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Adventure Dental Vision Orthodontics

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Adventure Dental, Vision and Orthodontics

E. Mississippi Ave & Chambers in Aurora Plaza

15121 E Mississippi Ave
Aurora, CO 80012
303-802-1022

Kid's Dentist and Vision Care

Welcome East Aurora Families!

Looking for a dental practice that prioritizes compassionate and high-quality care for your child? Look no further than Adventure Dental, Vision, and Orthodontics in East Aurora. Our team of skilled children's dentists, ophthalmologists and orthodontists is dedicated to ensuring your child feels comfortable and relaxed during their visit to our fun and welcoming office.


Our Dentists

Under the guidance of Dr. Archana Mahajan, our team provides a range of pediatric dental services including exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, cavity fillings, tooth extractions, dental sealants, and crowns.


Pediatric Vision Care

Ensuring your child's vision is healthy is crucial for them to achieve their full potential. That's why Dr. Justin Pierskalla offers comprehensive pediatric vision exams to screen for common issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. If your child is experiencing any vision challenges, Dr. Pierskalla and his team of experts will provide personalized care and advice to ensure your child's vision is not hindering their education or other activities.


Orthodontic Care

Our orthodontist, Dr. Melvin Peterson Jr., specializes in helping children achieve a beautiful and healthy smile, which can boost their confidence and self-esteem while also reducing the risk of cavities, periodontal disease, and teeth grinding.


East Aurora Location, Hours & Insurance

At Adventure Dental, Vision, and Orthodontics in East Aurora, we understand that convenience is key for busy families. Our office is located at 15121 E. Mississippi Ave,. E. Mississippi Ave. & Chambers in Aurora Plaza. We offer flexible appointment hours to fit your schedule, Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. We accept Children’s Medicaid as well as most insurances, and Medicaid may cover orthodontic care when medically necessary.


We believe that your child's dental and vision health is a vital component of their overall well-being. Come visit us to experience compassionate, high-quality dental and vision care for your child, and be a hero to your kids by scheduling an appointment today.


Hours of Operation

  • Monday - 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

  • Tuesday - 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

  • Wednesday - 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

  • Thursday - 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

  • Friday - 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

  • Saturday - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  • Sunday - Closed

OTHER NEARBY LOCATIONS

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Our Featured Providers

Dr. Archana Mahajan

Dental

Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Dental Surgery - Prestigious & Nationally Accredited Schools of Southern India
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery - University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
  • Class Valedictorian

Dr. Archana Mahajan

(Dr. Mahajan or Dr. M)

Dental

Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Dental Surgery - Prestigious & Nationally Accredited Schools of Southern India
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery - University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
  • Class Valedictorian
Why did you become a dentist?
My passion for dentistry grew as a teenager when I visited my dentist and was attracted to the way dentistry was performed. During my high school years I noticed there was a significant lack of education in my community for preventive dental health and I desired to help my community. My artistic skills and passion for medical science lead me to pursue an education in dentistry.
Interesting Facts

My time is dedicated to my family and being a mom. I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and daughter through hiking, traveling, exploring new places, and cooking Indian food. I love exploring creative ways to fulfill my passion for art through painting mixed media on canvas. My childhood years in India impacted greatly my love for spirituality and now I practice various types of yoga & meditation.

Dr. Justin Pierskalla

Vision

Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology - University of Minnesota Duluth
  • Minor in Chemistry - University of Minnesota Duluth
  • Doctor of Optometry - Illinois College of Optometry

Dr. Justin Pierskalla

(Dr. Justin)

Vision

Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology - University of Minnesota Duluth
  • Minor in Chemistry - University of Minnesota Duluth
  • Doctor of Optometry - Illinois College of Optometry
Why did you become a optometrist?
I have always been interested in working in the health care field. I worked as a vision tech at a private practice optometry clinic while in undergrad. I really enjoyed learning as much as I could from the optometrists while I was there and decided to continue learning by going to optometry school.
Interesting Facts

I was born and raised in a small town in Minnesota. I have 3 brothers and am very close with my family. I am a big Minnesota sports fan, Skol Vikings! I have lived in Colorado for 3 years with my finance who is from Colorado. We have two cats who keep us very entertained.

Dr. Rita Taylor

Dental

Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology - Hampton University
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery - Meharry College School of Dentistry

Dr. Rita Taylor

(Dr. Taylor)

Dental

Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology - Hampton University
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery - Meharry College School of Dentistry
Why did you become a dentist?
I chose a career in dentistry after being inspired by my own orthodontist as a child. I think dentistry is an awesome vehicle to serve others.
Interesting Facts

I am married and the proud mommy of a nine year old daughter and a six year old son. When I'm not practicing dentistry you can find me at my second job, a private chauffer for my kids (ha!) shuttling them to dance, piano, karate or soccer practice. My family enjoys traveling, hiking, or producing our own little musicals. In my spare time, I absolutely love to either sing jazz or channel Beyonce and dance like no one is watching!

