Preventive Dentistry in Fairfax
Preventive dental care is the key to maintaining a healthy smile. Practicing a rigorous at-home routine and incorporating preventive treatments into your dental care protects against cavities, gum disease, and a variety of other oral health complications. Visiting our team every six months for a dental exam ensures that we can accurately monitor your health and prevent problem areas from progressing into larger complications. Speak with a member of our team today to schedule your visit! Protect your smileARESTIN®
When used in conjunction with scaling and root planing, ARESTIN fights off bacteria and infection in your gums. Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar from beneath the gumline and root planing smooths the tooth root out to allow the clean gums to reattach to the root. This antibiotic treatment is placed into the clean pockets of the gum to prevent infection from recurring.
Athletic Mouthguards
Physical activity and sports put your teeth at higher risk for trauma and damage. Wearing a protective mouthguard places a barrier between your teeth and any objects or other participants. While there are generic boil-and-bite mouthguards available, oftentimes these appliances slip and move around, providing you with less protection. Our customized mouthguards are handcrafted for your smile and reduce your risk of a dental emergency.
Dental Sealants
If you’re looking for additional protection against cavities, dental sealants may be the best option for you. This thin, plastic coating is painted onto your teeth and seals out cavity-causing bacteria. It is most often used on the back molars but can be applied to any of your teeth. Dental sealants are appropriate for patients of all ages.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a natural mineral that aids in cavity prevention and building tooth strength. Oftentimes, fluoride is already incorporated into your toothpaste, mouthwash, and even your water. However, you can receive a higher dosage during your dental exam. After your full teeth cleaning, a fluoride treatment can be applied in the form of a gel, foam, or mouthwash.
Halitosis Treatment
Chronic bad breath—or halitosis—may be caused by poor dental hygiene, overall health problems, or consuming certain types of foods. If you’re experiencing this, our team can carefully assess what is causing your bad breath and work toward a treatment for you. If the odor is due to gum disease, we can treat your symptoms in-house and get you on the path to fresh breath.
Laser Gum Treatment
A revolutionary technique for treating gum disease is laser gum treatment. This process involves removing the inflamed and infected gum tissue surrounding the tooth with a precise laser. The incorporation of a laser makes treatment minimally invasive, reduces the need for a local anesthetic, causes less bleeding, and offers faster recovery times.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Several patients suffer from bruxism—grinding teeth at night. Not only does this erode the enamel of your teeth, but it can lead to gum recession as well. Our customized nightguards are fit for your bite specifically and eliminate the constant pressure of your teeth rubbing against one another.
Oral Cancer Screenings
When you visit our team on a regular basis, we are able to properly monitor your oral health and track any changes. Each regular dental exam includes an oral cancer screening, where we check for precancerous signs and abnormal cells in your mouth. Detecting oral cancer in its earliest stages increases your chances for curing it.
Sleep Apnea Appliances
Sleep apnea is a disorder that inhibits your breathing throughout the night. In most cases, sleep apnea is caused by the throat muscles relaxing and blocking your airway. A sleep apnea appliance can reposition your mouth and increase airflow, providing you with a restful night’s sleep.
TMJ/TMD Therapy
TMJ/TMD appliances are designed to alleviate pain and stiffness in your jaw caused by Temporomandibular joint disorder. This custom appliance realigns your bite and reduces pressure on your jaw joints. Depending on the severity of your case, a schedule will be provided to you with recommended wear times.