Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Health
Dentists on Washington has been named one of the best dental offices in Philadelphia by multiple platforms. We take pride in our 5 Star Google Rating!
What can I expect on my first dental visit?
At your first visit, we would like to get to know you and your mouth. You will fill out some paperwork and we will take any necessary X-rays. Then our dentists will perform a full examination of the inside and outside of your mouth, checking all of your soft tissues to make sure they look healthy, and also check your teeth. They will review your X-rays with you, show you your dental anatomy, and review their findings with you. If they find that treatment is needed, they will show you the problem and explain the solution.
They will also talk to you about the best way for you to care for your teeth at home. They will then formulate a treatment plan for maintaining or improving the health of your mouth and answer any questions you may have. Our front desk staff will then review the treatment plan with you and review any fees and copays associated with your treatment. If you’d like to begin treatment, most times we can accommodate you on the same day.
What do I need to know about my dental treatment plan?
You should know what the treatment involves and ask any questions that you may have. We are happy to answer questions. Our front desk will always review any fees with you prior to any treatment beginning. Many times patients prefer to maximize their time in our office and complete their treatment in as few visits as possible, however, this is not required. We can schedule you to perform as much or as little work as you would like to do on the day of your treatment.
What are the best ways to overcome my dental anxiety?
First off, please understand that it is totally normal and common to experience dental anxiety. It’s not easy to come to the dentist and we understand that. We have some tools in the office to help take your mind off of the treatment, such as we have an IPad that hangs from our overhead dental light where you can watch a show on Netflix.
The best recommendation we can give to a nervous patient is to start small: Schedule an exam and X-rays only, if you’re up for getting a cleaning we can do that as well, or you can make a separate appointment for your cleaning, or other treatment. Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible. We want you to understand that you are in control. If there’s something that is uncomfortable, please speak up and let us know so that we can make you more comfortable.
What if I have a dental emergency?
Please call us right away. Many times, we can see you and treat your emergency on the same day you call. We always try to answer our office phone, even when the office is closed. If you get our answering machine, we will call you back shortly. Dental emergencies, in rare cases, can be life-threatening if left untreated. It’s best to have your dental emergency addressed quickly.
Dentists on Washington (Philadelphia) – Phone: 215-389-9889
Dentists on Washington (Crossing) – Phone:(215) 321-7500
What about appointments for dentures?
We make dentures and are happy to help you with making a new set of dentures whether it is a complete or partial denture.
Can I make an appointment on your website or should I call?
You can request an appointment via our website and we will get back to you via email. There is a good bit of information that we need to gather prior to your first visit, especially if you have dental insurance, so a phone call to the office is often the fastest way to make your appointment and get the info we need. (215) 389-9889.
What should I do if I require pre-medication?
If you are sure that you need to pre-medicate and you no longer have the medication, please call us with your pharmacy information and the medication you take for your premed and we can call in a prescription for you.
What should I bring to my first dental appointment?
Please bring any dental insurance information and your ID card. We are currently limiting the number of guests that a patient can bring to their visit. We ask that you limit your accompaniment to one other person or if you are able to come solo, that would be preferable.
It’s been a long time since I’ve visited the dentist. What do I need to do?
Please give us a call so that we can make an appointment for you. The best time to improve or maintain your dental health is now.
I’m interested in changing the shape of my teeth. What options are available?
First, we should schedule you for a dental consultation. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for improving the aesthetics of your smile. There are many options and we can customize a plan to give you a smile you deserve.
What are my options for whitening my teeth?
We have been using Zoom In-Office Whitening for many years and patients are thrilled with the same-day results they get from this whitening system. It takes about an hour and a half to take your teeth from where they are to as light as they can be.
My tooth is cracked, how do I proceed?
Please give us a call as soon as possible so that we can schedule a visit to our office to evaluate the cracked tooth. The cracked tooth may not hurt at this moment, but if left untreated can develop into a very painful situation.
When should I take my child to the dentist for their first check-up?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a visit to the dentist as soon as your child’s first tooth appears. This is typically around the age of 1, sometimes sooner. We see many children for their first dental visit. The idea is that seeing a dentist early on will allow us to screen for any problems and at the same time help your child to acclimate to the idea of a dentist looking in their mouth. It also gives us a chance to talk to the parents about how to best care for their baby’s teeth and to make any recommendations and answer any questions that the parents may have.
My child’s baby teeth have cavities. Should they be filled?
Most times, yes, they should be filled. However, if your child has an adult tooth erupting underneath the baby tooth and the baby tooth may fall out soon, at times we can skip the filling. The presence and position of the adult tooth would need to be verified with an X-ray and the recommendation to fill the cavity or not fill the cavity is an individualized recommendation.
What are dental sealants and why do my kids need them?
Dental sealants are used to prevent cavities. We are fans of dental sealants. The biting surfaces of our teeth have a natural topography of grooves and crevices. That makes them difficult to keep clean. When food, plaque, and bacteria sit in these grooves and crevices for too long a cavity will begin to form. We use sealants to seal up these grooves and crevices by bonding a liquid-filling material within them. It is a light-cured, BPA-free, composite resin material that will make these areas of the teeth smooth and easy to clean thus preventing a cavity from forming.
