Galleria Dental Aesthetics | Dental Blog
Northern Virginia, including Arlington and Alexandria
Archive for October, 2011
How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take for Adults?
Thursday, October 27th, 2011
The length of your orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of your unique case. The majority of cases take between nine months and three years.
As an adult, you may be especially concerned about the appearance of metal braces. Invisalign straightens your teeth with clear, plastic aligners and the treatment time is usually comparable to the time required for metal braces.
If you are considering orthodontic treatments, you may be a candidate for Invisalign, which has several advantages, including:
- Virtually invisible
- Easier to clean teeth
- Corrects a variety of dental problems
Studies have shown that there is no significant difference between orthodontic treatment for adults versus children, and it is never too late to straighten your teeth and correct a misaligned bite. A properly aligned smile offers both aesthetic appeal as well as health benefits. Teeth cleaning and flossing are easier when teeth are not crowded, and tooth surfaces between tightly spaced, crowded and misaligned teeth are more likely to colonize bacteria because the surface literally cannot be reached, which can lead to plaque buildup and gum disease. An advantage to having a correct bite is increased function in chewing and speaking.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced orthodontist in McLean, Virginia, please contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics.
Posted in orthodontics | No Comments »
What Types of Orthodontic Treatment Can I Get as an Adult?
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
Many adults can benefit from orthodontic treatments like fixed braces and Invisalign. Regardless of whether you have worn braces before, you may need additional tooth movement to correct your bite or the alignment of your teeth. As an adult, you can correct spaced, crowded and crooked teeth with orthodontics.
Advances in dental technology provide you with several options. Metal wires and brackets are not the only orthodontic solution available to you. Invisalign corrects a wide range of dental problems, including:
- Overbites, underbites and crossbites
- Spaces between the teeth
- Crooked or crowded teeth
The advantage of Invisalign, is that the treatment uses clear, plastic aligners to discreetly straighten your teeth. Oral hygiene is easy with Invisalign because you remove the aligners to eat and drink, and then you can easily brush and floss your teeth before reinserting the aligners.
It is important to note that not all cases can be treated with Invisalign. Severe bite problems may require the use of metal braces, or a combination of braces and Invisalign. On the other hand, it may be that you do not require orthodontics, but will instead benefit from a cosmetic treatment. For example, sometimes gaps between the teeth cannot be closed with braces, but the gap can be corrected with porcelain veneers.
The only way to determine the best solution for you is to consult an experienced orthodontist. At Galleria Dental aesthetics, dentists Chong Lee and Joseph Oh are specially trained to determine if Invisalign is an option for you.
For adult orthodontics in McLean, Virginia, please contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics today to schedule a consultation.
Posted in General Dentistry | No Comments »
How Often Should I Get Cleanings?
Friday, October 14th, 2011
Teeth cleanings are recommended once every six months under normal, healthy circumstances. However, as with all dental procedures, every patient presents with their own individual circumstances and risk factors for gum disease. Your dentist and dental hygienist will work together to recognize factors that could possibly compromise your teeth and the health of your mouth and develop a plan specific to your dental needs. This may require more frequent cleanings, a more intense cleaning or a specific regimen for your homecare procedures.
Regular cleanings by a dental professional are an important part of maintaining your oral health. In addition to getting your teeth cleaned at recommended intervals, you should practice proper oral hygiene habits at home. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day prevents the buildup of bacteria that cause cavities, bad breath and gum disease.
During your recare visit, your dental hygienist will evaluate and recognize signs of inflammation, discuss the findings with your dentist and you, and develop an approach to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health. In a healthy mouth, your hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup above and below the gumline. If the plaque and tartar debris is allowed to build up and remain around and below the gumline, it may lead to gum disease or periodontitis. Periodontitis is more advanced than gum disease, or inflammation of the soft tissues. Periodontal disease is caused by overgrowth and accumulation of dental plaque which causes disintegration of the bone around the teeth, forming pockets between your teeth and under your gums. The pockets are actively infected and will continue to deepen, causing the boney foundation to disintegrate and your teeth to become loose, putting you at risk for tooth loss. General dentistry and regular frequency of dental cleanings prevents periodontitis through the removal of soft plaque and hard calculus during a cleaning.
A routine dental cleaning can also improve the appearance of your smile by reducing surface staining. Over time, the cumulative staining effect of certain beverages and foods can cause your teeth to become discolored, and a cleaning, which includes polishing will take care of that.
For experienced and comprehensive dentistry in McLean, Virginia, please contact the general dentists at Galleria Dental Aesthetics today.
Posted in General Dentistry | No Comments »
Why Should a Cosmetic Dentist do my General Dentistry Work?
Monday, October 10th, 2011
General dentistry maintains your oral health by preventing, diagnosing and treating disorders of the teeth, gums, jaw and face. General dentistry procedures include:
Many cosmetic dentists provide general dentistry services. These dentists can enhance both the health and the appearance of your smile. Cracked, chipped, stained and gapped teeth can all be corrected with cosmetic procedures even though these issues may not be improved with general dentistry alone.
The value of cosmetic dentistry extends well beyond appearances. Having a smile that you are confident about can make all the difference in your self-esteem and social interactions. A cosmetic dentist understands that having a healthy and attractive smile is important, and as such, your cosmetic dentist can provide solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
For dentistry that considers your complete oral health and appearance, please contact the experienced Northern Virginia cosmetic dentists at Galleria Dental Aesthetics to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry | No Comments »
