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Root Canal Therapy
Complete Dental Health
Capitol Dentists general dentistry services encompasses a broad range of dental services aimed at maintaining oral health and preventing dental issues. Our dental clinic in Washington, DC specializes in general dentistry provide routine dental care and treatment for patients of all ages. Some services offered in general dentistry include:
Dental Exams
Dental Cleanings
Dental Fillings
Dental Sealants
Oral Cancer Exams
Dental exams are essential components of preventive dental care, typically performed by dentists or dental hygienists. These exams are typically recommended every six months but may vary based on individual oral health needs. Here’s what typically happens during a dental exam:
Medical History Review: Before the exam, the dentist or dental hygienist will review your medical history, including any medications you’re taking, past dental treatments, and any current oral health concerns.
Visual Inspection: The dental professional will visually inspect your mouth, gums, tongue, throat, and other oral tissues for any signs of issues such as cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, or abnormalities.
Dental X-Rays (if needed): X-rays may be taken to assess areas of the mouth that aren’t visible during the visual inspection, such as between teeth and below the gum line. X-rays can help detect cavities, bone loss, impacted teeth, and other dental problemGum Health Assessment: The dentist or hygienist will check the health of your gums by measuring the depth of gum pockets around each tooth. Deep pockets may indicate gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
Evaluation of Existing Dental Work: If you have dental restorations such as fillings, crowns, or bridges, the dentist will check their condition to ensure they’re intact and functioning properly.Oral Cancer Screening: The dental professional will perform a thorough examination of the oral tissues to check for signs of oral cancer, such as lesions, lumps, or discolorations.
Discussion and Recommendations: Based on the findings of the exam, the dentist or hygienist will discuss your oral health status with you and provide recommendations for any necessary treatments or preventive measures. This may include advice on oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and the use of dental products.
Treatment Planning: If any dental issues are identified during the exam, the dental professional will develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This may involve scheduling follow-up appointments for procedures such as fillings, root canals, or periodontal therapy.
Regular dental exams are crucial for maintaining oral health, preventing dental problems, and addressing issues early before they worsen. If you have any concerns about your oral health, it’s essential to schedule a dental exam promptly to receive appropriate care and guidance.
Dental cleanings, also known as prophylaxis or scaling and polishing, are aimed at maintaining oral health. Here’s what typically happens during a dental cleaning:
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Our dental hygienists or dentists use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the surfaces of your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and can lead to cavities and gum disease if not removed regularly. Tartar, also called calculus, is hardened plaque that can only be removed with professional cleaning.
Scaling: Scaling involves carefully removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline. This process helps prevent gum disease by eliminating bacteria that can irritate the gums and lead to inflammation.
Polishing: After scaling, the dental professional uses a polishing tool and a gritty toothpaste-like substance to polish the teeth. This helps remove surface stains and leaves the teeth smooth and clean.
Flossing: Dental floss is used to clean between the teeth and along the gumline, removing any remaining plaque or polishing paste.
Fluoride Treatment (Optional): Some dental cleanings may include a fluoride treatment, especially for patients at higher risk of tooth decay. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and can aid in cavity prevention.
Education and Recommendations: During the cleaning, the dental professional provides guidance on proper brushing and flossing techniques, as well as recommendations for oral hygiene products tailored to your needs. They may also discuss any concerns they notice during the cleaning and suggest follow-up care or treatment if necessary.
Regular dental cleanings, typically recommended every six months, play a crucial role in preventing dental problems, maintaining fresh breath, and promoting overall oral health. However, the frequency of cleanings may vary based on individual oral health needs, so it’s essential to follow your dentist’s recommendations.
Dental fillings are common restorative treatments used to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay or cavities. Here’s what typically happens during a dental filling procedure:
Anesthesia: Before starting the procedure, the dentist will usually administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the affected tooth. This helps ensure that you’re comfortable and pain-free during the filling process.
Removal of Decay: The dentist will use a dental drill, laser, or air abrasion instrument to remove the decayed portion of the tooth. Once the decay is removed, the dentist will clean the cavity thoroughly to eliminate any remaining bacteria and debris.
Preparation of the Cavity: After cleaning the cavity, the dentist will prepare it for the filling material. This may involve etching the tooth with an acidic solution to create a rough surface that helps the filling bond securely to the tooth.
Placement of Filling Material: There are several types of filling materials available, including amalgam (silver-colored), composite resin (tooth-colored), gold, and ceramic. The dentist will select the appropriate material based on factors such as the location of the cavity, the extent of the damage, and your aesthetic preferences.
- Composite Fillings: For composite fillings, the dentist will apply layers of tooth-colored resin to the cavity, carefully shaping and sculpting the material to match the natural contours of the tooth. A special curing light is then used to harden the resin, bonding it to the tooth surface.
- Amalgam Fillings: If amalgam fillings are used, the dentist will place the mixture of metals (typically silver, mercury, tin, and copper) into the cavity and shape it to fit the tooth. Amalgam fillings harden quickly and are highly durab
Finishing and Polishing: Once the filling material is in place, the dentist will trim and shape it to ensure a comfortable bite and natural appearance. The filling is then polished to smooth out any rough edges and restore the tooth’s function and aesthetics.
