Author: drummonddentalcare-WP-Team

Having cracks, chips, discoloration, fractures, and missing teeth affect your smile and confidence. Fortunately, modern cosmetic dentistry can help. The various procedures included are designed to improve the appearance of your mouth, teeth, gums, and overall smile.

When you visit our cosmetic dentist near you, they will examine your teeth and gum and determine the type of procedure that is ideal for you.

What are the Different Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

We offer different cosmetic dental procedures that can improve your smile. Sometimes, our dentist may use one or a combination of treatments to solve the issue. These procedures include:

1. Teeth Bonding

Dental bonding repairs cracks, chips, discoloration, or lengthens the teeth using a resin material. Bonding is one of the most inexpensive, noninvasive, and fast dental procedures. Our dentist will begin the process with an assessment to check the condition of your gums and teeth.

Local anesthesia is not usually used unless you have decay or the crack is near a nerve. Our dentist will condition the teeth to make it easy for the resin material to bond to the teeth. The teeth are bonded, and a special light is used to harden the material.
The resin material is prone to cracks and chips, and you need to care for the teeth. 

2. Teeth Whitening and whitening

The teeth can get discolored because of various factors, like age, medication, lifestyle, and diet. Our cosmetic dentist in Merrifield, VA, will recommend professional teeth whitening because it is more effective. The in-office teeth whitening involves the application of a whitening solution with high amounts of the whitening agent. Our dentist also uses a protective gel on the gums to protect them from bruising. The teeth whitening process takes a couple of minutes, and it is done in several sessions. Sometimes a fluoride treatment or a tooth-sensitive toothpaste is done to protect the teeth from sensitivity.

Our dentist can also give you take-home whitening kits to supplement the in-office treatment and maintain the whitening results.

3. Gum Contouring

Gum contouring is done by reshaping the receding gum line. The treatment involves cutting away or removing excess tissue around the teeth.
Although gum contouring is an elective procedure, there are times when it is necessary. When you have receding gums caused by gum disease, the dentist may perform contouring as part of your gum disease treatment.

Our cosmetic dentist or periodontist performs the in-office procedure in one visit. Our dentist will use a laser or a scalpel to remove excess gum tissue or reshape them.

Our dentist can also correct receding gum by taking gum tissue from the palate and attaching it to the affected area.

The length of the contouring varies depending on the severity of the condition and how much contouring is needed. 

4. Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are wafer-thin, customized tooth-colored shells applied on the teeth to improve the color, shape, size, length, and appearance. The veneers come in either porcelain or composite materials, and they are used to fix discolored, worn-down, cracked, or chipped teeth.

The dental veneer procedure needs dental visits—one for the consultation and the second one for fixing the veneer.
Our dentist will begin the procedure with examination and treatment planning. The teeth are prepared by trimming the enamel to create room for the shells.
Our dentist creates an impression of the reshaped teeth using a mold or 3-D scanner and fixes temporary veneers to protect them.

After two to three weeks, our dentist will replace the temporary ones with permanent shells.

5. Dental Implants and Bridges

Dental implants and bridges are both used to replace missing teeth. The bridges are restorations that use dental crowns to support the false teeth. They are noninvasive, but the adjacent teeth are trimmed out to create a room, and this process is irreversible. Our dentist will use cement to hold the bridges in place and examine the fit.

Teeth implants are screws made from a biocompatible material and are surgically fixed on the jaw to replace the roots of the teeth.

Schedule an Appointment

Call or book an appointment with Drummond Dental Care for more information about cosmetic dentistry in Fairfax, VA and which procedure is ideal for you.

If your dentist tells you that you will need gum grafting, you don’t need to worry. When your gums start receding, your dentist near you recommends gum grafting. Gum recession exposes the root of your teeth, increasing the likelihood of tooth decay. It can also make the root sensitive and prone to abrasion. Your Fairfax dentist might refer you to a periodontist for this procedure.

By the looks of it, gum graft surgery is very simple, and all the periodontist does is take healthy tissue from the mouth and attach it to the receding gum. The procedure is very quick, and the patient can usually leave as soon as it is done. However, there are a few things that you need to know about this surgery. Firstly, there are various types of gum grafting. So, without further ado, let’s talk about the procedure in a bit more detail.

