Keeping your smile looking great and feeling healthy requires a bit more than just brushing your teeth twice a day. In fact, the health of your teeth is closely related to your overall health. So a problem with your teeth or gums could indicate problems that extend outside your mouth. At Gentle Family Dentistry, our team of professionals provides an array of general dentistry services to keep your teeth in tip-top shape. From general cleanings to preventive procedures, our Stephens City, VA dentists are here to help you achieve a dream smile.
Regular Cleanings & Exams
People of all ages should see their dentist regularly – ideally every six months – for an exam and cleaning. During these appointments, our team will take a look at your teeth, gums, and jaw to check for signs of dental problems. This includes taking X-rays when necessary. Your hygienist will clean your teeth to remove any plaque and tartar, as well as polish them. The dentist will examine your teeth and go over any recommended treatments, should you need any.
Oral Cancer Screening
During your routine visit, our dental professionals will do a check for signs of oral cancer. This includes feeling the sides of your face, jaw, and throat, and the inside of your mouth. When caught early, oral cancer is very treatable, so make sure you visit us on schedule.
Dental Sealants
While dental sealants are usually something that are placed on kids’ teeth, even adults can benefit from sealants. A dental sealant is a thin coating put onto the chewing surface of molars in order to fill in grooves and protect from cavities.
Tooth Fillings
When cavities form in your teeth, often the best treatment option is to remove the damage and place a filling. Cavities can form anywhere on any tooth, and you may first notice it because of discomfort with extreme temperatures, like a hot or cold beverage, or pain with chewing. When we place a filling, we do our best to match the surrounding tooth color to ensure a natural-looking smile.
Crowns & Bridges
Dental crowns are also called caps, and they are most often used to cover teeth that have been damaged due to chips or cracks, cavities filled with a large filling, and even severe discoloration. To place a crown, our team takes an impression of your tooth and the surrounding teeth, which is then used to create the crown. The crown is made of a durable ceramic material, so it will last for many years. When it’s ready to place, your dental team will remove a small amount of enamel from the tooth, and then fit the crown, checking spacing and bite. Once everything fits properly, the crown is bonded to your tooth, and you’re ready to go!
A dental bridge, on the other hand, replaces one or more missing teeth. A crown on either end of the bridge supports the replacement tooth or teeth. The crowns are either bonded to healthy teeth on both sides of the gap or are attached to dental implants.
Root Canal Therapy
If you have a tooth causing extreme pain, root canal therapy may be able to help alleviate that pain. Using local anesthesia, your dentist will clean out the inflamed root pulp and any infection, then fill in the root canal to keep bacteria out in the future. To complete the process, we’ll place a crown on the affected tooth to give it additional strength and protection.
Tooth Extraction
There are times when, no matter what treatment we provide, we cannot save a tooth and it needs to be removed. Our team can provide tooth extraction using local anesthesia. Once the tooth has been removed, we surgically stitch the site to ensure proper healing. Prior to your extraction, your team will discuss options for tooth replacement, including dental implants.
TMJ Therapy
Temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly referred to as TMJ, occurs when misalignment of the jaw causes chronic pain and/or headaches and jaw dysfunction. During your routine exam, the dentist will have you move your jaw to perform a basic test for TMJ. If the signs are there, or you report symptoms of TMJ (tension, spasms, pain, ear and headaches, or jaw popping), we will perform more in-depth evaluation, including imaging. Treatment for TMJ can include nightguards, bite adjustment, and even orthodontics to help remove the strain on the joints.
Orthodontics
At Gentle Family Dentistry, we offer traditional orthodontics (braces) to help with a variety of issues, including tooth crowding, over or underbite, crooked teeth, and more. Traditional braces work by slowly and gently moving your teeth until they reach the desired alignment.
Nightguards & Mouthguards
Teeth grinding is a common occurrence among people of all ages. Also called bruxism, grinding your teeth at night can cause an array of issues ranging from early wear on teeth to jaw pain to TMJ disorder and even tooth loss. Using a nightguard can help prevent these problems. If you need a nightguard, our team will fit you for a one that is custom designed to fit snugly over your teeth while you sleep. Custom fit nightguards not only aid with teeth grinding, but they also help relax jaw muscles and alleviate jaw pain.
If you or your child play a contact sport, a mouthguard is a necessity to protect your teeth from damage. In addition to protecting teeth, mouthguards can also help prevent injury to the lips, cheeks, and gums. Our mouthguards are custom fit to each individual, meaning they are more comfortable to wear and provide more protection than a store-bought version.
Emergency Dentistry
Dental emergencies happen, and they rarely happen when you already have an appointment the next day. If you have a dental emergency in Stephens City, VA, call our office and we will get you in as soon as possible. We set aside time in our schedule each day to ensure that we can get emergencies seen quickly. Whether you have extreme tooth pain, a broken tooth, a lost crown, or something else that can’t wait, we will make sure that you get the help you need.
If you’re in need of a cleaning or other preventive general dentistry services, you’ll be in excellent hands with the team at Gentle Family Dentistry. Call us today to schedule your appointment.
