Having regular dental checkups and cleanings is the best way to disease prevention. However, when a problem does develop, it is more likely to be something small if the patient has been having regular oral check-ups. Here is the list of services that we provide to help you prevent major complications from ever occurring.
 

CLEANINGS

Dental cleanings are a must for healthy teeth and gums. No matter how well you brush, plaque and tartar accumulate in hard to reach spots. Both plaque and tartar contain pathogenic bacteria causing dental cavities/caries, gingivitis and periodontal disease. During every cleaning, plaque and tartar are removed from teeth surfaces to keep your entire mouth healthy.
 

SCALINGS

For cases of gingivitis, periodontal disease, or significant amounts of hardened plaque (calculus) below the gum line, a deep cleaning, or scaling, may be necessary. Because of the location and severity of the calculus deposits, the scaling procedure can cause the patient great discomfort. To alleviate any pain that may be experienced during the scaling process, patients are anesthetized using a local anesthetic.
 

SEALANTS

Sealants are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent the development of cavities. Sealants are particularly important for children, since newly erupted teeth are at the highest risk of trapping food. We only use BPA free sealants.
 

LASER CAVITY DETECTION

To locate hard to find cavities, we use the Diagnodent (www.KaVoUSA.com) laser cavity detector. The Diagnodent laser cavity detector can locate cavities so small, they can’t even be seen on dental X-Rays.
 

BACTERIAL ANALYSIS

Research shows that being cavity-free is more than how you brush. Bacterial imbalance also puts you at risk of developing cavities. To help our patients identify if they have bacterial imbalance, we use a bacterial test called CariScreen (www.carifree.com). The CariScreen helps us test the levels of good and bad bacteria in your mouth. If it is determined that an imbalance exists, patients have the option to begin the CariFree treatment protocol of rinses, varnishes, and sprays. We have had great success with this protocol, and many patients have become cavity free for the first time as a result of using this treatment.
 

TEETH GRINDING

Do you grind your teeth? Grinding can result in the premature wearing down, chipping or breaking of your teeth. We can provide you with a custom NightGuard that will protect your teeth during sleep.
 

DENTAL RELATED MIGRAINES

Do you suffer from migraines? Surprisingly, the cause may be related to your teeth. To help eliminate or reduce these headaches, a small plate, called NTI (www.nti-tss.com), is made for you to wear on your teeth during sleep. This plate helps to relax key facial muscles which reduces your migraine symptoms.
 

SPORTSGUARD

Dental trauma in sports is common and easily preventable. Children are particularly vulnerable when it comes to oral sports injuries. To protect your teeth during athletic play, we provide custom molded sports guards that can prevent injuries and lifelong pain.

Looking for a beautiful smile? Cosmetic dentistry is any procedure that improves appearance of teeth, gums or bite. These procedures are elective and not covered by dental insurance.

WHITENING

There are different ways to whiten your teeth, from over the counter Crest strips to in-office professional bleaching. We offer three ways to whiten your teeth: in-office whitening, custom molded take home trays or combination of the first two. While results vary from patient to patient, we found out that best results are achieved by combining in office bleaching with wearing professionally made custom trays at home. The duration of each treatment cycle is dependent on the results desired for each patient.

Whitening Before

Whitening After

BONDING

Bonding is a cosmetic procedure done to change the appearance of your teeth. It can be used to change the shape or color, as well as close gaps between teeth. Bonding is a less expensive alternative to veneers, and can last 5 to 10 years.

Bonding Before

Bonding After

TOOTH COLOR RESTORATIONS

Do your teeth need to be restored, but you’re concerned that the restoration color won’t match? Our office is amalgam free. We use composite fillings to make teeth look natural. Tooth colored restoration using composite fillings can be done in a single visit.

Color Restoration Before

Color Restoration After

Color Restoration Before

Color Restoration After

COLOR CORRECTION OF A SINGLE TOOTH

Sometimes due to trauma to the tooth, its color can change and that single tooth becomes very dark. There are different ways to correct single tooth discoloration. Veneers or bonding can cover the entire surface of the tooth, making it look like the adjacent teeth. However if the tooth has had a root canal procedure in the past, we also offer a less aggressive approach, which doesn’t require removal of the tooth structure, called internal tooth whitening.

Single Tooth Color Correction Before

Single Tooth Color Correction After

VENEERS

Veneers are an excellent way to improve stained or crooked teeth, including those with discolored fillings. Porcelain veneers, bonded to the surfaces of your teeth, have a longer life expectancy then composite restorations, and are resistant to staining from food.

Veneers Before

Veneers After

Veneers Before

Veneers After

A crown is a restoration that covers tooth and restores it to its original size and shape. When a tooth is severely damaged by decay, fracture, had prior root canal therapy or has had too many fillings, it becomes necessary to put a crown on this tooth. The crown helps to save the tooth, as well as strengthens it. Crowns can be gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal.

Crown Restoration Before

Crown Restoration After

When one or more teeth are missing, a bridge is a viable solution to replacing your missing teeth and restoring your chewing ability. When a bridge is added to your teeth, the teeth adjacent to the empty space are shaved down to receive crowns. The missing teeth are then joined with these crowns. While it is a good way to help a patient, an implant is a preferable treatment modality to replace teeth.

Before Bridge

After Bridge

When the interior tissue of a tooth becomes infected, it puts the tooth at risk and often results in pain. Root Canal Therapy becomes necessary to save the tooth. During the procedure, infected tissue is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned, disinfected, and sealed.

A denture is a removable prosthesis replacing missing teeth. It can be taken out of the mouth and put back in. Dentures can be complete or partial. In the case of partial denture, some natural teeth are still present in the mouth. If all teeth are missing, a complete denture will be required. New denture wearers may temporarily experience speech difficulty, an increased salivary flow, as well as a slight change in facial appearance.

Dental implants are components in the shape of the root of the tooth. Each implant is surgically placed into the jaw bone to support dental prosthesis such as crowns, bridges or dentures. Implants are an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth.

While some implants are placed at our office, depending on the case, a specialist may be required to do a more complicated placement. For these circumstances, we have created very strong professional bonds with some of the best specialists in Washington DC, to whom we will refer patients. This ensures that our patients receive top notch oral care under all conditions.
 

Mini Implants

The most effective use of a mini-implant (www.imtec.com) is for denture stabilization. Many denture wearers suffer a great discomfort as a result of ill-fitting or loose dentures. Placement of mini-implants will address and solve these problems. The mini implant acts as the root of your tooth. Linked to a special fixture, the mini-implant locks the denture into place while in use.