We hope this provides you with useful information about our practice and philosophy. Pine Lake Dental Care is a moderate sized dental practice with a unique family orientation. Our primary mission is to provide appropriate, technically correct treatment in a safe and caring environment. We understand that the dental environment can be scary and intimidating. To that end, we try our very best to provide the most comfortable care possible. No dentistry is completely painless, but at Pine Lake Dental Care we have come as close as possible to that aim. We treat each patient as we would our own family and hope all of our patients consider us friends. "If you are looking for quality, experienced personnel in a warm and caring environment, then come experience the difference at Pine Lake Dental Care." – Dr. Christopher Robertson (Dr. Chris)
We hope this provides you with useful information about our practice and philosophy. Pine Lake Dental Care is a moderate sized dental practice with a unique family orientation. Our primary mission is to provide appropriate, technically correct treatment in a safe and caring environment. We understand that the dental environment can be scary and intimidating. To that end, we try our very best to provide the most comfortable care possible. No dentistry is completely painless, but at Pine Lake Dental Care we have come as close as possible to that aim. We treat each patient as we would our own family and hope all of our patients consider us friends.
"If you are looking for quality, experienced personnel in a warm and caring environment, then come experience the difference at Pine Lake Dental Care." – Dr. Christopher Robertson (Dr. Chris)
Dr. Christopher Robertson, D.D.S., P.S. Dr. Kimchi L. Phan, D.D.S. 22727 SE 29th St. Sammamish, WA 98075 Phone 425-392-2103 | Fax 425-313-9705
Family Dentist and owner of Pine Lake Dental Care
Dr. Christopher Robertson graduated with special distinction from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry in 1999. He has been active in dentistry in the Pacific Northwest since graduation. Prior to dental school, Dr. Robertson (Dr. Chris) went to Chinook Middle School, Bellevue High School and the University of Washington. He is currently an active participant in many continuing education programs and is an active member of the following organizations: Seattle King County Dental Society, Washington State Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Society.
When Dr. Chris is not taking care of the dental needs of his patients, he spends a lot of time underwater. He enjoys scuba diving and has many photos of his underwater adventures (please see his photos on this website). His other hobbies include hiking, mountain biking, traveling, reading and playing the guitar.
Dr. Kimchi Phan graduated with honors from the University of the Pacific Dental School in San Francisco in 1999. She has practiced in the Northwest since her graduation and maintains strong ties with the community and organized dentistry. Dr. Phan keeps informed of the latest advancements in dentistry through continuing education courses, study clubs and dental societies. She is dedicated to providing quality care and long-term, good oral health for all of her patients.
Dr. Phan grew up in the Pacific Northwest, graduating from Sammamish High School and receiving her Bachelor's degree at the University of Washington. While she truly enjoyed living in San Francisco, she decided to practice in Seattle to be near family and friends. A few of her favorite things to do include indulging in good food, settling down with a good book or an old movie and, weather permitting, talking long walks.
Dr. Phan believes that good oral health will lead to good overall health and she strives to provide that to all of her patients. Her philosophy is to help everyone achieve health, function and beauty through excellent dental care.
Thank you for choosing Pine Lake Dental Care as your oral health care provider. Our goal is to provide you with quality dental care in a compassionate, pain free, and professional environment.
We strive to have consistently high standards of excellence and patient satisfaction. This begins with your initial visit to our office.
At your first visit we recommend that you arrive a few minutes early. This will allow time for you to fill out the necessary paperwork regarding your health history and insurance information, if applicable. You may also print off the medical history questionnaire from this web site. There is a download included at the bottom of this page. Complete the questionnaire and bring it with you to your first appointment.
Your initial examination will begin with a screening of your teeth for signs of tooth decay and dental radiographs (x-rays) may be a necessary part of your exam. Dental radiographs can help to assess tooth decay and periodontal disease. In children, radiographs are used to evaluate growth and development of the mouth.