Dr. Nick Byars

Dental

Education
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music - University of Arkansas
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery - University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Dr. Nick Byars

(Dr. Nick)

Dental

Education
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music - University of Arkansas
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery - University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Why did you become a dentist?
I first was interested in dentistry when I was about 8 years old. My dad's best friend J. Stringfellow is a dentist and he never failed to make my sister and I feel welcomed at his office. He treated us kindly which left a strong impression on my sister and I. We would both later pursue dental careers. My interest was childish and naive at first, but fortunately through volunteer assisting and education, it developed into a mature appreciation for the occupation.
Interesting Facts

I love practicing Beethoven piano sonatas. I am a slow learner and the reward of learning a new piece is so worth the struggle. I have two cats named Chippy & Cherry, they are the sweetest girls I've ever known. Once of my favorite things to do in Denver is go watch the Nuggets play.

Dr. Laura Szuba

Vision

Education

I attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. There I obtained a B.S. in Kinesiology and my doctorate degree in optometry (OD) from the Indiana University School of Optometry. In addition to being a student intern at IU I did my externship training at Camp Lejeune Hadnot Point Medical Center on base in North Carolina, Eyecare Consultants in Evansville, IN, and The Eye Institute of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT.

Dr. Laura Szuba

(Dr. Laura)

Vision

Education

I attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. There I obtained a B.S. in Kinesiology and my doctorate degree in optometry (OD) from the Indiana University School of Optometry. In addition to being a student intern at IU I did my externship training at Camp Lejeune Hadnot Point Medical Center on base in North Carolina, Eyecare Consultants in Evansville, IN, and The Eye Institute of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT.

Why did you become a optometrist?
I have been thinking about becoming an optometrist ever since I got my first pair of glasses in fifth grade. Being able to see clearly with a simple pair of glasses at this age was incredibly impactful. I tried other career paths in college, but kept coming back to the idea of optometry. I enjoy being able to help others while doing a job that keeps me interested and on my toes.
Interesting Facts

I grew up in northern Indiana, but have always adored the mountains. After spending eight years as a student at Indiana University, it is inevitible that I am a big IU basketball fan. My fiance and I have a puppy named Kiwi, who keeps us very busy. I enjoy playing volleyball, hiking, skiing, and just about anything else that involves athleticism or exploring the mountains.

Melvin Pederson Jr.

Education

I earned my Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. I then went on to earn my Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After dental school I completed a residency in orthodontics and earned my Masters of Science in Orthodontics (MS) at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon.

Melvin Pederson Jr.

(Dr. Pederson)

Education

I earned my Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. I then went on to earn my Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After dental school I completed a residency in orthodontics and earned my Masters of Science in Orthodontics (MS) at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon.

How did you start your carrer
I decided to become an orthodontist because I wanted to be able to make people happy and improve their confidence with a great smile.
Interesting Facts

My wife and I have two Miniature Schnauzers named Kepler and Copernicus.

Dr. Becky Ho

Dental

Education

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology & Cell Science - University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida

Doctor of Dental Medicine - University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dr. Becky Ho

(Dr. Becky)

Dental

Education

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology & Cell Science - University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida

Doctor of Dental Medicine - University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Why did you become a dentist?
I want to dedicate my decision to become a dentist to my grandma. Whenever I visited home from college, my grandma would always praise her dentist. Not only did her dentist restore her smile but also help her regain function of eating and talking, which she loved to do. She lit a tiny spark of fire in my head which then encouraged me to volunteer at a local dental school. That experience opened up a whole new world and the rest was history. My experience during dental school reinforced even further that this was the right career path for me. It is a profession where art meets science, two of my favorite subjects during school. I love seeing patients leaving my office with the biggest smile on their face.
Interesting Facts

I believe every kid deserves equal opportunity and the highest quality of health care regardless of socioeconomic status. Hero allows me to bring smiles to children in under deserved communities. I really enjoy working with kids. I want to see them feeling confident in their smiles which can help them be happy and successful in life.

MEDICAID ACCEPTED

Insurance, we've got you covered.

We welcome Children's Medicaid and most insurance plans. Our mission is to expand care access so that every child has a chance to thrive.

Dental Plans Accepted

  • Colorado Medicaid
  • Health First Colorado
  • CHP+
  • Tri-Care
  • United Concordia
  • Delta
  • Aetna
  • Metlife
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Connection Dental GEHA
  • UHC
  • Guardian
  • Humana
  • Principal
  • Dentegra
  • TDA
  • Dentemax
  • Sun Life Financial

Vision Plans Accepted

  • Colorado Medicaid
  • Denver Health
  • CHP+
  • EyeMed
  • Spectera
  • TriCare
  • UHC (Medical)

Amazing place for kids to get vision care and dental. Staff and doctors were so kind, professional and both front desks and back office kudos! My niece can’t wait to go back! Keep up the great work you all are appreciated!

