Pediatric Dentist in Walnut Creek, CA

Mona Lisa Smile Dental provides comprehensive pediatric dental care in Walnut Creek for children of all ages—from first tooth exams to emergency visits and orthodontic evaluations. Led by Dr. Mohammad Khandaqji, DDS, with over 25 years of experience, our team creates a comfortable, kid-friendly environment at our Olympic Blvd office. Call us today or request a Saturday appointment to get your child started on a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Here’s what most parents don’t realize: a kids’ dental exam isn’t just about counting teeth. Not even close. At Mona Lisa Smile Dental, Dr. Khandaqji looks at the whole picture — tooth development, jaw alignment, how the bite fits together, and the health of gums and soft tissues. We’ve been doing this for over 25 years, and honestly, catching things early is what saves families the most money and stress down the road.

We use digital dental X-rays and 3D dental imaging in our office. Why does that matter? Because these tools pick up problems you can’t see just by looking — hidden decay, crowding that’s starting to develop, bones that aren’t growing quite right. And your kid gets exposed to way less radiation than old-school film X-rays. That’s a big deal for us as parents too.

Something else we do at every pediatric visit? Oral cancer screening and a thorough periodic oral examination. Oral pathology in kids is rare — we know that. But establishing a baseline early and tracking changes over time is just smart medicine. Walnut Creek has a lot of young families (the median age here is 42), so we’re seeing kids at every stage — first molars popping through, mixed dentition, you name it.

Every exam wraps up with a real conversation. Not a rushed handoff. We sit down with parents, go over what we found, talk about home care, and explain any treatment that might be needed. Informed parents raise healthier kids. That’s just how it works.

Let’s be honest — even kids who brush like champs miss stuff. That’s what professional cleanings are for. We’re not just polishing teeth here. We’re removing plaque and calculus buildup that a toothbrush simply can’t reach.

At our Walnut Creek office, we offer something called guided biofilm therapy. It’s an advanced cleaning method that uses disclosing agents to actually show the bacterial biofilm on your child’s teeth before we remove it. Kids love this part (okay, most kids) because they can see exactly where they’re missing when they brush. It turns the whole cleaning into a hands-on lesson.

Here’s the thing about children’s teeth — their enamel is thinner and less mineralized than adult enamel. That makes them way more vulnerable to acid erosion and cavities. So those twice-a-year cleanings? They really do matter. And for kids who are cavity-prone or wearing braces or space maintainers, we might suggest coming in more often.

One thing families really appreciate about our practice: our hygiene team speaks English, Spanish, Farsi, and Arabic. Walnut Creek is a diverse community, and being able to explain things in a child’s home language makes a huge difference. Kids who understand what’s happening cooperate better — and they carry those good habits home with them.

Cavities happen. Even with perfect brushing and regular checkups, sometimes a kid gets one. The important thing is catching it early — before the decay reaches the nerve and causes real pain or infection.

We offer tooth-colored cavity fillings that match your child’s natural tooth. No silver. No metal look. Composite resin bonds directly to enamel and dentin, which means we can keep more of the healthy tooth intact during the procedure. For bigger areas of decay on baby teeth, stainless steel crowns might be the better call — they protect the tooth until it falls out naturally. Dr. Khandaqji looks at each situation individually and talks it through with parents before doing anything.

Look, we get it — the word “filling” can make kids (and parents) nervous. That’s exactly why we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation options. A relaxed kid has a better experience, and a better experience means they won’t dread coming back. Building that positive relationship with dental care early? That’s something that sticks with them for life.

The American Association of Orthodontists says every kid should have an orthodontic evaluation by age seven. Why so young? Because by then, enough permanent teeth have come in that we can spot problems with jaw growth, spacing, and bite alignment — while there’s still time to do something about it without major intervention.

Dr. Khandaqji provides orthodontic consultations right here in our office using dedicated orthodontic X-rays and a thorough clinical assessment. And here’s something parents appreciate hearing: early evaluation doesn’t automatically mean early treatment. A lot of times, we just monitor things and wait for the right moment. But certain issues — crossbites, serious crowding, front teeth sticking out where they could get injured — those benefit from Phase I interceptive treatment sooner rather than later.

We’ve got a full lineup of orthodontic options for kids: metal braces, FastBraces, Invisalign clear aligners, and space maintainers. Dr. Khandaqji is both an Invisalign preferred provider and a FastBraces provider, so he can match the right system to your child’s specific situation. Walnut Creek families tell us they love having orthodontics and general dentistry under one roof — no running between offices. You can explore our full range of dental and orthodontic services to see everything we offer.

