Allegany Dental Care strives to provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art dental experience capable of meeting the needs of patients of all ages, and to do so with competence, compassion and integrity.
Dr. McCafferty, a native of Wallingford, PA, received his B.S. degree from The College of New Jersey, graduating magna cum laude. He received his DDS degree, magna cum laude, from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland and joined Allegany Dental Care in 2000. Dr. McCafferty, his wife Sarma, and their daughters live in Hagerstown.
Dr. McCafferty has traveled to Cork, Ireland as part of an international dental exchange program. He also spent a month with the Indian Health Service in Tuba City, AZ providing dental care for patients on the Navajo reservation. He has volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of Eagle Scout himself.
He is a graduate of Class XVI of the Leadership Hagerstown (now Leadership Washington County) program, which has kept him in touch with developments in Hagerstown and Washington County. He has recently been active in Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Washington County and has lectured on items of dental interest at Hagerstown Community College.
Dr. McCafferty is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Maryland State Dental Association, and has served two terms as President of the Washington County Dental Society and is currently serving as the Treasurer.
Dr. Boniface is a native of Middletown, MD. He received a B.A. degree in Biology and Chemistry from St. Marys College of Maryland, and his D.D.S. degree from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland. Dr. Boniface, his wife Jill, and their two children reside in Middletown.
Dr. Carella, originally from Long Island, NY received his B.S. (cum laude) in Chemistry from The University of Delaware. He earned his DDS degree (magna cum laude) from The University of Maryland Dental School. During his time at the university, he participated in various community service events and held several leadership positions. While attending dental school, Dr. Carella completed a one-year advanced training program in the Special Patient and Geriatric Care Clinic, which concentrated in delivering dental care to a diverse population of special needs and geriatric patients.
Upon graduation, Dr. Carella was accepted into the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor society and received several honors, including The Academy of General Dentistry Award. He continued his training by completing a one-year postdoctoral General Practice Residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. During his residency, Dr. Carella studied under world-renowned faculty and specialists in the fields of Oral Surgery, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Pediatrics, and Endodontics. The program focused on all aspects of dental care with special concentration in restorative, aesthetic, surgical, and implant dentistry.
Dr. James Kiefer is originally from Cockeysville, MD. He received his B.S. degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise at Virginia Tech (magna cum laude). While in college, he worked as a student athletic trainer for the Division I Mens Football team and Womens Lacrosse team.
Dr. Kiefer went on to earn his DDS at University of Maryland Dental School. While at the University of Maryland, he participated in numerous community service activities, including Mission of Mercy and volunteer coaching for Charm City Youth Lacrosse League, and held numerous leadership roles including Vice President of his class. In his final year at University of Maryland, Dr. Kiefer completed a one-year advanced training program in Oral Surgery and was honored with the International College of Dentists award for student leadership upon graduation.
Dr. Kiefer is an active member of the American Dental Association, Maryland State Dental Association, Washington County Dental Society, The Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Association of Dental Sleep Medicine. He strives to provide the highest quality of care while working hard to deliver it in a friendly and comfortable environment.
While not practicing dentistry, Dr. Kiefer enjoys several athletic activities including skiing, beach volleyball, CrossFit, and weightlifting. He also enjoys running and biking on the trails and roads of Washington, Allegany, and Frederick Counties.
Dr. Mirigian is a native of Sudbury, MA. He earned a BS degree from the University of Massachusetts and a DMD degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He currently resides in Hagerstown with his wife and their son and dog. When not in the office he loves spending time outside, playing and watching sports of all kinds.
Dental implants are often the best option when replacing a missing tooth or several missing teeth. Interested in dental implants but want to know a little bit more about them before making the decision? Here is a quick guide to dental implants.
It is a surgical-grade titanium anchor which is placed in the area once occupied by the root of your tooth. After the implant heals and integrates with its surroundings, your dentist can attach a tooth to the implant/anchor. In most cases, your new implant-supported tooth will look, feel and function just like your natural teeth.
Start to finish, the process can take anywhere from three to 10 months or more. If you're having the tooth extracted, the surgeon will usually allow the site to heal for two to four months after the extraction before placing the implant. Once the implant is placed another two to four months is allowed for the surrounding bone and tissues to heal and actually fuse to the implant.
In some cases, the implant can be placed at the visit that a tooth is extracted. However, for most cases the implant will be healthier long-term if the extraction site is allowed time to heal before the implant is placed.
At Allegany Dental Care, we do not place implants yet. We refer our patients to Oral Surgeons and Periodontists in the area in order to have the implant placed. Then you return to us to have the tooth, bridge, or denture fabricated and placed on the implant.
Most patients report that having an implant placed causes less discomfort than the extraction. When a tooth is pulled, your body must work hard to heal and grow new bone in the extraction site. When an implant is placed, a small amount of bone is removed to make space for the implant, but the space is filled with the implant. Your body just has to work on integrating to the implant and not growing new bone this time.
Implant are a great option for replacing a single tooth space, but can also replace multiple tooth spaces and help if you have no teeth at all. Implants can have attachments added to allow your denture to snap in, helping them to stay in place. We also can make full arch dentures that do not need to be removed.
Not everybody is a candidate for dental implants. There are complex anatomic considerations including bone density and thickness, nerve and sinus location that can affect your eligibility for implants. However, even if you are not a candidate right now, there may be certain procedures that can allow you to have a dental implant. If you are interested, ask your dentist to see if you are a candidate.
