Comprehensive Family Dentistry in Cary, NC

Alliance Dentistry is a family dental practice in Cary, NC, led by husband-and-wife dentists Dr. Timothy Raczka and Dr. Maureen Raczka. We care for every member of your household, from toddlers getting their first teeth checked to grandparents maintaining implants or dentures. With decades of experience and a convenient Cary office on Davis Grove Circle, we make it easy for your whole family to get great care in one place.

What Is Family Dentistry?

Family dentistry is general dentistry for every stage of life. Children, teens, adults, and seniors all have different oral health needs, and a family dentist cares for all of them, from baby teeth to permanent teeth to restorations later in life.

As family dentists in Cary, Drs. Tim and Maureen Raczka see children starting around their first birthday and can continue caring for them for a lifetime. Having one dental home means your dentist knows your family’s history, notices changes over time, and can give each person care that fits their age and needs.

Family Dental Services in Cary, NC

We offer a full range of services, so most of your family’s dental needs can be handled in one office:

• Regular cleanings and exams
• Preventive care, including fluoride treatments
• Dental sealants for children
• Cavity detection and fillings
• Crowns and bridges
• Root canals
• Tooth extractions
• Dentures
• Gum disease treatment
• Dental implant restorations
• Invisalign® clear aligners
• Cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening

Convenient Care for Busy Families

We know how hectic family schedules get, because we’re a family too. That’s why we can schedule multiple family members at the same time, so you’re not sitting through back-to-back appointments or making separate trips on different days. We open at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, which makes it easier to fit visits in before school or work.

While you wait, kids can enjoy toys, games, and books, and there are TVs for the grown-ups. In the treatment room, we use modern dental technology and current clinical standards to keep every visit comfortable and efficient.

How Often Should Your Family See the Dentist?

Most people should visit the dentist twice a year for a cleaning and exam, alongside good brushing and flossing at home. Here’s what that looks like at different ages.

Dental Visits for Children

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend a first dental visit by your child’s first birthday or within six months of their first tooth coming in. After that, checkups every six months help us catch problems early, before they cause pain.

Regular visits also help kids feel at ease at the dentist. Our dentists take time to explain what’s happening in words children understand, which builds confidence and reduces dental anxiety. And it never hurts to have someone besides Mom or Dad remind them to brush twice a day.

Dental Visits for Adults

Adults should also plan on two visits a year. If you rarely have tartar buildup or cavities, your dentist may occasionally recommend a different schedule. It’s also worth checking your insurance plan, since many plans cover two cleanings per year.

When More Frequent Visits Make Sense

Some patients benefit from seeing the dentist more often than twice a year, including people who:

• Smoke or use tobacco. Tobacco use raises the risk of gum disease and oral cancer, so closer monitoring helps catch problems early.
• Have diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of gum disease and oral infections, and gum disease can in turn make blood sugar harder to control.
• Have a weakened immune system. Conditions or medications that affect immunity can raise the risk of decay and infection.
• Have a history of gum disease. Periodontal maintenance visits, often every three to four months, help keep gum disease under control.

Cary Family Dentist Infographic

Oral Health by the Numbers

Cavities and gum disease are among the most common health problems in the U.S., and both are largely preventable. Here’s what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports:

• Gum disease: nearly half of adults 30 and older show signs of gum disease, one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Gum disease has also been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
• Cavities in adults: 90% or more of adults 20 and older have had a cavity in their permanent teeth, and about 1 in 5 adults ages 20–64 has at least one untreated cavity.
• Cavities in children: by age 9, half of children have had a cavity in their baby or permanent teeth.
• Sealants: dental sealants reduce cavities in permanent molars by 80% for two years after placement, yet fewer than half of children ages 6–11 have them.
• Missed school: about 34 million school hours are lost each year to unplanned dental care.

The good news is that most of these problems can be prevented or caught early. Twice-yearly checkups, sealants for kids, fluoride, and good brushing and flossing habits at home go a long way toward keeping your whole family’s smiles healthy.

Helping Kids Feel at Home at the Dentist

A dental visit can feel scary for a child, so we work hard to make it a positive experience from the moment they walk in. Our dentists are patient and gentle, and we enjoy answering the many questions young patients ask, in words they can understand. When kids feel safe and understand why their teeth matter, they’re more likely to build healthy habits that last a lifetime. For more ideas, see our tips on easing your child’s dental anxiety.

Dental Services for Children

• Teeth cleanings. Our friendly team and relaxed setting help even our littlest patients sit comfortably for a thorough cleaning.
• Fillings. Cavities can make eating and drinking painful. We remove the decayed part of the tooth and restore it with a natural-looking, tooth-colored filling.
• Dental bonding. Kids are active, and chipped or cracked teeth happen. Bonding repairs small chips and fractures quickly.
• Dental sealants. A thin protective coating on the chewing surfaces of back teeth keeps food and bacteria out of the deep grooves where cavities often start.
• Pediatric crowns. When a cavity is too large for a filling, or after a baby root canal, a crown caps and protects the tooth.
• Baby root canals. When decay reaches the soft inner pulp of a baby tooth and causes pain, treating the pulp can save the tooth until it’s ready to fall out naturally.