Michelle W.

Happy Momma

High Quality, Compassionate Care

It's What We Do Best!

It's our mission to ensure that every child and family has access to affordable high-quality, compassionate care. Our kid-friendly offices, high-quality staff, flexible scheduling, and a variety of insurance options make us the perfect fit for your family.

Learn about our Dental Services Learn about our Vision Services Learn about our Orthodontic Services

Click Below to Learn More

Kid's Dentist

Providing high-quality, affordable dental care for kids in Aurora is what we do best! A child’s first dentist visit should occur after their first tooth emerges or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. Getting an early start on oral care habits puts your child on the healthiest path.

Dental Cleanings

Sometimes brushing just isn’t enough, and kids need professional dental cleanings! During dental cleanings, we use special tools and skills to remove plaque from hard-to-reach spots. We also check for early signs of tooth decay so that we can treat any issues that arise before they become a more serious problem. For children who are more susceptible to tooth decay, fluoride treatments and sealants are necessary to protect and maintain the strength of their teeth.

Dental X-Rays

Dental x-rays are tools that allow dentists to monitor oral development and check for any potential diseases or decay that can impact your child’s dental health. Dental x-rays are special because they reveal areas of the teeth that are invisible during dental cleanings.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride gives your teeth the nutrients they need to stay healthy! Fluoride is a natural mineral that protects teeth from decay and maintains tooth strength. During regular dental visits, we paint a concentrated fluoride varnish directly onto tooth/teeth surfaces that need protection. Tooth vitamins are beneficial throughout a child’s life, and they are an important part of healthy dental hygiene.

Cavities & Fillings

The most basic form of tooth decay is cavities, especially for toddlers and children. A cavity develops plaque builds up and eats at the tooth enamel. This creates a hole in the tooth called a cavity. Sometimes cavities are hard to prevent, but proper dental hygiene, a healthy diet, and biannual dental cleanings are the best defense. When a cavity is found, the dentist removes the decay and fills in the hole with a filling.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants protect teeth against harmful bacteria and tooth decay. Even with excellent oral hygiene, the grooves on the surfaces of molars are vulnerable to collections of food and bacteria that can potentially lead to decay. Dental sealants give teeth an extra layer of protection, and they are an important part of preventative oral care.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are placed on top of damaged teeth that need to be restored to their correct size and shape. Sometimes a filling is not enough to restore a tooth that is decayed or compromised. In this circumstance, dental crowns are necessary. A dental crown is applied in one appointment using some form of anesthetic.

Tooth Extraction

There are times when a tooth needs to be extracted. These cases include when a tooth is extensively damaged or decayed, when a baby tooth needs help coming out, and when additional room is needed in the mouth in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

Dental Sedation Options

In every dental procedure and at every visit, we want to minimize potential distress to keep kids calm and comfortable. Dental sedatives make dental procedures easy for children. Select locations provide dental sedation options, and a referral is required.

Chipped Tooth Care

Teeth can accidentally chip or break during play. Thankfully, we have ways to fix chips and breaks! Contact your dentist immediately if your child has a broken tooth. During the emergency visit, the dentist will examine the child’s mouth. Sometimes, the tooth fragment can be reattached. If you are able to locate the chipped tooth fragment, put it in a bag with water or saline and bring it to the dentist's office. If the tooth fragment can’t be found, there are additional ways to repair the tooth.

We are your kid's dentist in Aurora!

Insurance and Medicaid

Good news families! Medicaid and most dental insurance plans cover two dental cleanings and checkups per year. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining oral health. Book an appointment with us for your child today!

Vision Services

Kid’s eye doctors can make your child’s future clear!

Regular eye exams are crucial for preparing babies, kids, and teens for educational, social, and developmental success. Vision issues can cause kids to struggle with school, sports, their peers, and daily activities. A vision check-up is a great way to make sure your child is healthy and prepared for success.

Nearsightedness

If your child has a hard time focusing on things in the distance, they may have Myopia. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive disorder that makes it difficult to see objects far away, while things up close are crystal clear. The symptoms can include:


  • Blurred vision when looking at objects at a distance

  • Squinting

  • Eyestrain

  • Eye fatigue when looking at objects far away


Nearsightedness can impact a child’s safety, education, and socialization. Thankfully eyeglasses, contact lenses, or eye surgery can correct nearsightedness. Take your child to routine eye exams to detect potential issues and help them stay healthy.

