Chapel Hill Preventive Dentistry for Families
Care that keeps small
problems small
Written by the Meadowmont Dentistry team. Medically reviewed by Dr. Corey Wilson, DDS. Last reviewed: August 2026.
The Visit
Why your visit is more than a cleaning
A preventive appointment with us combines a professional cleaning, a full exam, digital X-rays when they are due, and an oral cancer screening in one sitting. Each piece answers a different question about your mouth, and we talk you through what we are doing before we do it.
Cleanings and exams
A hygienist clears the plaque and tartar that brushing at home cannot reach. Then one of our doctors checks your teeth, gums, bite, and soft tissue. You will hear what we find while you are still in the chair, not in a letter afterward.
Oral cancer screening with Velscope
We screen for oral cancer using Velscope, which is quick, easy, and never touches you. The whole reason we do it is to catch something early, while it is still small.
Sealants and Curodont enamel regeneration
A sealant covers the deep grooves in back teeth where decay tends to start. Curodont rebuilds weakened enamel before it turns into a cavity that needs a filling. Both sit near the top of what we recommend for children.
The Exam
What are we actually looking for?
During an exam we are looking for decay, gum inflammation, cracked or worn teeth, bite problems, and any change in the soft tissue that does not belong there. Our equipment makes that search more accurate than eyes alone.
X-rays that take seconds
We use Dexis digital sensors and software along with a NOMAD wireless handheld system. Images appear on the screen right away, and the handheld unit comes to you rather than moving you to it.
A second set of eyes on every image
Overjet AI reads our X-rays for cavities and lesions alongside our doctors. It catches decay at the stage where a small repair still solves the problem.
A camera so you see what we see
Our MouthWatch intra-oral cameras put the picture on a screen in front of you. You can see exactly what is going on with your teeth and decide from there instead of taking our word for it.
Children
Bringing your child in for the first time
A first dental visit at our office is a knee-to-knee exam, which means your child stays facing you the entire time, and it is built for the parent as much as the child. Families come to us for this from around Chapel Hill and from neighboring Durham and Wake County.
What the first visit looks like
We set aside plenty of time to go through oral hygiene, what to expect in the first two years, what future appointments will involve, and any question or worry you brought with you. Depending on your child’s age and how they are doing that day, we finish a cleaning at the same visit. Every child leaves with a goodie bag holding a toothbrush, toothpaste, and stickers, and picks something out of the prize box.
What we watch for as they grow
Cleanings, exams, sealants, and Curodont enamel regeneration do most of the work. We place tooth-colored fillings and bonding when a tooth needs repair, and we screen with Velscope the same way we do for adults. We also handle orthodontic consultations and refer out when a child needs treatment we do not provide here.
Frenectomy for tongue and lip ties
We release tongue and lip ties with a laser, for almost any age, kids and adults. A restricted tie affects swallowing, feeding for infants, speech clarity, and how well someone can keep their own teeth clean. Releasing it also promotes nasal breathing, which reduces snoring and apnea, and it eases tension in the jaw, neck, and TMJ.
Gum Health
Gum health and catching disease early
Gum disease stays quiet in its early stages, so we check and chart your gums at every cleaning rather than waiting for you to notice bleeding. Catching it early keeps the treatment simple.
How we treat it when we find it
We treat active gum disease with ultrasonic scaling and root planing, subgingival irrigation, and Arestin, an antibiotic we place into the pocket itself. Which combination you need depends on how deep the pockets run and how your tissue responds.
Keeping it from coming back
Gum disease answers to consistency more than intensity. We may bring you in on a shorter interval for a while, adjust what you do at home, and recheck the same sites each time so you can watch the numbers move.
Protection
Guards that protect teeth from wear and impact
Grinding, clenching, and contact sports do damage that no cleaning reverses, so we make appliances that absorb the force before your teeth take it. All of our impressions are digital, taken with one of our three iTero scanners, so there is no tray and no putty.
Nightguards
If you grind or clench at night, a nightguard takes the wear that would otherwise land on your enamel and on the work we have already done for you.
