Braces vs Going to an Invisalign Dentist

If you are considering whether to get braces vs going to an Invisalign dentist, you are already on the road to getting straight teeth and a beautiful smile. During a consultation in our office, we can examine your teeth and let you know what we feel will be the most effective treatment solution for moving your teeth and bite into alignment.  In the meantime, if you are comparing the pros and cons of each, here is what you need to know.

Effectiveness: Braces vs Invisalign®
If you are looking for a solution that is the most effective, braces and Invisalign® can both accomplish the goal of moving your teeth and bite into alignment.  As an Invisalign Dentist, we will say that if your bite is severely misaligned, for example, a major overbite, traditional metal braces might be your best option and we will recommend a course of action that may include seeing an orthodontist.  This is because a variety of oral appliances and solutions like rubber bands can be used to move the jaw into alignment during the course of the treatment.  If you are simply looking to straighten your teeth, both solutions should work quite well.

Convenience: Braces vs Invisalign®
As an Invisalign Dentist, we know that wearing clear aligners is typically far more convenient than wearing traditional metal braces.  This is one area where Invisalign® really shines.  When your teeth are being straightened using aligners, they are designed to come out when you eat, drink and brush your teeth.  That means that you will not need to worry about anything getting stuck in between your teeth or the embarrassment that is associated with that.  Since the Invisalign® aligners come out, you can even remove them to go on a date, make a presentation at work, attend a wedding, etc.  This makes it possible to look like a better version of yourself while going through the process of straightening your teeth.  The only time where this would be inconvenient is if you had a job that would make it difficult to remove the aligners when eating, in which case, traditional braces may be a preferred option.

Treatment Time: Braces vs Invisalign®
When comparing treatment times, they should be relatively the same.  As an Invisalign dentist, we know that the average treatment time is 12 to 18 months and the average treatment time for adult braces is also 18 months.  With that in mind, you should select the solution that you are the most comfortable wearing.  During your examination and consultation, we will provide you with specifics regarding your personalized treatment plan and timeline.

Children's Orthodontist: Braces vs Invisalign®
If you are looking for a solution to straighten your child's teeth, they need to wear traditional metal braces.  We understand that a lot of our young patients would like to straighten their teeth using aligners but this is not a viable solution for them. While they might not qualify for cosmetic braces, they can have fun with their braces treatment by letting them select their favorite color of rubber bands every time that their wires are adjusted.

Teeth Whitening  >  Cosmetic Dentist

The Cosmetic Dentist And Cosmetic Dentistry Health Benefits

The first cosmetic dentist trip you make will be an exciting time, almost as exciting as when you will leave with a much-improved smile. People come in to see the cosmetic dentist because they know we have the techniques and treatments that can help make your teeth absolutely spectacular, such as dental veneers. In the modern world, the cosmetic dentist has a great deal of latitude and tools like dental veneers to help you have the teeth you want, so there is really no reason why a person has to suffer with crooked, misaligned, or even stained teeth. Often, we get patients coming in who are worried about the overall condition of their mouth and concerned they will not be able to get some of the treatments we offer, like dental veneers. As a cosmetic dentist, we know there are a few issues that can cause you to be ineligible for cosmetic treatments; however, we also know that the vast majority of these issues can be treated and dealt with quickly, which will then allow you to proceed with getting your better-looking smile.

When we do a procedure that involves any level of permanence – like dental veneers, which require us to shave away a portion of your tooth enamel in order to properly place them – we will always start the process with a comprehensive examination. This examination is to detect underlying problems that could cause unnecessary complications unless we address them before starting you down the road with cosmetic treatments. More often than not, patients who have some kind of challenge find that the solutions are not complicated, but must be done with the overall health and oral well-being of your teeth in mind. Once we have cleared up whatever this underlying problem is, we can start doing what we as a cosmetic dentist love to do, which is improving your teeth. Since we are determined to not only give you a smile you will love but also give you a smile that will stand the test of time, we want to start out with a clean bill of health and a mouth free of any additional challenges.