What to Expect During the Gum Grafting Procedure?

Once you arrive for your appointment, you will be taken to the procedure room, where our Fairfax dentist will give local anesthesia to numb the area where the procedure will be done. In some cases, general anesthesia can also be given so that patient is totally unconscious during the procedure. There are three different kinds of gum grafts. Now, how the gum grafting proceeds, depends on which kind of graft you are going for. Let’s look at the different types of grafts.

Connective-tissue Graft

The first and most common gum graft that we have is the connective tissue graft. During this procedure, our dentist near Merrifield, VA, will cut a flap of skin from the roof of the mouth or palate. Then tissue from under the flap is removed and stitched to the gum tissue that is surrounding the exposed root. Once the graft is placed, the flap is stitched back down.

Pedicle Graft

The next graft is known as a pedicle graft. During this procedure, tissue is not taken from the palate. Instead, it is collected from the gum around the tooth that needs to be repaired. This flap, known as a pedicle, is only partially cut so that one edge remains intact and attached. The gum is then pulled over the exposed root and sewn into place, covering the root. However, there is a catch with this procedure. It can only be performed on patients with sufficient gum tissue near the exposed tooth root.

Free Gingival Grafts

Lastly, we have the free gingival graft. Like a connective-tissue graft, the tissue is extracted from the roof of the mouth during this procedure. However, instead of making a flap and removing tissue from its underside, the tissue is directly removed from the mouth’s roof. It is then attached to the gum area that has to be treated. This method is mostly used for people with thin gums and who need extra tissue to enlarge their gums.

The Recovery Process after Gum Grafting Surgery

Once the gum grafting procedure is over, you will be allowed to go home. However, if the dentist has given you some kind of sedative for the procedure, you will be in no position to drive home, and you will need help to go home. The dentist will give you specific instructions on how to take care of your gums. After the surgery, it is important that you don’t floss or brush the repaired gum line because that may cause damage and hinder the healing process.

You will also be asked to rinse your mouth using a special product to control plaque. Aside from that, you might have to take antibiotics for a couple of days to reduce the risk of infection. For the first couple of weeks after the procedure, patients are asked to eat cool and soft foods such as ice cream, vegetables, cottage cheese, yogurt, Jell-O, eggs, and pasta.

As for the amount of pain after the procedure is concerned; it depends on the type of gum graft that the periodontist performed. If no tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth, you should have little to no discomfort. Otherwise, there will be some pain.

Looking for gum grafting in Fairfax, VA? You can call or book an appointment with Drummond Dental Care today!

Having discolored, chipped, or broken teeth make it more difficult to have a fuller smile. This is not the case anymore. With dental veneers, you can be able to smile once again as the thin tooth-colored shells are installed at the front of your teeth, improving the appearance of your teeth.

Smaller than average teeth can also be made to appear bigger and more appealing with the attachment of these dental veneers. Let us look at the various types of dental veneers, the procedure of getting them fixed, and some of their benefits.

Types of Dental Veneers

The common types of dental veneers are listed below:

Porcelain Veneers

The most common substance used to make dental veneers is porcelain and composite resin. Ceramic materials which are stain-resistant are used to make porcelain veneers. Before your dentist in Merrifield, VA can attach the porcelain veneers; they will have to shape and color the remaining tooth structure by 0.5-mm or greater. After doing so, the natural tooth is replaced with a bonding agent and a porcelain shell.

Composite Veneers

An alternative to porcelain veneers is composite ones. The material used to make tooth-colored cavity fillings is composite veneers. They are an alternative to porcelain veneers as they are slightly cheaper. You can have this type of dental veneer fixed within the same day. The longevity of composite veneers is between five to seven years.

Palatal Veneers

Another type of dental veneer is palatal veneers. They are used to restore the front teeth. Palatal veneers are used to prevent dental erosion and deep biting.

Lumineers

Lumineers are translucent types of veneers that recreate the shape and color of your natural tooth enamel.

