Virginia Center for Advanced Dentistry

Products And Services

• Preventive Care

  Your first visit to Virginia Center for Advanced Dentistry will include a thorough dental exam, which includes the following: Digital Radiographs: Disease of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot always be seen by doing a visual examination so it is important to have periodic dental x-rays taken. The x-rays allow us to look at what is happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. They help in the detection of cavities, bone infection, periodontal disease, abscesses, developmental abnormalities and tumors. Digital x-rays are safer, faster, more accurate and easier on the environment than traditional x-rays. Compared to traditional x-rays, digital x-rays reduce radiation exposure by as much as 85%. Oral Cancer Screenings: As part of your dental care, we routinely perform oral cancer screenings. The lips, tongue, throat, neck and gum tissue are examined for any signs of cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions. Routine Cleanings: Our dental hygienists will perform a cleaning in order to remove tartar and plaque that may develop in hard to reach areas. This is done to help to prevent cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease. It is recommended to have your teeth professionally cleaned every six months; however more frequent cleanings may be required depending on your oral health. Home Care: After an individual assessment, our dental team will provide valuable home dental care instructions that will include proper brushing and flossing techniques to be done at home. We can recommend and provide tools to help with your at home oral hygiene needs.

• Bonding

  Bonding is a composite tooth-colored resin filling material used for reshaping teeth. Bonding may also be used to change the color of teeth and close minor gaps. A thin coat of resin filling material will be applied to the front of the teeth. The teeth are then sculpted, shaped and polished to enhance your smile.

• Childrens Dentistry

  Kids of all ages are welcome to our practice. Dr. Simon understands that many young patients are nervous about visiting the dentist. Everyone at Virginia Center for Advanced Dentistry takes extra time to make sure that our youngest patients feel comfortable sitting in the dental chair. At your child’s first visit, we will examine the teeth, gums, tongue, lips, and roof of the mouth. Depending upon your child’s age, number of teeth present, and ability to cooperate, we may order x-rays to determine normal development of permanent teeth. We may also clean your child’s teeth and apply fluoride.

• Crowns & Bridges

  Crown and bridge treatment will restore lost teeth, support remaining teeth and help you maintain optimum dental health. A crown is placed over a carefully prepared existing tooth. It is used to strengthen, restore or improve the appearance of your natural tooth. A bridge is placed to replace one or more missing teeth. The bridge anchors to the adjacent teeth. Crowns and bridges are made from semiprecious and precious metals, porcelain or a combination of metal fused to porcelain. Ceramic may also be used.

• Conscious Sedation Dentistry

  Sedation dentistry is endorsed by the American Dental Association. It is an effective way to make patients more comfortable during dental treatment. We offer both nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedatives (also known as Oral Sedation Dentistry). Oral sedation dentistry is a procedure involving the administration of oral sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a dental procedure and reduce patients fear and anxiety related to the experience. Oral sedation dentistry is usually administered as a pill, but we may also choose to use Nitrous Oxide gas (laughing gas). Nitrous oxide is best suited for cases of mild to moderate anxiety and is the most frequently used sedation method. Under nitrous oxide you remain conscious and able to breathe on your own, with a sense of total well-being (euphoria). Patients generally recover quickly, often with little memory of the procedure. Sedation dentistry is the most common method used in the United States to calm a patients fears. It’s easy! Oral dental sedation creates a comfortable experience, and most patients do don’t even remember the visit; it is as if they slept through the treatment. Virtually any procedure can be done using Oral Sedation Dentistry – anxiety-free, safe, and comfortable.

• Dental Implants

  If you are self-conscious because you have missing teeth, wear dentures that are uncomfortable or don’t want to have good tooth structure removed to make a bridge, talk to your dentist to see if dental implants are an option for you. Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth and are designed to blend in with your other teeth. They are an excellent long-term option for restoring your smile. In fact, the development and use of implants is one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years. Dental implants are made up of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body. They are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, where they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth.

• Denture Repairs & Relines

  If you are missing some or all of your natural teeth, they may be replaced with full or partial dentures. Replacing missing teeth will help fill out your smile and give support to the cheeks and lips. They will aid in speaking, chewing, swallowing, and smiling.

• Emergency Dental Trauma

  We understand the anxiety and frustration associated with dental emergencies. Most often, dental emergencies are the result of injury to the teeth, gums, or jaw. In addition to injuries, an abscess, toothache, or infection can cause pain, swelling, or fever. At Virginia Center for Advanced Dentistry, these cases are considered high priority and we do our best to handle them as promptly as possible, usually the same day.

