In Expert Hands
Led by Dr. Miriam Ting, Think Oral Implants and Periodontics rebuilds and repairs smiles through customized care, specialized techniques, and a culture of compassion.
Treatment for periodontal disease has a reputation for being painful and complex. As a result, patients tend to go into these procedures under enormous stress. But it doesn’t have to be that way, according to Miriam Ting, D.M.D., M.S., the founder of Think Oral Implants and Periodontics. She believes entrusting one’s periodontal care to a skilled and kindhearted provider will not only lead to a successful result, but also minimize stress—and pain—along the way.
Rather than taking her word for it, Dr. Ting points to the experiences of prior patients, such as Sylvia W. In a recent five-star review of Think Oral Implants and Periodontics, Sylvia said, “I went to Dr. Ting for gum graft surgery and I could not be happier. To say I was nervous is an understatement, but Dr. Ting made me feel better and walked me through the entire process. She explained everything to me and made me feel comfortable. The surgery itself was painless and the healing process was great. I had another gum graft surgery with a different provider a few years ago and it was a horrible experience. Dr. Ting is truly incredible!”
That’s exactly what Dr. Ting and her team try to accomplish at each of their three offices, in Paoli, Swarthmore, and Philadelphia’s Fox Chase neighborhood. The practice specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a significant health issue with serious and potentially life-
threatening systemic implications. In addition, Dr. Ting performs soft-tissue grafting, dental implants, and aesthetic crown lengthening, among other highly specialized procedures designed to improve a patient’s smile and quality of life.
Dr. Ting aspires to ensure that all her patients receive the care they need in an atmosphere of warmth, comfort, and compassion. Her approach to treating periodontal disease is a fine example. Many patients are best served by a combination of minimally invasive laser periodontal therapy and antimicrobial therapy. This minimally invasive laser-assisted new attachment periodontal procedure not only kills the bacteria but also removes the diseased lining of the periodontal pocket and stimulates bone regeneration. This procedure preserves the gingival tissue, as opposed to scalpels and sutures used in the more invasive traditional periodontal surgery approach, which in some practices is the only option.
“We customize treatment to the patient’s needs, and we also customize the tools we use to suit the patient’s individual needs,” Dr. Ting adds. “When you use laser therapy, patients will have minimal discomfort during the procedure other than a pinprick [from the administering of local anesthetic] to numb the area. Post-procedure, patients may have minimal discomfort; and some patients say they have no pain at all. We also have nitrous gas available to relax the patient, and that’s a big deal for patients who are phobic or overly anxious.”
Besides her skills as a periodontist, Dr. Ting has been extolled for her comforting chair-side manner. It’s no surprise that her practice has become a go-to destination for complex grafting cases as well as those involving the spouses and other family members of area dentists. In other words, patients who understand the complexity of periodontal care and have high expectations seek her out.
She recently treated the wife of an area dentist who not only had extraordinarily thin soft tissue and some bone loss, but also had severe dental phobia. At the procedure’s conclusion, Dr. Ting says the patient was overcome with gratitude and relief, especially because she had been told by others that the procedure could not be done.
“Many patients are scared of surgery, and they just want the assurance of knowing they are in good hands,” she says. “I have a gentle and calming voice, and nothing is ever rushed. My whole staff is the same way, all focused on the patient’s comfort. If a patient is uncomfortable at any point in the procedure, we address it immediately before going any further.”
The practice’s comprehensive approach to care extends beyond the dentist’s chair to include every other aspect of the experience. Navigating insurance is a prime example. Their in-house insurance benefits coordinator helps anyone with dental insurance take maximum advantage of their available benefits and limit out-of-pocket expenses.
“No one likes to be surprised, which is why we walk them through every step of the process,” Dr. Ting says. “We do our best to pre-authorize their procedures, which might take some additional time, but it also means there will be no surprises in terms of the cost.”
What Dr. Ting’s Patients Have to Say
Dr. Ting’s patients speak very highly of their experience from beginning to end. As the following five-star reviews from her patients make clear, many of them use the same word to describe their experience: amazing.
Dr. Ting’s patients speak very highly of their experience from beginning to end. As the following five-star reviews from her patients make clear, many of them use the same word to describe their experience: amazing.
From Zelda H.: “Dr. Ting is totally amazing. I’d give her more stars, if this would be possible. I was so impressed by her immaculate office, her staff, and her kindness in walking me through this whole process from the moment I met her. … I will forever highly recommend her to anyone who needs this type of treatment. A big thanks to her and hope that doing this will help me preserve my teeth at my age (72)!”
From Erick S.: “I had such a wonderful experience at Think Oral Implants and Periodontics in Paoli. Dr. Ting is absolutely amazing and so very caring. I was so nervous about my consultation and she made me feel so relaxed. She was so thorough and explained everything to me in great detail. I left feeling so much better and not as anxious about my upcoming procedure.”
From Skylar W.: “Dr. Ting and her staff are amazing! They are attentive, caring, gentle, and highly competent. They take the time to explain everything and answer all of your questions. Dr. Ting is an expert in her field and her work is outstanding. She is able to eliminate discomfort and make the surgeries painless. I highly recommend Dr. Ting and her staff.”
Elevating Dental Education Through the Think Dental Learning Institute
Besides her celebrated career as a clinician, Dr. Ting has been lauded for her skills as an educator. She founded the Think Dental Learning Institute to help fellow dentists and specialists better serve their patients while earning CE credits. Dr. Ting welcomes clinicians to visit the institute’s website, thinkdentallearninginstitute.com, to view upcoming lectures and hands-on events, in which she and other clinician educators share best practices and cutting-edge research about topics such as lasers in dentistry, ridge preservation, crown lengthening surgery, dental implant placement, and soft-tissue management, among others. In March, for example, the institute hosted an in-person lecture about anti-infective alternatives to antibiotics for the management of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Besides her celebrated career as a clinician, Dr. Ting has been lauded for her skills as an educator. She founded the Think Dental Learning Institute to help fellow dentists and specialists better serve their patients while earning CE credits. Dr. Ting welcomes clinicians to visit the institute’s website, thinkdentallearninginstitute.com, to view upcoming lectures and hands-on events, in which she and other clinician educators share best practices and cutting-edge research about topics such as lasers in dentistry, ridge preservation, crown lengthening surgery, dental implant placement, and soft-tissue management, among others. In March, for example, the institute hosted an in-person lecture about anti-infective alternatives to antibiotics for the management of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Think Oral Implants and Periodontics
(610) 550-3333
thebestdentaloralcare.com
250 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 215
Paoli, PA 19301
7500 Central Ave., Suite 101
Philadelphia, PA 19111
801 Yale Ave., Suite G6A
Swarthmore, PA 19081
Photo by Jeff Anderson
(610) 550-3333
thebestdentaloralcare.com
250 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 215
Paoli, PA 19301
7500 Central Ave., Suite 101
Philadelphia, PA 19111
801 Yale Ave., Suite G6A
Swarthmore, PA 19081
Photo by Jeff Anderson
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, March 2025.
