Convenient Access from Scarborough
Parents looking for a dentist Scarborough, ME households can reach without much fuss will find Biddeford Saco Dental Associates about 17 minutes south of Oak Hill. Our office at 485 Main St in Saco brings a board-certified pediatric dentist, an orthodontist and general dentists together in one building. That means a whole family's care can stay at one address.
Leaving Scarborough Town Hall at 259 US Route One, take Municipal Dr out to US 1 and turn south, following Route 1 (with Route 9) through the rest of town. Past the town line the highway becomes Portland Rd in Saco and then Main St, which brings you to 485 Main St after about 8.2 miles, all toll-free with no need for the Turnpike. The office is just off the interstate with ample parking, and the Google Maps listing shows the exact pin. Families who live in the villages closer to Saco can use our Dunstan and Pine Point pages instead.
Built Around Busy Scarborough Families
Scarborough is a busy Cumberland County town about 7 miles south of Portland, crossed by I-95, I-295 and US 1. The Town of Scarborough runs before- and after-school programs, summer camps and activities for youth, teens and active adults. Days are full, and dental visits have to fit between practices, programs and work.
Our weekday schedule starts at 7 AM, so a child's cleaning can happen before the school bell and a parent's checkup before the office. Booking siblings back to back saves a second drive. Family members can often be scheduled in the same appointment block; just ask when you call.
Weekends in town might mean Higgins Beach, Scarborough Beach State Park or Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. Weekday mornings are when we can help, and an early slot keeps the rest of the day clear.
Parents get attention too, not just the kids. While a child is in for a cleaning, an adult can often have a checkup during the same trip, and a cracked molar can often be fixed with a CEREC crown that most patients receive the same day. One trip down Route 1 can cover more than one person's care.
What Scarborough Parents Should Know About Early Dental Care
A child's first dental visit should happen by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth, whichever comes first. That early appointment is short and friendly, and it lets the dentist check how teeth are coming in and coach parents on brushing. Fluoride varnish and, later, sealants add protection for growing teeth.
Orthodontic timing matters too. An orthodontic evaluation by age seven can spot crowding or bite problems early, and Phase I treatment between ages seven and ten is used when a child needs it. Starting early does not always mean braces; often it simply means watching development with a plan.
New patients ages 12 and under without dental insurance can begin with a $99 cleaning, exam and x-ray, as long as there is no periodontal disease. It covers a full cleaning, an oral health exam and all standard x-rays, which makes it easy to try the practice with a younger child.
Some children have a tongue-tie or lip-tie that affects feeding or speech. Dr. Losardo performs tissue release in the office, and the CO2 laser listed among our technology is used for frenectomy procedures.
Children with autism, sensory processing differences or developmental delays are welcome too. Visits can be given extended appointment times and sensory-friendly techniques, so the pace suits the child rather than the clock. If a cavity does form, tooth-colored fillings, stainless steel crowns and pulp therapy are all part of pediatric care here.
Dentist Scarborough, ME Services for Kids, Teens and Parents
Pediatric Dentistry
From first visits through the teen years, children see a board-certified pediatric dentist who also treats patients with special needs. Our page on children's exams, cleanings and preventive care explains what each checkup covers.
Orthodontics
Invisalign, metal braces, Empower self-ligating braces and clear ceramic brackets are all offered. Scarborough teens and adults get iTero scans instead of messy impressions.
Tissue Release
Tongue-tie and lip-tie release for children is handled by our pediatric dentist. Parents get a clear explanation of when release can help and what recovery looks like.
Family Dentistry
Exams, cleanings, tooth-colored fillings and emergency care keep parents on track alongside their kids. For a broken or knocked-out tooth, the office makes every effort to see you the same day you call.
Dental Hygiene
Cleanings, fluoride and sealants form the routine side of care. Hygienists also treat early gum problems with scaling and root planing under local anesthesia.
Meet Your Dentists
Dr. Julia Losardo is a board-certified pediatric dentist who was born and raised in Saco, graduated as valedictorian from Boston University's dental school and served as Chief Resident in her pediatric residency at Nova Southeastern University and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Dr. Amanda Paradis is our orthodontist; she trained in orthodontics at Case Western Reserve University after earning her dental degree at UNE.
Insurance & Financing
Families often carry plans such as Delta Dental, Cigna, Anthem or Unum, and our team submits claims for you. We do not accept MaineCare at this time. For orthodontic or restorative costs, Cherry and CareCredit offer monthly payment options.
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What Our Patients Are Saying
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Biddeford Saco Dental Associates from Scarborough, and how do I get there?
From Scarborough Town Hall the office is about 8.2 miles away, roughly 17 minutes by car. Head out Municipal Dr to US 1 and stay south as it becomes Portland Rd and then Main St in Saco. For anyone choosing a dentist Scarborough, ME families can reach without tolls, that single highway covers the whole trip.
Who treats tongue-tie and lip-tie in young children?
Dr. Losardo, our board-certified pediatric dentist, performs tongue-tie and lip-tie release for children in the office. She starts with an evaluation of how the tie affects feeding, speech or comfort, then explains whether release makes sense. The practice lists a CO2 laser among its technology for frenectomy procedures, and aftercare steps are reviewed with parents before you leave.
Can my child stay with the same pediatric dentist from toddler to teen?
Yes. Our pediatric dentist treats children from their first visit, ideally by the first birthday, all the way through adolescence. Seeing the same doctor year after year helps nervous kids relax and gives the dentist a long view of how teeth and bite develop. When orthodontic care is needed, the orthodontist works in the same building.
What happens if my child needs a filling on a baby tooth?
Baby teeth still need repair, because they hold space for adult teeth and help with chewing and speech. Small cavities get tooth-colored fillings, while larger decay may call for a stainless steel crown or pulp therapy. Our pediatric team explains the options in plain terms, and comfort choices such as nitrous oxide are available for children.
Can my child be sedated for dental work?
Yes, several comfort options exist for children. Nitrous oxide uses a small nasal mask, keeps a child conscious and wears off within minutes. For children who need more, oral conscious sedation is given before the visit, and general anesthesia for children is provided by a board-certified anesthesiologist in a hospital or surgical center setting.
Schedule Your Visit from Scarborough
If you have been looking for a dentist Scarborough, ME parents can trust for every age in the house, call (207) 282-9962 and ask for a 7 AM start. You can also browse the areas we serve, or return to the Dentist Saco, ME homepage.