Hickory NC Pediatric Dental Care
Gentle Checkups, Cleanings, and Fillings From a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Alpine Pediatric Dentistry provides six-month checkups, cleanings, sealants, gentle fillings, and laser frenectomy for Hickory children from infancy through the teen years, about 31 minutes south of Hickory at the Lincolnton office.
Insurance claims filed for families · Medicaid accepted · Private-pay welcome
- Board-certified pediatric dentist: Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- About 31 minutes from Hickory: 23.1 miles to the Lincolnton office
- Infant laser frenectomy: tongue-tie and lip-tie care in the same office
- Sealants on back molars: 80% fewer cavities for 2 years (CDC)
Meet all 10 team members →
Serving Hickory, NC families from the Lincolnton office
The Alpine front desk calls back within one business day.
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Best of 2026Lincoln County
- 4.9 Stars257 Google Reviews
- Board CertifiedDiplomate
When Small Dental Problems Become Big Ones for Hickory Kids
Hidden Until It Hurts
A cavity between baby teeth stays invisible until it causes pain.
A Hard Search for Tongue-Tie Care
A tongue-tie makes feeding hard, and finding a dentist skilled in infant frenectomy takes a search beyond the nearest office.
Prevention Beats Repair
Hickory children deserve checkups that stop problems early, not emergency repairs.
Alpine Pediatric Dentistry understands how much Hickory parents juggle. Dr. Warren, a board-certified pediatric dentist, and his team catch problems at six-month checkups and treat tongue-ties and dental problems in the same office, so small problems stay small.
Pediatric Dental Facts for Hickory Families
Hickory, home to Lenoir-Rhyne University, sits in Catawba County on Lake Hickory water and in Hickory City Schools. These local facts shape a Hickory child's dental care.
- Drive to Alpine
- 23.1 miles, about 31 minutes by car from Hickory to 701 S Laurel St in Lincolnton.
- Tap Water and Fluoride
- City of Hickory Public Utilities draws water from Lake Hickory. Its 2025 water quality report lists fluoride at 0.61 parts per million. Source: City of Hickory 2025 Water Quality Report
- Schools
- Hickory City Schools serves most of the city, including Hickory High School and Grandview Middle School. Some Hickory addresses fall in Catawba County Schools.
- After-Hours Injuries
- Hickory has two 24-hour emergency departments: Frye Regional Medical Center and Catawba Valley Medical Center.
What Pediatric Dental Care at Alpine Includes
Checkups and Cleanings
Every six months, the team removes plaque and tartar, checks tooth and jaw development, and coaches brushing and flossing.
Digital X-Rays
Low-radiation digital images show cavities between teeth and developing permanent teeth, taken only when a clinical need exists.
Fluoride Treatments
A quick fluoride varnish hardens enamel at each checkup.
Dental Sealants
A thin coating seals the grooves of back molars, where toothbrush bristles do not reach.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Minimally invasive fillings repair cavities with a natural-looking material.
Space Maintainers
A space maintainer holds the gap after an early-lost baby tooth so the permanent tooth has room.
Emergency Dental Care
Prompt care for chipped teeth, tooth pain, and dental injuries during office hours.
Home Care Coaching
Parents leave with brushing, fluoride, and snack guidance for home.
Three Steps to a Healthy Checkup
Request an Appointment From Hickory
Send the form above or call (704) 479-6777. The office sits 23.1 miles from Hickory, about a 31-minute drive.
Exam and Cleaning
Dr. Warren checks every tooth, then the team cleans and applies fluoride.
A Plan for Parents
Parents leave with the findings, next steps, and the next checkup date.
Pediatric Dental Care Pricing and Insurance
Insurance and Payment
- Alpine Pediatric Dentistry files the claim with the family's dental insurance, and most PPO plans reimburse part of each visit at out-of-network rates.
- Alpine Pediatric Dentistry accepts Medicaid.
- Private-pay families are welcome.
- Bring the insurance card and a parent photo ID to the first visit.
What Sets the Cost
- Type of treatment: checkup, filling, crown, or frenectomy
- Number of teeth treated
- Sedation level: none, laughing gas, or general anesthesia
- The family's insurance plan
Fewer Cavities, Fewer Emergencies
Hickory children who keep six-month checkups catch cavities while they are small and painless. Children who receive sealants at those checkups avoid 80% of back-tooth cavities for 2 years (CDC).
A cavity caught at a checkup costs less than a toothache and an urgent drive from Hickory.
Request My Child's AppointmentHickory Parents Ask
Is Hickory Tap Water Fluoridated?
The City of Hickory's 2025 water quality report lists fluoride at 0.61 parts per million in water drawn from Lake Hickory. Every Alpine checkup includes fluoride varnish, and parents leave with fluoride guidance for home.
