Types of Dental Implants: Endosteal & Subperiosteal Dental Implants

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.

4 Important Facts to Know about Gum Grafting

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.

Common Myths about Root Canal Treatment

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!

Root Canal Treatment: An Excellent Therapy for Your Infected Teeth

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.

Learn How Cosmetic Dentistry Helps Eliminate Dental Imperfections

Everyone has some dental imperfections affecting their teeth. For example, some people have discolored teeth or crooked teeth, and others have chipped or broken teeth. Regardless of the condition affecting you, if you want to correct them, you must contact a dental professional offering cosmetic dentistry in Fairfax, VA, to hide or eliminate the problem with customized treatments designed explicitly for you.

Do not become scared by the mention of cosmetic dentistry, thinking you may have to set aside considerable finances to receive the treatments you need. Do not even concern yourself because the American Dental Association hasn’t recognized cosmetic dentistry as a dental specialty. However, our cosmetic dentist near you defines this technique as a specialty of dentistry to improve your smile and self-image.

A beautiful smile with strong teeth is essential for aesthetic as well as overall health reasons. In addition, having an attractive smile boosts your self-confidence and how everyone perceives you. Therefore instead of brooding about your dental imperfections while not contact the cosmetic dentist to determine how you can change the appearance of your teeth and smile with treatments offered by them.

Why You Should Choose Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry treatments can correct misshapen, discolored, chipped, or even missing teeth. The procedures mentioned are straightforward and sophisticated to give you a beautiful depending on your desired outcome.

When you visit our cosmetic dentist nearby, you can discuss the specific issue concerning you and inquire about which treatment best suits your particular needs. Do not assume the dentist will offer you any treatment merely to increase revenue. Instead, our cosmetic dentist evaluates your teeth and mouth to identify the problem affecting you before they begin working with you to create a personalized treatment plan to help you get over your dental imperfections as best possible.

What Treatments Are Available from Cosmetic Dentistry?

Currently, cosmetic dentistry has a therapy available for any dental issue bothering you. For example, if you have discolored teeth, our dentist recommends in-office teeth whitening treatments to whiten your teeth, helping you smile better. Teeth whitening treatments are affordable and require merely one visit to our dentist’s office to get a brighter and whiter smile.

If you have stubborn discoloration on a couple of teeth that don’t respond to whitening treatments, our dentist recommends dental veneers, thin surfaces of porcelain, resin, or laminates over the front surfaces to hide the dental flaws for approximately five to 20 years, depending on which variety you choose to improve your appearance.

Another procedure offered by cosmetic dentists for many people who have minor chips and cracks on their teeth is comfortable and affordable dental bonding which again is completed in one visit to our dentist’s office. Dental bonding is a comfortable procedure requiring no anesthesia or multiple visits to the dentist unless you want cavities filled.

What If You Have Missing or Crooked Teeth?

Unlike earlier, when dentures were the sole option available to replace missing teeth, things have changed dramatically over the last few years, making dental bridges and dental implants available to replace missing teeth. Therefore if tooth loss affects you, discuss your problem with our dentist to evaluate your mouth and seek a suitable solution to conceal the gaps between your teeth.

Dental bridges require a couple of visits to the dentist for the preparation and fitting of the dental bridge. However, if you choose dental implants, you need multiple procedures and visits to the dentist to receive natural-looking and feeling artificial teeth in your mouth. The condition of your oral and overall health determines which option is best suited for your needs.

If you have crooked teeth in your mouth, you no longer need to schedule appointments with orthodontists for straightening your teeth. Cosmetic dentists are providers of virtually invisible clear aligners, helping you straighten your teeth discreetly without a mouth full of metal. Treatment with clear aligners does not require you to schedule monthly orthodontic appointments to tighten wires and adjust brackets because you receive clear aligners fitting snugly over your teeth to straighten them.

When you visit a cosmetic dentistry facility, bear in mind you are approaching a specialist with comprehensive knowledge of dentistry and the techniques to give you a beautiful smile and strong teeth. Explain your expectations to our dentist and prepare yourself to expect recommendations and suggestions from the professional because they may have a different view of what you lack that needs improvement. Book your consultation with our cosmetic dentist today!

What Are Dental Bridges and Why May You Need Them

Dental bridges are fixed permanent restorations to replace one or more missing teeth in your mouth. Bridges replicate the appearance, shape, and functionality of metal teeth. Bridges are customized for every patient.

 

The Fairfax dentist recommends dental bridges if you already have existing natural teeth neighboring the gap of the missing tooth. In addition, they may recommend a dental bridge if you cannot get dental implants for any reason.

