David Wyllie feared the dentist from the time when he was a little boy, and this dread followed him into adulthood. Since coming under the care of Inna Vinnikov D.M.D. in Doylestown, however, he now finds his dental visits to be an overall pleasant experience.
“I had a disdain for dentists that kept me from getting the care I needed for many years, but Ardent Smile has changed all of that,” Wyllie says of Dr. Vinnikov’s comprehensive dental practice, which serves residents of Bucks County and surrounding areas. “My wife and children all see Dr. Vinnikov and think she is awesome. She is educated in the latest techniques and has office hours that fit well with my busy work schedule.”
Whether a patient requires a basic cleaning and exam or needs to discuss issues such as crowns, veneers and other services to improve his or her smile, Dr. Vinnikov has the tools and staff to help patients meet any dentistry-specific goal. She and her expert staff strive to provide the highest standard of oral health and wellness, while educating patients on how to achieve and maintain healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime.
Extensive Care
Ardent Smile’s staff can be best described as a unique group of service-oriented professionals whose aim is to provide the highest level of patient care in combination with a maximum level of sensitivity and compassion for every patient. In addition, the practice offers sedation dentistry for those patients who are anxious or have a fear of the dentist or dental procedures, thereby allowing patients to be calm and comfortable while the staff is at work.
Each of the dentists on staff—namely, general dentists Dr. Vinnikov and Dr. Ingrida Dapkute; orthodontist Dr. Michael Cestone; and periodontist Dr. George Bandelac—specializes in a specific area, enabling the practice to offer procedures such as root canals, periodontics, orthodontics, dentures, implants and teeth whitening, among others. Being a multispecialty practice makes it easier for patients because they do not have to be referred out to other practices for specific procedures.
“We are committed to making your dental visit as comfortable as possible,” Dr. Vinnikov says. “We see adults as well as children, which makes it so much more convenient for parents, whose time is very valuable.”
Lotus Payer is one of those parents. As a mother of five, Payer appreciates not having to take her kids to a different dental office for their care.
“After I met Dr. Vinnikov for the first time about two years ago, my husband and I switched our whole family to her practice,” Payer says. “We all have our cleanings done with Dr. Vinnikov, the kids have had sealants, and she did a root canal on me. I told her she should have been an endodontist,” meaning someone who specializes in root canals and other procedures dealing the tissues surrounding the roots of teeth.
Ardent Smile offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with spacious exam rooms and many windows. As each patient settles in for an examination or procedure, she or he can enjoy soothing music, cable television, educational software or, if chilly, a blanket for added comfort. Everything about the practice—from the receptionist to the dental aides to the exam rooms—has a pleasantly welcoming air, according to Payer.
“I think this is important for a dental office because it is not the most favorite place to go,” she adds. “Dr. Vinnikov is sensitive to each person’s experience; she likes to be aware of how you’re feeling during treatment.”
The Latest Techniques
As one of the most technologically advanced offices in the area, Ardent Smile offers state-of-the-art dental equipment. This includes intra-oral cameras, digital X-rays, ultrasonic scaling and VELscope. The equipment helps staff members in areas of accuracy and efficiency, and also plays an integral role in providing the best possible dental care at an affordable cost.
The intra-oral cameras, for example, project color images of a patient’s teeth and mouth during dental procedures on an overhead flat-screen monitor. This shows immediate problem areas in the mouth and helps patients become more informed and active in their individual treatment plans.
Digital X-rays, meanwhile use a digital sensor to capture electronic images, which can be viewed immediately on a computer screen or on the overhead monitor. Digital X-rays also reduce radiation exposure to the patient by as much as 95 percent.
The ultrasonic scaling device emits a very controlled, high-pressure stream of water to remove plaque. Many patients are sold on this technique after their very first experience. While it is very useful, the device is not a patient’s only option, as some still prefer the traditional hand-scaling technique. The hygienist understands that each individual has unique needs and concerns and will accommodate a patient’s request.
VELscope is the leading oral cancer-screening device used today. When used in the course of regular check-ups, VELscope enables Dr. Vinnikov to see abnormal changes in a patient’s gum tissue. The quick and painless VELscope examination also assists in early identification of other mucosal abnormalities, such as pre-malignant dysplasia, that may not be apparent to the naked eye.
Ardent Smile accepts most PPO insurance plans, and offers both interest and no-interest payment plans through Care Credit. Ardent Smile also advertises coupons through select direct-mail vehicles, as well as in the practice brochure, which is distributed to local businesses, so patients can receive 50 percent off Zoom!® whitening services.
Ardent Smile is located at 4259 West Swamp Road, Suite 104, in Doylestown. Call 215-230-4550 or visit ArdentSmile.com for more information. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday; and some morning hours on Saturday.
Leslie Feldman is a freelance writer based in Dresher.
Kim Billingsley is a freelance photographer based in Doylestown.
