1. How long before I can eat after a regular cleaning and exam?
You should wait a half hour ONLY if there is a fluoride treatment.

2. How long until I can eat after fillings, crowns, extractions, etc?
Always wait until your anesthetic wears off. Extractions require special instructions. If you have any doubts ask the Dentist.

3. Does your practice take children and how old should they be before their first dental visit?
We recommend that children be taken to the dentist at any age that you suspect a problem. It is important to get your child off to a good start, so we recommend that you bring them along for an adult hygiene appointment one or more times to get them familiar with our office. Then, when they are more receptive we will try to do an exam and possibly begin cleaning their teeth. This can be as early as 1 ½-2 years but more often by 3 or 4.

4. Do you PARTICIPATE with my dental insurance?
We will be happy to process all insurances for you. However, we currently participate with the following plans:

• Blue Cross Dental
• UCCI Penn State Nittany Dental Plan
• School Claims
• Guardian
• UCCI Advantage Plus Plan
• Delta Dental

5. What is the difference between Invisalign and Clear Braces?
Invisalign consists of removable clear trays. Clear braces are clear cemented plastic or porcelain brackets on your teeth. The only visible part is the wire or any metal placed on the back teeth. For more information visit www.invisalign.com.

6. What are sealants?
Dental sealants are a clear protective coating that is applied to the biting surfaces of the tooth. The sealant protects the tooth from getting a cavity by shielding against bacteria and plaque.

7. Do you do Silver (Amalgam) fillings?
Due to important and technological advances such as ceramics and composite (tooth colored) fillings we rarely do silver amalgam fillings.

8. What is a Dental Implant and does your practice do them?
Yes our practice does do dental implants. A dental implant is a permanent metal device designed to replace missing teeth. The device is usually made out of titanium and is surgically placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. A dental implant is designed to act as the tooth root and can anchor an artificial tooth such as a crown, bridge or denture.

9. How often should I change my toothbrush?
Adults and children should change their toothbrush every three months and after illness.

10. Why is it important to have wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth can cause crowding in your mouth and may cause problems if they are impacted.

11. Does your practice have Nitrous Oxide?
Yes we are equipped with Nitrous Oxide to use at any time.