The Procedure of Getting Dental Veneers

After our Saturday Dentist takes an impression of your teeth, it takes between a week or two before the dentist can attach them to your teeth. Once your dental veneers are ready, the dentist will look at the shape, color, and how the veneers fit in your teeth.

Next, the dentist will use a grinding tool to make a rough texture on each tooth where the veneer will be attached. The veneer will attach to the tooth more easily due to this. The veneer is then attached to the tooth using dental cement by your dentist.

What are the Benefits of Dental Veneers?

Here are the advantages of getting dental veneers:

• The main benefit of dental veneers is the improved appearance of your teeth. When your Saturday dentist attaches veneers to the front of your teeth, you have a fuller smile as all your teeth appear equal in size and shape. This means that dental veneers give a natural appearance to teeth.
• Another benefit of having dental veneers is that they are stain-resistant, and this means that your teeth are protected from sticky foods and juices that lead to teeth discoloration.
• Compared to other dental restoration treatments, getting dental veneers is less invasive. Patients require little to no anesthetic for this treatment, and the effects are instantly noticeable when the veneers are bonded in place.
• Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and decay-resistant. This makes them better than real teeth. This is because they are non-porous and therefore can resist stains and cavities as compared to the natural tooth’s porous enamel. Therefore there is the entry of germs and bacteria.
• It is also important to note that dental veneers are durable with minimal care. The same way you care for your natural teeth is how you should care for your veneers. For example, brushing your teeth and regular flossing, accompanied by regular checkups, will ensure your veneers last for ten to fifteen years.
• If you have reduced enamel due to over brushing and overconsumption of acidic foods, veneers are suitable for enamel loss. There is no rejuvenation of worn-out enamel, but veneers are a long-lasting, visually beautiful alternative to the enamel.

Conclusion

Patients who have worked with Drummond Dental Care consider dental veneers to be a valuable investment. This is because the dental veneers are used to achieve vital goals, ranging from enamel replacement teeth whitening to improving your smile.

Even though veneers are way more expensive than some other cosmetic dental procedures available today, people believe it is a worthy investment. The majority of patients report an increase in self-confidence due to getting dental veneers, which is invaluable.

Looking to get dental veneers in Merrifield, VA, you can call or book your appointment with Drummond Dental Care today!

What are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are popular tooth restoration solutions to replace missing teeth. Whether you have missing teeth due to extraction, severe decay, or structural damage, dental bridges help bridge the gap left by your missing teeth. Your natural teeth on either side of the gap function as anchors, while the edentulous area in the middle is filled with an artificial tooth. After placement, dental bridges appear and feel natural.

If you think you are a candidate for dental bridges and visit the dentist in Fairfax to replace your missing teeth, the dentist examines the area where the dental bridge placement is needed. Depending on the location of the missing tooth, dental bridges may or may not be ideal. The natural teeth beside the edentulous Gap also need evaluation to ensure they are durable and support dental prosthetics. The underlying structures are also evaluated by dental x-rays or CBCT scans.

If your dentist determines you are suitable for dental bridges, the next step is to determine which type of dental bridge best suits your needs. Four types of dental bridges are currently available, offering different options depending on specific needs. Mentioned below are the four types of dental bridges for your reference.

Types of Dental Bridges

Below are the main types of dental bridges:

Traditional Dental Bridges

Traditional dental bridges are the most common, with one dental crown adhered to the natural teeth on both sides and an artificial tooth in between. The dental crowns function as anchors while the artificial tooth bridges the gap. The primary benefit of traditional bridges is their strength. However, they require compromising the structure of the two adjacent teeth to accommodate the dental crowns.

Cantilever Dental Bridge

Cantilever dental bridges differ from traditional bridges and require only one anchor tooth beside the missing tooth gap. They aren’t as popular as conventional bridges and are often ideal in the front portion of your mouth. If you have lost back teeth, cantilever bridges are not suitable because of the higher biting pressures. However, if your dentist can place cantilever bridges in the back of your mouth, it helps save time and money.

Maryland Bonded Bridges

Maryland bonded Bridges use the same structure as traditional bridges. However, instead of anchoring the bridge to dental crowns, Maryland bridges use porcelain or a metal framework. The framework eliminates the need to modify the structure of the natural teeth making these bridges a more conservative and affordable option than traditional bridges. Unfortunately, the strength of the adhesive and metal framework causes tooth discoloration.