Nobody wants to pull a tooth. We always try to save it first. But sometimes extraction really is the right move — a baby tooth that’s too decayed to restore, a tooth that’s blocking a permanent one from coming in, or a primary tooth that just won’t let go on its own. These are all common reasons we see in kids.

Dr. Khandaqji has extensive experience in oral surgery and dental extractions, and with pediatric patients, he takes a conservative, minimally invasive approach. We use age-appropriate local anesthesia and — when a child needs it — nitrous oxide or oral sedation so they stay comfortable the entire time.

After the tooth comes out, we often recommend a space maintainer. This is a small device that holds the gap open for the permanent tooth that’s on its way. Without one, the neighboring teeth can drift into that empty space. Then you’ve got crowding and alignment issues that could mean more orthodontic work later. We go over all the post-extraction care with parents — what to eat, what to watch for, the whole deal.

Dental emergencies don’t check the calendar. And when your kid is in pain or took a hit to the mouth, you need someone who picks up the phone. Mona Lisa Smile Dental offers pediatric emergency dental care for knocked-out teeth, bad toothaches, cracked or fractured teeth, abscesses, broken restorations — all of it.

Walnut Creek is a sporty town. Soccer at Heather Farm Park, baseball over at Northgate — we see traumatic dental injuries pretty regularly. Our office is set up to handle emergency tooth extractions, emergency root canals, abscess drainage, cracked or broken tooth repair, and temporary restorations for kids of all ages.

We also perform pulpotomy and pulpectomy procedures — sometimes called “baby root canals” — when infection gets into the pulp tissue of a primary tooth. These treatments can save a tooth that would otherwise need to come out, which preserves space for the permanent tooth developing underneath. If your child has a dental emergency, call us right away. Seriously — early intervention makes a massive difference in outcomes.

Many parents ask, “When should my child stop sucking their thumb?” Thumb sucking and long-term pacifier use can change how the teeth and jaw grow. Habit counseling helps families stop these habits without shame or stress.

We give simple tips and gentle steps that kids can follow. No pressure, no guilt—just support and easy routines that help break the habit in a healthy way.

Frequently Asked Questions:

At what age should my child first see a dentist in Walnut Creek?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday, or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth—whichever comes first. At Mona Lisa Smile Dental, first visits for infants and toddlers are gentle, brief, and focused on establishing a baseline for oral health.

Does Mona Lisa Smile Dental see children for same-day emergency appointments?

Yes. When you call our office with a child’s dental emergency, we make every effort to accommodate same-day appointments. We also offer Saturday appointments from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. by request for emergencies that occur over the weekend.

Are dental sealants covered by children's dental insurance plans in California?

In most cases, yes. Under California law and the Affordable Care Act, pediatric dental coverage is considered an essential health benefit. The majority of children’s dental insurance plans—including Medi-Cal (Denti-Cal) and most commercial PPO and HMO plans—cover sealants on permanent molars for children and adolescents.

What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth playing sports in Walnut Creek?

Handle the tooth by the crown only, rinse gently with milk or saline if dirty, and attempt to reinsert it into the socket. If reinsertion isn’t possible, place the tooth in cold milk and call Mona Lisa Smile Dental immediately. Reimplantation success rates are highest when the tooth is replaced within 30 minutes. Do not reimplant baby teeth.

Is the office at 2079 Olympic Blvd easy to get to from Saranap?

Yes. Our office at 2079 Olympic Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 is just a short drive from Saranap—typically five minutes or less via Boulevard Way or Pleasant Hill Road. Our location offers easier access and more convenient parking compared to offices in the congested downtown Walnut Creek core.

How often should children in Walnut Creek get a fluoride treatment?

For most children, professional fluoride treatments every six months provide adequate protection. Children at elevated caries risk may benefit from treatments every three months. Since EBMUD does not add fluoride to Walnut Creek’s water supply, professional fluoride treatments are especially important for children in our community.

Why Local Families Trust Our Pediatric Dentist Office

Parents want a dentist who talks to kids kindly, explains things clearly, and never makes them feel rushed. That’s how our office works. We’ve helped families from Rossmoor, Walnut Heights, and Rudgear Estates who needed long-term care, special-needs-friendly visits, or just a place where their kid finally feels safe at the dentist.

Kids love our friendly style, silly jokes, and simple words. Parents love that we offer real help, honest guidance, and no surprise fees.

We stay connected to local events, schools, and sports teams. We notice trends too—like how we get more emergency visits in summer when kids are climbing bikes, scooters, and monkey bars more often.

Need a Pediatric Dentist in Walnut Creek?

If your child needs their first dental visit, has a toothache, or just hasn’t seen a dentist in a while, we’re here to help. We take our time, explain everything gently, and treat every child like our own.

Your child deserves a healthy, happy smile.
Call, or book online anytime—we’re ready when you are.