General Dentistry

• Dental Fillings - Dental fillings are used to repair damage to the structure of a tooth or teeth. Structural damage can be caused as a result of tooth decay, wear or trauma. After the removal of a problematic tooth structure, the tooth is restored with one of several filling materials: Gold, amalgam, composite resin (white filling material) or porcelain. Each filling material has its advantages and disadvantages. Your dentist will work with you to determine which material is appropriate for you.
• Bonding - Bonding is the term used to describe the process of using composite resins to "glue" materials to the surface of a tooth for restorative purposes. Chipped or cracked teeth are typically repaired through bonding. An enamel-like composite material is applied to the surface of a tooth, sculpted into shape, contoured and polished, making the crack or chip invisible.
• Orthodontics (Maryland location Only) - Misaligned teeth and malocclusions can be straightened and corrected with dental braces and retainers. Orthodontics is both a functional and cosmetic treatment, and has become an increasingly popular field of dentistry.
• Root Canals - Root canal therapy removes infected pulp tissue within the root chamber of the tooth. The hollowed-out tooth is filled with an antibacterial filling, and the tooth is “capped” with a crown for protection. Endodontists specialize in performing root canal therapy, though general dentists also often perform the restorative procedure.
• Dental Crowns - Dental crowns can repair extensively decayed or damaged teeth. Dental crowns can be made of gold metals, silver metals or porcelain. Some dentists use CAD/CAM technology for the fabrication of dental crowns. In some cases, conservative dental veneers may replace the need for a dental crown. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, pediatric dentists and cosmetic dentists may perform the crown procedure; however, expertise varies among dentists.
• Dental Bridges - Dental bridges replace missing teeth with artificial replacements (pontic). The pontic is held in place by composite materials that are anchored to surrounding teeth. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists and cosmetic dentists may perform bridge procedures. Availability of the latest materials, technology and expertise varies among dentists.
• Dentures - Dentures are used to replace missing teeth or damaged teeth that cannot be otherwise repaired. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, and cosmetic dentists may perform the procedure. However, availability of the latest material, technology and expertise vary among dentists.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Procedures - Oral and maxillofacial procedures range from the less invasive treatment of abnormalities of the mouth, jaw and face – including accompanying structures such as the teeth – to major oral surgeries. Dental implants, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) procedures, reconstructive surgery and cleft lip and palate procedures also fall under the oral and maxillofacial category.
• Periodontal (Gum Disease) Treatment - Early gum disease treatment may include tooth scaling and cleaning at three-month intervals along with use of medicated mouthwash and proper flossing. Later-stage gum disease treatment may include deep-plane scaling, periodontal surgery and laser surgery. General dentists, family dentists, periodontists and cosmetic dentists may perform gum disease treatment. However, availability of the latest material, technology and the level of expertise vary among dentists.

Special treatment considerations are made for infants, young children, adolescents, people with special needs and the elderly.

Cosmetic Dentistry

While traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral disease, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person's teeth, mouth, and smile. Cosmetic dentistry may also provide restorative benefits. For example, dental fillings are a common procedure used to treat decayed teeth. Previously, most dental fillings were composed primarily of gold, amalgam, and other materials that left visible dark spots on the teeth. Today, dental fillings may fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry, because you can select fillings made of porcelain or composite materials that closely match the color of your teeth, thus maintaining the natural appearance of your teeth and smile. Many people have their older fillings replaced with newer, tooth-colored fillings to enhance their oral appearance.

Technological advancements in cosmetic dentistry have made it possible for dentists to address a wide range of challenges. Two of the latest trends aimed at creating a more attractive appearance are smile makeovers and full mouth reconstruction.

A smile makeover improves the appearance of the smile through one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as dental veneers, dental implants, and teeth whitening. Full mouth reconstruction may include treatment for functional problems with the bite, muscles, teeth, and bone structure as well as the use of additional cosmetic procedures. Full mouth reconstruction involves advanced restorative treatment designed to address severe wear of the teeth, pain, and other problems. Full mouth reconstruction frequently involves several dentists who focus on their specific areas of expertise in order to obtain the best outcome.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures currently in use include:

• Dental Fillings - As noted above, this traditional procedure can also be included in the category of cosmetic dentistry when porcelain and composite resin materials are used to provide a tooth-like appearance.
• Bonding - The repair of chipped or broken teeth may be done via a procedure called bonding. A dental composite material with the look of enamel is applied to the surface of a tooth, where it is then sculpted into shape, contoured, and polished, making the crack or chip invisible.
• Teeth Whitening - Teeth whitening is perhaps the most commonly recommended cosmetic dentistry procedure. Teeth are often stained from smoking, food, drink (coffee, tea, or red wine), or poor oral hygiene. Bleaching the teeth can enhance the appearance of your smile.
• Dental Veneers - Plastic or porcelain laminates bonded to the surface of a tooth to replace chips and cracks will improve a worn appearance or severe tooth discoloration. Veneers may also be recommended if you have gaps in your teeth or if you have not had success with teeth whitening.
• Dental Implants - Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements that are used as a part of prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry in order to compensate for tooth loss. Often the result is not only an enhanced smile, but also a more youthful appearance, since missing teeth cause the face to collapse, making you look older.