Specialty Dentistry in Pennsylvania to Create Personalized Care

At Dental Care Associates, our goal is to provide you with personalized, specialty dental care so you can have a beautiful and confident smile.

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Our philosophy and approach to
special dentistry

Our dentists and dental specialists provide a wide range of dental services at our various locations. Our dental team is compassionate, and our main goal is to provide you with a comfortable, caring dental experience. Dental Care Associates aims to create lifelong health and naturally beautiful smiles by providing dentistry services over a broad spectrum of specialty dental treatments.

Did you know:

Did you know that the American Dental Association recognizes eight different types of dental specialties? We offer many of these services, including endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and more.

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Safe, Comfortable, and Easy Pediatric Dental Care in Pennsylvania

For children who display severe orthodontic irregularities, early orthodontic treatment can provide many benefits
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Safe, Comfortable, and Easy Pediatric Dental Care in Pennsylvania
Pediatric Dentistry

Why Pediatric Dentistry?

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment: 

  • Enhanced self-confidence and aesthetic appearance.
  • Increased likelihood of proper jaw growth.
  • Increased likelihood of properly aligned and spaced adult teeth.
  • Reduced risk of bruxing (grinding of teeth).
  • Reduced risk of childhood cavities, periodontal disease, and tooth decay.
  • Reduced risk of impacted adult teeth.
  • Reduced risk of protracted orthodontic treatments in later years.
  • Reduced risk of speech problems.
  • Reduced risk of tooth, gum, and jawbone injury.

When can my child begin early orthodontic treatment?

Pediatric dentists recognize three age-related stages of orthodontic treatment.  These stages are described in detail below.

Stage 1: Early treatment (2-6 years old): The main goal of early treatment is to provide enough space for the permanent teeth to erupt correctly.  

Stage 2: Middle dentition (6-12 years old): The goals of middle dentition treatments are to realign wayward jaws, to start to correct crossbites, and to begin the process of gently straightening misaligned permanent teeth.  

Stage 3: Adolescent dentition (13+ years old): Adolescent dentition is what springs to most parents’ minds when they think of orthodontic treatment.  

 

What to Expect

BeforeTreatment

Our goal is to provide a positive experience through comprehensive dental care for infants, children, and adolescents in a friendly and safe environment focusing on prevention and education. We will always do our best to make sure that your child is comfortable in a dental setting, working to ensure that the common fear of the dentist isn't something you'll have to worry about. Talking with your child about going to the dentist is always a great idea before their first dental treatment.

DuringTreatment

With the latest equipment and materials, including digital x-rays, which minimize radiation exposure to our warm, welcoming environment, our pediatric dental services ensure that your child has the best dental and oral care experience possible. Some of our pediatric dentistry services include:

  • Oral health
  • Cleanings
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Dental sealants
  • Digital x-rays
  • Tooth-colored fillings
  • Anticipatory guidance
  • Nutrition and diet counseling
  • Crowns
  • Orthodontics
  • Emergency care, including tooth pain relief and trauma management

AfterTreatment

After dental treatment, it is normal for your child to feel anxious or experience minor pain or discomfort. Feeding them soft foods, encouraging them to drink plenty of liquids, and get adequate rest is crucial to ensuring that they feel better – even if they just went in for a cleaning.

Your First Visit

During the first visit and every dental visit, your child is treated with kindness and patience. We build a personal relationship with your child to lay a foundation for good oral hygiene habits. We believe that trust and a positive attitude towards dental health begin on the first visit while we learn about your child’s needs and previous dental experience. Our dental team understands that every child is different, and we tailor our approach accordingly.

We will examine your child's jaw, teeth and face structure to determine the best course of action for your child. Part of creating a customized treatment plan my include a mouth guard. 

Mouth guards: Mouth guards, also known as sports guards or athletic mouth protectors, are crucial pieces of equipment for any child participating in potentially injurious recreational or sporting activities.  Fitting snugly over the upper teeth, mouth guards protect the entire oral region from traumatic injury, preserving both the esthetic appearance and the health of the smile.  In addition, mouth guards are sometimes used to prevent tooth damage in children who grind (brux) their teeth at night.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) in particular, advocates for the use of dental mouth guards during any sporting or recreational activity.  Most store-bought mouth guards cost fewer than ten dollars, making them a perfect investment for every parent.

 
Modern Dentistry

Modern Dentistry

All the latest technology can be found at all of our Pennsylvania, PA dental offices.
Judgment-Free Office

Judgment-Free Office

We're here to help you feel confident in your smile. We provide a safe, judge-free zone for any dental issue or concern you have.
On Your Schedule

On Your Schedule

Taking care of your dental health should fit within your schedule. We are open late and on weekends so you can get the care you need.

Insurance
and Financing

Are you worried about the cost of a visit to get partial or full dentures? Don't panic. We work with over 200 dental insurance plans and offer flexible payment plans for your convenience.

No Insurance?
No Problem.

Making An Appointment Is Easy

Don't have insurance? That's not a problem with us. We offer payment plans and accept most major credit cards, personal checks, and more.
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HEAR FROM OUR PATIENTS

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How can mouth guards protect my child?

The majority of sporting organizations now require participants to routinely wear mouth guards.   Though mouth guards are primarily designed to protect the teeth, they can also vastly reduce the degree of force transmitted from a trauma impact point (jaw) to the central nervous system (base of the brain).  In this way, mouth guards help minimize the risk of traumatic brain injury, which is especially important for younger children.

Will mouthgaurds prevent my child from injury?

Mouth guards also reduce the prevalence of the following injuries:

  • Cheek lesions
  • Concussions
  • Gum and soft tissue injuries
  • Jawbone fractures
  • Lip lesions
  • Neck injuries
  • Tongue lesions
  • Tooth fractures
What type of mouth guard should I purchase for my child?

Though there are literally thousands of mouth guard brands, most brands fall into three major categories: stock mouth guards, boil and bite mouth guards, and customized mouth guards.

Some points to consider when choosing a mouth guard include:

  • How much money is available to spend?
  • How often does the child play sports?
  • What kind of sport does the child play? (Basketball and baseball tend to cause the most oral injuries).

In light of these points, here is an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of mouth guard:

Stock mouth guards – These mouth guards can be bought directly off the shelf and immediately fitted into the child’s mouth.  The fit is universal (one-size-fits-all), meaning that that the mouth guard doesn’t adjust.  Stock mouth guards are very cheap, easy to fit, and quick to locate at sporting goods stores.  Pediatric dentists favor this type of mouth guard least, as it provides minimal protection, obstructs proper breathing and speaking, and tends to be uncomfortable.

Boil and bite mouth guards – These mouth guards are usually made from thermoplastic and are easily located at most sporting goods stores.  First, the thermoplastic must be immersed in hot water to make it pliable, and then it must be pressed on the child’s teeth to create a custom mold.  Boil and bite mouth guards are slightly more expensive than stock mouth guards, but tend to offer more protection, feel more comfortable in the mouth, and allow for easy speech production and breathing.

Customized mouth guards – These mouth guards offer the greatest degree of protection, and are custom-made by the dentist.  First, the dentist makes an impression of the child’s teeth using special material, and then the mouth guard is constructed over the mold.  Customized mouth guards are more expensive and take longer to fit, but are more comfortable, orthodontically correct, and fully approved by the dentist.