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 By American Dental Associates
 September 21, 2021
 Category: Dental Procedures
 Tags: Dental Implants  

Do you have gaps in your smile? Missing teeth affect the look and function of your smile. Your dental team at American Dental offers dental implants in Falls Church, VA, also serving Bristow, VA, to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth so you can smile with confidence.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a complete tooth replacement option because they are placed in the jaw bone and act like natural tooth roots. Implants consist of a small screw-shaped post that is permanently implanted in the jaw bone during minor surgery. As the implant area heals over a period of several weeks, the post will fuse with the bone. Your dentist will then add a custom-made crown to the implant that looks just like a natural tooth. Your new implant will blend in perfectly with the rest of your smile.

Caring for your dental implants is easy because you just brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once the way you normally do. They will not require any special care, and they will never decay.

Dental implants are versatile and can be used to replace one or several teeth. Dental implants can support full or partial dentures and implant-supported bridges.

Are You A Good Candidate for Dental Implants in Falls Church, VA, or Bristow, VA?

Dental implants aren’t right for everyone. Missing teeth come with other side effects like bone loss. If you don’t have enough bone density to support an implant, you will have to look into getting a bone graft first. Smoking will interfere with the healing process, so you should quit before getting implants. Another thing to consider is your oral health. Any problems with your gums or cavities in your teeth need to be addressed by your dentist before you get dental implants.

To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants in Falls Church, VA, also serving Bristow, VA, contact the team at American Dental. Call (703) 753-6695 to schedule an appointment today.


Importance of Regular Dental Care

 By American Dental Associates
 September 01, 2021
 Category: Dental Care
 Tags: Regular Dental Care

Maintaining oral health is crucial for your overall health. If you need dental procedures done, and are looking for a dentist in Bristow, VA that you can trust, you can go to American Dental and set up a consultation with Dr. Steve Pleickhardt and Dr. Jason Hwang.

Importance of Regular Dental Care

The common knowledge is that you only need to see your dentist twice a year. That’s true, but only depending on how good the condition of your oral health is, in the first place. If you are suffering from any other conditions, then you may need to come in more often for treatment.

What many people don’t realize is that dental health has an impact on one’s overall health. Certain oral conditions, for example, have been connected to other health concerns. Deteriorating oral health is a sign of Alzheimer’s, it’s been found. Meanwhile, tooth loss is also connected to osteoporosis. 

These are but a few examples of oral health affecting or being connected to one’s overall health. That’s why it’s important to have regular visits with a dentist in Bristow, VA, such as Dr. Steve Pleickhardt of American Dental. 

Common Dental Procedures

Here are some of the common dental procedures you can get to maintain oral health: 

  • Teeth Cleaning - If you’ve been taking care of your teeth well, there may not be much to do at the dentist’s office except to keep it clean. Some stains may be harder to remove, such as wine stains or nicotine, causing discoloration. A thorough clean can help whiten and improve the appearance of your teeth. 
  • Crowns and Fillings - Dental crowns are attachments custom fit to the affected tooth to protect it from further decay and to keep it from breaking apart completely. Fillings, on the other hand, are meant to cover up the damage resulting from tooth decay. 
  • Dental Implants - Having an incomplete set of teeth can affect not only your oral functions but also your confidence. Dental implants can help resolve these issues. Implants are usually made of titanium and zirconia, ensuring its long-lasting quality. 

Consult with a reliable dentist in Bristow, VA, such as Dr. Pleickhardt and Dr. Hwang of American Dental to keep your dental health in check. You can call (703) 753-6695 to set an appointment.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

 By American Dental Associates
 August 24, 2021
 Category: Dental Procedures
 Tags: Dental Implants

Complete your smile with dental implants from your Bristow, VA, dentists, Dr. Steve Pleickhardt and Dr. Jason Hwang of American Dental.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a tooth replacement method that replaces your tooth’s crown as well as its root. The tooth roots are replaced with metal screw-like posts to support the upper part of the implant. It can be single or multiple crowns, fixed bridges, or removable loose dentures.

