plan |
Without insurance, a family of four can expect roughly $700 to $1,500 for a round of cleanings, exams, and X-rays. We quote larger investments like dental implants separately after a 3D scan, and we always walk you through the full breakdown before you commit. We give every family a written estimate before any work begins and offer in-house payment plans, Cherry Financing, and CareCredit when the plan goes beyond prevention.
Dental Implants: Our Service for Missing Teeth
Dental implants are the core of what we do at Arbor Family Dentistry. Whether you have lost a single tooth, several teeth, or a full arch, implants are the longest-lasting and most natural-feeling option available today. They restore up to 90% of natural bite force, preserve the jawbone that dentures leave to shrink, and can last decades with routine care.
Dr. Ton plans every case with cone beam 3D imaging to measure bone volume down to the millimeter, so there is no guesswork about whether you are a candidate. The first visit includes a complimentary implant consultation if a missing tooth is part of the conversation. For patients who have worn dentures for years and have thinner bone, a graft or an implant-supported denture (as few as two to six implants per arch) can bring stability back without replacing every tooth individually.
How to Prepare for the Visit
A short list that saves time at the front desk and makes the chair time smoother.
- Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, and a list of medications.
- Write down any teeth or spots that have bothered you, even a little.
- Skip heavy coffee right before, since it stains the polish.
- For kids, eat a light snack beforehand so hunger is not a factor.
- Arrive 10 minutes early for new-patient paperwork, or finish it online the night before.
If anyone in the family has dental anxiety, say so when you book. We adjust the pace, explain each step, and offer comfort options so the visit doesn’t become a reason to put off the next one.
Why Knightsen Families Choose Arbor Family Dentistry
Knightsen is a close community, and families here tell us they want three things: a short drive, a dentist who listens, and a plan that respects their budget. We are 10 to 15 minutes from most of Knightsen on Lone Tree Way; we book the whole family in one stretch, and we give you an itemized estimate before any treatment starts.
Dr. Trieu Ton is a University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry graduate and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. The office handles preventive, restorative, and cosmetic care under one roof, so cracked tooth, a whitening touch-up, a dental implant consultation, and a kid’s cleaning don’t require three separate referrals.
The Bottom Line
A first visit is not just about teeth. It is about knowing a dentist you trust before anyone in the family needs one urgently. For Knightsen families, that peace of mind saves time, money, and stress across every decade of the household. Prevention catches cavities early, protects kids’ permanent teeth, and keeps the whole family on a schedule that is easier to plan around than reacting to an emergency on a Sunday night.
Your complimentary consultation includes an honest assessment and an itemized quote with a financing plan. We are at 6471 Lone Tree Way, Suite 301, in Brentwood, serving Antioch, Oakley, Byron, Bethel Island, Knightsen, and Discovery Bay.
Book online or call (925) 453-2333 and leave with a number you can trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should My Family Visit the Dentist?
Most children and adults need a cleaning and exam every six months. Patients with gum disease or orthodontics may need visits every three to four months. Dr. Ton sets a schedule for each family member at the first visit, based on what the exam shows.
At What Age Should My Child Have Their First Dental Visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first visit by age one or within six months of the first tooth. Early visits focus on introducing your child to the office and coaching parents on brushing, not on lengthy procedures.
Do You Accept Our Dental Insurance?
We work with most PPO dental insurance plans and verify your coverage before the appointment. For families without insurance, we offer in-house payment plans, Cherry Financing, and CareCredit. HSA and FSA funds also apply to qualifying care.
How Long Does the First Visit Take?
A new-patient appointment runs 60 to 90 minutes for adults and 30 to 45 minutes for children. With advance notice, we can book the whole family on the same day, saving a second trip from Knightsen.
Do You Treat the Whole Family in One Appointment?
Yes. With advance notice, we schedule back-to-back family appointments so parents and kids can be seen in the same window. Many Knightsen families use this to combine two or three cleanings into one trip.