A Personalized Plan for Every Family Member

Every family is different, and so is every person in it. After a thorough exam, your dentist will recommend what makes sense for each family member, whether that’s sealants for your grade-schooler, Invisalign® for your teen, or a crown for you. We explain your options clearly and answer your questions before any treatment begins.

Childhood is when lifelong habits take root. We help kids learn how to brush, floss, and care for their teeth so good habits become second nature and trips to the dentist stay routine.

Cary Family Dentist FAQs

How do I know if I need to see a dentist?

Even if your teeth look and feel fine, problems like cavities and gum disease can develop without symptoms. That’s why twice-yearly checkups matter. Call sooner if you notice tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, bleeding gums, a chipped or cracked tooth, or any change in how your bite feels. Here are more signs it may be time to see a dentist.

What should I look for in a family dentist?

A good family dentist should be easy to reach and schedule with, keep a clean and welcoming office, explain costs and insurance clearly, and listen to your concerns before recommending treatment. It also helps to find one who’s comfortable treating both kids and adults. Read more about the signs you’ve found the right dentist for your family.

When should my child first see the dentist?

Plan the first visit by your child’s first birthday or within six months of their first tooth. We see children starting around age one, and after that first visit, checkups every six months keep their smile on track.

Can you see my whole family at the same time?

Yes. We can schedule multiple family members at the same time, so you can take care of everyone’s checkups in one trip.

How often should we replace our toothbrushes?

Replace toothbrushes every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles look frayed. Many dentists also recommend a new toothbrush after you’ve been sick.

Do you accept my dental insurance?

We’re a preferred provider for Delta Dental, MetLife, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna, and we accept many other plans, including Aetna, Guardian, Humana Dental, United Concordia, and United Healthcare. We file claims for you at no charge. See our full insurance information.

When should I contact a new dentist?

Whether you’ve just moved to Cary or you’re ready for a change, it’s a good time to reach out if:

• It’s been more than a year since your last dental exam.
• You notice changes in how your teeth or gums feel.
• You have pain or sensitivity in your mouth.
• You’ve lost or cracked a tooth.
• You’re unhappy with your current dentist.

Schedule a Visit With Your Cary Family Dentist

As a family-owned practice, Alliance Dentistry offers not one Cary family dentist but two: Dr. Maureen M. Raczka and Dr. Timothy C. Raczka. We’re welcoming new patients of all ages and would love to meet your family. Call 919-363-3100 or request an appointment today.

Family Dentistry Glossary

Dental visits come with their own vocabulary. Here are some terms you may hear at our office, explained in plain language.

Plaque and tartar. Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. Brushing and flossing remove it, but plaque that stays on teeth hardens into tartar (also called calculus), which only a professional cleaning can remove.

Gingivitis. The earliest stage of gum disease, usually showing up as red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss. Caught early, gingivitis can usually be reversed with better home care and professional cleanings. Learn how to tackle gingivitis.

Periodontitis. Advanced gum disease that damages the gums and the bone supporting your teeth. It can lead to tooth loss if untreated, and often needs deep cleanings and more frequent maintenance visits. Know the symptoms of gum disease to watch for.

Fluoride varnish. A protective fluoride coating painted onto teeth during a checkup to strengthen enamel and help prevent cavities. It’s quick, painless, and common for kids.

Dental sealant. A thin coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to seal out food and bacteria from the deep grooves where cavities often start.

Composite filling. A tooth-colored filling material used to repair cavities so the restored tooth blends in naturally.

Crown. A cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance.

Bridge. A fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to the natural teeth or implants on either side.

Pulpotomy (baby root canal). A treatment for a baby tooth with decay that has reached the pulp. The infected part of the pulp is removed so the tooth can stay in place until it falls out naturally.

Dental implant. A small titanium post placed in the jawbone that acts as an artificial tooth root. It supports a crown, bridge, or denture.

Informed consent. Before any treatment, your dentist explains what’s recommended, why, the alternatives, the risks, and the cost, so you can make an informed decision. For patients under 18, a parent or legal guardian gives consent. If someone other than a parent will be bringing your child to an appointment, let us know ahead of time.

Assignment of benefits. An agreement that lets your insurance company pay our office directly for covered treatment, instead of paying you. We file insurance claims at no charge.

Coordination of benefits. The process used when someone is covered by two dental plans, such as a child covered through both parents. One plan pays first and the second may cover part of the remaining balance. Share both plans with us and we’ll help you get the most from your benefits.

202 Davis Grove Circle, Suite 102, Cary, NC 27519

Cary NC Family Dentist Google Review

“I am impressed with this dental practice. Everyone has a professional attitude. I was cared for by Dr. Maureen who took the time to listen to my questions and concerns, performed the right diagnostic and made great recommendations. The hygienist – Kristen was very thorough and taken the time for cleaning.” – Jason