As dental practices become more and more specialized, finding one that comfortably and confidently handles all aspects of oral care can be more difficult than ever. At Bucks Dental Associates in Chalfont and Dentistry by Design in Warminster, however, patients discover comprehensive practices that provide the full scope of dental care—among other benefits—for every member of the family.
“Generally, patients can get all their treatment completed here,” says Dr. Kiran Satashia. “From start to finish, we rarely have to refer patients out.”
The practices’ lead dentists are highly trained and decorated. Dr. Satashia, who graduated with honors from Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, is the recipient of several scholarships for research, including prizes for clinical and academic excellence. In addition to general dentistry, she has extensive experience in cosmetic and implant dentistry. Dr. Satashia also specializes in Invisalign, she and her associates are premier preferred providers of Invisalign. She is joined in the practice by Drs. Priyanka Seekand and Jaclyn Wertheimer.
Like Dr. Satashia, Dr. Seekand trained at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry before completing advanced training in the general practice residency program at Albert Einstein Medical Center. She elected to spend an additional year at this program, serving as chief resident, and gained additional experience in diagnosis and management of complex dental cases. Dr. Wertheimer earned her dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and completed her advanced training in general dentistry at Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington.
Together the doctors provide a comprehensive list of services, including cleaning and prevention, cosmetic dentistry, prosthodontics, orthodontics, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery and the treatment of periodontal disease. Good oral health, after all, is not just a matter of appearances, as one’s mouth is “the window to the rest of the body,” says Dr. Seekand. For example, scientific studies have shown that gum disease is related to heart conditions, infection and other medical problems. It is especially important for patients who have diabetes to receive regular oral care every three months.
“Dental care should be part of a diabetic’s health plan,” says Dr. Satashia. “Diabetic patients know to get their eyes and feet checked, and having their teeth checked should be part of the [American Diabetes Association] recommendations.” Not only is inflamed tissue—such as that related to gum disease—more likely to allow infection-causing bacteria into the body, but tooth pain may lead a patient to make less healthy dietary choices, including refined carbohydrates that require less chewing.
Pregnant patients should also schedule more frequent visits, typically every three months during their term. Although the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a dental appointment every six months for healthy patients, many of the hormonal changes caused by pregnancy can lead to increased risk of oral problems including cavities caused by so-called morning sickness. Additionally, she warns, untreated gum disease can result in low birth weight and early delivery. “If women don’t have good oral-care habits, pregnancy can exacerbate problems,” says Dr. Wertheimer, who is something of an expert on the topic, as she is currently expecting twins.
In general, Dr. Seekand advises, it is important to be aware of one’s medical health and how it affects oral health. “Many medications—over 80 percent of the most common ones—can cause dry mouth,” she says. “Patients suffering from dry mouth are also more likely to be sucking on candies or mints to compensate. This provides a sugary environment ideal for bacteria.”
Other common foods the doctors warn against include energy and sports drinks, as well as the 100 percent fruit juices often provided to children as a “healthy alternative” to soft drinks. Not only are these beverages high in sugar, but they also alter the pH of an otherwise healthy mouth.
The ADA recommends children make their first visit to a dentist six months after their first tooth comes in. This acclimate children to the dentist to ensure that future visits go smoothly, according to Dr. Seekand. While the doctors agree that it is important for parents to observe a child’s brushing habits into their teens to assure they are maintaining good habits, adult patients should also ask how to brush and floss properly. “Your dentist or hygienist can show you the proper technique,” she says.
Dr. Satashia takes that advice a step further by suggesting that adult patients bring their toothbrush—electric ones, especially—in during an appointment to learn how to use it correctly. Often, she says, she may have to bring patients up to speed on general oral care before performing any cosmetic dentistry. “Patients may have put off care for months or years before deciding to get something done. … They have to maintain it, too. Whatever we do here has to last, so it is a re-education for many.” This includes patients with older fillings who did not maintain them properly, resulting in tooth breakage.
Broken teeth are often covered under a patient’s insurance, whereas other procedures are not. This is where the staff of Bucks Dental Associates and Dentistry by Design is especially helpful, because its office managers work with patients to maximize their insurance coverage.
She also assists patients with discolored, mismatched, misaligned or missing teeth. Dr. Satashia, who has taken specialized training for implants and surgeries says, “I place and restore all of my own [patients’] implants. We place here, we restore here. … We give them a brand new look and smile,” she says.
Dr. Satashia has also received extensive training in the use of Invisalign, a series of clear plastic aligners used to straighten teeth with minimal visibility. They are ideal for adults who did not ever have traditional orthodontics or who have relapsed after their previous treatment. Dr. Seekand adds that Invisalign is an ideal adjunct to cosmetic dentistry because “used together they offer the greatest aesthetic result.”
Implants are now often preferred over the dentures and bridges used in years past. “Ideally speaking all denture patients should have some attachment point, two to four implants per jaw. The prosthesis is stronger and chewing capacity is increased,” Dr. Satashia says. Indeed the difficulty of care needed to maintain the teeth beside a bridge can often result in the loss of those teeth. “As my attending dentist used to say ‘Keep a one tooth problem as a one tooth problem,’” adds Dr. Seekand.
Because she feels her attending dentists had such a profound impact on her own career, Dr. Seekand is returning to Albert Einstein Hospital as an attending dentist. Meanwhile, Dr. Satashia, a busy mother of two boys, also believes it is important to give back and so works with the Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic in Doylestown.
No matter the dental needs, Drs. Satashia, Seekand and Wertheimer, along with the rest of the staff at Bucks Dental Associates and Dentistry by Design, are there to assure that patients receive the best possible care in all areas of oral health.
Top Tips for Oral Care
Drs. Priyanka Seekand and Kiran Satashia of Bucks Dental Associates in Chalfont and Dentistry by Design in Warminster offer some basic tips on good oral care.
* In general, Dr. Seekand advises, it is important to be aware of one’s medical health and how it affects oral health. Studies have shown that gum disease is related to heart conditions, infection and other medical problems.
* “Dental care should be part of a diabetic’s health plan,” says Dr. Satashia. It is especially important for patients who have diabetes to receive regular oral care every three months.
* Pregnant patients should also schedule more frequent visits, typically every three months during their term. Untreated gum disease can result in low birth weight and early delivery. “If women don’t have good oral-care habits, pregnancy can exacerbate problems,” says Dr. Satashia.
* Dr. Seekand warns that, “Many medications—80 percent of the most common ones—can cause dry mouth,” which can contribute to cavities.
* Energy and sports drinks, as well as the 100 percent fruit juices, are not only high in sugar but also alter the pH of an otherwise healthy mouth.
* Dr. Satashia suggests that adult patients bring their toothbrush in during an appointment to learn how to use it correctly.
* Implant-supported dentures and prostheses provide stronger chewing capacity and a stable smile. “Ideally speaking, all denture patients should have some attachments—two to four implants per jaw,” says Dr. Satashia.
* Dr. Seekand notes that Invisalign clear plastic aligners are an ideal adjunct to cosmetic dentistry. “Used together,” she says, “they offer the greatest aesthetic result.” The dentists of Bucks Dental Associates and Dentistry by Design are premier preferred providers of Invisalign.
Bucks Dental Associates
4 Meadowbrook Lane
Chalfont
215-997-5550
Dentistry by Design
1590 W. Street Road
Warminster
215-957-0700