 

You may need dental bridges if you have lost a tooth due to extraction, trauma or injury, medications, age, or periodontal disease. Seventy percent of adults between 35 and 44 have lost at least one tooth to gum disease, injury, tooth decay, and a failed root canal.

 

Are Dental Bridges the Only Choice for Reinstating Missing Teeth?

 

If you consider replacing missing teeth, you have three options available to achieve your goal. Besides, dental bridges you also have the time-tested dentures fitting temporarily over your gums and serving their purpose of giving you artificial teeth. However, despite being used for over a century, dentures are not the most favored dental replacements because they are uncomfortable and can slip when eating or talking.

 

If you want an incredibly durable replacement option for the missing tooth or teeth, consider having dental implants that replace the lost tooth and your tooth roots. Dental implants appear and feel like your natural teeth after the titanium post is surgically embedded into the jawbone and left to heal for around three to nine months. The procedure for getting implants intensive besides being expensive.

 

Dental bridges are the only option other than dentures and implants to replace one or more missing teeth in your mouth.

 

Various Types of Dental Bridges Available for Your Requirements

 

If recommended dental bridges by the dentist in Fairfax, don’t concern yourself about which type of bridges you can have. Dental bridges are available in four varieties, and you can choose one among them depending on your specific case.

 

Traditional dental bridges are suitable to restore your posterior teeth like premolars and molars. This variety is the most common and is made from porcelain fused to metal, ceramic, or all metal like gold. Traditional bridges have a fake tooth called the Pontic held by dental crowns on the supporting teeth beside the gap of the missing tooth.

 

If you have just one supporting tooth next to the gap, you can have a cantilever dental bridge held by a dental crown placed on top of the healthy tooth neighboring the gap.

 

You can have a Maryland bridge if you need restoration for your front teeth. Maryland bridges are less invasive than traditional bridges consisting of a fake tooth supported by a metal framework. Porcelain helps make Maryland bridges that are bonded to the supporting teeth.

 

If you want a durable option as a replacement, you can opt for implant-supported dental bridges. Implant-supported bridges are standalone replacements with porcelain crowns on top to replace the missing tooth or teeth.

 

You don’t have to worry about which type of bridges you can have so long as you are prepared for the procedure to have replacements for your missing teeth.

 

The Procedure When Getting Dental Bridges

 

The dental bridge procedure is separated into two appointments.

 

The first visit is exclusively for preparing your teeth and the temporary bridge. You receive local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable during the preproduction process. After that, the dentist in Fairfax, VA, shapes, and files the supporting teeth. The abutment teeth are prepared for accommodating dental crowns and require extensive tooth structure removal past the enamel. After preparing your teeth, the dentist takes impressions of your teeth and mouth for the dental laboratory to fabricate your crown and bridge. Finally, the Fairfax dentist places a temporary bridge on the prepared teeth and the gap between them.

 

You must revisit the dentist in about three weeks when the dental lab returns your permanent dental bridge. Initially, the dentist removes the temporary bridge and cleans your teeth. The dentist also takes x-rays to ensure the bridge fits correctly. Finally, the bridge and teeth are cemented together using a unique bonding agent.

 

After-Care for Dental Bridges

 

You must maintain excellent dental hygiene after you get dental bridges placed in your mouth. You must exercise caution with the dental bridge using appropriate techniques to clean the area where the Pontic rests on the gums. The particular space is challenging to clean and can result in plaque buildup leading to gum disease.

 

You must rinse your mouth with mouthwash, brush at least twice a day and use special tools to floss beneath the bridge. These steps help reduce inflammation and prevent cavities on the edges of the bridges.

 

Replacing a lost tooth or teeth is no longer challenging because many options are available to help you restore your mouth’s functionality and smile. Book an appointment with Fairfax Dentist. We also serve nearby areas like Idylwood, Merrifield, Falls Church, Pine Ridge, Cottage Street, & Hideaway Road.


When Do You Need Urgent Dental Care?

Sometimes it can be hard to tell when it is time to visit an emergency dentist in Fairfax, VA and when to handle the situation at home. Take for example a toothache; when you have a painful tooth, the inclination is to use home remedies. However, at times ignoring the pain can lead to other dental complications. That’s why it is important to differentiate between urgent and non-urgent dental emergencies.