Do Hickory Families Travel to Alpine for Infant Frenectomy?
Yes. One Google reviewer searched the Hickory and Charlotte area for a dentist skilled in infant frenectomy and chose Dr. Warren for an 8-week-old baby. The laser frenectomy page explains the procedure, and the Lincolnton office sits about 31 minutes from Hickory.
Where Does a Hickory Child Go for a Dental Injury After Hours?
For a facial injury with heavy bleeding, a possible jaw injury, or swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, Hickory has two 24-hour emergency departments: Frye Regional Medical Center and Catawba Valley Medical Center. For a chipped or knocked-out tooth during office hours, call Alpine at (704) 479-6777.
A Hickory-Area Parent on Alpine
"Searched nearly all of the Hickory/ Charlotte area for a place skilled in infant frenectomy and ultimately trusted Dr. Warren’s office with my 8 week old. I have zero regrets."
More Pediatric Dental Services at Alpine
Pediatric Dentistry
Exams, cleanings, digital X-rays, fluoride, sealants, fillings, and space maintainers for infants through teens. Emergency care for chipped teeth and toothaches.
Explore Pediatric Dentistry →Dental Sedation
Laughing gas, in-office general anesthesia by a licensed anesthesiologist, and hospital operating-room care for anxious children and children with special needs.
Explore Dental Sedation →Laser Frenectomy
Tongue-tie and lip-tie release with the Solea laser, after a function-first evaluation, for infants and children whose tie limits feeding or movement.
Explore Laser Frenectomy →Special Needs Dentistry
Patient, sensory-aware care for children with autism, developmental delays, and medical conditions, with laughing gas and general anesthesia when needed.
Explore Special Needs Dentistry →Parents Who Make the Drive
Worth the Drive
"We drove from Newton, and it was completely worth the drive. … She was calm the whole time and didn’t even realize that her tooth had been pulled and a filling put in."
"We drove from Newton because of the raving reviews of this practice and they lived up to the hype!"
"We drive from Shelby and it’s more than worth the Trip!!!"
First Visits
"I just took my daughter here for her first dentist appointment and the staff was wonderful! They were so accommodating and patient with my two year old. They had toys to pull out to make her more comfortable and were very encouraging to me as a mom."
"This was my 3 year old first visit ever at the dentist and we had a great experience! Ms Marlena was very sweet and made the process very smooth."
"It was my daughter’s first visit and they made her feel so comfortable and not scared or nervous. The staff was fantastic with her. They talked her through everything they were doing and made sure she understood what everything was."
Nervous Kids
"My 8 year old daughter has anxiety and has always been scared of the dentist. Everyone calmed her nerves and kept her relaxed throughout the procedure."
"She was traumatized by a dentist when she was young and was dreading this visit. … Dr. Warren and Mindy made my daughter feel very comfortable and made her visit enjoyable."
"My son has had a bad experience with dentists in the past and this was the first time he went back by his self and they made him feel comfortable safe and he wasn’t scared at all."
Handy Tools for Healthy Smiles at Home
Pediatric Dental Care: Common Questions
What Happens at a Six-Month Checkup at Alpine
Dr. Warren examines every tooth, the gums, and the bite, and checks how permanent teeth are developing. The team cleans the teeth, applies fluoride varnish, and takes digital X-rays only when a view between the teeth is needed. Parents leave with the findings, any treatment plan, and the date of the next checkup.
Signs a Child Needs a Filling
- Brown, gray, or chalky white spots on a tooth
- Sensitivity to sweets, cold drinks, or ice cream
- Food that packs between the same two teeth
- Pain when chewing on one side
- Bad breath that brushing does not fix
When Children Get Sealants
Sealants usually follow the arrival of the first permanent molars at about age 6 and the second permanent molars at about age 12. Placement takes minutes per tooth, with no drilling and no numbing.
More Towns Near Lincolnton
- Bessemer City, NC 28 min
- Cherryville, NC 18 min
- Conover, NC 31 min
- Dallas, NC 20 min
- Denver, NC 26 min
- Gastonia, NC 23 min
- Hickory, NC 31 min
- Kings Mountain, NC 33 min
- Maiden, NC 16 min
- Mount Holly, NC 34 min
- Newton, NC 26 min
- Shelby, NC 36 min
- Stanley, NC 24 min
Also near Hickory: Long View, Mountain View, St. Stephens.
Request a Pediatric Dental Checkup for a Hickory Child
The Alpine front desk calls back within one business day.
-
Best of 2026Lincoln County
- 4.9 Stars257 Google Reviews
- Board CertifiedDiplomate