Family Dentist in Traverse City, MI
At Traverse Dental Associates, we take care of the whole family under one roof, from a toddler's very first cleaning all the way through a grandparent's long-term restorative work. That means one set of records, one team that already knows your family's history, and one phone number to call whenever something comes up. We're located at 555 S. Garfield Ave in Traverse City, and we're welcoming new patients from across Grand Traverse County.
The practice is led by Dr. Christina Mazzola and Dr. Christopher Mazzola, who are the fourth generation of their family to run it. They work alongside three other dentists, including Dr. Lumbrezer, who specializes in comprehensive cosmetic care.
Together, the team focuses on dentistry that's built to last, and they get to know patients over years and decades rather than just one appointment at a time. Whether you've been coming in regularly or it's been a while since your last visit, you'll be met with warmth either way. When you're ready to get started, give us a call at (231) 947-0210.
Nobody should walk into a first appointment wondering what's about to happen, so here's a simple look at what you can expect as a new patient with us.
Before anyone picks up an instrument, we sit down and talk. We want to hear about your health history, anything that's bothered you in the past, and what you're hoping for down the road. We actually read what you write down and ask follow-up questions, so by the time that first conversation wraps up, you know us and we know you. If you'd like to get a head start, you're welcome to read about our team and four generations of family dentistry in Traverse City before you come in.
Every exam includes X-rays and a careful look at your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw joints. Our doctors are trained in occlusion, which is simply how your teeth fit together when you bite down, as well as TMJ disorders. That means we're looking at how everything works as a whole, not just checking for cavities.
If your jaw pops, aches, or you wake up feeling sore in the morning, we take that seriously, and it's often where TMD treatment begins. For kids, we also keep an eye on how their bite and jaw are developing as they grow.
Your hygiene visit covers the everyday essentials: cleaning, polishing, and a quick walkthrough of what's going on in your mouth. If we spot any early signs of gum trouble, like bleeding or pockets forming along the gumline, we'll bring it up right away so we can get ahead of it. Early conversations about gum disease treatment make a real difference in the long run. For kids, we keep things relaxed and unhurried so the visit feels like a normal errand rather than something to stress about.
If a few things need attention, we'll help you figure out what to tackle first and what can wait a little longer. If you'd rather take care of everything at once, that's a perfectly fine conversation to have too. Either way, you'll leave with a clear picture of what we found, what we'd recommend, and why. You're also welcome to browse the full range of services we offer to get a sense of what's possible.
Most families come in twice a year, though we might suggest a little more often if your gums or grinding need closer attention. Those steady check-ins are really what keep small issues from turning into bigger ones over time.
Catching a cavity at a routine checkup usually means a simple filling. Leave that same cavity alone for a year and it can turn into a crown or a root canal. That's why staying consistent with your visits does so much of the work for you. The same idea shapes the restorations we place. We plan them with your bite and jaw function in mind so they hold up for years and don't need to be redone down the road.
For kids, starting young and having calm, unhurried visits builds a comfort with dental care that tends to stick with them into adulthood, which is exactly why we keep children's appointments light and low-pressure.
When you stay with one team over time, we get to know what's normal for you, which means we're more likely to notice when something changes. A tooth that's wearing faster than the others, gums that have started bleeding, a child's bite that's shifting as they grow, these are the kinds of things that are easy to miss without that continuity. We pay attention to those shifts because your gum health, sleep quality, grinding habits, and jaw comfort are all connected to how the rest of your body feels.
Because so many types of care happen under one roof, most family needs can be handled right here without sending you across town. That includes:
We're a great fit for families who want a real relationship with their dental team and care that's built to last. If any of the following sounds like you, you'll likely feel right at home here:
One thing worth mentioning: if you're looking for the quickest, most no-frills cleaning possible and nothing beyond that, we're probably not the best fit. Our exams are thorough by design, and we take the time to have real conversations with every patient. That's just how we practice.
Before your first visit, it helps to bring a list of your current medications, a general sense of your medical history, and any dental records you can track down. If you tend to get anxious at the dentist, just let us know when you book so we can plan ahead, whether that means arranging sedation or simply giving the appointment a little more breathing room.
For kids, keeping things low-key in the days before helps more than you might expect. When a dental visit is treated like a normal errand rather than a big deal, children almost always walk in more relaxed.
Once you're home, the everyday habits do most of the work. Brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and cutting back on constant snacking and sipping goes a long way toward preventing decay between visits. If you've had restorative work done, we'll send you home with specific care instructions for that tooth so you know exactly what to expect.
For patients who grind their teeth at night, a custom-fitted bite splint can protect your teeth from that wear and is often a key part of how we approach TMD treatment. Keeping up with your regular visits matters just as much as any procedure we do, because dentistry that lasts is built on steady, ongoing care. And if something comes up between appointments, we're always happy to help, so don't hesitate to reach out.
We've been caring for Traverse City families for four generations. Dr. Christina Mazzola and Dr. Christopher Mazzola now run the practice their great-grandfather started, and that long history shapes the way we think about care. We're not focused on a single visit. We're focused on how your teeth and your family's health hold up over years and decades.
The team around them covers a wide range of needs. Dr. Lumbrezer specializes in veneers, whitening, and full-mouth smile planning, and she has advanced training through the Pankey Institute in how the bite, jaw, and overall function all work together. Dr. VanHorn focuses on restorative, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry, and Dr. Swan leads our surgical and implant care.
We do. We provide pediatric dentistry alongside adult care, so a preschooler and a great-grandparent can both be patients here. Having everyone in one place makes scheduling easier and means our team always knows your family's history.
Earlier than most parents expect, honestly. Those first visits are mostly about helping your child feel comfortable in the chair, giving us a chance to watch how their teeth and jaw are coming in, and sending you home with practical tips on brushing and what they're eating.
That's one of the most common things we hear, and we're really good at working through it together. We follow the child's lead, explain everything in words they can actually understand, and let them get a look at the tools before anything happens. Most kids walk out feeling pretty proud of themselves.
You won't. We're not here to make you feel bad about the past. We'll show you what we find, explain what it means in plain terms, and help you figure out the best place to start. That's it.
We do. Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation are both available, and Dr. VanHorn has a dedicated focus in this area. If anxiety is something you deal with, just mention it when you call so we can build the appointment around your comfort from the very beginning.
Most of it stays right here, which is one of the things patients appreciate most. Implants, surgical care, gum disease treatment, dentures, crowns, cosmetic work, TMJ and bite therapy, and sleep apnea appliances are all handled in our office. It's a big part of why other dentists in the area trust us with their more complicated cases.
Four generations of Traverse City families have sat in these chairs, and we'd be glad to add yours. It doesn't matter what brings you in. Maybe it's a child who needs a first checkup, a tooth that's been bothering you, or a smile you've quietly been thinking about for years.
Whatever it is, our first step is always a conversation. If you'd like to get a feel for who you'll be meeting, you're welcome to get to know our doctors and team before you come in.
When you're ready, call us at (231) 947-0210 and we'll find a time that works for your whole household.
We look forward to meeting you. Call 231-947-0210 to set up your first visit. We'll be in touch soon.