Cost:As dental implants are the best/premier option when replacing a missing tooth or teeth requiring specialized and custom parts and equipment. They also are typically the most costly option when replacing a missing tooth or teeth. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
Reviews
Rating 5.0 out of 5 based on 53 reviews
Sort by
newest oldest highest lowestBernard Hopkins
2 years ago
They were very professional and made my extraction a GREAT experience!! I would recommend anyone to go there who has a fear of the dentist!!!
Bonnie embly
2 years ago
Don't know where to begin! I have had so many issues in the last few years, I have bad genetics, lol. However, DR Keifer has been AMAZING! He's professional, but so very compassionate, patient, and makes me feel so at ease. He goes above and beyond for sure! He had to refer my mom to the endodontist for a root canal. She was extremely nervous! Dr Keifer showed up at the endodontist appointment for her!!! WAY above and beyond! And everyone in the office are just as amazing! Always friendly, helpful, and genuinely caring ladies
Cindy Brown
2 years ago
Allegany-Smithsburg location- has been my dental care facility ever since opening their doors. I continue to receive consistently excellent care. I appreciate the perfect balance of "friendly professionalism" of the entire staff.
Ruthann Berty
2 years ago
The staff here are wonderful! I highly recommend this office.
Nikol Schaffer
2 years ago
Dr Kiefer is amazing. He is very calming and explains everything he does and he does all that with perfectionism. He saved a tooth that was in a bad shape, it looks and feels very natural, you can't even tell it is a filling and I am pain free. Also would like to mention the rest of the staff is kind! Highly recommend!
Bill Loughridge
2 years ago
Another great experience at Allegany Dental. Dr. Kiefer is a wonderful dentist.
Mo B
2 years ago
Went to the Smithsburg location in Nov. 2021 and was out of network. I was happy because it was close to my house and convenient. They cleaned my teeth and gave me X-rays. I had no copays- unbelievably! In April 2022 I went for a cleaning- and was NOT notified "of their prices increasing". Shortly after in May, I received a bill for $25. They received a payout from my policy and then billed me for a cleaning, NO X-RAYS this time. So they made $125 for a cleaning? Also, I have a decent amount of work that needs to be done and I was willing to pay out of pocket for increased pricing for the work. This dentist has lost me as a customer and patient- I won't recommend them to other folks that move to the area for this reason. This is a TERRIBLE way to conduct business and its shady. The office staff have attitudes and want to get you off the phone as quick as possible. It's also frustrating because dentistry isn't regulated- so they can do things like this and get away with it. (I only went to this dentist office because I have a colleague on the same policy that goes to another office location off of Virginia Ave. in Hagerstown.) Customer beware: make sure you know how much you owe prior to going in and getting a cleaning or having work done. This business is shifty and business practices are dicey, it means they can't be trusted with your money or your teeth!!
Karla Alexander
2 years ago
Dr. Kiefer and his assistants are wonderful.
larry westcott
2 years ago
I have always had superb dental care at Allegany Dental. They are the best. I had a tooth pulled on March 25, 2022 and experienced almost no pain. Just terrific people who really care about their patients. Friendly, professional people.
Rachel Bosic
2 years ago
Go to this dentist! Dr. Kiefer and every staff member I've met here have been incredibly kind, gentle, and informative. I have had several procedures done and throughout them all, have been amazed at Dr. Kiefer and staff's skill and genuine concern for my well being. Seriously the best dentist - and I used to hate going to the dentist!
Jessica Beaver
2 years ago
Dr.Kiefer is so kind, patient and explains everything! I was having anxiety about a filling and he took his time with me during the entire procedure and made the entire process painless. He truly cares about his patients and it shows. Jenny in the front office is always so friendly and helpful. The hygienist are amazing as well. My family and I have been patients for years and will not go anywhere else.
Bobby Nichols
2 years ago
I have been going to this dental office for well over 10 years. I absolutely love this office. Dr. Kiefer and staff always make you feel comfortable when getting procedures done. Jan has been cleaning my teeth for as long as I can remember. This is a very nicely ran office, and I also like how clean it is. My entire family goes here and you should probably too.
Jonnie Lefebure
2 years ago
Very caring staff. Dr Kiefer answers all my questions about my treatments.
Augustine U
2 years ago
Doctor Kiefer and his assistant were wonderful repairing my broken tooth. I'm still smiling
William Rourke
2 years ago
I'm not a good patient at the dentist office. I have a Hugh problem with something as small as a tooth pick in my mouth. Dr Kiefer and his staff made my experience very comfortable and painless. The entire staff is very friendly and accommodating.
Mike H
2 years ago
I was taken into the exam room on time, as usual. ADC seems to value my time and that is very much appreciated. Both the hygienist and the dentist were very clear and thorough in explaining my upcoming dental work. This staff is the best.
Americus OBrien
2 years ago
I was very nervous about getting the work I had done done but I tell you this was the best Dental experience I've had in my life the staff was ever caring and professional and they take the time to explain what there doing so that alone takes away a lot of the fear. I will highly recommend going to this Dental office over many others in this area hands down. Best in our area.
Tracey Rotz
2 years ago
Dr. Keifer and his staff are wonderful! He was very thorough, explained everything well, listened to my concerns and did an awesome job! After having a bad experience with a prior dentist I was nervous to say the least... I am very glad to have come to Allegany Dental- It was a great experience! The whole office is extremely friendly and caring! I will definitely be recommending Dr. Kiefer to all my family and friends!
S M
2 years ago
Michelle was amazing! She was pleasant and assured me multiple times I would be okay during my procedure.
Lindsay B
3 years ago
I had to have an emergency extraction and was super pleased with the care I received. They were able to see me the same day and everyone in the office was super helpful. Dr. Kiefer and his dental assistant Crystal were very thorough and made the process seamless. I would highly recommend this office!