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When you visit the dentist, you are probably aware of the different team members, each with a different job title, including dentist, hygienist, assistant, and so on. Let’s take a look at the job description for each so the next time you are at your West Chester general dentist, you’ll know who does what!

What Does a Dentist Do?

The dentist is the one who will conduct your oral examination, looking for signs of tooth decay, damaged teeth, and other potential problems. The dentist will also be the one to provide treatment, such as filling cavities and providing root canal therapy.

What Does an Oral Surgeon Do?

An oral surgeon—also referred to as an ...

Most people will have at least one cavity in their lifetime. Although sometimes you can see a cavity in the form of a small black dot on your tooth, often cavities are not visible to the naked eye. What are some of the other signs of cavities that should send you to your dentist in West Chester OH immediately?

Cavity Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

If you experience any of the following, schedule a dentist appointment sooner rather than later.

1. If you feel a sharp pain in your tooth when you bite down on something, this could mean a cavity—or it could mean your tooth is cracked. The nerve in your tooth root ...

Nearly every adult in this country has at least one filling. In the past, the only option for treating tooth decay and keeping it from spreading was metal—amalgam—fillings. Patients in West Chester today have a better choice - tooth-colored fillings. Not only do these “composite” fillings look better because they are made to match the color of your tooth, but they have several other advantages as well.

The Advantages of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Less time in the dental chair for treatment is always a plus, and this is something you can enjoy when you opt for tooth-colored fillings. Because the composite material these fillings are made from bond directly to the tooth, ...

If you have decided to replace your missing teeth with dentures, you have probably already realized that they are an investment. When you get dentures in West Chester, you’ll want to do what you can to ensure they last as long as possible. One way to do that is to practice proper daily care.

How Long Do Dentures Last?

Dentures can last a good number of years, but it’s important to keep in mind that there will be some maintenance along the way. From normal wear, your denture will need to be rebased at some point, which means creating a new base for the denture while keeping the teeth portion.

In addition, ...

The first rule of dentistry is that no pain is ever normal! If you are dealing with tooth pain, it is more than likely your body alerting you to the fact that something is wrong. Toothache discomfort can range from mild sensitivity to severe pain, depending on the problem.

If your toothache pain isn’t bad, you can probably wait until the next available appointment to see the dentist. But when that toothache becomes excruciating and unbearable, it’s time to call the dentist to be seen as soon as possible. At Joel R. Koch, DDS, in West Chester, we are used to dealing with dental emergencies, and we do our best ...

A smile is one of the first things people notice about others. If you have a smile you don’t often show because you don’t like how it looks, you might be making a bad impression without realizing it. With today’s cosmetic dentistry procedures, residents in West Chester can make over their entire smile. And it is probably more affordable and easier than you think!

Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening has continued to gain in popularity in recent years. This is likely because it is the most affordable cosmetic dentistry procedure. Another reason is that it gives excellent results in as little as one appointment to the dentist.

Much more powerful than ...

Dental emergencies can happen to the best of us. Perhaps you are chewing, and suddenly you feel something hard—and you realize a filling has popped out. Maybe a slightly irritating toothache has suddenly become full-blown pain that is unbearable. Or you have suffered some kind of trauma, and your tooth has been completely knocked out.

It’s tough to know how to react in these situations. Your emergency dentist in West Chester, Joel R. Koch, DDS, can offer the following advice.

#1—Don’t Panic

It’s natural to panic, especially if a tooth has been damaged or completely knocked out of your mouth. Try to keep a level head—and call the dentist immediately.

If a tooth ...