Not really happy

by skiette22

Initially when I first started going there I was really happy with the service. They were friendly and personable. Then the office started growing and there were lots of new staff. So I got to see the technicians more than the dentist and it seems like they were just practicing on you. And for the price I was paying, I would have liked the dentist to at least check their work and I know two times that he didn't and then I had to come back at a later time to get something fixed that wasn't right. I went in for invisilign and came out with more dental work than I needed going into this process. My teeth did look great afterwards, but after treatment getting a retainer that fit was impossible. They kept making it in house and it was always done by the technician and it was either too short or cut my gums and I think they just got tired of making them for me so they said I had to keep the one I had, which didn't fit properly. I even wanted to pay for new ones if someone competant would make it. After numerous calls, which they never seemed to call back, I just went to another dentist and he said the retainer should have been made by the lab thru invisilign and not in-house. The only way the new dentist could fix it was to start from scratch. So $5000 dollars out, and my teeth are back to where they originally were. I'm not happy at all!!

• Pros: Nice office, new equipment, newer options
• Cons: Price, seen more of the technicians than the dentist

Do your research on Lumineers

by roxy49

Do your research on lumineers before you get work done. The only type of porcelain veneer offered in this office are the cerinate lumineers which are very thin, yet do not have a realistic tooth quality, like regular thickness porcelain veneers. There is far more color shading andnatural quality to other types of porcelain, and the lumineers, being so thin are very limited in color and look very opaque once they are placed on your teeth. Also, I had to go to another dentist when one of my veneers kept falling off (within a year) and the result was a porcelain crown replacement on that tooth. Actually the porcelain crown is beautiful, with a natural look and color shade that the other teeth don't have. (although the dentist had to make the shade close to the other veneers so it would blend in ) Dr Cirka and his office are very nice and technical skills fine, but the quality of the materials (ie cerinate lumineers) are inadequate and generic. Find a dentist who works one to one with a technician ceramicist, rather than a lumineers "factory" and you will have more beautiful and natural looking veneers. Do your research on the types of veneers and porcelain avaiilable...before jumping in. Also, the prices at this Dr.s office are very expensive. My one porcelain crown with another dentist in the suburbs of Philly cost $200 less than one lumineer.

• Pros: Personable office.
• Cons: Very expensive. No choice in types of Veneers

Response from this business

50504– September 21, 2009 at 13:42:16 PDT

We do all types of porcelain work in my office-Empress veneers, Cerinate Lumineers, and all-porcelain crowns depending on the needs of each patient. A Lumineer works great when you don't want to drill off your entire tooth. Sometimes it is necessary to grind down the whole tooth (as in this case), but we try and keep as much tooth structure as possible for our patients. I am sorry that you had a problem-I wish you let me know!

Dr. Cirka has an Incredible Office!

by NathanHarmo

I'm 26, and I haven't seen seen a dentist since I was probably about 13 years old, or younger. I was scared, and nervous about what the dentist was going to tell me, but all my fears quickly subsided once I entered Dr. Cirka's office.

From the moment I steped in the office I received something that you rarely get when you visit a doctor/dentist, first class service all the way. I felt special, wanted, and well cared from the begining of my visit to the end.

They took the time to get to know ME not only as a patient but as a person. They fully explained all the procedures that were planning, and my visit even inlcuded viewing some very informative videos related to my care.

I was assigned a dental assistant who stayed with me for the entirety of my visit. Even when there was no need for her to stay in the room, she remained to keep me company, and make me feel like a friend.

I felt incredibly comfortable throughout my visit, and actually felt GOOD about leaving his office that I was on a plan that would restore my dental health and give me a beautiful smile.

Dr. Cirka could've been judgemental, and critical of the fact that it'd been over 15 years since I saw a dentist. Instead, he made me feel good about the fact that I was seeing one NOW, and taking my health back.

I am so grateful to be in the care of Dr. Cirka, and his staff. I can't praise them enough, and i'm quite excited about to see the results of what they have in store for me.

