Hi, and welcome to our practice. Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this information. We know you will find it valuable in preparing for your first visit.

When you arrive, you will meet Sarah, Shanna, or Annie, our hygiene assistants. They will guide you through your appointment.

We are proud of our state-of-the-art facility, which houses some of the most progressive dental equipment in the state. On the way to your treatment room, your hygiene assistant will show you around the office.

Once acquainted with your surroundings, we will take a series of X-rays, photographs and impressions for models of your teeth.

X-rays:
Your assistant will take five X-rays of your teeth. The first X-rays are called bitewing X-rays and they allow us to see decay between the teeth. The last X-ray is called a panoramic X-ray and it allows us to see all of your teeth, soft tissue and jaws in one view. We use this X-ray to check for cancer, wisdom teeth infection and hardening of the carotid arteries. This series of X-rays is all digitalized, which means you are exposed to 1/10 the radiation of the regular film that most dentists use. Also, because the images are digital, we can view the image with you on the computer screen.

Photos:
We’ll take four photographs: a picture of you smiling and shots of your upper and lower teeth. Patients enjoy these photos because they can see for the first time all of their teeth and what they look like.

Exam:
Dr. Mary will do a thorough exam of your teeth, your occlusion (the way your teeth touch) and your gums. She will look for decay, gum disease and oral cancer. With the help of an assistant, she will note all the fillings and crowns you may currently have as well as any new treatment you may need. Even though our X-rays are very advanced, they are not helpful in diagnosing cavities on the biting surfaces of teeth. Therefore, we use Diagnodent. This laser device detects cavities in this area. If any of your teeth need restoration, Dr. Mary will demonstrate these needs on the screen using your pictures and X-rays.

Cosmetic Dentistry:
We consider all the dentistry we do to be cosmetic. We only use white filling material and have esthetics as a high priority. If needed, Dr. Mary will discuss your options for straightening your teeth. Cherry Hill Dental has powerful software that can quickly and easily show you what you’ll look like with straight white teeth. In only a few minutes, you can see a new smile!

Models:
Everyone wants whiter teeth and we are excited to offer all of our new patients free custom trays for their upper and lower teeth so they can have the bright smiles they have always wanted. Most offices charge $500 or more but we feel it makes such a difference in our patients' lives that we like to offer it as a gift to you. Your assistant will take impressions of your teeth that our lab will use to make the custom trays. You will return to the office in about two weeks to pick up your upper tray. Two weeks later, you will return so we can check the shade of your upper teeth vs. your lower teeth and give you your lower bleach tray.

Cleaning:
After Dr. Mary removes any hard deposits from your teeth and conducts a thorough exam, the hygiene assistant will polish and floss your teeth and give you a fluoride treatment to keep your enamel healthy and strong.

Treatment Presentation:
Our treatment coordinator, Elissa, will take the treatment Dr. Mary recommended and give you a written estimate of what your insurance is expected to pay and what your investment in the treatment will be. We realize that dental health is a priority for you and you may involve loved ones in the decision you make regarding your treatment. If you would like a CD-ROM of your X-rays, pictures and presentations about treatment recommended for you, we can provide this for you.


Beginning Treatment:
When scheduling your treatment, every effort will be made to accommodate you. Early morning and late afternoon appointments are in high demand, so please plan accordingly. Also, we organize our schedule very carefully and we do not overbook. Our chairs sit empty if an appointment is missed. Our time is our only inventory and when it is gone, it is gone. Please be prompt and we will extend you the same courtesy.


Invisalign Express:
Invisalign Express is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. It fixes minor crowding and spacing, generally in about six months.