FAQs

Your child should visit the dentist when his/her first tooth appears, or by his/her 1st birthday. The dentist will make sure your child's teeth are healthy and developing properly. This will also help your child become accustomed to visiting the dentist from an early age. 

Our office will treat patients with special needs on a case-by-case basis. If your child is unable to sit for their appointment, we will discuss other options with you. 

Children should be seen every six months for a check-up and cleaning. Additional appointments may be necessary to complete any additional treatment (fillings or sealants, for example).

In order for us to treat a child without their parent or guardian present, you must issue your consent. Please call our office and we will assist you.

While some family dentists will treat children, pediatric dentists have additional education and training regarding oral care for children.

It is important to keep baby teeth healthy for a few reasons. Baby teeth create a path for permanent teeth to erupt, they aid in the development of speech, and they aid in chewing. We recommend restoring baby teeth to prevent future issues. 

You may stay with your child during his/her appointment if you wish. However, to protect the safety and privacy of our patients, we only allow one parent per child in the treatment area. If you are bringing more than one child to the office, we advise that you bring a second adult to tend to children in the waiting room while you are in the treatment area. 

Although we can provide orthodontic treatment at any stage in life, we recommend that your child visits the orthodontist around age seven. Your child's dentist will also make recommendations about the best time to see an orthodontist. 

The orthodontist will check your child's bite and the development of their permanent teeth. They will also look for any crowding or spacing issues. Your child may be able to begin interceptive treatment before he/she has all of his/her permanent teeth. Beginning orthodontic treatment early on yields better and faster results. 

Treatment can last anywhere from 12 months to more than 36 months, depending on the severity of the problem. In order to get the shortest treatment time possible, it is necessary to maintain your orthodontic appointments and follow the instructions of the orthodontist. 

The cost will vary according to each patient's treatment needs, however orthodontic treatment generally ranges from about $4,500 to $6,500. Insurance benefits vary according to company and plan, and it is best to call your insurance company to determine your orthodontic coverage. 

Our office does offer Invisalign. Because you can remove Invisalign, you are able to brush and eat normally. The clear, plastic aligners are also less noticeable than traditional metal braces. An orthodontist can determine which treatment options will give you the best results. 

Be sure to brush at least twice a day and floss daily. Avoid chewy, sticky foods which can get stuck in your appliances as well as sugary foods. Follow the instructions your orthodontist gives you and be sure to keep your orthodontic appointments. Continue to see your general dentist for check-ups every six months. 

Our office offers deep sedation, which is administered by a qualified nurse. We also offer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Your oral surgeon can suggest which option is best for your surgery.

f you are being sedated for surgery, you will need someone to drive you. We require that your ride stays in our office during your surgery. Do not drive for at least 24 hours after being sedated.

If you are being sedated, do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery. If you eat or drink, your surgery will need to be rescheduled.  

Please ask our staff to determine if it is safe to take your oral medication.

Wear loose-fitting clothing and a short sleeved t-shirt. Do not wear heavy makeup, jewelry, or perfume the day of surgery.

If you were given sutures during your surgery, do not fail to have them removed. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled.

Do not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for the first 48 hours after surgery. Elevate your head and rest for 48 hours following your surgery. Do not drink from a straw. Avoid alcoholic beverages and smoking until healing is well established.  

Gently apply ice to the area for 20 minutes on, 10 minutes off for the first 48 hours after surgery.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office at 610-628-1228 or our emergency line at 267-560-2526.

You should see the dentist every six months for a regular check-up and cleaning. 

We use porcelain, metal-free fillings. These fillings look natural and do not contain mercury.

Our office offers veneers, in-office teeth whitening, and full mouth rehabilitation. Our cosmetic dentists can help you get the beautiful, natural smile you deserve with the course of treatment that is best for you.

Our office offers Bleach Bright teeth whitening. You must receive a consultation prior to whitening as the bleach solution cannot be used on unhealthy teeth. A bleach solution is put on the teeth and a light placed over the mouth. The procedure lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

We recommend that you begin brushing with a sensitive toothpaste one to two weeks prior to your whitening appointment and after you complete treatment. This can help reduce sensitivity, however some sensitivity may still exist.

An endodontist specializes in the treatment of the root and pulp of the teeth. Endodontists use root canal therapy to restore the tooth.

Your dental provider will let you know if you need a root canal, however some of the possible symptoms are:

- An abscess on the gums
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Severe pain
- Swelling and/or tenderness
- Sometimes there are no symptoms

It is important to visit your general dentist regularly to maintain oral health and identify any potential problems.

While the tooth is numb, a rubber dam (a sheet of rubber) will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva. An access opening is made on top of the tooth and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. If tooth decay is present, it will also be removed. Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are needed, a temporary filling will be placed. At the next appointment, usually a week later, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with special dental materials. A filling will be placed to cover the opening on top of the tooth. In addition, all teeth that have root canal treatment should have a crown (cap) placed. This will protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking, and restore it to its full function. After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed.

Periodontists are specially trained to help identify and correct any issues with the supporting structures of the teeth. They also perform cosmetic procedures to modify the gums to enhance the health and beauty of your teeth.

Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gingival/gum tissue without loss of supporting bone. Gingivitis is usually caused by bacterial plaque that accumulates in the small gaps between the gums and the teeth. Brushing and flossing on a daily basis and going to your dentist every six months for your regular cleanings could prevent this from happening. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can result in periodontitis, the severe inflammation of gum tissue along with loss of supporting bone around the teeth.

Dental implants can be used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Although there are a number of restorative options for the treatment of missing teeth, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as implants. Dental implants are stronger and more durable than other solutions, like bridges or dentures. Implants offer a permanent solution to tooth loss. The dental implants utilized at aaaSignatureSmile are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Our team here at aaaSignatureSmile uses the most recent and state-of-the-art technology in placing your implants. Our in-house oral surgeon and periodontist/gum specialist utilize this incredible technology to place the implants.

Healthy, well-contoured, pink gum tissue complements and frames the teeth. The esthetic framing of the gum tissue is as important to the teeth as a quality frame is to a painting. Gum tissue that is red and swollen and asymmetrical in appearance detracts from teeth that are otherwise healthy. If your teeth look small or short, gum contouring may be a solution for you. A cosmetic gum lift is a remarkably simple cosmetic procedure that can make a tremendous difference to one's smile.

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure performed by a periodontist to expose a greater amount of tooth structure for the purpose of restoring the tooth. The procedure can be used to help a crown fit better or to treat the appearance of a gummy smile.