Pottstown Dentist

Even though most babies don’t start getting teeth until they are six months old, it’s still important to start practicing infant dental care as soon as possible. We recommend their first visit in Phoenixville PA around their first birthday in order to ensure that their teeth and gums are properly cleaned and cared for.
Try to get in the habit of cleaning your child’s gums soon after birth. They might be a little fussy at first, but they will soon get used to having their mouth cleaned. Many children even grow to enjoy tooth brushing as part of their daily routine.

During your baby’s first year, it’s important to be aware of a few conditions. These conditions include teething, pacifiers, and baby bottle tooth decay.

Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth in Phoenixville PA, dental sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic “coating” is painted onto the surface of the tooth. This effectively “seals” the deep grooves, acting as a barrier and protecting enamel from plaque and acids.
Sealants protect the depressions and grooves of your teeth from food particles and plaque that brushing and flossing can’t reach.
Easy to apply, sealants take only a few minutes to seal each tooth. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and can last several years before a reapplication is needed in Limerick PA.
Children and adults in Douglasville PA can benefit from sealants in the fight against tooth decay.

On some occasions, a child in Douglasville PA may need to go to an operating room in order for the doctor to safely complete needed dental treatment.  This may be recommended for our smaller patients who are unable to follow directions or need dental treatment that may be difficult for the child to tolerate.  There is now an alternative option:  Silver Diamine Fluoride, or S.D.F.

Silver Diamine Fluoride is relatively new to the United States and Limerick PA but has been extensively used and studied for several decades in other countries.  It is an antimicrobial liquid that is brushed onto cavities to stop tooth decay.  There is no drilling and no injections.  The silver component in the product acts as an anti-microbial agent that kills bacteria and prevents further formation while the Fluoride acts to prevent further decay.  The only downside to this product is Silver Diamine Fluoride blackens decay on the tooth.  This may not matter on a back molar or a baby tooth that is about to fall out but needs to be taken into consideration.  Please ask us if this might be a good option for your child in Phoenixville PA. 

We are dedicated to helping your child in Douglasville PA achieve and maintain excellent oral health from infancy through their teen years. Without proper dental care, children face possible tooth decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain, infection, and adversely affect communication, learning, and normal growth and development. Luckily, our dental team in Limerick PA has the experience and qualifications to care for your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout the various stages of childhood.

Nitrous Oxide is a sweet-smelling, non-irritating, colorless gas which you can breathe.

Nitrous Oxide has been the primary means of sedation in dentistry for many years, especially in Phoenixville PA. Nitrous oxide is safe; the patient receives 50-70% oxygen with no less than 30% nitrous oxide.

The patient is able to breathe on their own and remain in control of all bodily functions.

There are many advantages to using Nitrous Oxide

• The depth of sedation can be altered at any time to increase or decrease sedation.
• There is no after effect such as a “hangover”.
• Inhalation sedation is safe with no side effects on your heart and lungs, etc.
• Inhalation sedation is very effective in minimizing gagging
• It works rapidly as it reaches the brain within 20 seconds. In as little as 2-3 minutes its relaxation and anxiety reducing properties develop

Occasionally a child in Douglasville PA needs to be unconscious to allow Dr. Rich to safely complete all proposed dental treatment.  Dr. Rich has access to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Malvern Surgical Center where they have the tools and technology to safely put the child into a deep sleep by using General Anesthesia.  This is the same kind of sleep a child would have for the removal of tonsils or placement of ear tubes in Limerick PA.  Your child will be able to go home the same day of the treatment.  

Dr. Rich might recommend Sleep dentistry if your child:

• Cannot relax or calm down enough for treatment to be performed safely
• Needs a large amount of restorative work that can best be done in one long appointment
• Needs extractions or other treatment that might be hard for the child to tolerate while awake
• Has a disability that limits the child’s ability to understand directions and be treated safely in Phoenixville PA

At Pottstown Family, Pediatric & Cosmetic Dentistry, our team is prepared to answer all questions pertaining to your dental health and appearance. Oral hygiene, specifically brushing and flossing, are a vital part of your dental health. We can also answer your questions about the different dental specialties and explain the meaning of dental terms.

