Dentist in Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Derek Conover is one of Philadelphia’s top dentists for cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry. He provides patients with the highest level of care and comfort. Opus Dental Esthetics houses the latest technology and techniques in modern dentistry. As a top local dentist in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Conover wants to help you reach your oral health goals.

Our dental care team offers general dental services to help you reach optimal oral health. Dr. Conover aims to help you maintain your teeth and gums. We will tailor all preventive services to your unique dental care needs and smile goals.

A healthy, lifelong smile results from a good and thorough oral health care routine. Even if you maintain a good daily oral hygiene routine at home, you should visit the dentist. We recommend that you visit our Philadelphia dentist’s office at least every six months.

Dentist in Philadelphia PA providing quality general dentistry services

General Dentistry in Philadelphia, PA

Many patients come to our dental office because of Dr. Conover’s cosmetic and restorative dentistry expertise. However, most choose to stay with us because we offer complete oral health services. We want to deliver healthy and beautiful smiles to every patient.

Our preventive dental hygiene program includes professional teeth cleanings and oral health check-ups. For optimal oral health, we suggest you visit our office at least twice a year. However, we will base the number of times you schedule a dentist appointment on your dental needs.

We work with you to ensure your long-term dental health and well-being. Good dental health is vital because it can impact your overall health. In addition to general dental care, we offer complete cosmetic and restorative dental treatments that include dental implants, teeth whitening, and porcelain veneers.

What to Expect at a Routine Dental Check-up

Your regular dental visit may include the following:

Exam

Our hygienists will first look at your teeth and gums with a dental mirror to see if you show signs of gum disease. They will look for gum recession, bleeding gums, and red gum tissue. They will also use a probe to measure gum pockets.

Cleaning

After we examine your mouth, we wil clean your teeth and gums.

To start the cleaning, our dental hygienist uses a special tool called a scaler to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth, and when it hardens, it becomes tartar, also known as calculus. Tartar can’t be removed with a toothbrush, so the scaler is used to gently scrape it away from your teeth and along the gumline.

Then, our hygienist polishes your teeth. The hygienist uses a soft rubber cup and a special polishing paste to smooth the surface of your teeth. This removes surface stains and helps prevent plaque from sticking to your teeth as easily.

Finally, the hygienist flosses between your teeth to remove any remaining debris and ensure your gums are clean and healthy. This step reaches areas that might be missed during regular brushing.

Fluoride and Sealants

We often suggest fluoride treatments after this cleaning to prevent cavities. Fluoride helps strengthen the enamel, or outer layer, of the tooth. This general dentistry treatment is useful for children and teens who consume a lot of sugar and may not care for their teeth well yet.

Sealants are a protective treatment we use to help keep teeth healthy. They are thin, plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars, which are the larger teeth at the back of the mouth. These teeth have deep grooves and pits that can trap food and bacteria, making them more prone to cavities. Sealants act as a shield, covering these vulnerable areas and preventing decay.

Fillings and Root Canals

If you have a cavity, we can offer fillings. Dental fillings are routine dental procedures we provide people with cavities. A tooth cavity is a hole in the tooth enamel. If you develop tooth decay, harmful bacteria can break down your teeth to create cavities.

In many cases, we provide fillings after removing the tooth’s decayed portion. However, we will suggest root canal therapy if the infection reaches the nerves within your tooth.

Complete Dentistry in Center City, Philadelphia

Since 1984, our private practice has been devoted to comprehensive reconstructive, implant, and cosmetic dentistry in Center City, Philadelphia. Our team offers excellent personalized patient service. We promise to deliver high-quality dental care with state-of-the-art technology.

In addition, we were one of the first dental practices in the Philadelphia region to place and implement:

  • Bonded porcelain restorations
  • Networked digital radiography
  • Cosmetic imaging
  • Laser whitening procedures
  • Digital scanning for porcelain restorations

We Provide Comfortable Injections

Our dental care team uses a painless injection technique to help you feel comfortable. We apply a topical numbing gel to the tissue with a swab. The gel will numb the spot where the doctor will give you one of the most gentle shots.

We don’t start any treatment until you are comfortable. If you still feel pain and discomfort, we will give you more anesthetic. Dentistry today can be truly painless.

Not Your Average Dentist Office

Not many people would say they look forward to visiting the dentist. However, when you visit Dr. Conover, a local dentist in Philadelphia, he promises to be as enjoyable and relaxing. Dr. Conover offers first-class amenities in his dental office, including:

  • Gentle soft-touch methods
  • In-Chair entertainment system
  • Personal headphones & music
  • Warm blankets
  • Complimentary refreshments
  • Chilled eye compress
  • Neck and knee cushions
  • Hot face towels


General Dentistry FAQs

We welcome you to learn more about routine care and our general dentistry services in Philadelphia, PA, with answers to these questions:

How do I avoid future tooth cavities?

First, cut back on foods and drinks high in sugar and other starches. Bacteria feed on sugars and starches left in the mouth.

Next, brush your teeth twice a day and floss once. Floss before you brush to remove food debris from between teeth. We suggest using a soft-bristled brush.

Finally, visit us at least every six months for an exam and cleaning. Tooth decay often takes about six months to form. Regular visits allow us to address areas at risk before a cavity forms and you experience discomfort. Professional teeth cleaning can remove plaque buildup and protect your teeth.

Will a filling be enough to repair decay?

In most cases, yes. After we remove decay from the tooth, a dental filling can fill that portion and prevent reinfection. However, if tooth damage has progressed too much, we may recommend inlays, onlays, or a dental crown. We also recommend these options if you have tooth damage and a cavity.

Why do I need general dental care if I brush and floss daily?

Routine dental care is essential because it helps prevent dental diseases. Our team assesses all aspects of your smile, from teeth to gums to jaw joints. We also look for early warning signs of other health issues, like oral cancer.

Our hygienists can also reach and clean areas that you may not be able to reach yourself. Even though toothbrushes are vital, their reach within your mouth is limited. Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems that affects people of all ages. However, you can easily prevent it with routine dental care.

Contact Our Office

Do you need to make your next dental visit? Call Dr. Conover, your local dentist in Philadelphia, PA, at (215) 395-6076. You may also schedule an appointment online.

If you have questions about general dentistry, let us know at your next visit. We’re here to help.