The easiest way to ensure patients have whole, healthy smiles for life is to keep them that way from the start. That’s why our team focuses treatment planning on prevention including six-month dental checkups, teeth cleanings, and other preventive dental care. Contact Oakton Dentistry by Design to find out more or schedule your dental checkup today.
Our dentists recommend that patients of all ages visit our office at least two times every year in keeping with the standard of care set forth by the American Dental Association. There are four main parts of every dental checkup:
Diagnostics – we capture digital x-rays and photos that give us a comprehensive view of teeth and gums for treatment planning
Evaluation – we carefully examine the mouth, lips, gums, teeth, and facial structures screening for signs of common oral health issues including tooth decay, gum disease, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and oral cancer
Cleaning – one of our skilled hygienists carefully removes plaque and tartar buildup from even the hardest-to-reach surfaces of teeth preventing tooth decay and gum disease and keeping teeth healthy
Consultation – we review our findings, answer patient questions, and make a treatment plan going forward that fits patients’ needs, budgets, and schedules
Placing dental sealants is one of the fastest and easiest ways to protect patients’ smiles from harmful bacteria and acidic foods and drinks. Sealants are a clear coat of plastic painted over the surfaces of teeth that seal out bacteria-protecting smiles. With proper care, a single dental sealant application will protect teeth for up to a decade. Patients, especially young people who are still learning to clean their smiles and those who are prone to tooth decay, may benefit from placing dental sealants. We’re happy to apply sealants as part of any regular dental checkup. If you’re interested in this treatment for yourself or a loved one, don’t hesitate to ask our team during your next visit.
Oral cancer affects millions of US adults each year, and of those diagnosed this year, less than 50% will live five years beyond diagnosis. Claiming one life every hour on average, oral cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, but according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, when diagnosed in the early stages, most patients are able to make a full recovery. That’s why we make screening for oral cancer an integral part of every dental checkup.
Sleep apnea, the cessation of breathing for ten or more seconds at a time during sleep, is a common sleep disorder, but many patients who suffer from sleep apnea do not realize that their dentist may actually be the ideal doctor to successfully treat this disorder. We are able to custom-craft oral appliances that shift the jaw forward gently keeping the airway clear allowing patients to breathe easy and rest soundly through the night.
Younger patients whose teeth are still developing and adults who experience frequent tooth decay may want to consider professional-grade topical fluoride treatments. Many patients receive adequate fluoride from toothpaste and mouth rinses to fortify their tooth enamel between dental visits, but others need an added boost of fluoride to strengthen enamel preventing decay, dental sensitivity, and other oral health issues. For these patients, we apply a layer of professional-grade fluoride during six-month checkups that continue to attract strengthening minerals to teeth between appointments.
Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most common oral and overall health issues in the US affecting millions of adults annually. Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar build up below the gum line irritating soft tissue and leading to inflammation, sores, and the loss of gum tissue. We offer a number of treatments to restore gum health following periodontal disease including scaling, the removal of plaque and tartar below the gum line, and root planing, the smoothing of tooth roots to prevent further plaque and tartar buildup.
We love treating patients of all ages and that includes young people. From the moment your child’s first tooth erupts, our dentists and team are here to help. We have years of training and experience working with children whose smiles are still developing, and we welcome whole families to visit our office together for maximum convenience. In rare cases, we may notice a developmental concern that is best treated by a pediatric dentistry specialist, but in most cases, we’re able to offer kids a higher standard of comprehensive dental care throughout their lives.
We love treating patients of all ages and that includes young people. From the moment your child’s first tooth erupts, our dentists and team are here to help. We have years of training and experience working with children whose smiles are still developing, and we welcome whole families to visit our office together for maximum convenience. In rare cases, we may notice a developmental concern that is best treated by a pediatric dentistry specialist, but in most cases, we’re able to offer kids a higher standard of comprehensive dental care throughout their lives.