General Family Dentistry in Wilmington, DE
Welcome to Bruce E. Matthews, DDS, PA, the dental practice of Dr. Bruce E. Matthews, Dr. Brian Matthews, Dr. Daniel Matthews, and Dr. Katie Matthews. Dentistry is a family affair at our dental office, and we love welcoming families and patients of all ages. When you visit our office, you'll be partnered with a gentle and thoughtful dentist who takes a vested interest in your oral care.
If you're seeking a dentist in Wilmington, DE, we invite you to contact a member of our team to schedule an examination today. Also, reach out if you would like information about our services.
Preventive Dentistry vs. General Family Dentistry
Preventive dentistry provides the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Preventive services include: 
- Twice-yearly dental checkups
- Twice-yearly teeth cleanings
- Periodic x-rays
- Oral cancer screenings
- Dental sealants
- Fluoride treatments
- Other specific services meant to prevent costly and complicated dental issues down the road
We customize your preventive treatment to help you achieve your best dental health. Our dentists have found that twice-yearly exams, periodic x-rays, and professional teeth cleanings lower your risk for gum disease, dental emergencies, and cavities.
General dentistry provides the necessary maintenance to keep your teeth and gums healthy, which may include but isn't limited to:
- Fillings
- Root canal therapy
- Extractions
- Restorations
What Dental Technologies Do You Use?
Our team uses technologies that educate our patients about their oral health, brighten smiles, or allow for a safer and more comfortable dental experience. Intraoral cameras, for example, will enable you to see close-up images from inside your mouth. These intraoral images help your dentist better explain your specific treatment plan and help you make more informed decisions about your dental care.
How Often Should I Visit the Dentist?
We recommend getting twice yearly for exams and cleanings. If you have specific oral health conditions like periodontal disease or if you suffer from sleep apnea, your dentist in Wilmington may customize your treatment schedule to better care for your oral health situation.
What Happens During My Child's First Dental Visit?
Parents are always invited to be with their children during treatment, and we will proceed at the child's pace. Our team is gentle with children, and we work hard to help them feel positive and confident about their dental habits when visiting the dentist. Parents can view their child's oral status with our modern monitoring system, so you are always informed about their dental needs.
Do You Treat Dental Emergencies?
Our emergency dentists in Wilmington, DE, always set aside time to provide urgent dental care, and our staff works hard to get you seen as soon as possible. Dental emergencies may include a toothache, broken or damaged tooth, missing tooth, or oral bleeding and swelling.
Always contact our dental office in Wilmington at the first sign of a dental emergency in Wilmington, DE. Even if you need an emergency dental appointment after hours, one of our dentists will take your call and help you through your situation.
Will My Wilmington Dentist Help Me with Anxiety?
Feeling anxious before a dental checkup is common. However, if you suffer from anxiety, we offer sedation dentistry––like nitrous oxide and oral sedation––so you can still receive the dental care you need. For those patients with severe anxiety, we may also consider sleep dentistry. Our dentists are very gentle and compassionate, and nervous patients are often surprised by the easy care they receive in our dental office.
What Services Do You Offer Besides General Dentistry?
Preventive and general dentistry help keep your smile healthy. One of the benefits of good dental care is that it usually makes you an excellent candidate for cosmetic dentistry in Wilmington.
Cosmetic dentistry may include:
Professional Teeth Whitening
Our professional teeth whitening system is heads above anything you can purchase without a prescription; this includes store-bought gels and trays.
Tooth Crowns
Dental crowns cover a prepared tooth to provide strength following trauma or deep root infection. They can also conceal tooth flaws, misshapen teeth, gaps, and stubborn stains. We customize the crown's color and shape to blend with your surrounding teeth and provide a consistent smile.
Veneers
These ultra-thin shells go across the front surfaces of your teeth to create a uniform smile. Veneers conceal discoloration, flaws, cracks, chips, height discrepancies, and gummy smiles. Your Wilmington dentist can usually complete the veneer process in as little as two dental visits.
Dental Bonding
Bonding relies on a tooth-colored resin material to conceal your tooth flaws. Bonding is a simple and inexpensive cosmetic option to hide discoloration and reshape a tooth.