I'm probably one of the only people who actually looks forward to seeing their dentist, because inpsite of sometimes feeling undervalued, overworked, and unnoticed in every aspect of my life, for those few hours in Dr. Cirka's office, I feel special!

He's highly recommended!

• Pros: Excellent paitient care, flexible scheduling, amazing staff!
• Cons: None!

Response from this business

50504– September 21, 2009 at 13:43:18 PDT

Thank you, Nathan! We are always happy to see you and will see you at your next Invisalign appointment! I am so glad that we overcame your barriers to dental care together!

Good experience w. Dr. Cirka and office staff

by rbzinbrynmawr

I recently had a root canal done at Dr. Cirka's office. I was horrified when I found out I needed to have it done and that I would be in the chair for 4 or 5 hours since I needed cavities filled as well. The only pain (minimal) I felt was from the numbing needles. The hygienist even massaged my jaw for me when she knew it was hurting.

I had complications from the procedure and had Dr. Cirka's personal email address which I did not hesitate to use at any hour of the night to complain about my pain. He would respond in a timely manner and even absorbed the cost when he felt I should see an endodontist.

My problems have been solved and I feel that I received excellent service. The office staff is incredibly nice and accommodating. They knew me by my first name as soon as I entered the office and you will never wait longer than 5 minutes. I would recommend Dr. Cirka's office to my best friend.The only downside is the cost. Take proper care of your teeth and you shouldn't have that big of a invoice.

• Pros: excellent service, great staff
• Cons: price

So pleased. And thankful!!!

by Beezkwee

I hate going to the dentist. Seriously. I can't stand the drilling sound when they're cleaning your teeth. I'm always expecting the worst, terrified that there is something horribly wrong with my mouth. I've had way too many teeth pulled, had braces for way too long when I was a kid, and just generally don't like people poking around in my mouth.

The minute I walked into Dr. Cirka's office, I felt more calm. I have to say, the atmosphere, the pleasant staff, everything was great from the go. (Not to mention the free consultation was a plus.)

The hygienist was extremely up front about costs, and very gentle. She explained completely to me what was wrong, and the visit ultimately wound up costing me MUCH less than I thought it would.

• Pros: Great ambiance, excellent staff
• Cons: none that i could tell!

Wonderful Office

by AY05

I have a general fear of dentists. When I went to Dr. Cirka's office a year ago, I knew that I needed work done but had been too fearful in the past to get it done elsewhere because most dentist offices are set up like an assembly line. Dr. Cirka's office gives you a comfort level that I have not felt at any other dentist's office. They explain everything to you and allow you time to process the information. I am no longer nervous about going to the dentist. Even when I am not scheduled to see Dr. Cirka, he takes the time out to stop by and say hello. I highly recommend his office. It has been a great experience for me.

• Pros: The service is wonderful
• Cons: It can be pricey but if you want good work done that is a sacrifice that is worth it.

Definitely the best dentist in Philly!

by Roper244

I have been going to Dr. Cirka's office for a little over a year now, and he and Dr. Silva are definitely two of the nicest, most professional dentists I've ever met. I guess the reason I am writing this is beause I read the review below. I know for me, I had been told a few things that I wasn't so sure I needed, but after sitting down with the doctor, he totally explained (and showed me) why I needed a few things that were NEVER brought to my attention at my previous dentist. I've seen Dr. Cirka and Dr. Silva now, and I'm 100% comfortable with both. My hygienist, Jen, is amazing, and always goes above and beyond when it comes to my dental health. I've never felt anything has been pushed on me, but quite the opposite -- I feel like if I NEED something, they aren't afraid to offer it to me. I guess it depends on how you look at things to see how you perceive it, but I'm the type of person when if you explain and show me, then I'm fine with what needs to be done.

I would, and have, told many people about how much I love this office. Oh, and the front staff is great too -- they always remember my name, what I do for a living, and just things you wouldn't expect your dental office to remember!

be EXTREMELY careful as they Will try to tell you that you need expensive work

by m99

They are very nice and they did a good job with cleaning.