Farsightedness

If things are too close for comfort, your child may have Hyperopia. Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is a common condition that makes objects close up difficult to see, while objects far away are clearly focused. With farsightedness, the light rays in the eyes focus behind the surface of the retina instead of directly on the retina, which makes close-up objects blurry. The symptoms may include:


  • Blurred vision

  • Trouble focusing on things close by

  • Eyestrain

  • Eye fatigue

  • Headaches when performing tasks close-up


Farsightedness can impact a child’s self-esteem and educational abilities. Thankfully it is easy to correct with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Book an appointment for a vision exam to make sure your child is prepared for success!

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common condition that makes objects blurry, regardless of distance. With astigmatism, the eye isn’t able to focus because it is not completely round. Kids with astigmatism often perceive the blurriness as normal, which makes it difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can include:


  • Blurred Vision

  • Distorted Vision

  • Eyestrain

  • Headaches


Like other common eye issues, astigmatism can impact safety, socialization, and school performance. Thankfully astigmatism can be treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Make an appointment for an eye exam to make sure your child is prepared for success!

Lazy Eye

A lazy eye is called Amblyopia. In amblyopia, one eye does not properly reflect light which causes it to underperform. When a child has a lazy eye, their body follows the direction of the normally performing eye which can impact depth perception. Symptoms can include:


  • Issues with depth perception

  • Frequently squinting or shutting one eye

  • Tilting head to focus


For the most effective and simple treatment, early detection is key. To set your child up for success, schedule a routine eye exam today!

Cross Eyes

Cross eyes, or strabismus, is a relatively common eye condition in which the eyes are sometimes misaligned. With strabismus, the eye's muscles are out of sync which causes the eyes to look in different directions. If left unaddressed, strabismus can result in a lazy eye or cause other types of vision problems. Thankfully there are a few different treatment options. If you are concerned your child has cross-eyes, book an appointment for an eye exam.

Fashionable Frames

Many parents struggle to get their children to wear eyeglasses. Thankfully we carry over 350 Medicaid-approved frames to ensure your child can find the perfect pair to suit their age, size, fashion, and lifestyle. We want every child to feel cool, confident, and comfortable when wearing eyeglasses!

Insurance

We don’t want any child to struggle with learning challenges due to undetected vision problems. If your child is experiencing vision issues, we can help. We accept Medicaid and most insurance plans so that your child can have regular vision check-ups and glasses at little or no cost to parents.

Orthodontic

Orthodontic Braces

Orthodontic braces are beneficial because they correct jaw alignment and teeth spacing. The benefits of braces can increase your child or teen’s confidence and self-esteem, in addition to improving many aspects of dental health, including:


  • Improve ability to chew food

  • Alleviate speech impairment

  • Make brushing, cleaning, and flossing teeth easier

  • Reduce the risk of cavities and periodontal disease

  • Reduce the occurrence of grinding and chipping teeth

  • Reduce the risk of injury from protruding teeth


For many people, braces are an important part of oral health!

Finding the Right Braces

There are several different types of braces that are commonly used today. It is important to choose the right type of braces based on your treatment plan, cost and desired appearance. We can help you decide!


  • Traditional Metal Braces are the most common type of braces. They are affordable and highly effective. Metal braces are easy to accurately adjust during monthly visits, and kids and teens get to choose fun elastic band colors!


  • Ceramic or Porcelain Braces are similar to metal braces, but the brackets and wires are designed to blend in with your kid or teen’s teeth. These braces are more expensive than metal braces, and they require dedicated, regular cleaning to prevent discoloration. If you want your braces to be less noticeable, ceramic or porcelain braces are a great option.


  • Removable Aligners have become increasingly popular. Removable aligners are transparent trays that rest on top of teeth and need to be removed for meal times and other activities. Removable aligners are more expensive than metal braces, and the treatment requires a level of personal responsibility. Not every kid is up to the task! Removable aligners are not designed to correct significant bite problems, but if you are looking for a less noticeable way to correct alignment issues, this solution may be the right treatment option for you.


Affordable Braces

Medicaid and many other insurance plans acknowledge the importance of braces for oral health and may cover the full cost of orthodontic treatment. If you have Medicaid, your child needs an orthodontic evaluation to determine whether or not the treatment is covered. If you have private insurance, you can learn about your orthodontic coverage options by contacting your insurance provider.

If you do not have insurance coverage, we offer multiple affordable payment plans. Our orthodontic care coordinators can review these options and assist you in determining a plan that works for your family.

Orthodontic

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children are screened by age seven. By age seven, it will be clear if a child has any jaw alignment problems, overcrowding, overbite or underbite, crossbite, or other orthodontic issues that may impact their mouth. It is important to receive an orthodontic evaluation early so that we can quickly determine if braces are needed, and if so, choose the best treatment plan.


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