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(703) 865-8829

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(703) 865-8829

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General Dentistry

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Dental sealants are thin protective layers (made of plastic or other dental material) that adhere to the chewing surface of your back teeth. It is not a substitute for toothbrush and dental floss, but it can help prevent cavities from forming. It is used a lot in children and adolescents.

Today we will explain briefly what dental sealants consist of.

Why Would I Need Dental Sealants?

Tooth brushing and using dental floss are means of prevention against tooth decay that are part of daily oral hygiene; however, sometimes they fail to remove food debris from the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. That is why there is a treatment that protects these areas susceptible to plaque buildup: dental sealants.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are made of a thin layer of plastic and are placed in the grooves and pits of the chewing surfaces, usually in the back teeth. This way, the cleaning of these teeth is facilitated by having smoother surfaces and the risk of suffering tooth decay is reduced.

How do Dental Sealants Work?

After eating food and beverages, the bacterial plaque is formed, which is formed by food debris in conjunction with bacteria, it adheres to the teeth and acids are formed, which over time wear down the enamel (outer surface) of the teeth. If the plaque is not removed through proper brushing, tooth decay will occur.

Frequently, the surfaces that are used for chewing are more susceptible to retaining a greater amount of plaque due to their uneven shape with groves and pits. That is why when covering these grooves with a dental material, it is more difficult for the bacterial plaque to accumulate in these areas, in this way, the risk of having tooth decay is reduced.

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?

The application of dental sealants is a simple and painless procedure consisting of the following stages:

  • The cleaning of the tooth to be treated is performed.
  • Cottons are placed to keep the tooth dry.
  • Then, a gel will be applied that will help the subsequent binding of the sealant to the tooth.
  • The tooth will be rinsed and dried.
  • The sealant will be placed in the grooves and pits of the chewing surfaces of the tooth. Depending on the type of sealant, a special light will be used to harden the sealant.

Who Would Benefit From Dental Sealants?

They are more effective in children with newly formed permanent teeth that is between 6 to 12 years. But, they can also be used in adults to prevent tooth decay and maintain proper oral health.

Remember that it is better to protect teeth that are healthy with the help of dental sealants, as this can prevent the appearance and progression of tooth decay, which implies longer and more expensive treatments

Questions? Contact Family Dental of Fairfax City

If you have any additional questions about dental sealants or are looking to schedule an appointment with Dr. Patricia Dary, please don’t hesitate to contact Family Dental of Fairfax City! Our team is experienced in providing dental sealants in Fairfax, VA.

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The use of using carbon as a dental cleaning method is nothing new. In fact, its beginnings are from the time of the Romans. They lacked tools or resources and brushed with coal to take care of their dental health.

Other sources point out that it was used in Greece to hide stains on teeth and bad breath from gingivitis. The first appearance of coal in dentistry was in a homemade recipe from the 19th century.

Lately, its use has taken popularity, because its texture is similar to bicarbonate.

People include these products as an alternative to brush their teeth, but dentists have been warned about the risks of using activated carbon toothpaste.

Why Are There Risks of Using Activated Carbon Toothpaste?

If this product is compared to normal paste, its benefits are poor, says Joseph Greenwall-Cohen, a professor at the School of Dentistry at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. The specialist participated in a study on the risks of using activated carbon toothpaste.

Greenwall-Cohen, together with another group of dentists, published an article in the British Dental Journal in which they warn that it does not favor tooth enamel. There are risks such as the appearance of caries.

According to scientists, there is no evidence that charcoal provides beneficial effects on oral health. On the contrary, they detected that it is abrasive to enamel!

In this study they analyzed 50 pastes of activated carbon and only 8% contained fluoride. Although fluoride can be toxic, at the correct doses it generates several benefits for patients. Some of its advantages are in making tooth enamel stronger, which is why it is so important that it is present in the dentifrices in the indicated amount.

There Are More Risks than Benefits

Dental professionals who have done studies on pastes with charcoal recommend abandoning this practice, because it can cause irreparable damage.

They suggest that you continue using a dentifrice that contains fluoride and go to the dentist on a regular basis. It has been proven in studies that those communities that have had greater contact with water with fluoride are less likely to suffer from cavities.

There are celebrities who have echoed this product and this has popularized using it in the general population. But dentists reject it because they do not fulfill their promotional arguments: “antibacterials,” “antifungals,” or “bleaches.”

The benefits that claim to have activated charcoal pastes have not been proven so far. Although they offer a “fast teeth whitening” it is far from being true.

These products are ineffective and only bring risks, such as gum irritation.

Why is Charcoal so Harmful?

Materials such as nutshells, coconut, bamboo, peat, wood and coal, are what integrate this new fashion of teeth whitening.

The continued use of carbon pastes is harmful. This material is used to purify water and absorb substances from the body in case of poisoning.

Active carbon pastes do not have the validation or disapproval of the American Dental Association.

Constipation, dark stools, blockage of the intestinal tract and dehydration are some of the side effects of this practice, says the National Library of Medicine of the United States. Even, the Organization of Consumers and Users has warned of the risks of these superficial changes.

Patients who have certain types of fillings are at risk of more severe damage because it is difficult to get rid of some charcoal particles. Active carbon is as abrasive as the use of bicarbonate for teeth.

Contact Family Dental of Fairfax City

If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patricia Dary, please don’t hesitate to contact Family Dental of Fairfax City! Our team is experienced in providing a variety of dental treatments in Fairfax, VA.

