Family Dental of Fairfax City
Family Dental of Fairfax City
Family Dental of Fairfax City - Contrasting diseased gums vs healthy gums

When you have periodontitis, you already have a deep infection in the teeth and gums, but our dentist in Fairfax, Dr. Dary, can help you overcome this problem! First, you must have a complete examination with medical images so that Dr. Dary can see where the infection is located in the gums and the teeth.

Here are some of the treatments that we can provide for this dental health issue.

Treatment 1: Antibiotic Medications and Oral Rinses

Our Fairfax dental office will begin by supplying you with a common oral antibiotic to eliminate the infection in your mouth. You will also need to use special mouthwash to rinse away the bacteria that is on the soft oral tissues and the exposed dental roots of your teeth.

Treatment 2: Scaling and Root Planing

You will need anesthesia before our dentist begins scaling and root planing. This process involves a deep cleaning of the teeth and the roots of the teeth below the gums to remove plaque or bacteria. Dr. Dary will use small handheld tools for the scraping or cleaning process.

Treatment 3: Gum Surgery

If you have diseased gum tissue, then we will remove it with surgery while you are anesthetized. This type of surgery can include cutting away gum tissue or stitching new gum tissue into place over the exposed roots of your teeth. When you have extensive periodontal disease, you may need multiple surgeries to eliminate the infection.

Treatment 4: Frequent Brushing and Flossing

At home, you may need to brush your teeth frequently with a soft toothbrush and special toothpaste. This helps with the removal of the plaque and bacteria that are loosened during the deep-cleaning process at our dental office in Fairfax. We also recommend flossing the teeth several times each day to remove additional debris that can cause inflammation.

Treatment 5: Use an Oral Irrigator

For additional cleaning, you can use an electric oral irrigator to remove the pathogens from your mouth. This does not replace brushing and flossing, but if you have periodontal disease, then you can use an oral irrigator each day to eliminate the infection from your gums.  

Frequent Dental Office Visits

While our patients should normally visit us every six months, when you have periodontitis, you should have frequent examinations and cleanings. Call Family Dental of Fairfax City in Fairfax, VA to arrange your treatments for periodontal disease today!  

In some cases it is tough to know when to call your dentist if you are experiencing pain. At Family Dental Care of Fairfax City, we offer same day or next day appointments to address any emergency situations for our patients. We will do our best to fit you in and ensure you are taken care of promptly.

It is important to know the signs or symptoms that may
signal the need to call
our office. Pain that is dismissed, can make a bad situation worse and cause
additional problems. Please remember to address any pain or issues you have
quickly. The faster we see you in our office, the faster you can recover and
get on a plan to avoid any future issues.

Dental emergencies include any problems that require
immediate attention. Some examples are saving a tooth, or alleviating severe
dental pain. If you have an infection, it can be life-threatening and should be
addressed by professionals immediately.

Signs or symptoms you
should not ignore:

  • Bleeding or irritated
    gums
  • Abscess or infection
  • Any tooth pain that is
    persistent and does not go away
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Bad breath that does
    not go away
  • Increased snoring
  • Dry mouth
  • Any mouth or lip sores
    that will not go away
  • Jaw pain, clicking
    or popping
  • Change in tooth color
    or spots forming on teeth
  • Loose teeth

If you experience any of the above symptoms, please do not
hesitate to call our office. Any pain or trauma should be a good reason to call
so we can evaluate the issue. Our team at Family Dental of Fairfax City is
highly trained to handle emergency dental situations, and we are happy to help
assist our patients when needed.

Call us today to schedule your same or next day appointment,
and let us help get you on the road to recovery.

If you have been recommended a filling, you may be wondering what type of filling you can get that will blend in with your natural tooth color.

Composite Fillings:

Composite fillings are a tooth-colored resin and glass material that are typically used for teeth that are decayed or broken.

Typically composite fillings are used for small to  medium sized cavities and blend in nicely in the mouth.

Porcelain Fillings:

Porcelain fillings (inlays or onlays) are custom-made outside of the mouth using a process called casting or milling. Once the customized piece is ready, it is cemented to the tooth. This type of filling is made of a very durable material and typically used on larger cavities or cracks. Porcelain fillings are the color of your natural tooth and blend in nicely in the mouth.

Deciding on what filling to go with will be discussed in our office. Our skilled team will recommend the best filling that fits each patient’s needs depending on the work that is needed.

Our goal is to give our patients a beautiful smile, and we want you to feel great about your teeth when you leave our office.

If you are interested in finding out more about filling options, contact Family Dental of Fairfax City to schedule your appointment.

Crowns are used to save and restore damaged or weak teeth, and are similar to a cap that is placed over the tooth. Crowns allow patients to be able to use their tooth again, and they look natural in the mouth. Crowns help to make damaged teeth durable and strong again. The color of the crown is matched to look like a patient’s natural teeth giving it a natural look.

A crown may be needed for the following:

  • After a root canal treatment
  • To repair a cracked or damaged tooth
  • To help restore a stained or misshapen tooth.

On average, crowns typically last anywhere between 5 to 15 years. How long your crown lasts depends on the wear and tear of the crown over time. If the crown faces a higher level of wear and tear, this can lead to needing a crown replacement. If good oral hygiene habits are followed and the crown is taken care of, crowns can last between 25-30 years.

Tips to help your crown last longer:

  • Attend regular dental appointments in our office so we can ensure all looks good and your crown remains healthy.
  • Avoid biting down on hard objects or foods to avoid wear and tear on the crown.
  • Avoid grinding or clenching your teeth. If you suffer from bruxism, a mouthguard may be recommended.

If you notice any cracks, chips, or pain around your crown, contact our office immediately and we can help.

If you are interested in finding out more about our crown procedures, contact Family Dental of Fairfax City to schedule your appointment.

If a tooth is damaged or broken, you may have had it fixed with a filling or crown. In some cases there is too much damage for a tooth to be repaired, and this is when an extraction may be necessary.

If you have been recommended a tooth extraction, there are a few types of extractions done in our office.

A simple dental extraction is done when the tooth can be easily accessed. Local anesthesia is used to keep patients comfortable, and the dentist simply pulls the tooth out using forceps.

If the tooth is broken or has not erupted in the mouth, and the dentist cannot reach the tooth with ease, a surgical extraction may be necessary. This procedure is a bit more complex. Local anesthesia is used, a small incision will be made in the gum, and the tooth will be removed.

Surgical extractions are very common, and stitches may be needed to ensure the area heals properly.

Our skilled team will give you post-extraction instructions to care for your mouth at home. It is important to follow those instructions to avoid any complications or infection.

Once the extraction is complete, you can discuss the next steps for tooth replacement with our team to restore your smile. We want our patients to feel good about their smile, and will work with each patient to give them the smile they desire.

If you are interested in finding out more about a tooth extraction, contact Family Dental of Fairfax City to schedule your appointment.