Final Assessment: After completing the filling, the dentist will check your bite to ensure that it’s properly aligned and comfortable. Any necessary adjustments will be made to ensure that the filling fits seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Dental fillings are effective in restoring the structure and function of decayed teeth, preventing further damage, and preserving oral health. With proper care and regular dental check-ups, fillings can last for many years.
Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars to protect them from decay. Here’s an overview of the process of applying dental sealants:
Cleaning and Preparation: Before applying sealants, the dentist or dental hygienist will thoroughly clean and dry the teeth to be sealed. This ensures that the sealant bonds effectively to the tooth surface.
Etching: Next, the chewing surfaces of the teeth are etched with a special acidic solution or gel. Etching creates a slightly rough surface texture that allows the sealant to adhere securely to the tooth enamel.
Application of Sealant: Once the teeth are prepared, the sealant material is applied to the grooves and pits of the chewing surfaces. The sealant is typically a thin, liquid resin that flows into the deep crevices of the teeth, forming a protective barrier.
- Curing: To harden the sealant and bond it to the tooth surface, a curing light is used. The light activates chemicals in the sealant material, causing it to harden within seconds.
- Evaluation and Adjustment: After the sealant has hardened, the dentist will check the sealant’s placement and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that it provides complete coverage and a smooth surface for chewing.
Dental sealants act as a barrier, preventing food particles, bacteria, and plaque from accumulating in the deep grooves and pits of the molars and premolars, where decay commonly occurs. By sealing off these vulnerable areas, sealants help reduce the risk of cavities and maintain optimal oral health.
Sealants are typically recommended for children and teenagers as soon as their permanent molars and premolars erupt, usually around the ages of 6 and 12. However, adults who are prone to cavities or have deep grooves in their teeth may also benefit from sealants. With proper care and regular dental check-ups, sealants can provide long-lasting protection against tooth decay.
According to research conducted by the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. More than 7,000 of these cases result in the death of the patient. The good news is that oral cancer can easily be diagnosed with an annual oral cancer exam, and effectively treated when caught in its earliest stages.
Oral cancer is a pathological process which begins with an asymptomatic stage during which the usual cancer signs may not be readily noticeable. This makes the oral cancer examinations performed by the dentist critically important. Oral cancers can be of varied histologic types such as teratoma, adenocarcinoma and melanoma. The most common type of oral cancer is the malignant squamous cell carcinoma. This oral cancer type usually originates in lip and mouth tissues.
There are many different places in the oral cavity and maxillofacial region in which oral cancers commonly occur, including:
- Lips
- Mouth
- Tongue
- Salivary Glands
- Oropharyngeal Region (throat)
- Gums
- Face
Reasons for oral cancer examinations
It is important to note that around 75 percent of oral cancers are linked with modifiable behaviors such as smoking, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. Your dentist can provide literature and education on making lifestyle changes and smoking cessation.
When oral cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages, treatment is generally very effective. Any noticeable abnormalities in the tongue, gums, mouth or surrounding area should be evaluated by a health professional as quickly as possible. During the oral cancer exam, the dentist and dental hygienist will be scrutinizing the maxillofacial and oral regions carefully for signs of pathologic changes.
The following signs will be investigated during a routine oral cancer exam:
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Red patches and sores – Red patches on the floor of the mouth, the front and sides of the tongue, white or pink patches which fail to heal and slow healing sores that bleed easily can be indicative of pathologic (cancerous) changes.
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Leukoplakia – This is a hardened white or gray, slightly raised lesion that can appear anywhere inside the mouth. Leukoplakia can be cancerous, or may become cancerous if treatment is not sought.
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Lumps – Soreness, lumps or the general thickening of tissue anywhere in the throat or mouth can signal pathological problems.
Oral cancer exams, diagnosis and treatment
The oral cancer examination is a completely painless process. During the visual part of the examination, the dentist will look for abnormality and feel the face, glands and neck for unusual bumps. Lasers which can highlight pathologic changes are also a wonderful tool for oral cancer checks. The laser can “look” below the surface for abnormal signs and lesions which would be invisible to the naked eye.
If abnormalities, lesions, leukoplakia or lumps are apparent, the dentist will implement a diagnostic impression and treatment plan. In the event that the initial treatment plan is ineffective, a biopsy of the area will be performed. The biopsy includes a clinical evaluation which will identify the precise stage and grade of the oral lesion.
Oral cancer is deemed to be present when the basement membrane of the epithelium has been broken. Malignant types of cancer can readily spread to other places in the oral and maxillofacial regions, posing additional secondary threats. Treatment methods vary according to the precise diagnosis, but may include excision, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
During bi-annual check-ups, the dentist and hygienist will thoroughly look for changes and lesions in the mouth, but a dedicated comprehensive oral cancer screening should be performed at least once each year.
If you have any questions or concerns about oral cancer, please contact our practice.
Questions? Give us a call today at (202) 223-2070 or fill out our contact form