Implant-Supported Bridges

Implant-supported Bridges also use a similar structure to traditional bridges except for being anchored with dental implants. Implant-supported bridges do not require neighboring teeth and help span large gaps if you have multiple teeth missing. Dental implants are also recognized for their strength, durability, and ability to restore standard functionality. Unfortunately, implant-supported Bridges need invasive placement and a lengthy recovery period.

The four types of dental bridges offer you a variety of restoration options. Traditional and Maryland bridges help in situations where you have teeth on either side of the gap. Cantilever bridges help if you have merely one tooth on one side of the opening. Finally, implant-supported Bridges are helpful when you have multiple missing teeth or don’t have healthy natural teeth adjacent to the gap.

Dental bridges in Fairfax, VA, undoubtedly have their pros and cons. However, the dentists at the facility can advise you which dental bridge best suits your specific situation. Selecting the optimal dental bridge for you helps improve your oral health besides your appearance.

Why Consider Replacing Missing Teeth?

Whether you have a single or several missing teeth getting replacements for them becomes an essential requirement. Missing teeth don’t just affect your smile but also affect your eating and chewing to leave you malnourished besides causing other problems.

The remaining teeth in your mouth gradually begin shifting towards the missing tooth gap to create misalignments in your mouth. As a result, your jawbone starts deteriorating because the missing teeth make your facial features sag to make you appear older. In addition, the edentulous gap becomes a fertile ground for bacteria and food particles to remain trapped and create problems like tooth decay and gum disease.

You can overcome all the issues mentioned by replacing the missing teeth in your mouth as soon as possible using dental bridges. The bridges help restore your mouth functionality and appearance to improve your quality of life.

Conclusion

If you think dental bridges are appropriate for your situation, please visit or book an appointment with Drummond Dental Care to evaluate and receive dental bridges to close the gaps in your mouth.

What is Invisalign Treatment?

Invisalign treatment is an innovative teeth-straightening technique available for both adults and teenagers. The treatment is provided by your dentist, who liaises with Invisalign technicians. Here is more on orthodontic treatment using Invisalign® in Fairfax, VA.

Process of Invisalign Treatment

Below is a rundown of the Invisalign process:

Consultation

The first step for people interested in Invisalign treatment is consulting a dentist. Contact the dentist near you offering the treatment. This dentist will ascertain your suitability for Invisalign. Your ability and willingness to comply with the given instructions are also checked.

Creating a Treatment Plan

The dentist will work with you to create a customized treatment plan. It is based on your needs and dental health goals. First, the dental team takes digital x-rays and an impression of your teeth then sends them to the Invisalign laboratory. At the lab, Invisalign technicians input the information into state-of-the-art computer technology. Then, they determine how your teeth will move towards their proper positions and create a series of suitable trays.

Waiting for Aligners

The aligners take some time to be customized at the Invisalign dental lab. The technicians will consult your dentist about adjustments needed. It may take about a month for your aligners to be custom-made to your specifications.

Wearing the Devices

Once your aligners are ready, your dentist will instruct you on putting them on and their care. Each set is worn for two weeks and then switched for the next one in the series. Your dentist will closely monitor your treatment progress. It ensures that your teeth move according to plan. Then, any changes needing to be made in the course of treatment are made.

Refining your Smile

After wearing your last tray, you may need further adjustments to refine your smile. Our dentist in VA will inspect your teeth to determine if they are as planned. If not, the dentist will get back in touch with Invisalign for refinement trays.

Maintaining the Perfect Smile

Retainers are needed after treatment is completed to help maintain your new smile. The retainers look like the Invisalign trays but are thicker and worn longer.

Invisalign Treatment Cost

The cost of treatment using Invisalign braces is not fixed. It is dependent on factors such as:

The Complexity of Your Treatment

Mild teeth misalignment issues take a shorter time to treat than severe misalignment. Therefore, treating mild cases costs less compared to severe cases. Severe teeth and jaw misalignments need more dental visits and supplies to complete. It translates to higher costs.