Many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths in Douglasville PA from years past. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. Composite resins create fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also add strength to weakened teeth.

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn’t necessarily have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth in Limerick PA they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

A bridge is a device used to replace missing teeth in Phoenixville PA. It attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges), or they can be removable. Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

If you’re missing one or more teeth in or around Douglasville PA, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking. With missing teeth, it’s difficult to do these things. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. The implants are tiny titanium posts which are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, dental implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.
“At the age of 7I had an accident causing my front lower tooth damage. Many, many procedures later the tooth could not be saved and I wore an appliance for about 8 years when at the age of 39 I decided it was time to get a dental implant. There are many choices, including getting your implant in Mexico at a resort. There is also a place nearby that claims to do it in one day. Neither seemed trustworthy to me. I chose Dr. Patel and Dr. Smith to place my implant. Dr. Patel and Dr. Smith met regularly and kept me fully informed on the progress of each step. There were some “unknowns” in the process and thankfully the experience could not possibly have been better. I am so happy with my result and my choice of Dr. Patel and Dr. Smith. My only regret – I should have done it sooner!”
N.G, Pottstown

Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums, which gradually destroy the support of your natural teeth. There are numerous disease entities requiring different treatment approaches. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Daily brushing and flossing will prevent most periodontal conditions.

Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life in Douglasville PA. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily.

Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film, which sticks to your teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing, you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.

Bruxism is a habit of grinding or clenching the teeth. Clenching means you tightly hold your top and bottom teeth together. Grinding is when you slide your teeth back and forth over each other. Bruxism can happen at any age, to children or adults in Phoenixville PA.

Many people with bruxism wake themselves up in the middle of the night with a loud clenching or grinding sound. Sometimes the sound is so loud that parents or sleep partners can hear it. For other people, bruxism may be silent.

A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.

You may determine that you need a tooth extraction in Phoenixville PA for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health.

To avoid these complications, in most cases, we will discuss alternatives to extractions as well replacement of the extracted tooth.

ur goal is to provide dentistry in Limerick PA that is undetectable and yet functions like natural teeth. We replace existing defective crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth. A crown will restore a tooth to its normal shape, size and function. Its purpose is to strengthen or improve the appearance of a tooth.

Where damage to a person’s teeth is extreme, and apparently beyond repair, we can use all ceramic, metal free restorations to make the smile appear “as new”. This is an extremely reliable technique for repairing the most severe of dental problems in Phoenixville PA, even permanently replacing missing teeth to offer a complete smile and a functional bite. We are renowned for the quality of our work and the fantastic changes we make for people using this technology. These treatments are used for a long-lasting correction of major dental problems. It is usual for these treatments to last for 20 to 30 years, which is as close to permanent as dental treatment can get.

“After waiting many years to have 2 crowns replaced, I let Dr. Patel do her magic. The team here did a wonderful job restoring my smile, wow. Great job team!”
B.W, Gilbertsville.

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.

Placing custom veneers in Phoenixville PA requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. We place veneers routinely and design each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient’s smile.

Bonding is an alternative to veneers and can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misarranged. Bonding can be a great way to improve your smile in Douglasville PA.

How does it work?

The tooth is prepared for the procedure by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance, giving you a new and improved smile in Limerick PA.

Considerations

The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit near Phoenixville PA and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before the need of repair.

Having a beautiful smile in Douglasville PA may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple bleaching procedure.

What are the details of teeth whitening?

It’s safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.

The invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces. To discuss Invisalign in the Pottstown PA area, please feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment.

For more information on Invisalign, please visit www.invisalign.com.

• Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
• The aligners are made through a combination of ‘s expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.
• You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
• As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position has prescribed.
• You’ll visit about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
• Total treatment time averages 9 – 15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.