As research indicates, it is most beneficial to detect dental problems early on. Problems with your mouth can affect your entire health and this is why during your exam we will screen for abnormal changes in the oral tissues and surrounding structures. Abnormalities detected at an early stage can be successfully treated. You will also be checked for periodontal (gum) disease which affects three out of four adults at some point in their lives. Regular dental visits are essential for detecting problems at an early stage, before irreversible damage has occurred.
Your dental visit is the time to ask questions and to freely discuss with us any dental concerns you may have. It is important to keep us informed of any medical conditions you have, as this may affect your individual treatment needs. The staff at Pine Lake Dental Care are always available to answer questions and to assist you in making the right choice for optimum dental health.
A crown is a restoration that covers, or caps, a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size. Its purpose is to strengthen or improve the appearance of a tooth. Crowns are placed for a variety of reasons.
Crowns can:
A bridge (also called a fixed partial denture) is a restoration that replaces or spans the space where one or more teeth have been lost. There are two types of bridges- fixed and removable. A fixed bridge is nodded or cemented into place – only a dentist can remove it.
As its name describes, a removable bridge (more commonly known as a removable partial denture) readily can be taken out of the mouth for cleaning. Although removable bridges generally are less expensive, fixed bridges may feel more stable and comfortable.
Root canal treatment usually involves the removal of the tooth’s pulp, a small thread-like tissue that was important for tooth development. Once removed, it is replaced with materials that seal off the root canal from its surrounding tissues. Years ago, diseased or injured teeth were often extracted. Today, even if the pulp in one of your teeth becomes injured or infected, the tooth often can be saved through root canal (endodontic) treatment. Endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases or injuries to the dental pulp.
Patients of all ages have chosen dental implants to replace either a single tooth, several teeth or to support partial or full dentures. It’s no surprise. Dental implants help restore the ability to chew food. They help fill out a face that could otherwise look “sunken” because of missing teeth. And dental implants are the closest thing to natural teeth. Unlike dentures, implants are not removed for overnight soaking and cleaning. No adhesives are needed.
Many patients are discovering the benefits of dental veneers. Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer is a thin covering that is placed over the front (visible) part of the tooth. The dentist applies veneers in a simple, comfortable procedure that takes just a few visits.
Veneers are a popular treatment option for several reasons. Veneers generally are placed on upper front teeth that re severely discolored, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. Veneers may be used to lighten front teeth that are naturally yellow or have a gray cast and can’t be whitened by bleaching.
A balanced diet is critical for the proper development of an undorn child. Teeth begin to form in the second month of pregnancy and to calcify between the third and sixth months of pregnancy. A balanced diet that provides adequate amounts of vitamins A,C and D, protein, calcium and phosphorus helps develop healthy teeth, while poor nutrition can be associated with early childhood caries (tooth decay).
People usually think of a newborn baby as having no teeth. But the 20 primary teeth that will erupt in the next three years already are present at birth in the baby’s jawbones. At birth, most of the crowns of the primary teeth are almost complete, and the chewing surfaces of the permanent molars have begun forming.
Primary teeth are important in normal development- for chewing, speaking, and appearance. In addition, the primary teeth hold the space in the jaws for the permanent teeth. Both primary and permanent teeth help give the face its shape and form.
As soon as teeth appear in mouth, decay can occur. One of the risk factors for early childhood caries (sometimes called baby bottle tooth decay) is frequent and prolonged exposure of a baby’s teeth to liquids containing sugar, including milk, breast milk, formula and fruit juice. Tooth decay can occur when parents or caregivers put a baby to bed with a bottle – or use milk, formula or juice as a pacifier for a fussy baby.
Thumbsucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause problems with tooth alignment and the proper growth of the mouth. How intensely a child sucks on fingers or thumbs will determine whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs.
Children should cease thumbsucking by the time their permanent front teeth are ready o erupt. Usually, children stop between the ages of two and four. Peer pressure causes many school-aged children to stop If you have concerns about thumbsucking or use of a pacifier, consult your dentist.
Brush and floss your child’s teeth until he or she is at least six years old. By age six or seven, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day-with supervision until about age 10 or 11, to make sure they are doing a thorough job. However, each child is different. Your dentist can help you determine whether the child has the skill level to brush properly.
