Michael A Conrad

Dentist

770 Fetters Lane Wescosville Pennsylvania, 18106 Show map

About
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About

Dr. Michael Conrad is a Dentist practicing in Wescosville, Pennsylvania. Dr. Conrad specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.

Education and Training

Temple University Dental School

Provider Details

MaleEnglish 46 years of experience

Michael A Conrad

Acid Attack and the Reality of Tooth Decay
Teeth have one great weakness: acid. It eats away tooth structure. Where does acid come from? Our diets. Acidic foods and drinks directly affect and dissolve tooth enamel. These foods include citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, and the biggest culprit: carbonated drinks. Our diets produce...

Can you get a tooth pulled and an implant the same day?
It all depends on the size of the tooth, the health of the tooth, and the ease of extraction. If the root system is much larger than the largest implant, it is best to graft the socket, allow it to heal for around 3 months, then place the implant. If the tooth is infected, many dentists and surgeons feel more comfortable with a graft before implant placement. If, for some reason, the extraction is complicated and there is more bone removed as a result, a graft would be necessary. But in the instance where the tooth is not infected, the extraction is uneventful and the socket is acceptable for an implant, then the process can be done the same day. READ MORE
Are Emax Veneers Porcelain?
Emax is a ceramic and so is porcelain. It is much more durable than the standard porcelain of years ago and gives the patient a beautiful and strong result. READ MORE
Is tooth whitening safe?
Over-the-counter tooth whitening works, but the one-size-fits-all trays that come with those often allow the bleach solution to irritate the gums. Professionally made bleach trays are designed to keep the bleach away from the gums. They also generally come with a much stronger solution for quicker results. Bleaching will not permanently harm your enamel. There are studies of people that bleach regularly for a year with no ill effects. That is not usually necessary. After bleaching your enamel will be slightly porous, but the minerals in your saliva will correct that in a few days. That's why we tell our patients not to smoke or drink dark liquids during and immediately after bleaching, because the porous teeth will be temporarily more likely to stain in spots. But don't worry about harming your enamel. As long as you follow the directions, everything should be fine. READ MORE
Would I need to take opioids after my extraction?
As usual with questions like this, it depends on a few factors. If the wisdom teeth are impacted and under the bone, there is more of a chance for severe swelling and pain. Often, the patient needs 5-7 days of a narcotic to help with the pain. Increasingly though, dentists are trying to avoid opioids and will, in fact, prescribe higher doses of NSAIDs like ibuprofen. They work well for most pain, and have the added benefit of helping to reduce swelling and inflammation. In cases of severe pain, sometimes dentists alternate the ibuprofen with a milder narcotic, or they may have to simply prescribe a stronger one for a short while. But the goal is to limit the use, or at least the duration, of any narcotic. If your wisdom teeth are not impacted in the bone, but are either partially below the gum or through the gum, ibuprofen should be fine. Even aspirin will be quite effective. Plain Tylenol or acetaminophen may not be as effective. Generally speaking, the more complicated the surgery, the greater the chance for needing any narcotic prescription. In any case, if you have a higher or lower tolerance for pain, that will also help determine what is most effective for you. You certainly won't be required to use opioids. Michael A. Conrad, DDS, PC READ MORE
Can tooth grinding be a serious issue for kids?
Rarely is this a problem. Tooth grinding in adults can be tied to stress. In children, it is often related to a changing bite, especially when all the teeth are not fully erupted, or there is what we call a "mixed dentition." That is when some baby teeth remain and all of the permanent teeth have not come in yet, leaving a bite that just doesn't line up properly. Often, when the child is asleep, the brain registers that the bite is not even and grinding occurs to "even things out." In adults, we can make mouth guards to be worn when sleeping to prevent night grinding and damaging teeth. But in children, we would have to make many mouth guards throughout each year of growth. That would be necessary to accommodate the constant growth of the jaws and the shifting of the bite. If that were not done, a mouth guard would stunt the child's jaw growth. Generally, such grinding in children subsides as the permanent teeth come in completely and the bite begins to stabilize. But it is often very stressful for parents to hear the loud sounds when their children are sleeping. That can make them grind their own teeth in frustration! READ MORE
Is teething delay in children normal?
It probably is normal. Remember, we base our teething estimates on averages, and not everyone fits into the same growth pattern. Certainly, if there is a problem, there is nothing that we can do to make the teeth come in earlier. We just have to periodically evaluate the child and keep checking. And be patient. Michael A. Conrad, DDS, PC READ MORE
For small kids how frequent should dentist visits be?
Every 6 months is ideal. Lots of problems can crop up at that age, because they don't brush as well as an adult can or should because of limited dexterity and motivation, and often it is hard for parents to do a terrific job as well. It's a small, moving target and cooperation is not always the best with kids of that age. READ MORE
What is the right age for kids to brush their teeth on their own?
See one of the previous questions and my answer. But even though she can brush on her own, you must take charge and check her every time and correct any problems. READ MORE
My son's teeth are discoloured. Why?
Certain juice can definitely cause stain, especially grape juice and apple juice. Also know that, while they are made from fruit, juices are acidic and sweet,, so they can cause cavities just about as easily as soda. There are also some medical problems that can lead to tooth discoloration as well as the use of certain medicines. Check with your dentist and pediatrician. READ MORE