The most common reasons why your cosmetic dentist may call a pause when treating your mouth are decay and infections. With decay, there is the element of aggressive bacteria that has already caused your teeth to lose some of its enamel. We do not want to place a cosmetic solution into a situation where the bacteria might spread and damage your new tooth. As such, we will remove the cavity, clean out the bacteria, and then fill it with a tooth-colored filling. In the case of an infection, it almost speaks for itself. We cannot do any procedure that may require exposing any part of the tooth or gums if there is an active infection in the mouth. This could lead to the infection spreading, which is what we do not want. So we need to treat the infection with antibiotics or other remedies before proceeding.

Family Dentist  >  Emergency Dentist

The Dental Implant Procedure: How an Implant Dentist Can Replace Your Dentures

As an implant dentist, we speak with many patients who are frustrated over loose or ill-fitting dentures. Medical technology has improved greatly over the past couple of decades. Dentures are fitting better and looking more natural than ever before, but they are still a removable prosthetic. Since they are designed to come out, there is no way for them to provide the same degree of stability a natural tooth would, and as a result, they can become loose more easily, leading to unwanted frustration and inconvenience during mealtime or when engaged in high-impact activities. For some people, this is not an issue, but for others, this can seriously impact their quality of life. This is where we can help.

As an implant dentist, we can replace your teeth in a way that is entirely durable and secure. An implant is the only solution for tooth loss that replaces both your root and the visible tooth. As a result, it functions like a natural tooth would, providing you with the security you require in order to eat all of your favorite foods, run a marathon, or sing in the choir without worrying about your teeth.

Here is how it works:

When you visit us for an examination, we will inspect your gums and take x-rays to determine if you have enough bone density to begin the procedure. If not, we may recommend alternatives, like performing a bone graft first or using a different type of implant procedure. Once we are certain you are healthy enough to get started, we will schedule an appointment for implant surgery. We are skilled at completing this procedure in a way that is as comfortable as possible. You will receive anesthesia and be relaxed during the procedure. We will implant a titanium post under your gums and secure it to the jawbone in each spot you lost a tooth. The procedure can take a couple of hours though it depends on how many teeth are being replaced. We can give you an exact time frame when you visit our implant dentist office for a consultation.

After the procedure, you will feel sore and experience some swelling. This can be managed by using an ice pack and taking ibuprofen. For a few days, you will need to be careful to only eat soft foods and not irritate the surgical site. Afterward, your gums will begin to heal, and you should feel better. It will take a couple of months for the process of osseointegration to take place. You will not feel it happening, but inside your mouth, your jawbone, and the titanium post will be fusing together. This is what makes an implant so secure. The bone provides the same level of stability to the implant that it would to a natural root. The new tooth will then stimulate the jawbone, so it is a symbiotic relationship. Once complete, we will attach the new tooth (dental crown), and you will be able to enjoy all of the benefits that come with a secure, full set of natural-looking teeth. To learn more about this process, call our implant dentist office and schedule a consultation.

Invisalign Dentist  >  Dentist

Picking The Best Dentist for Me in Alexandria

We are a local Alexandria dentist that is available to help if you damage a tooth or suffer from a severe toothache after hours.  In this situation we are the best dentist to call because we can treat the current discomfort you are feeling and provide you with any necessary restorations so that the form and function of your tooth will be restored quickly.  When you are trying to select the right dentist for you and your family, this is an important point to consider.  While most dentists will provide you with preventative care, you should visit someone that can help when something goes wrong.  When it comes to your oral health, you need a provider that you can trust to help you in an emergency situation.

When should you start looking for an emergency dentist?

This is a very interesting question with a very simple answer. You should start looking for an emergency dentist now. This is because we know that most people will never look for an emergency dentist or provider until they have a dire need. Most of the time, people assume they will never need the services of someone like an emergency dentist. Even if it does cross one's mind, there is the assumption that, like a medical emergency, a dental emergency can be dealt with in the emergency room. An emergency room is not the place to go if you have a dental emergency unless you are bleeding profusely because an emergency room is not equipped to deal with an oral health emergency situation. Instead, you need to see an emergency dentist. You should start your search for this provider with your own general dentist. Some dentists do provide emergency dental services, so it is a good idea to discuss this with them first. If they do not provide you with emergency treatment options, chances are that your dentist will have a provider they can refer you to. If they do not have this either, you may want to consider changing your dentist. In any case, many people prefer to know they can come to their dentist whether it is for something regular or in an emergency situation, and see the same people, which means many will find a dentist who also does emergency treatments to be their primary provider.