• Invisalign

  Invisalign® is a way to straighten your teeth without braces – a nearly invisible tooth realignment system. It uses a series of hard plastic, computer-designed mouthguard-like trays, each giving incremental movement towards the desired result. If you’ve wanted to straighten your teeth, but haven’t wanted braces, you may want to look into Invisalign®. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

• Periodontal Therapy

  Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is generally painless, so you may not be aware that you have the disease. There are three stages of periodontal disease: Gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. The main cause of periodontal disease is plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that constantly builds up on the teeth. Periodontal disease is a very serious disease that may result in tooth loss. It may contribute to the development of heart disease and increase your risk of stroke. Some signs of periodontal disease include: -Red, swollen or tender gums -Gums that bleed while brushing or flossing -Bad breath or bad taste -Pus between your teeth -Gums that recede or shrink away from the teeth -Loose or shifting teeth To diagnose periodontal disease, we will review your complete medical history with you. We will discuss any medications you are taking and any medical conditions you may have that might affect your periodontal health. We will perform a painless evaluation of the gum tissue. A measuring instrument will be placed between the teeth and gums to determine the depth of your periodontal pockets. A three millimeter pocket or less is a healthy reading. More than this may be a sign of disease. Treating periodontal disease includes scaling and root planning, which is a type of professional cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and smoothes the root surfaces. Antibiotic fibers may be placed between the teeth and gum tissue. This will reduce infection and speed the healing of the tissue. A local anesthetic may be used to make the procedure more comfortable and may take multiple visits. Following scaling and root planing, professional cleanings will be required every three to four months. Regular cleaning and good home care should stop the progression of the disease.

• Root Canals

  Root canal treatment treats problems of the nerve within the tooth. The nerve becomes irritated and infected. The nerve tissue inside the tooth is carefully removed by making an opening in the crown of the tooth. The chambers of the tooth roots are permanently filled and sealed. Root canals may be necessary if trauma to the tooth or teeth have occurred. Deep decay and gum disease may also be contributing factors.

• Six Month Smiles

  Six Month Smiles® utilizes specialized clear braces to gently straighten and align teeth in an average time of just six months. Six Month Smiles® is a modern twist on tried-and-true orthodontics. There is little debate within the orthodontic community that braces are the most widely used and most effective method to give patients straight, healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. Six Month Smiles has taken the best aspects of braces and modified the treatment and the materials to give adults a common-sense, cosmetic solution that fits your lifestyle. Here is what makes Six Month Smiles so innovative … Average treatment times of only six months Six Month Smiles Lucid-Lok™ clear brackets and tooth-colored wires are barely visible Use of braces has shown to provide the most conservative and predictable final result Six Month Smiles Patient Tray Kits™ ensure that your appointments are fast and comfortable Low forces and short overall treatment times increase comfort, safety, and hygiene Six Month Smiles is typically less expensive than traditional braces, aligner therapy, or veneers

• Teeth Extractions

  A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for various reasons. Broken, cracked, loose teeth as well as teeth with extensive decay may need to be extracted to maintain oral health. Wisdom teeth have earned a reputation for being problematic and their removal is recommended.

• Teeth Whitening

  Teeth whitening is a bleaching process that reverses discolorations of enamel (the outside layer of tooth structure) to create a whiter, brighter appearance. It does not require anesthesia and no natural tooth structure is lost. We offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening systems. Sometimes we recommend a combination of both to give you the best results in the least amount of time. In-office tooth whitening can be accomplished in one to three visits that take from 30 minutes to an hour. Take-home teeth whitening involves being fitted for thin custom mouth trays for use at home. There are many products that offer varying concentrations of bleaching agents, which determines the wear time required for whitening results.

• TMJ Disorders

  TMJ Disorder is a dysfunction of the jaw muscles and joints. Symptoms can be as minor as a slight clicking or popping sensation when opening and closing the mouth, or a serious as a persistent pain extending into the face, neck, and shoulders, affecting posture and mobility. Because other types of pain have been shown to mimic TMJ Disorder, a careful and thorough dental and medical evaluation is essential. If your symptoms point to a dental problem, a specially molded bite guard can be created to stop teeth grinding during the night. Dental casts may be required to check the fit (occlusion) of your upper and lower teeth and determine whether they come together correctly. We may also provide advice on relaxation techniques which will lessen the effects of stress. In some cases, prescription medication may be prescribed to manage pain. Most TMJ issues are temporary, lasting only weeks or months – a very small percentage experience

  Link: TMJ Disorders

• Veneers

  Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are bonded to your existing teeth. They are used to correct spaces between the teeth, stains, discoloration, broken, chipped, crooked or misshapen teeth. There is little to no preparation needed when placing veneers, eliminating the need for local anesthetic. Two visits are typically required to complete the treatment.