Will frequent teeth cleanings remove spots from my teeth?
It depends if they are surface stains or stains within the tooth. Those developmental stains can occur from medicines, fevers, trauma to the teeth and other sources. Ask you dentist what type of stains they are, and then you can decide if more frequent cleanings can help your situation. READ MORE
Why am I so exhausted after removal of infected root canal molar?
There might be residual infection. Have you been taking antibiotics? If so, sometimes they can work on the problem area and leave the whole body out of sync for awhile. If you haven't been taking them, maybe it is time to start. But remember, having an infected tooth removed is like having a major bone broken. It is very traumatic for the body, and some people need more time to recover from the shock to their system. Too often we say. "it's just a tooth," but you had a body part removed and you need to recover. If you had the same problem in your leg, you probably wouldn't walk properly for awhile. If it persists after 2 to 3 weeks, please check with your physician to make sure that there is not another underlying cause. READ MORE
At what age can my little one start brushing her teeth on her own?
She needs to start brushing on her own, but you must check her and go over her teeth again at least until age 5 or 6. Kids just don't have the dexterity and concentration to do the job that they need to do. that's why we put sealants on their 6 year molars. Those first permanent teeth are highly susceptible to cavities on the chewing surface because of their deep grooves. Kids just don't always get them as clean as they need to be. Ask your dentist or hygienist for some disclosing tablets. After she's brushed as well as she can, have her chew up the small red tablet, swish it around her mouth and then rinse and spit. Every spot that she's missed will stain pink, so you can easily see the areas that need more attention. Just be careful not to have her do that before she needs to go somewhere important, because it will make the lips and tongue a bright pink! READ MORE
What could be the reason for my mouth dryness?
Dry mouth can be caused by many things. Do you take any prescription medicines? If so, there are many that cause dry mouth. Sometimes it takes a while for dry mouth symptoms to appear, but when they do, the patient is suddenly aware of an uncomfortable problem. As we age, some people notice a decrease in saliva production. Unfortunately, aging and age-related issues can happen to anyone. Treatment is usually limited to topical rinses and gels to make the patient more comfortable. I have no idea how old you are. Systemic diseases can cause the same problem. Some are related to a decrease in tear production as well. They are often auto-immune problems, where, for some reason, the body begins to attack itself, affecting the cells that produce saliva and tears. That requires a medical diagnosis and treatment, but often can only be treated with the rinses and gels. Finally, a systemic disease that often causes dry mouth is diabetes. If you are diabetic, or have recently transitioned to that condition, dry mouth is a warning sign of elevated glucose levels. So, if you're on medications for anything, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if dry mouth is related to any meds. If not, check with your physician and dentist to see if any of the other possible causes are affecting you. It could be nothing but a bothersome condition, but it could be a sign of a more serious, underlying problem. READ MORE
How can I prevent yellowing of my teeth?
If it is a film with stain, it is probably removable by a dentist. It may have been caused by some inadequate cleaning on your part, and if plaque had been there for more than a few days, it is more likely to stain and be impossible to remove without the proper tools. For a 34 year old patient, a color change is usually only on the surface and can be corrected. But please be aware that numerous factors contribute to staining: smoking, chewing tobacco, red wine, dark sodas, excessive garlic, blueberries, certain medications, and, in general, any dark food or drink. In addition, if you have any tooth-colored fillings on your front teeth, all of those stain producers can darken the fillings. They may need to be replaced. If you haven't been to a dentist for a cleaning and examination in a while, it is now time. READ MORE
Is the yellow tinge on my teeth caused by smoking permanent?
It is probably treatable. It all depends where you see stain on the tooth. If it is on the crown of the tooth, we might be able to polish it away. If it is on exposed root surfaces, it may be more problematic, since the root is quite porous and susceptible to deeper staining. If polishing doesn't remove stain, then tooth whitening or bleaching may be indicated. It can eliminate most of the stains commonly found on the crown of a tooth, but can cause extreme sensitivity on the root surfaces with little result in lightening. If the teeth are bleached, any darkened fillings will have to be replaced to match the newly lightened teeth, since fillings will not lighten. In cases of extreme staining, sometimes it is necessary to cover the teeth with bonding, crowns or veneers to restore them to a lighter, more acceptable shade. If bleaching is done, please be advised that the process leaves the enamel temporarily more porous and easier to stain. That means that you should avoid smoking and consuming dark beverages during the duration of the bleaching process (up to 10 days), otherwise the teeth may lighten with little polka dots of stain - not the look we are trying to achieve. Also, please re-evaluate smoking in general. If you notice stain on your teeth, what is it doing to your lungs? When you consider all the possible cancer and heart risks, perhaps teeth staining is a serious warning sign. If you have only been smoking for a few years it is time to stop. In my practice I see many patients, some of whom are smokers. Everyone is different. Some people smoke as many as 3 packs a day, and there is no tobacco smell on their breath or clothes and no stain on their teeth. Some smoke less than a pack a day and we can smell the evidence of their habit as soon as they arrive. They often have dark black or brown stain on their teeth. And we see patients in between those extremes. But the point is, everyone is different in their makeup and metabolism, so there is no one way that everyone responds physically to smoking, and that includes staining of the teeth and any other physiological effects that it may cause. Please, it is time to stop. Michael A. Conrad, DDS, PC READ MORE