Dental Office Location

Where you live determines the cost of treatment. Rent and utilities cost more in cities or big towns. Patients in urban and suburban areas may have to dig deeper into their pockets than those in rural areas.

Aftercare Provided

After complete treatment, teeth may naturally shift to their previous positions. To prevent the change, the dentist will recommend wearing retainers. These retainers have different costs based on the type and duration of wearing them. The cost of adjustments required after treatment also determines the overall cost.

Dentist Expertise and Experience (Invisalign Tiers)

Invisalign recognizes and awards dentists who work with them. A dentist that completes several Invisalign treatments successfully advances into higher tiers. The higher you are, the more discount you get on Invisalign production and design fees. Our Drummond Dental Care dentist passes these savings to you, providing reasonable-priced treatments.

Some other dentists take advantage of their experience and tier levels to increase the treatment cost. A few ones without experience may lower their prices to attract customers. Compare the cost of Invisalign treatment offered by experienced dentists. It will help you choose a dentist in VA that provides the most reasonable cost of treatment.

Invisalign Treatment Aftercare

As pointed out earlier, you must wear Invisalign retainers after completing your treatment. The retainers are made of similar plastic material to the aligners. Yet, some may contain a thin wire on the inside surfaces. They are removable and worn as recommended by the dentist. You should care for the retainers by cleaning them often and taking them off when eating or drinking.

Your new smile may look perfect but is not immune to dental decay, staining or damage. Ensure that you maintain proper oral hygiene. Wear a mouthguard while participating in sports. They protect your teeth from dental trauma. After Invisalign® in Fairfax, VA, the dentist will instruct you on the aftercare.

If you are looking for Invisalign® in Merrifield, VA & Fairfax, VA, you can call or book an appointment with Drummond Dental.

How Dental Implants Helps You?

Replacing lost teeth or dentures with dental implants helps improve your smile. If you don’t have sufficient information on dental implants, you have arrived at the right page. This blog looks forth to give you a view into the world of dental implants besides the answer to the two principal varieties of dental implants currently used.

Five decades ago, dental implants were part of the Star Wars movie. Things changed dramatically in 1965 when a volunteer agreed to provide a home to titanium dental implants in their mouth for the first time. Generally, dental implant placement includes embedding a titanium screw in your gums. Our dentist near you mounts a customized dental crown over it to give you your artificial teeth. Dental implants are realistic, allowing you to brush and floss your teeth as you regularly did. Years of research reveal dental implants are the best, safest, and long-lasting options to replace missing teeth.

The safety of dental implants remains undisputed. However, not everyone may require similar kinds of dental implants. Dental implants offer exceptional results succeeding by approximately 98 percent. However, the results may vary between patients depending on their oral health and the care they provide to their new placements. If you are considering getting dental implants in Fairfax, VA, 22031, our dentist will help you choose the suitable variety based on your unique requirements. Therefore, let us give you a description of the two main types of dental implants currently in use.

Main Types of Dental Implants

Below are the 2 main types of dental implants currently in use:

Endosteal Implants

The most prevalent type of dental implant is an endosteal implant. Our dentist in VA embeds endosteal implants by adopting a two-stage procedure. The implants are in the shape of a tiny screw made from titanium. Surgery is essential to perform the implant placement as it involves drilling a hole to fit the screw into your jawbone. Additionally, you receive a temporary tooth over the implant during osseointegration requiring nearly six months to help you maintain your beautiful smile.

During the next several weeks or months, your mouth receives time to heal, requiring you to visit the dentist for periodic assessments. After completing the healing process, you must undergo another minor surgery to attach an abutment and a permanent crown. Endosteal implants are suitable for patients who can receive bone grafting procedures or have healthy jawbones. Endosteal implants require sufficient healthy jawbone to support successful osseointegration.

Subperiosteal Dental Implants

Subperiosteal dental implants utilize a metal framework instead of an embedded screw compared to endosteal implants. As a result, subperiosteal implants are merely placed over the top of the bone beneath the gums instead of screwing into the jawbone. Furthermore, instead of putting the implant below the gums where it remains invisible subperiosteal implants are placed on top to hold the dental crowns. As a result, subperiosteal implants are ideal for patients reluctant to undergo the bone grafting procedure because they don’t have sufficient healthy jawbone. Additionally, subperiosteal implant placement occurs in a single-stage approach cutting down the need to have multiple appointments with the dentist near you.

