New Patient Information & Education
Offering Professional, Compassionate Care
Our dental practice was founded in 1990 by Dr. Scott A. Gradwell, D.M.D., F.A.G.D, P.C. From the beginning Dr. Gradwell and our team have committed themselves to providing patients with the highest quality of care and the most modern technology. Dr. Gradwell is a dental implant surgeon specializing in periodontal and implant dentistry services and welcomes patients from Allentown, PA and across the Lehigh Valley communities.
Throughout the years, we have worked to foster a reputation for professional, compassionate care. We work directly with your general dentist to ensure you receive the services you need and deserve. When you become our patient, you’re not just a number to us — you’re a valued member of our family, and we will treat you as such.
New Patients
Your First Visit
When you choose our practice, we are confident you will be glad with your choice. Our goal with your first patient visit is to welcome you into our patient family as well as get to know you and your goals for your oral health. During your first visit, we will:
- Review your medical & dental health history
- Complete periodontal charting to measure your gum pockets
- Take pictures of the inside of your mouth
- Complete full-mouth radiographs of your mouth (if needed)
- Provide you with materials regarding available treatment options
- Begin creating a custom treatment plan to meet your needs
It is our goal to help you leave our office understanding how we can help you improve your periodontal and oral health. We will provide you with as much information and guidance as possible so you can restore your dental health and overall well-being.
Financing & Scheduling
We are committed to providing our patients with accessible, affordable care in a warm and welcoming setting. For brand-new patients looking to set up their first appointment or consultation, please contact us directly.
Our practice accepts a variety of payment options, including:
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)
- CareCredit
Testimonials
Emergency Dental Care in the Lehigh Valley
When a periodontal emergency happens, you need immediate treatment. Dr. Gradwell and his team are sensitive to the needs of emergency patients, making it our goal to alleviate your discomfort as soon as possible.
Please call 610-770-1050 if you experience a dental emergency, and we will make arrangements to see you promptly.
Patient Education
Informed patients make wise decisions about their present and future dental health. At Dr. Scott A. Gradwell’s Allentown office, we gladly explain treatment options, offer thorough explanations, and always give you details of what to expect. Dr. Gradwell has even invested in technology that facilitates better patient education, such as the intraoral camera. Take a moment to browse these articles and keep these resources on hand for the latest periodontal and implant-related news.
Educational Articles
Gum Disease & Heart Health
If you are experiencing issues with your gums, it can impact not only your oral health but your cardiovascular health, too. Experts are not certain what the precise connection between the heart and oral hygiene is, but studies consistently demonstrate a link. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, individuals with periodontal issues are twice as likely to have heart disease.
When your mouth is filled with bacteria, it is possible their toxins allow a continuous stream of poisons to enter your system. If this bacteria reaches your arteries, it may cause the same kind of irritation affecting your mouth and gums. This can result in a buildup of protective plaque, which can harden, thus restricting blood flow. Insufficient blood flow can cause you to have a heart attack, and loosened arterial plaque can travel through the bloodstream, reach your brain, and cause a stroke.
Why choose dental implants?
Every tooth is comprised of two parts: the crown and the root. When you lose a tooth, the part of the jaw that supports the tooth does not have a purpose, so it withers away and weakens your jaw. This can cause shifting of your remaining teeth, tooth decay, and tooth impaction. Without a replacement tooth, in about four to eight years, the remaining teeth will begin to fall out as well. A missing tooth can cause up to 19% of adjacent teeth to fall out, which results in five more lost teeth!
What are my replacement options?
The most popular options are partials, bridges, and implants. Each provides many benefits to your health, including a renewed smile. As the most modern option, dental implants often provide the best long-term results.
Removable Partials
This replacement option attaches to surrounding teeth to fill in gaps left by missing teeth. It carries the weight of the replacement teeth, but because the tooth root is not replaced, the jawbone begins to atrophy. This may cause discomfort and increased tooth sensitivity. According to a study conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA), removable partials actually cause patients to lose up to 30% more teeth. While this is a popular option because it is the least expensive, in the long run it may actually cause you to spend more time and money replacing additional teeth.
Fixed Bridges
This treatment option requires reduction of abutment teeth so they can be properly fitted with crowns. Your replacement tooth is secured to the crowns and creates a bridge between the two teeth. Like a removable partial, this option does not actually replace the tooth’s root, so the jawbone begins to change. A dental bridge lasts about ten years, and after this time, the surrounding teeth may begin to decay and require root canal therapy. Patients with fixed bridges may lose up to 10% of their remaining teeth, according to the ADA.