But, for myself and for others that I know, it was clear that they tried to make a strong case (exaggerating the need) for expensive work to be done. Telling me what I needed, but without my approval, they were already starting to do the expensive work. Once I realized it, I asked how much it would cost, and then I had to ask them not to do it yet as I was not prepared to spend that kind of money. They put some more pressure on me, until I had to say that I dont know if I can afford it. They finally backed off after I didnt accept their next pressure point, installment payments. This all had to be done in the dentist chair.

I had gone in for a cleaning and checkup.

Later I found out that the same techniques were used on friends that have gone to this office.

Also, Dr. Cirka who's won these awards wasnt the dentist. There was someone else.

I think the quality was good, but they use very high pressure sales tactics and they seem to be looking for ways that they can make extra money off of you. It makes it difficult to trust your dentist.

Response from this business

50504– October 15, 2008 at 07:49:16 PDT

Hi, m99.

I'm glad that you were satisfied with your cleaning. However, if anyone if dissatisfied with work or feels uncomfortable while at our office, I strongly encourage you to speak with myself or Phil, the other Office Manager, before you leave. We never want someone to leave unhappy so I wish you would've said something while you were here so that I could have addressed your concerns immediately. As far as you seeing Dr. Silva instead of Dr. Cirka (I'm assuming that's who you saw as we only have two doctors), she has had extensive training at the Las Vegas Institute and is an amazing dentist. We trust all of our staff here. Dr. Cirka has won several awards but many of the awards that our office has received has been awarded to our entire office, Dr. Silva included. I would be happy to speak with you more so feel free to call the office at (215)568-6222 because I don't want you to leave our office with a bad taste in your mouth (no pun intended)!

-Erica, Office Manager

Great Dentistry

by Kappharmd

After reading the reviews on this site, i just had to speak up: I have been going to Dr. Cirka's office for over a year. I do have dental insurance, so i can't speak to the prices, i don't even pay attention, but when i got invisiline with his office last year, i was helped by the sweetest guy ever to get a healthcare loan at 0% interest. I also got the scaling but it was well needed and worthwhile, my teeth and gums still look fantastic- but to the girl who complained: let's face it if you haven't gone to the dentist in 7 years- yeah you probably have the beginnings of periodontal disease. I have never had a problem with the staff, they know me by name, and i'm consistantly late- and they laugh when i tell them i swear i'll be there in 5 minutes, and say it's fine. I have only met two dentists, Dr. Cirka and Dr. Silva, i highly doubt that constitutes a dentist factory? Anti-dentite much?? I'm a pharmacist, and i know the demands placed on healthcare professionals these days, but i hold Dr. Cirka's office in high regaurd, and will continue to use his practice.

• Pros: Great office, great staff, helpful insurance specialist, great cosmetic dentistry, work with your availability- ALOT
• Cons: Pay Parking

Best Dental Staff Around!

by ChristinaMG

I am a person that is terrified ::edit:: TERRIFIED of going to the dentist. I put it off for 7+ years until my mouth hurt so bad, I couldn't wait any longer. Having recently moved to the Philly area, I didn't have a local dentist, but a coworker highly recommended Dr. Cirka's office and she couldn't have been more right. Katelyn, my hygienist, is so friendly and very gentle, even making the somewhat painful procedures not as bad as they could be. She explained everything that was wrong in a way I understand (I'm not a dentist after all) and what would be done to correct the problems. She is fantastic. Also, after my first visit I met with the office manager who explained all of the costs and gave me a pretty damn accurate estimation of how much my insurance would cover. I have never, NEVER had a doctor do that. Fantastic! Everyone on staff that I have encountered has been nothing less than friendly, accommodating and comforting. Highly recommended!

• Pros: Very gentle, friendly and comforting!
• Cons: No cons yet!

Response from this business

50504– September 02, 2008 at 05:23:32 PDT

I am so excited we could help you overcome your fears! I'm glad that you can be more aware of your oral health and are now a part of our office! See you soon!

Erica, Office Manager