As an Alexandria dentist, we warn patients not to wait to add our number to their contact list.  The challenge with looking for an emergency dentist when you are already hurt, in pain, or suffering terrible discomfort is that you are liable to select the first and closest provider without doing the research necessary to know if they are the right fit for you. One of the most important things to do when you research a dentist online is to look at their testimonials, references, and reviews. In addition to this, you will want to talk to your insurance company about things like an “in-network” dentist who can provide you with emergency dentist services when you need them. While you have your insurance on the phone, it never hurts to check what exactly they pay for when you do have an emergency situation. None of this can be done when all you care about is getting rid of the toothache, and so should be done beforehand. As the best dentist in town, we can help you to prepare for an emergency so that you can receive the care you need right away.

One of the most important things we check for when you call in about needing an emergency dentist is if you are bleeding. Bleeding can be dangerous, so if you are bleeding profusely or if you cannot get the bleeding from a broken, dislodged, or knocked out tooth to stop, you need to go in to the emergency room and get them to stop the bleeding for you. If the bleeding is mild, place gauze on it and apply pressure for about 10 minutes. This should make the bleeding completely stop and allow you to drive to our Alexandria dentist office for help.  As the best dentist for treating emergencies, we can also provide you with care instructions over the phone that can help to minimize any discomfort while you are driving to our office.

Best Dentist  >  Old Town dentist

What are my options if I have missing teeth?

A cosmetic dentist and implant dentist, we have one of the most sophisticated and advanced ways of replacing your teeth when lost. After you lose a tooth, you may be considering your options and consulting with your dentist. If you come in to see us, a cosmetic dentist and a trained implant dentist, we can work with you to give you the most beautiful replacement to the lost tooth, one that looks and acts exactly like your natural tooth. By using a dental implant to anchor your new dental crown, which is made of ceramic and fabricated to perfectly replicate the teeth around it, we can ensure that the tooth has the stability and security of a natural tooth. This is a revolutionary ability for a cosmetic dentist, where beauty and form meld perfectly with function and strength. In a sense, this is exactly what your teeth do. They are an intrinsic part of your everyday existence but are rarely considered outside of oral hygiene or when they are lost. Consider this. Your teeth are the instruments you use to start an effective digestive process. They are the catalyst that allows you to properly place your tongue and learn to enunciate words, even providing babies with the ability to say more complicated words. When you think of socializing, a cosmetic dentist and an implant dentist know the power of the human smile and how much less impactful it can be without teeth. The silent workhorses of the human body, the teeth are essential, but we rarely consider them until we need to treat them.

For years, the myth has persisted that tooth loss, hence the need for a cosmetic dentist or an implant dentist, is something nobody has to worry about until they were older. It may be true that older folks need teeth replacement more often, but recent data shows we are losing our teeth younger than ever. In fact, in people aged between 35 and 45, there is a 69 percent ratio of tooth loss. While 35 may have been considered old in ancient times, it is barely into middle age now, making tooth replacement a key priority for this demographic. Speaking of ancient cultures, most people do not realize that the dental implants placed by your cosmetic dentist or implant dentist actually have their historical roots in an ancient Mayan tradition. The Mayans would hammer pieces of bone or shell into their gums to replace lost teeth, becoming the first civilization to successful carry out a dental implant.

Luckily today, we have moved on from the hammer. We no longer ever use shell or bone, preferring to make the new fake tooth out of porcelain so it looks exactly like its neighbors. For the implant itself, we use titanium, a material so durable and strong that NASA uses it for the manufacture of space-capable vehicles and parts. Dental implants have come a long way, as has the idea of tooth replacement, under the careful guidance of your implant dentist and in collaboration with your cosmetic dentist.

Implant Dentist  >  Best Dentist

Why Visit an Alexandria Family Dentist

As a local Alexandria dentist, we treat patients of all ages, and our goal is to help our patients maintain healthy teeth for a lifetime. When you visit our family dentist office, we will discuss your health history, what you do and do not like about your smile, conduct a physical examination, and take x-rays. All this helps us to get to know you so we can create a customized treatment plan for your dental care.

