Michael LaCorte DDS PC

My child has been a patient of Dr. Michael La Corte“s for 14 years starting at the age of 3. She is now 17. Never missing yearly exams and twice a year cleanings. Dr. La Corte missed a serve crossbite, that was functionally necessary that it be corrected. Her upper teeth did not touch her lower teeth at all on one side. After seeing a new dentist and finding this out. She now needs to wear braces for at least 2 years. This should have been taken care of before the age of 16. Once the child becomes an adult its very hard to correct, if at all. This is a very serious dental problem that was never addressed. There is more to being a good dentist than a friendly staff, nice office and a toy chest.

We’ve been going to Dr. LaCorte for over 6 years. When our son was little he refused to be examined in the dental chair, so he was examined standing in the corner as he wanted. One time Dr. LaCorte was putting on blue exam gloves and my son said, «I want him to wear purple gloves,» so Dr. LaCorte put on purple gloves. As our son aged he was willing to sit in the exam chair, but only if he could sit on my lap. So, his exams, fillings, cleanings have all been done sitting in my lap.
Neither of our kids have any fears of going to the dentist. Our daughter has had cavities in her front teeth for about 1.5 years. Dr. LaCorte is keeping a good eye on them, but since they don’t hurt her and should fall out soon, he is not putting her through the experience of getting fillings. (He did put caps on her back teeth because those won’t fall out for many, many years to come.)
He was just as noninvasive with our son’s chipped front tooth. It was only one tooth and it didn’t hurt him. Dr. LaCorte watched the tooth. Then our son complained it hurt one day. We were able to get a same day appt. After x-​rays, an exam, and questioning our son (who decided it didn’t hurt afterall,) he recommended holding off on intervention. Eventually the tooth fell out and our son was spared unnecessary (expensive) intervention.
I am shocked at all the pediatric dentists that refuse to allow parents in the exam room once a child turns three. How traumatizing that must be for the little kids. Parents, you have a voice. Do not let dentists bully you or your children. Select a dentist that supports parental presence. Dr. LaCorte has always been gentle and does not push lots of interventions. See him or another dentist with the same beliefs and standards.

Remind me I need to call my parents and have a serious conversation with them. I want to know what kind of quack dentists they were taking me to as a kid because they were no where near the kind of dentists my little one has seen in the past two days.
Dr. LaCorte came very highly recommended as the best pediatric dentist in town. I didn’t care that I’d have to drive an hour to get there, I just wanted this kid of mine to be seen by a specialist.
As I mentioned in my previous review, my son is a nightmare patient. Pretend you’re a dentist and have a brat kid who won’t even open his mouth. That’s our situation. I’ve tried explaining things to my son. I’ve tried bribing and even threatening with a call to Dad. Nothing works. He says he’ll listen to the dentist but he refuses right at that moment. Dr. LaCorte and his assistants are miracle workers. The crying, kicking and screaming don’t even seem to faze them. I was apologizing and they told me they see that all the time. Yikes for them. As soon as I saw the doctor, I immediately felt like I’d seen him before. It hit me that I think he looks and sounds like Jon Lovitz. Huge plus, people. I’d much rather see that than someone that looks like Cheney walking towards my child.
All in all the appointment was a success. We’re going back next month for the real work and I’m glad my son is in good hands.
P. S. The waiting area has a preschool playing area and a mini arcade with play station 2’s. A dark mini arcade complete with black lights and stars on the walls. Yes. They. Do.