What is an Urgent or Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is an injury or bruising that affects the gums, teeth, and surrounding tissues. Broken restorations like braces and bridges can also be classified as dental emergencies. These bruises can cause bleeding, pain, and swelling creating the need for urgent treatment. When a dental accident occurs, and the injury is minor, it can be managed at home as you wait for an appointment. These types of emergencies are non-urgent and they include broken fillings, dull toothache, minor teeth fractures, and the like.

What are Situations Require Urgent Care?

You may need to visit an emergency dentist in 22031 if you have:

1. Severe and persistent tooth pain

Although food stuck in the gums can cause discomfort, this pain can clear immediately you remove the stuck food particles. However, there are times you may have throbbing pain that causes discomfort and interferes with your daily activities. This type of toothache will require a visit to a dental emergency room for immediate treatment.
Several situations can trigger discomfort like infected pulp.

When the decay spreads to the inner part of the teeth, it can cause lingering tooth sensitivity among other symptoms. A tooth fracture can also cause a severe toothache.

2. Knocked-out teeth

The teeth can get knocked out when playing contact sports or after a fall. When the teeth get dislodged from the socket, whether partially or completely, you need to get urgent treatment. Our Fairfax dentist can save your teeth from extraction if the treatment is started within an hour after the accident.

As you come to the dental clinic, it is recommended that you take of your teeth to prevent any complications. If the teeth are partially avulsed, take the tooth by the crown and try it push it back to the socket. For completely knocked-out teeth, pick the tooth and preserve it in a milk solution.

3. Dry socket

After your teeth are extracted, a blood clot forms within the first 24 hours to facilitate healing. The blood clot is vital to your recovery and you need to take the necessary steps to protect it. If you accidentally cause the clot to break, it will lead to a dry socket. This when the tooth socket is exposed causing pain and bad breath. But, it also interferes with the recovery process and it may take longer for the gums to heal.

4. Dental abscess or localized bacterial infection

When you have a bacterial infection, your immune system will try to fight it off, and as result pus accumulates in the gums. This can cause pain, bad taste, tooth sensitivity, and at times fever. But, if it’s not treated on time, the infection can spread to the surrounding tissues causing inflammation. Dental abscess does not clear without treatment and as such you need to visit an emergency dental clinic to get proper treatment.

5. Bleeding

Gum bleeding should not be taken lightly because at times it can a sign of gum disease. If you notice persistent gum bleeding after brushing your teeth, then you may need urgent dental treatment to check what could be the cause.

What Can You Do?

When a dental emergency occurs, how you handle it can determine the success of your treatment.

  • Bite a gauze pad or apply a teabag for 20 minutes to control the bleeding.
  • Apply an ice pack or cold compress on your cheek to reduce swelling.
  • Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to get rid of dirt and any debris.
  • Avoid taking any pain medication without consulting the dentist because certain medications can cause inflammation.

Lastly, visit Drummond Dental Care for immediate assistance and proper treatment.



Give Your Teeth a Classic Appearance They Deserve with Dental Veneers

Is your appearance affected because of chipped or misshapen teeth? You may have a couple of discolored teeth unresponsive to whitening treatments leaving you with challenges every time you try to smile. The problems in your mouth will not disappear by themselves unless you decide to act against them. Think of your teeth like your adversaries and walk over to the dentist near you requesting a solution.

The Fairfax dentist you visit will advise dental veneers are a possible solution to improve your appearance changing all the dental flaws you are currently displaying. Veneers are thin surfaces of porcelain or composite resin bonded to your teeth to conceal the dental imperfections affecting you. The discussion with the dentist will put your mind at ease, making you believe you also can have the smile you desire with veneer placements on your teeth. However must decide between porcelain veneers or composite resin veneers, choosing an option between the two before you undergo the procedure.

Differences between Porcelain and Composite Resin Veneers

If you want to enhance your smile, veneers are a simple option because the placements function as thin covers placed over the front of your front teeth, making them appear like your natural teeth. Veneers help correct many dental issues like chipped or worn teeth, crooked and misshapen teeth, significant gaps between your upper front teeth, and severely discolored teeth unresponsive to whitening treatments.

Porcelain or composite resin is the material used for making veneers, and dental veneers in Fairfax can help you decide which material is best for your needs. Both varieties have their benefits which the dentist will happily discuss with you.

Porcelain veneers are thin shells explicitly customized for you to conceal the dental imperfections in your mouth. Porcelain veneers are robust and long-lasting and don’t require extensive tooth enamel removal when placing them like it is familiar with dental crowns. Best of all, porcelain veneers are stain-resistant.