Benefits to Visiting a Local Dentist

In our family dentist office, we build relationships. We do not treat patients like a number in a long line of appointments. Instead, we value the relationships we build with our patients and believe these relationships allow us to identify potential health problems before they arise, leading to fast treatment times and successful preventative care. These benefits are also clear:

Continuity of care. When you bring the entire family to our dentist office, we can provide a continuity of care you would not receive by visiting multiple practices. Continuity is essential when it comes to properly diagnosing conditions and preventing new ones from developing. We do not need to ask for records because we already have them. We do not need to ask what happened to your tooth three years ago because we would have been the one who fixed it. When you expand this throughout the entire family, the level of care you receive will go up significantly, as will the convenience.

Easy appointments. As a family dentist, we understand how busy our patients are. Parents running from work to soccer practice and driving kids to SAT prep may find that there is very little time left over for taking care of things like dental care. This is why we make it a priority to make dental appointments fast and easy. In our dentist office, we can set an appointment for all of your children, or just you, around the same time. This way, you only need to make one trip to our office and receiving dental care will become significantly more convenient.

Preventative care saves time. When you visit our dentist office for preventative care, you are saving yourself time and a headache in the future. By cleaning your and your children's teeth twice a year, we can prevent many of the common oral health problems from ever developing. Cavities and gum disease, for example, will be less likely to occur. As a result, you will not need to worry about receiving intensive treatments in the future. This is beneficial because these routine visits take less time to complete, are more affordable, and more comfortable than it would be to remove an infection or complete a restoration. We can provide you with all these services in our family dentist office, but our goal is to keep you healthy so you do not need them.

Call us to schedule an appointment with our dentist office so you can learn how important preventative care can be.

Dentist  >  Old Town dentist

Does Invisalign® Work? Answers From a Cosmetic Dentist

As a cosmetic dentist, we want to help answer a few questions about Invisalign®. The most important thing any patient wants to know before they get involved with any treatment is the effectiveness of the treatment. In other words, does Invisalign® actually work? With so much hype and advertising, it is often easy to lose focus, but the real point of any treatment is to achieve the desired results. In the case of visiting a cosmetic dentist for an Invisalign® treatment, the point is to get straighter teeth. So let's look at whether or not Invisalign® actually works, why or why not, and what can affect the reliability of a treatment like this.

When a cosmetic dentist uses Invisalign®, does it actually work?

The simple answer to this question is yes. Invisalign® is a revolutionary new product designed with the sole purpose of moving your teeth out of their misaligned position and into one far more attractive and functional. While there are additional benefits with Invisalign®, like being able to remove them for oral hygiene and not having to see the orthodontist every four weeks like you would need to do with braces, Invisalign® has never forgotten its key purpose of straightening teeth.

How does Invisalign® work?

Invisalign® is actually designed to do very much the same kind of work braces do. It is an age-old and proven way of straightening teeth; the only difference is the method. With braces, you will have wires and metal brackets attached to your teeth. Every four weeks, your orthodontist will need to adjust your braces, tightening them to gradually move the teeth. With Invisalign®, your cosmetic dentist works out an entire plan with you. Every two weeks, the laboratory sends you a custom set of clear aligners that fit over your teeth. The aligners are .25mm (up to .35mm) misaligned from the current position of your teeth. As you wear the aligners for 22 hours per day, they force the teeth to move, eventually making it so your teeth are in perfect alignment with the aligners. At that point, a new set arrives.

Is there anything that would prevent Invisalign® from working?

Like with any product or treatment, it is important to note that failure is a potential if you do certain things. First and foremost, it is critical that you wear the aligners for 22 hours a day or more. This allows the aligners to work on your teeth the entire time. Taking off the aligners constantly or leaving them off could result in the teeth not moving the correct amount, which will offset the entire treatment. Before you ever get to the aligners, however, there is an important need to have a realistic expectation of time. With your cosmetic dentist, you will draw out an exact timeline for treatment and need to be patient. Straightening teeth, even with the most revolutionary product, takes time, but is worth every second.

Invisalign Dentist  >  Best Dentist