If you have lost your permanent teeth and desire a beautiful smile, our Fairfax dentist encourages you to consider dental implants to replace your lost teeth. Both variations discussed in this article are viable. While endosteal implants are best suited for patients with a healthy jawbone and physical health, subperiosteal implants offer exceptional results for the rest. Therefore there is no reason for you to express disappointment if you are not eligible for one variety of dental implants. It would be best to discuss all options with our Fairfax dentist to get a clear idea of what to expect. Rest assured, you will soon replace your lost teeth and restore your smile by getting artificial teeth on dental implants that remain in your mouth for a lifetime with appropriate dental hygiene.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Below are the main advantages of dental implants:

• Whether you receive endosteal implants or subperiosteal implants, your artificial teeth remain indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
• The custom-created dental crown complements the dental implant by appearing entirely natural and feeling similarly as well.
• In addition, dental implants provide you freedom from tooth decay because they are artificial. However, you must guard against gum disease by brushing your teeth two times every day, flossing at least once a day, and visiting dentists for six-monthly checkups and cleanings without exceptions.
• These practices help you retain the dental implants in excellent condition for your lifetime.

Are you looking for dental implants, call or book an appointment with Drummond Dental Care for Dental Implants in Fairfax, VA 22031.

What is Gum Grafting?

Gum grafting is a procedure helping out with lost gum tissue to gum recession from periodontal infections. Gum recession or pulling the gums away from the teeth gradually to expose the tooth’s roots. The gum tissues in your mouth are not regenerative. Therefore they leave you with an ungainly smile showing off too large or too small teeth. If you are affected by gum recession, you can help yourself by visiting our dentist near you to consult how best you can improve your appearance.

After examining your teeth and gums, our dentist might recommend gum grafting as a suitable procedure to improve the appearance of your smile while simultaneously enhancing your oral health by covering the exposed tooth’s roots.

Gum grafting strengthens your gums, and your gums protect your teeth from the effects of gum recession. The procedure also reduces teeth sensitivity and gives your smile a better appearance. This article provides four crucial facts about gum grafting and includes information on how to hitch-free entirely.

Important Facts about Gum Grafting

1. Gum Grafting Surgery is Quick and Prevents Tooth Loss

After gum recession, you may notice differences in color between the tooth enamel and the roots. Even more significant is the problem of your tooth roots with nerve endings near the surface, causing sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.

Your tooth roots are not as durable as the tooth enamel, indicating that after they lose the protection of the gums, they are exposed to the risk of tooth decay. Therefore, unless you decide to undergo a gum graft in Fairfax, expect the recession to worsen to cause tooth loss eventually. Before offering a gum grafting operation, our dentist provides therapy for any disorder or infection that causes gum recession.

There is no need for you to fear gum grafting because our dentist in Fairfax, VA, completes the surgical procedure by removing some healthy gum tissue from the roof of your mouth and adding it to the area where your gums have receded. Most patients undergoing gum grafting surgery experience a quick and straightforward surgical procedure as a minor gum grafting procedure requires merely about 90 minutes to complete.

2. Surgical Procedure for Gum Grafting

The gum grafting surgery is suitable for you if you have receding gums. The surgical procedure is safe and effective and remarkably improves your oral health, allowing you to return home on the same day. However, if you need sedation, you must make arrangements for transportation to drive you back home.

The gum tissue heals in approximately four to eight weeks, depending on the type of gum graft surgery you underwent. The surgical procedure also determines the kind of discomfort you may experience after gum grafting. For example, if you had tissue taken from your palate might experience discomfort for a few days. However, our Fairfax dentist recommends pain medications to manage your discomfort during the recovery process.

