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Vol. LXIV, No. 6
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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Vol. LXIV, No. 6
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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 BEST SERVICE: “Customer service is our main priority. We care about our patients, and we make every effort to give them the best service. Our patients come first.” Dr. Todd Singer, periodontist and owner of Brighter Dental Care in the Montgomery Professional Center in Skillman, is proud of the company’s comprehensive group practice and the new state-of-the-art facility. |
Time for that six-month visit to the dentist? If just thinking about it makes you sweat, you are not alone. For many, fear of the dentist ranks right up there with an income tax audit or worry over a lay-off at work. Anxiety-producing, for sure.
It doesn’t have to be that way, and Brighter Dental Care is here to prove it! The comprehensive group practice just opened in a new state-of-the-art facility in the Montgomery Professional Center at 46 Vreeland Drive in Skillman.
Owned by periodontist, Todd Singer, it offers a professional staff of 15 doctors and dentists, including general and family dentists, periodontists, endodontists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and implant and cosmetic specialists.
One of five Brighter Dental Care offices in New Jersey, it strives to provide the best care for patients in a setting where different specialists practice under one roof, thus furthering communication among them.
Highly Qualified
“We offer a comprehensive group practice,” explains Dr. Singer. “If you have a specialized problem, the best work is done when you go to a specialist, and it’s the convenience here of having everyone all together. It’s a real team effort, and there’s nothing we can’t do. All our doctors and dentists are highly qualified.
“We have a special atmosphere, with a family practice, which is so important to the doctor/patient relationship, but with a multi-group practice enabling patients to get special care when needed right here.”
Dr. Singer strongly believes in educating his patients. It’s important for them to understand what is necessary, and it also lessens anxiety, he points out.
“We pride ourselves on educated patients. We explain everything we will do and why. It is very important to have a complete consultation with patients, and spend the time with them — whatever it takes for them to understand what we are going to do.”
The spacious new center offers numerous rooms for the various specialists, including an “open air” orthodontic area, so that kids can sit together, as braces are checked and adjusted.
Children and adults alike enjoy the massaging dental chairs and the private flat screen TVs available in each room. These are designed to help patients relax, says Dr. Singer. “There are multiple types of anxiety reduction — from the techniques we utilize, to the environment we provide, to our quality personnel.”
Common Problems
In addition, he notes, “Improvements in dentistry have been dramatic. For example, periodontal disease, an infection in the gum, is one of the most common problems affecting many adults. Every new adult patient receives a periodontal evaluation, and the treatment for this is much less painful than in the past.”
It is very important to have this examination, he adds. “People who have diabetes, heart disease, or stroke have a high incidence of periodontal disease, and vice versa.
“One of the amazing things is how oral health and general health are intertwined. It is important for people to be proactive about their overall health and dental health. They are so tied together.”
Another important development is the increased use of implant therapy, reports Dr. Singer. An implant replaces a missing tooth (or teeth), and is inserted into a portion of the jaw bone. It is very strong and can last a lifetime. It is expensive, however, and that can be an obstacle. Dr. Singer points out that multiple payment plans are available to help patients.
Those gleaming, dazzling-white smiles of many celebrities and politicians so frequently seen today are very often the result of a variety of teeth-whitening products. Brighter Dental Care offers Zoom in which a special light activates an in-office whitening response, and eliminates the need for trays, strips, and other paraphernalia.
“We believe this is stronger than other methods,” points out Dr. Singer, “but results do vary depending on the individual.”
Several Shades
Teeth can be lightened several shades, but a more natural look is often preferable to those dazzling white smiles that are so obviously obtained from an outside source.
Cavities, a plague to generations of patients in past times, have waned since the introduction of fluoride in drinking water. In fact, many children today rarely experience cavities in any number.
So much of this positive outcome is also dependent on regular visits to the dentist — a far cry from days long ago when people rarely, if ever saw a dentist — perhaps only to have a tooth extracted, prompted by a severe toothache.
In contrast, today there are retainers to keep teeth from shifting after the braces are removed, night-guards to prevent grinding and clenching, special toothpastes to strengthen the enamel and soothe sensitive teeth and gums — the list goes on.
Nothing, however, is more important than regular dental check-ups and cleanings, at least twice a year. And for those with a sweet tooth, Dr. Singer advises moderation. Don’t overdo the Coke, candy, and sugar. That doesn’t mean munching only on carrots, but just exercising common sense.
“We want to do all we can for our patients. We are here for them,” he emphasizes. “They are our first concern. And, in addition to appointments, we want them to know they can call us anytime when there is an emergency.”
Brighter Dental Care offers a variety of payment plans and accepts many dental insurance plans. The Skillman office is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 8 to 1.
Call (609) 683-5300 or visit www.brighterdental.com.