Dental Implant Restorations
Dental implants are slim posts made of sturdy titanium that your dentist surgically implants into the gums. Over several months, these posts bond with your jawbone to create a stable support for a restoration tooth. You can opt for an implant-supported denture or bridge if you have several missing teeth. Dental implants improve your smile but also help prevent bone loss in your jaw and stop your teeth from shifting.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a clear alternative to traditional metal and wire braces. Invisalign relies on clear aligners to bring your teeth into position over time. You can remove your aligners when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing!
Six Month Smiles
You can straighten your teeth in six short months with Six Month Smiles. These tooth-colored braces are virtually invisible and concentrate on your smile line, making them an excellent option for older teens and adults.
Other Services 
In addition to cosmetic dentistry, we also offer therapy for sleep apnea! Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder that means you stop breathing several times during the night. This can lead to daytime sleepiness, mood issues, and more severe problems like heart attack and stroke.
Contact Our Wilmington, DE Family Dental Office Today
We invite you to call our family-friendly dental office to schedule exams for yourself and your loved ones.
We proudly serve patients in Claymont, Marcus Hook, Ashton, Brookhaven, Kennett Square, Wallingford, Philadelphia, PA, and beyond.
What Does General Dentistry Entail?
General dentists do the important work of treating any dental issues you might have. They diagnose problems, create treatment plans, and do maintenance work, such as:
Tooth Fillings
Tooth decay creeps up on even the diligent among us. If decay has caused a cavity, it's important to stop the rot and let a general dentist fill it in.
Tooth Extractions
If tooth decay progresses far enough, a general dentist may need to remove the tooth entirely. This is important for keeping your mouth healthy.
Teeth Restorations
If you're missing a tooth, a general dentist can offer tooth restoration options, including dental implants. Implants are a long-lasting option for replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did you know that modern dentistry is virtually painless? For moderate anxiety, however, nitrous oxide and/or oral medication is available. For patients with more severe issues, sleep dentistry may be an alternative to consider.
For more information on anxiety-free dentistry, call the Wilmington, DE dental practice of Dr. Bruce Matthews, DDS today to schedule an appointment or consultation!
The options for repairing or replacing damaged teeth vary drastically based on your unique needs. After careful diagnosis of your particular situation with our state of the art diagnostic tools, we offer a full range of solutions to your dental health issues. These treatments range from non-invasive, cosmetic-only procedures to full mouth reconstruction, employing implants and permanent restorations.
Our experienced dental team can help you evaluate your needs for your oral health, and for your budget and help you choose the best treatment options. We look forward to helping you repair your smile and get healthy!
For more information on your restorative dentistry options, give Dr. Bruce Matthews, DDS a call today at (302) 475-9220.
Our friendly and compassionate receptionist will greet you warmly. Then, you can ask questions and turn in your paperwork, copay, insurance information, identification, and other requested documents.
After you get to know our receptionist, you’ll wait briefly to see the dentist.
Typically, this initial visit includes:
- Fresh x-rays
- A comprehensive dental exam
- Professional teeth cleanings
- A conversation with the dentist about exam findings
- Treatment planning as needed
- Answers to any questions you might have
Your visit will vary if you come to us for a specific reason other than a preventive appointment, such as a cosmetic dentistry consultation or assessment for tooth replacement.
We understand that sometimes patients think of questions after their appointment—even after they’ve left our dental office. Never hesitate to contact a team member for clarity and guidance.
What to Bring to Your First Dental Appointment
You should bring the following to your first dental visit:
- Completed paperwork (or arrive a few minutes early to complete any forms)
- A recent health history, including current medications
- Your insurance card (CareCredit card if you want to finance treatment)
- Valid identification
- Recent dental health diagnosis and x-rays, if available
Your Dentist in Wilmington, DE, Can’t Wait to Meet You
If you have any questions for our team, call us at (302) 475-9220 today.
Our dentist in Wilmington, DE, is always happy to welcome new patients and families into our dental practice. Whether you’re new in town or are looking to establish dental care with a practitioner in the area, we can help.