Composite resin veneers are made from tooth-colored filling material bonded to your affected tooth. Composite resin veneers require even less tooth enamel removal than porcelain veneers, and you can have them on your teeth in fewer visits to the dentist’s office. They are more affordable than porcelain veneers but are not as durable as the former. Therefore you must decide whether you want a long-term solution to hide the dental flaws or are prepared to have the placements corrected every few years.

Are You Suitable for Dental Veneers?

Before proceeding any further, the dentist in Fairfax evaluates your teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy. If you have any infections that tooth decay or gum disease conditions require treatment before you can have veneer placements on your teeth.

You may not be suitable if you frequently clench and grind your teeth when sleeping because the placements on your teeth can chip and crack. In such cases, the dentist suggests you wear a network or other dental appliance to safeguard your teeth and the placements.

If you have decided to have porcelain veneers, enamel removal from your teeth is necessary, and the process is irreversible. Therefore after having veneers on your teeth, you can consider them a permanent option that you cannot undo.

The Dental Veneer Placement Procedure

You must schedule a couple of appointments with your dentist before you can have porcelain veneer placements on your teeth. The first appointment is to prepare your teeth, which the dentist accomplishes by removing enamel from your teeth’ front and sides. The enamel removal helps make space for the veneers to help your teeth achieve a natural appearance.

Impressions of your teeth are sent by the dentist, the dental lab for custom making your veneers. The dentist provides you temporary veneers over your teeth until the technicians return the permanent placements.

During the final visit for veneer placement, the Fairfax dentist places the veneers on your teeth to check for fit and color and make any adjustments if required. You receive a dental cleaning to remove any plaque buildup on your teeth to ensure no bacteria remain trapped beneath the veneers. Finally, the porcelain veneers are bonded to your teeth using dental cement. The dentist uses ultraviolet light to harden the cement faster when completing the procedure.

Having dental veneer placements on your teeth help to conceal all the defects you displayed to give you a new smile you desired all the while. Maintaining them correctly with proper dental hygiene allows you the benefit of having the veneers on your teeth for over a decade and smiling away at everyone whenever you want.

If you are planning to get dental veneers, call us now to book an appointment with our dentist near you. We also welcome patients from the surrounding areas like Fairlee, Pine Ridge, Westwood Park, Vienna, and Dunn Loring.



Dental Implants Explained: How Do They Work? Are they Safe?

Dental implants are well-formed structures or artificial tooth roots used by dentists to restore a tooth that is missing. You can permanently fix a replacement tooth or one you can remove because of the rigidity and convenience a dental implant provides. Just as a strong building foundation is, so is a dental implant.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Although you can’t compare dental implants to a natural tooth structure, they still possess striking attributes that make them more desirable. Below are some advantages that come along with a dental implant.

Striking Appearance

A dental implant is quite similar to your natural teeth, both in looks and feel. Dental implants have a striking resemblance to natural teeth. Moreover, if you replace your tooth with these implants, they can permanently stay because it binds with the bone firmly.

All-round Oral Health Enhancement

When you have a dental implant fixed on a spot, the rest of your teeth don’t have to be reduced unlike when you have tooth-aided bridges and dentures. Dental implant treatments are done without altering any teeth close to the intended area of the implant. This ensures that most of your teeth remain untouched. This way, there will be all-around oral health enhancement.

Additionally, oral hygiene is improved as dental implants, especially individual implants, permits one to wander through the teeth easily.

Durability

They are built to last quite long. Proper care and maintenance can keep these implants functioning for ages. These implants replace missing teeth, so their durability is what anyone wants as it won’t be often changed.

Eating is Easy

A set of sliding teeth or dentures can make eating tough, especially when chewing. The same way your natural teeth function when eating is the same way dental implants do. With these implants, you’re able to eat comfortably.

Increased Comfort

These dental implants will feel just like your natural teeth. The disturbance that comes with removable dentures will be terminated by implants, which feels natural.

Increased Self-worth

Loss of teeth can decrease the value of your smile, especially when the affected spot is quite visible. However, implants bring back that confidence. This way, you will feel great about yourself.

How are Implants Done?

Dentists in Fairfax are many; dentists are available with many specialties. Aside from the general dentists, there are cosmetic dentists, periodontitis, etc. So, for dental implants, it’s advisable to meet an expert in such an area.

Finding a dentist in Fairfax is simple, you only to search on the internet for dentist near you or if you are in Fairfax just search for Fairfax dentist.

Firstly, professionals or skilled dentists develop and prepares a plan for the intended treatment. This plan is individualized and meets the needs of the patient needs. They consider a suitable implant for you when providing dental care.