Dental Implants
Often considered the ideal tooth-replacement option, a dental implant replaces a tooth’s root as well as the crown. It is independent of adjacent teeth, so it keeps the jawbone strong. In addition, it does not increase tooth decay or sensitivity. This treatment option has a reported success rate of 95 to 98% and can be used to secure partials, bridge work, or dentures into place. With proper oral-hygiene habits, dental implants can last for a lifetime.
Are dental implants right for me?
You must be in good health and have adequate bone structure to receive dental implants. Our team will work with you to determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment option. Minor pre-operatory procedures like sinus and bone grafts may be necessary to prepare you for implant surgery.
A Brief History of Implants
In their current form, dental implants are a modern marvel, but in reality, the idea of dental implants has been around for centuries. The very first implant is attributed to the Mayans and dates back to 600 AD. It only took us 1,400 years to develop a similar kind of tooth replacement.
In 1931, the most notable implant discovery was made when an archaeologist in Honduras found the jaw of a Mayan woman thought to be in her twenties. This bone contained three tooth-shaped seashells inserted into the sockets that once held teeth. At first, it was believed these shells were inserted after the woman had died, but in 1970, another scientist discovered the bone had grown around the seashells, meaning they were placed when the woman was alive — as tooth replacements.
The practice of inserting dental implants was not exclusive to South and Central America. Ancient Egyptian mummies have been unearthed with gold wires implanted in their jawbones. In addition, skeletons with ivory implants have been found in the Middle East. Perhaps most recently, anthropologists have discovered an iron implant in the jawbone of a Roman soldier.
Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Brånemark is considered to be the father of the modern dental implant. He made his implant discovery in the mid-1960s. He was researching bone healing and discovered bone tissue would fuse to titanium in a process called osseointegration. In the years following, he performed experiments and published studies, eventually commercializing implants in 1978. Millions of implants are placed under this name today, and even more implant companies have used his patent.
Given the popularity of modern dental implants, it is hard to believe they have been around for just over 40 years. However, the 95-98% success rate is no surprise, considering implants as we know them were thousands of years in the making.
Gum Disease & Your Systemic Health
Dental Cleanings
In order to maintain great dental health, it is important for everyone over the age of four or five to visit the dentist for a professional cleaning twice a year. This is recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA). During this appointment, your dental hygienist will inspect your mouth and gums for any sign of oral cancer and gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss for American adults. Our hygienists are trained to detect, deter, and treat gum disease. This helps you maintain your best oral health and also reduces your risk of ever developing gum disease.
If we do find a cause for concern, we will perform a deep cleaning, as well as suggest changes in your at-home oral healthcare routine. A deep cleaning involves:
- Scaling to remove tartar from below the gum line
- Root planing to smooth rough root surfaces where plaque builds up
- Antibiotic treatment to kill bacterial infection
In addition to checking for gum disease and oral cancer, your dentist will check each tooth for any signs of decay or cracks. We will also check to make sure any of your old dental work is holding up and replace crowns, fillings, inlays, and onlays as needed with tooth-colored alternatives.
The Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings
By attending these regular visits, you can reduce your risk for larger dental problems. For instance, if you leave a small cavity untreated, it can cause further decay, which can destroy the affected tooth and spread to surrounding teeth. A cracked or chipped tooth can break off or cause pain and create additional problems. In addition, oral cancer causes more than 7,500 deaths each year, and advanced gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss for American adults. When treated early, each of these diseases and ailments can be controlled. Children as young as two should visit the dentist, and by age four or five, a child should attend regular cleanings.
Implant Companies
- BioHorizons
Post-Operative Instructions
Have additional questions? Contact our friendly staff today at 610-770-1050 to set up your consultation and learn how we can help you receive the treatments you need and deserve.
Serving Patients From Across The Lehigh Valley In Pennsylvania
Dr. Scott A. Gradwell, D.M.D., F.A.G.D, P.C.
1251 S Cedar Crest Blvd
Suite 305
Allentown, PA 18103
Business Hours
Monday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Contact
Phone: 610-770-1050
Email: office@drgradwell.com
Fax: 610-770-6592