How is the procedure performed?

Before starting the procedure, your dentist will evaluate your dental health and take X-rays to check if you are a good candidate for the procedure. During the checkups, your dentist will make sure that you don’t have any tooth decay and your jawbone can tolerate the posts and support them well. After that, the screw-like posts will be placed to serve as the tooth roots. The titanium inside these posts will fuse with your jawbone, giving the implant its stability. After the implant completely fuses with your jawbone, your dentist will attach the new artificial tooth crown. The dental implant will mimic your original tooth in its shape and function.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

The following are some benefits of having a dental implant in Bristow, VA:

  • Dental implants look completely natural that no one will notice you are having an implant
  • Dental implants provide strength and function just like the original teeth
  • Dental implants preserve the facial structure by keeping your jawbone strong
  • Dental implants don’t require any special care, the daily brushing and flossing are enough to keep the implant healthy
  • With dental implants, you can eat anything you want without the fear of instability
  • Dental implants are durable

Who are the candidates for dental implants?

To have a dental implant, patients must have the following:

  • Enough bone density
  • Fully developed jawbone
  • Healthy oral cavity

Tobacco smoking and some health conditions might delay bone healing. Your dentist will evaluate your health conditions and make the best decision.

Restore your smile with dental implants in Bristow, VA, and enjoy your fabulous appearance. Visit Dr. Pleickhardt and Dr. Hwang of American Dental to get the best dental care. Call us at (703) 753-6695 and book your appointment now!


5 Sign Its Time to See a Dentist

 By American Dental Associates
 April 29, 2021
 Category: Oral Health
 Tags: dentist Dental Checkups Dental Visits

Urgent dental conditions can send you to your dentist's office in between your routine dental checkups. Your Bristow, VA, dentist, Dr. Steve Pleickhardt of American Dental, will handle your concerns when you get these signs.

Dry Mouth

When your salivary glands don't produce enough saliva to moisten your mouth, you experience a dry mouth.

You could experience a dry mouth from breathing dry air through your mouth for some time. Chronic dry mouth could be due to specific health conditions like diabetes or oral infections.

Some medications might cause you to have a dry mouth as a side effect.

A dry mouth could have serious implications for your oral health. Your saliva neutralizes acids that wear your teeth away. It also washes away debris and food particles that contribute to tooth decay.

If you're having a chronic dry mouth, you should see your dentist, Dr. Pleickhardt, immediately because you're at risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

Bleeding Gums

If you're brushing your teeth too vigorously, your gums could bleed but you can usually rectify the issue by brushing gently or changing your toothbrush.

However, gums that bleed frequently are something you'll need to see your dentist for. If you're seeing other signs such as inflammation, redness, or soreness, you could have gum disease and need immediate dental care.

Gum disease could progress to advanced stages that could result in damage to your jaw bone and tooth loss if left unattended.

Toothache

If you're having toothaches, especially if accompanied by swelling in the surrounding tissues, you might want your dentist, Dr. Pleickhardt of American Dental, in Bristow, VA, to take a look.

Toothaches might indicate infection at the root of your teeth. Your dentist would prescribe antibiotics to curb the infection and, if possible, save your tooth.

Oral Injuries

Your dentist at American Dental, in Bristow, VA, can handle your dental emergencies. Sporting accidents or a simple fall can knock out a tooth or two and you can have your dentist restore your smile.

Other dental emergencies that warrant a dentist appointment include:

  • Cheek or tongue laceration
  • Chipped or cracked tooth
  • Broken braces
  • Damaged dental restorations such as implants and dentures

Canker Sores

Canker sores that refuse to heal after several weeks require professional attention. If you also have canker sores frequently, you might want your dentist to take a look.

Bristow, VA, residents can resolve their dental concerns with their qualified dentist, Dr. Pleickhardt at American Dental. Call (703) 753-6695 to set up your appointment today.