3. Complications from the Gum Grafting

If your gum grafting was handled by a skilled professional like our dentist in Fairfax, rest assured the process is entirely safe, and you may experience no complications. However, if you notice any oozing of leading from the graft site, contact our dentist for help without wasting time. In rare cases, the grafted tissue may not correctly adapt to the grafting site. In such cases, you may need to have the procedure performed again by our dentist. After your gums heal, you can talk to our dentist about reshaping the gum tissue if you don’t like their appearance. Dentists can help you modify the tissue to make it appear more pleasing.

4. How Much Will Gum Grafting Cost?

Gum grafting costs anywhere between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Insurance companies do not cover gum grafting procedures unless the surgery is required for medical reasons.

Many people are undergoing gum grafting to improve the appearance of their teeth and smile. Unfortunately, insurance providers are reluctant to cover cosmetic procedures.

With nearly 70 percent of American adults suffering from mild to severe gum disease, you can expect gum recession to have affected quite a few. However, when these people consider gum grafting, they receive full or partial coverage from their insurance providers. Therefore depending on the reasons why you are considering gum grafting, you must prepare yourself physically and financially for the procedure that can set you back by a few dollars.

Conclusion

If you want to undergo gum grafting in Fairfax, you can call or book an appointment with Drummond Dental Care for hassle-free oral care services.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canals therapy which is also known as endodontic therapy is a dental procedure performed to get rid of the infection from the inside of a tooth. It involves removing and clearing out all the soft tissues in the pulp of a tooth to help relieve pain associated with infection as well as prevent the toot from future infections. To better understand this, you first have to know what the tooth structure looks like.

The tooth consists of the crown which is visible above the gums and the roots which are usually hidden below the gum line and attach to the jawbone. Inside the center of the tooth is the hollow part that forms the root canal which is filled with pulp. The tooth pulp consists of the nerves, blood vessels, and other soft tissues and usually extends out into the surrounding bone. A tooth may have more than one root canal but every tooth must have at least one.

When is Root Canal Therapy Needed?

Root canal treatment, is necessary if it has been determined that the pulp is infected or inflamed. The cause of the infection could be anything from a deep decay to having a large filling or a tooth injury. The goal of the treatment is to relieve the patient from the pain associated with the infection while saving the tooth.

Common Myths About Root Canal Therapy

A survey carried out by the American Association of Endodontists shows that of all dental procedures, most people fear root canals the most. The saddest thing is that all the fear and anxiety are founded on false or incorrect information about the procedure. Some of the things about endodontic therapy that our dentist in Fairfax VA, considers myths include:

It Is Very Painful

Dentistry has evolved over the years and today the technology is better and so are the sedation options. The procedure is performed under anesthesia and therefore you will not feel any pain as it is being done. You might only experience a little discomfort after, and a tugging feeling when the canal is being cleaned out. So, while an infected root canal in itself is painful, the therapy does not add any more pain to what you are already feeling. It actually relieves you from the pain you were in. For the discomfort experienced after the treatment, your dentist may prescribe some pain relievers as well as anti-inflammatory drugs.

It Causes Other Illnesses

This myth is supported by out-of-date science that was propelled in the 1920s by a dentist who was at the time short of medical resources to run proper research. There is also the thought that the procedure introduces more bacteria into the mouth, which is by far not true. While the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth can trigger other secondary illnesses like arthritis and heart disease. root canal therapy actually reduces the number of bacteria lingering in your mouth through the removal of the extracted pulp. A successful root canal treatment actually prevents the bacteria from spreading to other parts of the body like the neck or head and also prevents tooth loss and associated complications like bone loss.

Pulling Out the Tooth Is A Better Option

At Drummond Dental Care in Fairfax, VA, dentists acknowledge that nothing matches the strength and quality of your natural teeth and therefore a lot of effort is put to ensure a tooth is only removed when it is the only viable option available. Also, keep in mind that extracting a tooth requires to follow up with a restorative treatment such as implants or dentures. Failing to replace an extracted tooth again puts you at risk of other dental complications like bone loss or teeth shifting.

Your search for a Fairfax dentist near you ends at Drummond Dental Care. Our clinic serves the following surrounding areas: Merrifield, Vienna, Idylwood, Falls Church, West Falls Church, Mantua, and Strathmeade Springs. We provide quality and painless root canal treatment in Fairfax, VA, and also take the time to properly educate patients so that they are also able to make informed decisions about their dental health. Book your appointment with us today!

