Philadelphia Dentist Patient Education
At our Philadelphia Dental Office, Dr. Renee Yurovsky, DDS would rather you walk in knowing what's going to happen than sit there wondering. So we wrote up the basics on the treatments we do most. Read through whatever applies to you, and bring your questions to your appointment.
Patient Dental Education
Most of the questions we hear in the chair are the same few: Will it hurt? How long does it take? What happens after? We put the answers here so you can read them at home, without feeling rushed. If something isn't covered, just ask us at your next visit.
Checkups, Cleanings and Gum Health
A checkup is where we catch the small stuff before it turns into a big repair. Dr. Yurovsky checks for cavities, gum problems and wear on your teeth. If your gums need more than a regular cleaning, we may suggest scaling and root planing, a deeper cleaning below the gumline. You can read more about gum disease and keeping your mouth healthy.
Fillings and Bonding
Got a cavity? We clean out the decay and fill the spot with a tooth-colored material, usually in a single visit. Dental fillings are one of the most common things we do. Bonding works the same way but fixes chips, small gaps or stained spots instead.
Crowns, Bridges, Inlays and Onlays
Sometimes a tooth is too broken down for a filling to hold. That's when a crown makes sense: it fits over the whole tooth and protects it. Missing a tooth? A bridge fills the gap by attaching to the teeth next to it. And if only part of a tooth needs rebuilding, inlays and onlays are a good in-between option.
Root Canals and Extractions
Root canals have a bad reputation they don't really deserve. A root canal clears infection from inside the tooth so you get to keep it. When a tooth can't be saved, we do an extraction and then talk through what to replace it with.
Replacing Missing Teeth
You have two main choices. Dental implants replace the root and hold a crown that looks and feels like your own tooth. Dentures replace several teeth or a full arch, and they come out for cleaning. Which one fits you depends on your bone, your budget and how many teeth are missing.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Want a whiter smile? Start with teeth whitening. For chips, gaps or teeth that never whiten evenly, Lumineers and veneers cover the front surface. Crooked teeth can be straightened with Invisalign clear aligners. Dr. Yurovsky also offers Botox and dermal fillers.
Night Guards, Sports Guards and TMJ
Lots of people grind their teeth at night and don't know it until a tooth chips or their jaw aches in the morning. A custom night guard takes that pressure off. Play a contact sport? A sports guard made for your mouth fits better than a store-bought one. Jaw clicking or pain that won't go away may need TMJ treatment.
Care Instructions After Your Treatment
Lost the sheet we gave you? No problem. Here are our aftercare instructions:
Still Have Questions?
Call us at 215-545-1202 and we'll walk you through it. Coming in for the first time? Check our new patient page, fill out your forms before you arrive, or book an appointment. In pain right now? Go to our dental emergency page.