How Dental Crowns Help Strengthen Teeth

 By American Dental Associates
 February 08, 2021
 Category: Dental Procedures
 Tags: dental crowns

Want to know more about getting a dental crown?
 

Has our Bristow, VA, dentist Dr. Steve Pleickhardt recommended that you get a dental crown? If so, you may be online trying to learn as much as you can about a crown before you get it. A crown is a very versatile and common type of restorative dentistry. Of course, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to dental crowns and what they can offer your smile.
 

How Dental Crowns Work
 

A dental crown is a hollow, tooth-shaped cap that covers and protects the crown of a tooth. This dental cap is custom-made to fit perfectly over your tooth to the gum line. The crowns that our Bristow, VA, family dentist offers is made to look just like a real tooth, so it’s often crafted from tooth-colored material such as porcelain since porcelain mimics the look of natural tooth enamel and is also incredibly durable.
 

Preparing for Your Crown
 

To get a dental crown, our dental team will first need to treat and prepare the tooth. If there is an infection present, we will need to perform root canal therapy to treat the tooth first. If the tooth is cracked or chipped, we will need to file away these fractured parts to prevent it from getting worse. We will also need to shave down the tooth so the crown can fit over it.
 

Once the tooth is prepared, we will need to take impressions of your mouth. These impressions offer exact measurements of the tooth for a dental lab. The lab will use this mold of your tooth to create your custom dental crown. It usually takes 3-4 weeks for your crown to be made. Once we have your crown, you’ll come into the office to check the fit, shape, and overall look of your new restoration before we permanently bond the crown to the tooth.
 

Caring for Your Crown
 

While a crown is quite durable, how well you care for your crown will determine its longevity. You will want to brush and floss it and keep it as clean as you would all of your natural teeth. You will always want to be careful not to eat anything too hard and crunchy, which could break your crown.
 

Interested in meeting with our Bristow, VA, dentist today to find out if a crown can preserve your damaged, misshapen or decayed tooth? Call American Dental today at (703) 753-6695 to schedule a consultation.


 By American Dental Associates
 December 29, 2020
 Category: Dental Procedures
 Tags: Dental Emergency

How your emergency dentist in Bristow, Virginia can help when you have a dental emergency.
 

If you or a family member has a dental emergency, it can be a stressful experience for everyone involved. You can prevent some of the stress by being prepared for it when it happens.

Dr. Steve Pleickhardt of American Dental in Bristow, Virginia is an emergency dentist who knows what to do when you have a dental emergency.
 

There are all kinds of things that can lead to a dental emergency including a sports injury, vehicle accident, or even just untreated tooth decay.
 

If you want to be prepared, you should gather together a dental first aid kit for your home or car. The dental first aid kit should contain:

  • Tylenol tablets or other pain medication
  • Sterile saline solution for rinsing
  • Sterile gauze patches or tissue
  • A small container with a lid
  • Dr. Pleickhardt’s office address, phone number, and after-hours contact numbers

If you or a family member suffers a dental emergency, remember to:

  • Gently clean the area free of blood and debris
  • Press a piece of gauze or tissue to the area to stop the bleeding
  • If you have chipped or broken a tooth, you also need to rinse your mouth out
  • Apply an ice pack on the area to reduce swelling
  • If you have knocked a tooth out of position, gently try to place the tooth in the proper position

If you have knocked a tooth out completely, rinse the tooth off, being careful to only handle the tooth by the crown and not the roots. This is to avoid contaminating the roots with bacteria.
 

Place the tooth in the container with saline solution to keep it moist. If you don’t have a container, the tooth can also be placed between the cheek and gum.
 

Being prepared for a dental emergency can help you or a family member do well in a stressful situation. To find out more about dental emergencies and dental emergency treatment, call Dr. Steve Pleickhardt of American Dental in Bristow, Virginia at (703) 753-6695. Call today.


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