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If you are starting to feel sensitivity in your teeth or notice that they are changing their color you should visit your dentist immediately. These conditions could be consequences of tooth enamel wear.

What Causes Tooth Enamel Wear?

Tooth enamel is the outermost part of the tooth. It is a hard surface. The wear of the enamel is a natural process that occurs mainly with time. But there are a number of factors that could speed up the process. The most relevant are:

  • Abrasion: This action occurs on the enamel due to intestinal problems such as reflux, consumption of some medications and intake of acidic foods such as juices, tea, coffee. These negatively affect the enamel of your teeth.

  • Friction: When you brush your teeth aggressively, with an inappropriate brush that has hard bristles you are damaging the enamel of your teeth. The rubbing of these bristles with your teeth is harmful, both for the enamel and for your gums. It can also be caused by friction between the upper and lower teeth (bruxism). This is very common, it is known as grinding. Many people are “night grinders” and will grind their teeth are night during their sleep.

  • Erosion: This is a natural process which normally occurs in older adults.

What Causes Tooth Enamel Wear?

Tooth enamel wear is a fairly common problem. It consists of progressively losing the thickness of the protective layer that covers the teeth. It is normal for this process to happen slowly over time. But if it starts to occur prematurely it can cause a lot of discomfort and dental problems. Some of them are:

Fragile if Thin

The dental enamel is one of the thicker and stronger layers of teeth. One of its functions is to streamline the process of chewing food. When the enamel begins to become thinner, it means that it will lose resistance against the external elements.

In some cases, the teeth become so fragile that they can begin to show fractures and even loss of dental structure.

In many cases, when the patient has a very advanced wear, specialists must resort to reconstruction techniques or dental crowns to restore the worn parts. But sometimes the only alternative is the removal of the worn teeth and the placement of dental implants.

Family Dental of Fairfax - Example of tooth enamel wear

Sensitivity

If the protective layer of your teeth begins to wear out you might feel a little sensitivity, especially with very cold or hot drinks or foods.

We already mentioned that enamel is one of the thickest layers that covers a tooth. If it begins to lose its thickness, it means that external elements, such as temperature, can affect dental nerves in greater proportion. This in turn increases the likelihood of cavities and infections. 

Discoloration

Tooth enamel is practically translucent, while the layer underneath it is yellowish and is known as dentin. The coloring of the teeth depends on how thick or thin your enamel is, since the color of the enamel is translucent. So, if you have a very thin enamel layer, they will look yellowish or develop spots.

In addition to affecting the color of the teeth, it will also cause them to look opaque or have very low gloss. Wearing of this protective layer can seriously affect the functionality of your teeth.

So, before you face any or all of these problems, it is best to resort to preventive measures.

Looking to Restore Your Smile in Fairfax, VA?

If you have any questions about tooth enamel wear or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patricia Dary, please don’t hesitate to contact Family Dental of Fairfax City! Our team is proud to provide dental restorations in Fairfax, VA. 

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Family Dental of Fairfax City - Woman getting her teeth cleaned by dental team

Our dental office in Fairfax, VA offers a variety of dental services, including cleaning the teeth to remove hardened plaque that contains bacteria. Family Dental of Fairfax City has the latest technology in order to clean your teeth to prevent stains, decay or gum disease. We know that some of our patients require specialized dental cleanings, so we offer several types of services to ensure that your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible.

Dental Cleaning Type 1: Basic Prophylaxis Teeth Cleaning

During your routine dental appointment every six months, Dr. Dary, our Fairfax dentist, will perform a basic prophylaxis teeth-cleaning process that is designed for removing plaque from a few areas in your mouth. This type of cleaning often includes the application of fluoride that will strengthen the enamel on your teeth.

Dental Cleaning Type 2: Deeper Scaling and Root Planing Process

Scaling and root planing will require the use of special instruments to polish the surfaces of the teeth on all the sides of each tooth. You may need an injection of a painkiller so that Dr. Dary can also scrape the debris from the sensitive roots of your teeth. This deep cleaning can prevent cavities, bad breath or gingivitis.

Dental Cleaning Type 3: Gross Debridement of the Diseased Gum Tissue

When our dentist in Fairfax, Virginia notices that your teeth are covered with hardened plaque that prevents a thorough dental examination, you will need gross debridement. This procedure takes more time than a regular teeth-cleaning process, and it is often caused by the failure to brush and floss your teeth adequately for several months or years. This type of cleaning requires more time to remove the plaque that develops along the gums and between the teeth.

Dental Cleaning Type 4: Cleaning for Periodontal Maintenance

After eliminating the infection from your teeth and gums, you must continue to visit our Fairfax dental practice for periodontal maintenance. It is easy for the infection to begin again in your mouth, but with frequent visits, Dr. Dary can remove any plaque buildup along with the bacteria that can cause gingivitis.

Schedule a Dental Appointment

Our office receptionists can schedule a dental appointment for you to have your teeth cleaned, examined and X-rayed. In addition to finding cavities that require fillings, our team can apply fluoride to your teeth, and we also offer special teeth-whitening procedures. If you have chipped teeth, then our dentist in Fairfax can repair an abnormality with a bonding procedure. Call Family Dental of Fairfax City in Fairfax, VA to get started today.

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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.

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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.

Ready to get started?

Dr. Dary believes in “honest, caring dentistry” and treats all her patients with exceptional care and a gentle hand.

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(703) 865-8829

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10721 Main St Suite 100,
Fairfax, VA 22030

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info@familydentalfairfax.com

Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

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