The office of Drs. Gregory Hillyard and Alexandra Hillyard Monroe are dedicated to ensuring Media PA and the surrounding communities we serve have the highest quality dental care. If you’re looking for a dentist in the Newtown Square, PA, area, we can be your new dental home.
Our dental office offers both years of experience and the latest in dental care technology to make sure you get the best care. With a wide variety of services offered, we aim to be the place where you can get all of the dental care you need under one roof. Learn more about our services and the care we offer.
General Dental Care
General dental care focuses on preventative dentistry. We want to keep up with preventative care so that you can avoid more severe dental problems down the road. As a family dental practice, we treat patients of all ages. Everyone from the youngest to the oldest in your family can be seen for their regular dental visits.
It’s recommended that you visit the dentist once every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Regular dental visits allow us to see the changes in your mouth, and we can take note of any warning signs that may lead to a bigger problem. With specialized dental tools, we can also clean plaque and tartar buildup in areas that are hard to reach with normal brushing and flossing.
Cosmetic Dental Care
Not only do we want your smile to be healthy, but we want it to be beautiful, too. Cosmetic dentistry helps to do both. It makes your smile look great, but many cosmetic dental issues are caused by underlying problems that can impact your oral health. A cosmetic consultation allows us to put together a personalized treatment plan that’s unique to your specific needs.
Dr. Monroe is also trained in using Botox and dermal fillers. The addition of these to our practice can help you highlight your beautiful smile even more. Dentists are precise and have knowledge of the facial muscles, making them an ideal choice for injectables. Botox also offers benefits by minimizing pain in trigger points throughout your face and neck.
Restorative Dental Care
Restorative dentistry does exactly what it says – it restores your smile and mouth back to full function. Even when we take care of our smiles, accidents happen. As we age, it also has an impact on our smiles. Whether you’re suffering from a broken tooth, missing teeth, or symptoms of a TMJ disorder, we can help you get your smile back on track.
One of the most common dental problems in older individuals is tooth loss. At our office, we have multiple ways to replace missing teeth. We recommend dental implants, often considered the gold standard of tooth replacement. A dental implant provides benefits that other options don’t, like helping stop jawbone deterioration by replacing the tooth root as well as the crown.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I replace old fillings or crowns?
Fillings and crowns don’t last forever. Most last between 10 to 15 years, but they can wear down, crack, or loosen over time. Your dentist checks them at each visit and will recommend replacement if there’s decay, damage, or leakage. Regular exams help catch problems before they turn into bigger issues.
How can I tell if I have early-stage gum disease?
Early-stage gum disease often presents with red, swollen gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss. You might notice persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing or mouthwash use. Gums may appear slightly receded, making teeth look longer than before. Most people feel no pain during early gum disease, which is why regular dental checkups are crucial for catching it before it progresses to more serious stages.
What are the signs I might have TMJ issues and need treatment?
Common signs include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, headaches, earaches, or difficulty opening your mouth fully. Some people also feel tightness or lockjaw. If these symptoms persist or interfere with daily life, you may need TMJ treatment. We can examine your bite and jaw movement to confirm.
How does plaque buildup contribute to gum disease if not removed?
Plaque contains harmful bacteria that release toxins, irritating your gum tissue. Left undisturbed, plaque hardens into tartar within 24-48 hours, creating rough surfaces where more bacteria can accumulate. This bacterial invasion triggers your body’s inflammatory response, causing the gums to pull away from teeth and form pockets.
These deepening pockets collect more bacteria and debris, creating a destructive cycle that damages supporting bone and tissue. Without professional removal of hardened deposits, this process continues silently until teeth become loose and potentially require extraction.
What factors influence whether a dental implant is the best choice for tooth replacement?
Key factors include your overall health, jawbone strength, and how many teeth you’re missing. A good candidate needs healthy gums and enough bone to support the implant. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or untreated gum disease can affect healing. We will review your medical and dental history before recommending an implant.
How early should children start seeing a dentist for regular checkups?
Children should have their first dental visit by age one or within six months after their first tooth appears. This early visit helps establish a “dental home” where your child feels comfortable.
Early checkups catch problems before they become serious and help children develop positive associations with dental care. Most dentists recommend regular six-month visits thereafter, just like adults. Starting dental visits early helps prevent the fear and anxiety many adults develop from delaying dental care until problems arise.
Quality Care From Your Newtown Square, PA-area Dentist
Our dentist office is accepting new patients and we’re ready to be your new dental home! Call us or schedule an appointment online to get started.