Family Dentistry at Bruce E. Matthews, DDS, PA
We offer a wide range of dental care options, including but not limited to:
- General family dentistry
- Emergency dentistry
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Tooth replacement
- Invisalign
- Six Month Smiles
- Sleep apnea therapy
- And more
By offering a wide range of dental treatments and services, you and your family can keep your care in-house with the team you know and trust!
Family dentistry means we can treat all your loved ones, including children and senior adults, in one convenient location. You’ll no longer have to drive around town to ensure everyone sees their dentist. We can even try to schedule your family members on the same day!
Our goal is to make dentistry convenient and accessible for busy area families.
Getting Started in Our Dental Practice
First, contact our dental office to schedule a visit for yourself or family members; a team member will advise you from there.
We are always happy to chat if you have questions about our treatments and services.
Our dentists recommend that patients in good dental health visit our Wilmington dental office every six months, or two times per year, for teeth cleanings and x-rays. Patients who are managing gum disease may need one or two teeth cleanings each year in addition to their biannual visits.
You will see your dentist at each of these preventive visits for an examination and screening for concerns like tooth decay or gum disease. These checkups also help to ensure that any dental restorations you currently have are not breaking down and that they are functioning correctly. Six-month checkups allow us to detect many concerns like cavities in their earliest stages, enabling you to treat them with less expensive and minimally invasive procedures.
Your hygienist provides a thorough teeth cleaning during your preventive appointment, which helps to remove any excess plaque buildup that you might've missed at home. This is also a great time to receive tips on proper brushing and flossing techniques from your hygienist that will help you improve your home care routine.
Is it time for your next teeth cleaning and checkup? Even if it's been a while, your dentist in Wilmington, DE is ready to welcome you to our friendly dental practice. We are a judgment-free team looking to help you achieve your goals for your dental health.
Meet Our Doctors:
Bruce Matthews DDS
Dentist
Bruce E. Matthews, DDS is a Wilmington native. He graduated from the University of Delaware and obtained his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Georgetown University. He completed his General Practice residency at the Wilmington Medical Center.
Dr. Matthews maintains active memberships in the American Dental Association, the Delaware State Dental Society, and is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. He is state chairperson of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and a member of several local study clubs. He is also a member of the DIDER Board (Delaware Institute for Dental Education and Research). Additionally, he is ...
Brian Matthews DMD
Dentist
Brian Matthews, DMD is a 2006 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, with a degree in Biology/Neuroscience. After of year of Neurologic research at Penn, Dr. Matthews entered Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry, where he achieved membership to various academic honor societies.
He graduated in 2011, and began a General Practice Residency at Christiana Care Health System, in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Matthews enters the family practice with great enthusiasm, skill and compassion.
Achievements:
- Graduated, honors with distinction, from the University of Pennsylvania, 2006
- Co-author of "Immediate Short-Duration Hypothermia Provides Long-Term Protection in an In Vivo Model of Traumatic ...
Daniel Matthews DMD
Dentist
Daniel E. Matthews, DMD is the second of five children. He graduated from Georgetown University and received his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry from the University of Pennsylvania.
He completed his General Practice dental residency at Christiana Care in June 2006 and joined our dental team in July.
Dr. Dan is a member of the American Dental Association, Delaware State Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Dan and his wife reside in Wilmington.
Achievements:
- Graduated from Georgetown University in 2001
- Graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 2005
- Completed hospital-based residency in General/Family Dentistry at Christiana ...
Katie Matthews DMD
Dentist
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Katie Matthews, DMD is from Hamilton Square, NJ. She completed her education in Philadelphia, PA, worked in private practice, and was an attending at a pediatric dental residency program for a number of years. She recently joined her husband and father-in-law in the family practice of Bruce Matthews, DDS and continues to practice at the local children’s hospital in Wilmington, DE. Dr. Katie and her husband, Dr. Daniel Matthews, reside in Landenburg, PA with their three children.
Dr. Katie’s emphasis on patient comfort, as well as keeping up-to-date with the latest advancements in pediatric dentistry, enable her ...
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