Gum Recession in North Bethesda

Have you looked closely at your smile lately and noticed that your teeth look longer than you think they should? A smile that looks “toothy” can be a sign of gum recession, a common condition that affects millions of adults. When gums lose their snug attachment to the neck of the teeth, they can start to recede — eventually exposing the yellowish cementum, the surface layer of the tooth’s roots. Not only does that look unsightly, especially in highly visible areas of the mouth, but it can also cause discomfort. If you are worried that you have gum recession in…

Teeth Grinding In Rockville

Life is stressful in the DMV!  Many of our patients complain of teeth grinding due to stress and we often see uncommon wear on teeth that indicates grinding as well.  Teeth grinding is a serious problem that your dentist can help with. If you are experiencing teeth grinding in Rockville or North Bethesda, Maryland, we encourage you to take the first step to treatment by contacting our office. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a condition with multiple causes — that’s why there is no single treatment that can be counted on to stop it. However, there are a…

Dental X-rays in Rockville Maryland

Many of our dental patients have questions about the x-rays they receive in our Rockville dental office. In this article, we will discuss dental x-rays in Rockville Maryland, and specifically, bitewings, which all patients should receive. The name derives from the small tabs upon which a patient bites to hold the x-ray film or sensor in place. Bitewing radiographs are among the easiest and most accurate to take, giving distortion-free results necessary for the accurate assessment and diagnosis of dental decay between the teeth. In children and adolescents, they also show developing permanent teeth. Bitewing images usually consist of four…

Periodontal Disease | Dentist in Rockville Maryland

You may have been told that you have periodontal disease, but aren’t sure what that means. Our dentist in Rockville discusses below what periodontal disease is and how it’s treated. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, affects millions of people all over the world. It is the number one cause of adult tooth loss, and has been linked to a host of other ailments like diabetes, heart disease and problems in pregnancy. Nearly half of adults age 30 and older have some degree of gum disease, and the percentage increases with age. However, because the symptoms can be very…

If you have loose teeth in North Bethesda, you will want to contact our dental office as soon as possible. Tooth looseness more often than not is a fairly late sign and symptom of periodontal (gum) disease. Untreated, this inflammatory disease caused by dental plaque destroys the supporting structures of the teeth, most importantly, bone. As bone is progressively lost, teeth gradually become loose and are unable to withstand normal biting forces. Inevitably, as the disease progresses, unabated and untreated, the teeth become so loose and uncomfortable they will be lost. It is not inevitable that you will lose your…

Teeth Whitening in Rockville, Maryland

When you are deciding to get teeth whitening in Rockville, Maryland, the first step in deciding whether or not to whiten teeth should always be a proper dental examination — with x-ray pictures — to determine the cause of the tooth discoloration. This is the best context in which to explore whitening options, with the person who is in the best position to advise you: your dentist. The optimal, most natural-looking tooth shade is always the one that creates a match between the whiteness of the teeth and the whites of a person’s eyes. The pre-bleaching exam may reveal a…

Invisalign in North Bethesda

If you have a minor imperfection in your smile, such as a crooked tooth or gap, you are most likely a prime candidate for Invisalign in North Bethesda. Minor or simple movements mean the teeth don’t have to be moved very far, maybe a millimeter or two, just like in your case of closing a small gap between two front teeth. It also means that the appliances used are relatively simple in design and because the movements are minor the procedure generally takes months, not years. There are a few important things that our comfortable Invisalign dentist in North Bethesda…

Veneers in Rockville, Maryland

If your teeth are discolored, there are several ways to combat the effects, including over-the-counter and professional whitening systems. Some people may be surprised to find out that veneers in Rockville, Maryland are also a good solution. In cases of severe tooth discoloration which are generally caused by “intrinsic” staining (staining to the tooth structure itself), discoloration caused by fillings, tetracycline antibiotic staining and other reasons, Dr. Samia Nikkhah, your dentist in Rockville, Maryland may recommend that your teeth be whitened as best as possible before applying the veneers to enhance the result. When our dentist in Rockville recommends veneers,…

Wisdom Teeth – Coming of Age May Come With a Dilemma

For some, it is said, wisdom comes with age; for others, age comes by itself. Yet there’s one thing almost everyone can count on when they reach adulthood: the arrival of the third molars, commonly known as “wisdom teeth”. This set of teeth (generally four, but sometimes more or less) most often appears between the ages of 18 and 24 years. They are the farthest back in the jaw and the last to come in, completing the process of dental development that began in infancy. Unfortunately, the appearance of wisdom teeth may be accompanied by dental problems. Trouble is more…

Root Canal Safety

A patient recently stated that they read on the internet that root canals cause cancer. Is there any validity to that? Unfortunately, sources that rank high on search engines do not always rank high on truth. So let’s set the record straight: Root canal treatment does not cause cancer or any other disease. The fact is that root canal treatment – performed 25 million times every year by skilled dental professionals – stops infection and saves teeth. Let’s take a closer look at what root canal treatment is, why it’s needed and where these discredited theories come from. A smile…