Do you have an excruciating toothache in a particular tooth with sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures? Does the toothache result from an untreated cavity or deep decay? You may rush to the dentist near you to determine the causes of the discomfort because the toothache affects your quality of life.

After evaluating the tooth and taking x-rays, you may express shock when the dentist informs you that your tooth is on the verge of needing an extraction. Unfortunately, the only technique available to save your tooth is to undergo root canal treatment and endodontic therapy to eradicate the infection in your tooth. The information can send you into a tizzy as it does to many others because of the fears associated with this particular treatment. Unfortunately, your choices are limited because you can either accept the dentist’s view or be prepared to lose an infected tooth by extraction to search for replacement solutions costing thousands of dollars.

When do You Need Root Canal Treatment?

Root canals don’t make you a victim to receive this fearsome treatment unless you help the bacteria in your mouth strengthen and penetrate deep into a cavity you left untreated. Your mouth’s bacteria are never satisfied after damaging your tooth permanently by penetrating the enamel. They continue their battle until they reach the soft center of the tooth, the dental pulp. The excruciating toothache you currently experience results from infection of the dental pulp by the bacteria.

Things would have been a lot better if you had the cavity in your tooth treated with fillings immediately after detection by our dentist in Fairfax. However, as you probably ignored their advice and left the filling treatment for later, you have to bear the consequences of the delay and now need root canal treatment to preserve your tooth.

A dental pulp infection can also develop a chipped or cracked tooth that didn’t receive timely attention or injuries to a tooth that seemed inconspicuous but was severe enough to result in pulp damage. Whatever the reasons, the sole method available to save a tooth with infected dental pulp is to either accept your dentist’s view to have root canal treatment or have the tooth extracted for replacements.

How Do You Benefit from Root Canal Treatment?

If you decide to have root canal treatment in Fairfax, firstly, you act against the pain and discomfort bothering you because, unlike the many myths floating around, this treatment leaves you with a painless tooth instead of a painful one. After the specialist performs your treatment, removes the infected or inflamed dental pulp, and cleans the canals, you return home without a toothache and your natural tooth in your mouth. Next, you must have the treated tooth restored with a dental crown because teeth without pulp inside become fragile and prone to fractures. After you get your restoration, you can have the tooth in your mouth for as long as possible.

Root canal treatments cost fewer dollars than getting replacements for your natural tooth if you refuse the therapy. Therefore you accrue multiple benefits when you decide in favor of undergoing root canal treatment.

Are Root Canal Treatments Painful?

Until this date, there is no discovery on record to confirm any surgical procedure as painless. Root canals are also a surgical procedure and will undoubtedly cause some pain after undergoing the therapy. However, the actual process is rendered entirely painless by the specialist by providing you with adequate local anesthesia or sedation to ensure you receive the treatment without any discomfort.

After providing you anesthesia, the specialist in Fairfax providing root canal treatment drills your tooth from the top of the behind, depending on which tooth is affected. The specialist completes the treatment and one or two visits again depending on the tooth needing the treatment. After drilling your tooth to expose the infected dental pulp, the specialist removes it and cleans and disinfects the canals before filling and sealing them for restorative treatment from your regular dentist.

The pain you expect from root canal treatments affects you only after our Fairfax dentist completes and not before. You will experience some sensitivity for about a week from the surgical procedure, and the pain is comfortably manageable with over-the-counter painkillers the dentist recommends.

After you recover from the surgical procedure, you can visit your regular dentist to have the tooth x-rayed to determine whether the specialist has eradicated the infection and have the tooth restored with a permanent filling or a dental crown. Getting a dental crown is recommended by dentists for aesthetic purposes and to provide strength and functionality to the treated tooth. However, after you have the tooth restored by any method and take excellent care of your oral health with regular visits for checkups to your dentist, rest assured the treated tooth will last with you for a lifetime.

Conclusion

If you are undecided on whether you must have this fearsome therapy or not, we suggest you contact or schedule an appointment with Drummond Dental Care to understand what root canals are and undergo the treatment from them.