A titanium implant that serves as a tooth root is then placed 1is then fixed into the bone socket of your jaw. The jaw bone will then heal around the metal, making it firmly fixed. It will take about 6-12 weeks for the jaw to fully heal.

The next thing is to place an abutment for you to attach the tooth. A model of your bite is used to make the new teeth. It has to be made from your natural teeth’ appearance. The dentist will then fix the replacement tooth on the abutment that was fixed earlier. This abutment connects the crown (replacement tooth) to the titanium implant.

Are they Safe? What are the Risks?

Generally, these implants are safe and have high success rates. However, success rates differ when considering the area of the jawbone where the implant will occur.

In summary, if you are either having a full dental implant treatment or an individual, it’s safe to do. As long as these dental implants in Fairfax are available, there would always be a replacement of missing teeth. Nevertheless, implants can be maintained the same way you do to your natural teeth. Call us now to book an appointment with our dentist near you and learn more about dental implants. We also welcome patients from surrounding areas like Westwood Park, Idylwood, Pine Ridge, Fairlee, Adahi Road Southeast, and Nicosh Lane.



Gum Grafting for Your Gum Recession Correction

Gum recession is an aspect that should be controlled at every cost. In the event that the tissues that surround the teeth has pulled away from the tooth to the extent that more of the features of the teeth that are often covered by the gum is visible, then you need the services or a dentist. Gum recession often goes unnoticed until the situation worsens thus the need to contact a dentist. If you are in Fairfax, then you need to contact dentist in Fairfax or contact Emergency Dentist in 22031 in case you have noticed some gum recession for a gum grafting procedure.

Gum grafting is a procedure that is commonly used to improve the gums health to correct gum recession or to simply improve how you look. Dentist in Merrifield specifically dentist Fairfax can comfortably conduct the procedure and correct your situation if you contact Emergency Dentist in 22031. Gum grafting is a surgical procedure that is simply. I know surgical procedures come causes a chill in most patients but before you shy away from it, get to understand how the procedure is conducted to know its simplicity and understand why it should not be a cause of worry.

Gum tissue graft: The procedure

When you visit any of the dentists Fairfax, you should expect any of the following process from the dentist in Merrifield during the grafting process. The graft tissue employed will depend on your specific needs based on your condition.

Connective tissue graft

This is one of the common methods that you should expect during the process. The process involves cutting of a flap of the skin at the roof of the mouth or palate and a tissue that is under the flap or the subepithelial connective tissue is extracted. These parts are then stitched to the gum tissue to cover the exposed root of the teeth. The flap that was cut is then stitched back up after the connective tissue or the graft has been removed from the palatal flap.

Free gingival grafts

This process also involved the connective-tissue graft whereby in this case, the gingival graft is used. The gingival graft is derived from the root of the mouth but the process does not make a flap and remove the tissue under the top layer of the flesh. Instead, the procedure a small amount of the tissue is derived directly from the top of the mouth and is stitched to the area of the gum that is to be corrected. This method is suitable in situations whereby the patient has thin gums and they need to have additional tissues involves to enlarge their gums.

Pedicle grafts

The procedure involves gum grafting that is around or close to the tooth that is to be repaired rather than using tissue that is derived from the palate. The process involves the cutting away of the flap or the pedicle to ensure that the edge is attached. The dentist will then pull over or down the gum to cover the part that is exposed and the section sewed to cover the root. However, the procedure is possible only in cases where the patient has plenty of gum tissue located near the tooth that is to be corrected.

There are other situations whereby dentists and patients will use graft materials that is derived from a tissue bank instead of making cuts from the mouth. In other cases, the use of tissue simulating proteins is employed for the purposes of encouraging the body’s natural ability to generate bone and tissue. These are some of the options that are available for correcting gum recession and improving ones looks. The choices are primarily based on the availability of the tissue within the mouth and in some case the choice of the patient and the doctor.

However, after the graft or surgery if you experience bleeding that does not stop even after applying pressure for 20 minutes or pain and swelling within the area, then you will need to contact your dentist. Nevertheless, the healing should be easy and without complication. On the other hand, you need to have reputable dentistry for the procedure to ensure that you get quality work from the professional.

Our dentist near you in Fairfax, VA, can fulfil all your dental care needs. Call us now to book an appointment with our dentist near you. We also offers services to the patients residing in Pine Ridge, Westwood Park, Idylwood, Fairlee, Vienna, West Falls Church, and surrounding communities.



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