Could wisdom tooth extraction cause an infection?
Yes, it is possible that an infection can develop from the extraction of wisdom teeth, but it is surprising how rarely that happens. When you consider that our mouths are filled with pools of bacteria, you would think that any wound in the mouth would easily get infected. But think how many times you may bite your lip or cheek or tongue - it may be sore for a few days, but then heals uneventfully. Wisdom teeth are molars, and with any molar extractions, especially lowers, there is a chance of developing a postoperative infection. Sometimes, it happens because the patient does not correctly follow the post-op instructions. But sometimes it just happens. It can be called a "dry socket" and usually occurs when, for whatever reason, the blood clot is lost too soon, leaving a naked bony socket that is completely exposed to all the bacteria of the mouth. It often occurs around the second or third day after the surgery, after the patient was starting to feel really good and recovered. The pain associated with a dry socket can be quite severe, more so than the initial extraction. It requires pain medicine, antibiotics, and a medicinal packing in the socket over a period of 3 to 5 days to resolve the problem. Lower molar extractions have a higher chance of this happening because the blood supply of the lower jaw is not as robust as that of the upper jaw where there is a terrific blood supply. Consequently, clots on the lower jaw are simply lost easier, and the dry socket infection results. Dry socket infections can occur in the upper jaw, but are pretty rare. READ MORE
Does switching toothpaste matter?
On the whole, it probably doesn't really matter. Where it is sometimes important is in cases of extremely sensitive teeth. Some people need to use toothpastes that relieves sensitivity, and many find that, while effective initially, over time they seem to lose their effectiveness. Often switching to a different brand will restore effectiveness and relieve sensitivity, but that will also diminish with time. Switching again to another different brand usually helps again, for a while. Eventually, the patient may end up getting good results from the original formulation once again. READ MORE
Can a tooth abscess be seen on an X-ray?
Most of the times, it can be seen, but in the early stages of an abscess, it may not show up on any X-ray. Then, we have to make the diagnosis based on symptoms and testing of the tooth. The reason an abscess can be seen is because the infection has affected some of the bone around the root. It causes the bone to dissolve and be "eaten away", which results in a "hole" that shows up as a dark shadow. Sometimes it's very subtle, even for the dentist, and sometimes, it's very obvious. READ MORE
Brushing too hard?
We never know what one dentist will notice versus another dentist, but gum recession can be caused by many factors, one of which is over brushing. Using a hard toothbrush or scrubbing extra hard with any toothbrush can cause gum recession- of that there is no doubt. But some people have recession as an age-related problem, and others have it from a grinding and clenching problem. We can't do much about aging, but over brushing and clenching can be addressed. As the gums recede, the root is exposed. There is no hard enamel on the root; in fact, it is much softer. Extra vigorous brushing over the root will actually wear away the exposed root and create a ditching effect, which itself can contribute to more recession. Yay. So always use a soft toothbrush and start your brushing at the gum line and work away from it. Don't brush up and down or use the toothbrush like a scrubbing brush. More is not better- sometimes more is just more- and it will cause a problem. If scrubbing and over brushing are not the problem, then investigate a clenching and grinding problem. Perhaps you might benefit from a night guard to prevent the problem when you are sleeping. Also be aware that sometimes you may have had recession for a long time but it is stable. Perhaps the previous dentist noticed that and did not record any changes, so there may not have been a good reason to address it with you. A new dentist, not knowing your history, may be going only. READ MORE
Front tooth cavity
It all depends on how large the filling is and how you may or may not want to change your lifestyle habits. If the filling is very large, a veneer or a crown my be necessary to cover the area with a stronger restoration that will not stain. But if the filling is smaller, those other options would be too invasive. Then another filling is necessary. Please know that tooth-colored fillings are all a form of plastic, and that material is actually porous, and will eventually soak up stain from drinking or eating dark things like colas, root beer, red wine, tomato sauce, blueberries and dark chocolate. Also, smoking contributes greatly to the staining. If you do a lot of those things, expect your fillings to stain over time. Some patients only get 3 to 5 years of of life with that type of filling. But new materials are being developed everyday, and there may be a new product that would last longer. I just saw a promising one this week and will be ordering some for use in situations involving constant staining. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

EndodonticsOral Surgery

Professional Memberships

American Dental Association
Pennsyvania Dental Association

Treatments

Cosmetic dentistry, CAD/CAM dentistry

Professional Society Memberships

American Dental Association, Pennsylvania Dental Association

What do you attribute your success to?

Offering patients the best care I know how to give, utilizing the latest in treatment trends and technology. Making the Right Decisions at the Right Time, Looking to Innovation.