Sports mouthguards
A custom sports mouthguard fits closer than anything off a shelf, which matters because a guard that fits is a guard the player keeps in.
TMJ splints and occlusal guards
When jaw pain is the problem rather than tooth wear, we fit occlusal guards and splints and use muscle relaxers and NSAIDs when the muscles need to settle. For acute pain we can place an Aqualizer, a temporary oral device that brings relief while we work out the longer plan.
Sleep
Screening for sleep apnea, and where our role ends
We screen for obstructive sleep apnea, and we do not diagnose it. If your exam and history point in that direction, we tell you and encourage testing, either a take-home sleep test through a third party or a referral to the local university for in-lab overnight testing.
A sleep physician makes the diagnosis and the recommendation that follows it. If an oral appliance turns out to be one of your options, we work exclusively with ProSomnus Sleep Technologies appliances and have ten years of happy patients wearing them.
Next Steps
What happens if we find something?
We show you the image, explain what we are seeing, lay out your options, and let you decide. We will never recommend treatment you do not need, and every plan starts with an honest conversation about what is happening, what the choices are, and what makes sense for your life and your budget. You will not get pressure, an upsell, or a surprise fee from us.
Almost everything happens here in our own office. When a case truly calls for a specialist, we refer to a small circle of people we trust and stay involved start to finish. We also stand behind the work: with regular checkups and good home care, if something we placed breaks, fails, or does not hold up, we fix it at no charge. And when a problem cannot wait, we offer same-day care and after-hours emergency visits, including for people who have never been to our office.
TECHNOLOGY
Modern tools, better outcomes
Our doctors invest heavily in technology because it makes treatment more accurate, more comfortable, and more predictable. Some of the tools you will see at your visits:
Smiles that speak
for themselves
This is what’s possible. A few of the smiles we’ve had the privilege to transform at Meadowmont Dentistry.
Before
After
Porcelain Veneers
Spent years hiding her teeth behind a closed-lip smile. Not anymore.
Before
After
Cosmetic Makeover
Decades of coffee and wear had caught up with him. One plan later, the years fell away.
Before
After
Invisalign
Straightened her smile without anyone noticing. Exactly how she wanted it.
Before
After
Restorative Dentistry
Came in avoiding his favorite foods. Left ready to bite into anything.
Your turn next. Schedule your consultation today.
Sedation & Comfort
Care that feels easy
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I come in?
Most patients do well with a cleaning and exam every six months. If we are managing gum disease or keeping an eye on weak enamel, we will ask you to come in on a shorter interval until things settle, then move you back. We are open Monday through Thursday, 7 AM to 3 PM, and we do not close for lunch, so you can take a 7 AM slot before work or a midday one.
What does it cost?
You will know the number before we begin. Natalie Johnson, our Office Manager and Treatment Coordinator, walks you through cost and payment options ahead of time, and we accept cash, checks, credit cards, financing through CareCredit, Sunbit, and Proceed Financial, and dental membership plans.
Do you take my insurance?
We are not in network with any dental insurance plan. We do file claims on your behalf, so the paperwork is not yours to chase. Call us at (919) 969-9330 with your plan details and we will tell you what to expect.
When should my child first come in?
Bring your baby along with you. We build first visits around babies and their parents, using the knee-to-knee exam so your child stays facing you, and we use that time to answer your questions and set expectations for the next two years and for the appointments after that.
What if you find a cavity or something else?
We put the image on the screen, explain what we are seeing, and give you the options along with what each one involves. Problems found early tend to stay small. When Overjet flags decay at the stage where a tooth-colored filling handles it, that is the entire conversation.
Payment and Insurance
Honest, flexible, easy to plan around
We are out of network with all dental insurance plans, but we file claims on your behalf so you only pay your estimated portion at the time of service. We accept cash, checks, credit cards, and most major financing through CareCredit and Sunbit. Custom payment arrangements are also available for qualifying treatment.
Our Treatment Coordinator will walk you through every cost before treatment begins, with no surprises and no pressure.
Visit us in Meadowmont
-
400 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 427
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Get Directions
-
(919) 969-9330
-
Mon-Thu: 7AM–3PM