Questions for Your Wilmington Dentist
Educating yourself about you and your family's dental health is a smart thing to do, and that's why we've included a list of commonly asked questions below.
Your comfort is our biggest priority, and that's why we want you to have as much information as possible. If you can't find your question or have an additional one, please contact us at your earliest convenience.
General Family Dentistry
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 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.
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!
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.
Restorative dentistry in Wilmington, DE, is any treatment designed to correct a tooth issue. It can be a broken tooth, a crack, a chip, a dental cavity, or a restorative crown following root canal treatment.
Your dentist may recommend dental bonding if you have a small chip or fractures. This is a way to seal the chip using a tooth-colored resin that doesn’t detract from your smile.
We use tooth-colored fillings to seal teeth after cavity treatment. It is the same composite resin you’ll find in dental bonding.
Composite resin is a malleable material that your dentist uses to sculpt or fill a tooth imperfection. In cavity treatment, we apply the resin in layers until it is even with your tooth. In both cases, we use a special light to harden the material.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap cemented over a treated tooth. This protective measure prevents the need for extraction when your tooth is weak or damaged.
Other possible restorations include Lumineers, especially for cosmetic tooth flaws, and dental crowns to cap your dental implant in Wilmington.
Contact Your Wilmington, DE, Cosmetic Dentist
If you have a broken, malformed, or flawed tooth, we encourage you to contact our dental office to arrange a consultation with the dentist. In many cases, you can also remove silver fillings in favor of our tooth-colored option.
When you find a dentist you can rely on to take care of every member of the family, it definitely makes life less complicated. You spend less time running around town to multiple appointments, which can also minimize your stress level.
Dental Cleanings for the Family
Finding a Wilmington family dentist you trust means that you are more likely to be consistent with your routine preventive care visits. Your bi-annual teeth cleanings and checkups are so critical for protecting your smile.
Children can also feel comfortable building rapport with a dental team they trust, so there's no fear of the dentist in the future.
When you can build a relationship with your dentist, they will also know your health history and understand your goals for your smile. With this understanding, they can recommend the right plan for you to maintain your healthy and beautiful smile now and well into retirement.
As we age, our dental needs change. With consistent preventive care visits, your family dentist can help protect your smile through every stage of life.
Family Dentist in Wilmington, DE
Our dental team in Wilmington, DE is built with members of our own family and based on family values. We look forward to welcoming you into our dental family and caring for your smile for many years to come.
Becoming a board-certified pediatric dentist requires additional years of specialty training in children’s oral health, followed by a comprehensive examination through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. This credential reflects advanced expertise in caring for infants, children, and teenagers, including patients with special health care needs. At Bruce E. Matthews, DDS, PA, Dr. Katie Matthews has earned this board certification, allowing her to provide exceptional pediatric dental care that supports healthy, confident smiles from an early age.
A general dentist in Wilmington, DE, is a practitioner who offers general and preventive dentistry.
Preventive dentistry means regular checkups, teeth cleanings, periodic x-rays, and oral cancer screenings. Prevention is typically twice-yearly and helps you avoid costly and time-consuming dental care treatments in the future. General dentistry is dental maintenance and deals with the following:
- Tooth-colored fillings to treat tooth decay
- Root canal therapy to treat root infections
- Tooth replacement to restore missing teeth
- Periodontal treatment to restore gum health
- Emergency dentistry to treat pain and other issues
Our dental office treats patients of all ages, including children. And we also offer advanced therapies and cosmetic options like:
- Dental veneers for a Hollywood smile
- Professional teeth whitening to brighten teeth
- Dental bonding to affordably conceal flawed teeth
- Dental crowns to restore and enhance teeth
- Sleep apnea therapy to provide a safe and restful sleep
- TMJ treatment to save your smile and restore your well-being
- Orthodontics, including clear aligners and Six Month Smiles
Contact Your Wilmington, DE, Dentist to Schedule Your Next Visit
Are you looking to establish dentistry in our area? Is it time for your next checkup? Reach out to a member of our helpful team to get started or if you have questions about our dental treatments.
Do you have a broken, cracked, or missing tooth? If so, you may benefit from a dental restoration in Wilmington, DE. Dr. Matthew Bruce is highly skilled and experienced in placing and repairing dental restorations, such as fillings and dental implants.
Dental Restorations in Wilmington, DE
A dental restoration is a treatment that your dentist uses to restore or recreate a tooth’s function, integrity, or structure. People commonly need a dental restoration due to decay or trauma to the tooth.
The type of restorative dentistry needed depends on numerous factors. Your restorative dentist can help you choose which treatment best meets your oral health needs and goals.
Types of Restorative Dentistry
There are many types of dental restorations available. Some of these include:
- Dental fillings
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Dental implants
- Veneers
- Dental bonding
- Dentures
- Root canals
- Extractions
Each of these treatments can help restore a person’s oral health, aesthetic appearance, and dental function. Depending on the person’s individual needs, your dentist can determine the most viable treatment for you.
Do You Need Restorative Dental Treatment?
Our dental team can help you revive your smile’s appearance and reclaim its vitality. Please contact our dental office today to learn more about your options or to schedule your consultation with Dr. Bruce.
There is no difference in the training or qualifications between a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) and a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery). Both degrees require the same dental school curriculum and prepare dentists to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health conditions.
General Dentistry in Wilmington
At Bruce E. Matthews, DDS, PA, Dr. Bruce Matthews holds a DDS degree, while all of the other dentists in the practice hold DMD degrees—and each provides the same high standard of care for every patient.
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.
Being proactive with your child’s oral health care is extremely important. It can lay the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles. We are pleased to treat your children, and we value the trust you place in us to look after their dental health.
The easiest and most effective ways you can help keep your child’s teeth healthy is with proper oral hygiene habits. When they’re very young, you will need to help them to make sure their brushing and flossing is effective. As they get older, they can brush and floss by themselves, but you should still check to make sure that they are doing a thorough job.
Schedule Your Dental Exam At Bruce E. Matthews, DDS, PA
Routine exams and cleanings are also critical. During an exam we will do a thorough cleaning and examine each tooth carefully. This allows us to closely monitor their teeth to ensure proper development and to make recommendations for fluoride and sealants as necessary.
Leading by example is important too – let your child see that you are serious about your oral health care, which will encourage them to feel good about taking care of their own teeth. A lifetime of excellent oral health is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child!