By the time a child is born, 20 primary teeth usually have formed inside the gums. The front four teeth typically begin to appear when the baby is between age six months and one year. Most children have their set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are three years old.
Unfortunately, tooth decay can occur as soon as the teeth appear. It’s very important to prevent this from happening because decay in primary teeth may damage the hidden permanent teeth.
You can help prevent tooth decay by starting your child’s dental checkups at an early age. It’s beneficial for the first dental visit to occur within six months of eruption of the first tooth and no later than the child’s first birthday. Consider your child’s first visit as a “well baby checkup” for his or her teeth.
Regular dental visits are crucial to maintaining a healthy smile. During the dental visit, Dr. Chris will examine your child’s mouth for tooth decay and growth or development conditions that may pose a problem in the future.
How often should a child/teenager see a dentist? This depends on your child’s needs and Dr. Chris is best able to suggest a schedule of visits for your child. The frequency of dental visits will partly depend on your child’s eating habits; how clean the teeth are kept; past treatment needs; whether your child drinks fluoridated water; and other factors that can affect your child’s susceptibility to dental diseases.
Professional dental services, such as fluoride treatments and the application of sealants that prevent tooth decay, can save money and reduce the need for further dental treatment.
When a child begins to participate in recreational activities and organized sports, injuries can occur. Mouth protectors, also called mouth guards, are an important piece of protective face gear. You’ve probably seen mouth protectors used in contact sports, such as hockey, football or boxing. Coaches and team members know that mouth protectors cushion blows that would otherwise cause broken teeth, injuries to the lips and face and sometimes even jaw fractures. Ask Dr. Chris about custom fitted and store bought mouth protectors.
Social attitudes and acceptance of smoking have greatly changed in the past decade but in spite of all the negative publicity, some youth are still drawn to cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Tobacco in any form can jeopardize your child’s health and cause incurable damage. Teach your child about the dangers of tobacco, smokeless tobacco, also called spit tobacco, chew or snuff, often is used by teens who believe that it is a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. This is an unfortunate misconception. Studies show that spit tobacco may be even more addictive than smoking cigarettes and may be more difficult to quit. Teens who use it may be interested to know that one can of snuff per day delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes. As little as three to four months of smokeless tobacco use can cause gum disease and produce pre-cancerous lesions called leukoplakias. Abrasive ingredients and sugars in smokeless tobacco also lead to greater tooth abrasion and decay. Users should watch for unusual lesions that might appear on the lip, inside cheek or on the gums. Better yet, don’t let a dangerous habit start.
Malocclusion, or bad bite, is a condition in which the teeth are crowded, crooked or out of alignment. Many times the jaws do not meet properly. This condition may become particularly noticeable between the ages of six and 12, when the permanent teeth are erupting. This “bad bite” may be inherited or result from events in the child’s development.
It is recommended that every child receive an orthodontic evaluation by age seven. Dr. Chris will refer your child to an experienced orthodontist for further evaluation if he sees a condition which will need to be corrected by orthodontics. Early examination and treatment may help prevent or reduce the severity of malocclusions in the permanent teeth. Starting treatment or preventive care at the best time may reduce the overall treatment time and result in the best outcome.
Some preventive orthodontic treatment may be started when the primary teeth are still in place. Often effective preventive treatment is done during a child’s growth period. Different types of orthodontic appliances, including some that are removable, are used to prevent and treat malocclusions.
Orthodontic treatment may be divided into distinct stages or it may be continuous over a period of many months or more. The starting age, the duration of treatment, the type of appliances used, the outcome of the treatment, and the cost of treatment depends upon the nature and the severity of the malocclusion being treated. In most cases, the cooperation of the patient; practicing good oral hygiene and maintaining scheduled appointments with Dr. Chris. These are all major factors in the success of orthodontic treatment.
If you should ever suspect that your child’s teeth are out of alignment or not developing in a normal pattern; Dr. Chris will be happy to discuss any concerns that you may have.