Locations
Office
Wayne, PA
Phone
Practice website
About
Bio
1975 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Faculty appointment as Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry, 1979
Operates private practice in Wayne, PA since 1980
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Dentistry
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
70 Answers
2 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Surgeons call: Some bleeding is of course normal. This is why you need to ask your surgeon what you should expect. Direct pressure is always the best way to stop ble... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Asymptomatic: The condition is usually asypmptomatic; that is without symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Indeterrninate: Although a true malignancy may take longer, changes associated with the use of such a known carcinogen are observable fairly quickly. Dont try to "pl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Play it safe: Apthous-type ulcers are more benign but the previous answer provides warning about the spread of a virally produced lesion. Be safe...Since you dont k... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Not likely: This could be the sign of advancing gum disease and should be evaluated asap. With proper treatment you can save the teeth.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
No: Toothpastes may contain a number of ingredients including a mild abrasive, flavoring, foaming agents, purported whiteners, desensitizers and, typicall... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Inflamed nerve: A tooth in which the nerve is unhealthy may resond painfully to heat stimulus. Heat increases blood flow which puts additional pressure on the nerve.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 59-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Possibly/like;y: Depending on the amount of recession, there may or may not be bone involved. Gum diseases (periodontitis) is possible. Bone loss and recession often... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Either: Either should be able to help. If the general dentist is not comfortable treating your problem he will refer you to a specialist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Infection: The glands are lymph nodes. They are factories that produce antibidies. When they work overtime, as in the case of an infection, they swell and become... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Dental exam: A thorough dental exam is mandatory. All of the things you mentioned suggest an infectious problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Get it checked first: Codeine is a centrally acting, narcotic drug used to manage moderate levels of pain. Although it may be helpful in relieving your toothache pain it ma... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
No: Powdered inositol, dissolved in water, will not stain teeth. Juice, depending on the type and coloration, can stain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Needs examination: Sorry but no way to tell without a thorough exam. Anything less would be pure guess.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Magic mouthwash: You can ask your dentist to prescribe an oral rinse sometimes called magic mouthwash.
It contains a local anesthetic and an antihistamine in a viscou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Nerve damage: From your description it is llikely that the breakage of your tooth exposed the dental pulp. This tissue/organ occupies the core of each tooth. It con... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Any general dentist: Any general or restorative dentist can repair or replace a dental restoration that has an open margin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Malocclusion: Quite possibly some misalignment of the teeth and/or jaws can result in the accidental biting of the lip and cheek.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Yes and the reverse: Because of the innervation of that part of the facial skeleton, pain in the teeth, ear and head can be associated and initaited be a disorder in any o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed Oct 27, 2021
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Sometimes: I would hesitate to call the feeling you are having "normal" but some degree of post-operative sensitivity is common. It is somewhat proportional to t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Should not be: There should be no discomfort whatsoever during the root canal procedure if you are properly anesthetized. There is always the chance of some post ope... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
It is not: It is considerd to be a benign conditioniand is not treated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Unlikely: Chronic irritation can, over time, causr cells to mutate. But it is far more common to develop a fibroma (benign lump) at the site of the biting habit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
General dentist: Start with a general dentist. He will refer you to a specialist as needed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Surgeon's csll: Consult with your surgeon to get a specific answer. It varies widely based on the complexity of the surgical management of your case.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Swelling/discharge: Fever persistent, unrelentig pain, swelling, discharge may all be related to a post-operative infection. Don't hesitate...See your dentist/oral surgeo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Possible : I is possible but not highly predictable. There are a number of reasons for this but it somewhat depends on what the reason for the loss of hard/soft ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
27 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
normal: Craze lines or incomplete enamel fractures, as some call them, are universal. But you may have not noticed them before on this tooth. Wearing you occl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Infection: Your description of progressive symptoms sounds like an infection is present in this area it could be in the tooth or the related structures. I stron... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Depends: The size, material and shape could make a difference. Have a dentist examine the prosthesis to try to determine what actually was ingested. Monitoring... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Maybe: Tmj is the name of the joint. Tmd is the problem in that joint. Whether the joint itself is involved or just the muscles in that area needs to be dete... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Heat or cold: Try rinsing or holding warm or cold water next to the offending tooth (you will need to experiment if you don't already know which causes the tooth t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Warm salt water: Rinsing with warm salt water is the panacea of household remedies. It has no true medicinal value but may make the area feel better for a short time. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Treat the infection: "abscess" is used in the vernacular for many different conditions. But clinically it is usually the result of a bacterial infection either inside or o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Not mad: Not mad (i hope) but we are obliged to provide diagnostic services to the "standard of care". This includes "looking under the hood" using xrays perio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Not contagiously: Using smokeless tobacco has no effect on the contagious potential of "swapping saliva". If you mean by "sick' the feeling of nausea, that is another s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Dental exam: Kids are not very good brushers and that is not a big problem. But you need to rule out any connection to some dental condition needing treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
It will go away: Ulcerated lesions or mouth ulcers can occur after dental treatment. Have it checked out by the dentist first, they will heal spontaneously and there ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Depends: Your surgeon should be able to give you a good idea. Really depends on how complicated the tooth removal will be.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Hyper-actiive muscul: The reasons for clenching and grinding habits are varied and controversial. A plastic-type device, made by a dentist, that covers the teeth (usually t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Various ones do: Various orthodontic appliances use the application of force through with headgear to manage the growth of the facial skeleton during tooth movement. T... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Depends: It depends on a number of things. For example: where in the mouth is the space? For some people the stability of their dental arches resists the movem... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Possibly: Aromatic oils such as wintergreen have a variety of reputed beneficail effects. I am sure an internet search will yield a plethora of information on t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
See a dentist asap: After a simple soft-tissue injury like a lip-biting incident, two months should be more than enough time for healing. For this reason i would suggest ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Frequently: The bacteria involved with gum disease can contaminate the nerve of a tooth causing acute inflammation and pain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Sometimes: The decision to use hospital is made by the surgeon and usually results from some comples medical condition that is best managed in the hospital settn... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Yes: They are custom made and will be adjusted as needed to insure your comfort.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Infection: A post operative infection is possible after any surgical procedure. Inflammation from the mechanical trauma of the surgery can cause the nerves in th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Ritzanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Complicated: Ideally the symptoms associated with joint pain would be addresses and relieved before starting tooth movement.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
4
Recommendations
164
Thank you notes
Feb 4, 2013
Great doctor and is very kind and caring
Mar 19, 2015
Great Dentist!!
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Ritz is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thank you, I actually have this already bc I'm fighting stage 4 metastatic breast Cancer. I be been using it but it doesn't last very long
HealthTap member
Thank you! May ask again just to inquire about potential future fixes.
HealthTap member
Am changing my dentists since not satisfied. The do not answer my #'s.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, PA
Graduated 1975MD
Awards
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