How can we help you?
Do you have questions about your dental health? We sure hope you do because it means you're invested in making the right choices for your smile!
We love your questions, and we're always happy to provide answers. We've compiled a few of the common questions we hear most with answers; however, if you don't find the information you're looking for, go ahead and give us a call at (703) 691-1511 and one of our friendly team members will be happy to answer your question.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are new tooth roots made from durable titanium. These roots replace those that are lost when you lose teeth. Additionally, titanium can integrate into the bone, which makes it durable and like the root you’ve lost, and it provides a solid foundation for a replacement tooth or fixed prosthetic.
How Dental Implants Work
If we determine that implants are suitable for you after consulting with our dentist, we implant the replacement roots in your jawbone. After a few months of integration, your dentist caps the new root with a replacement tooth. We can also use four to six dental implant roots to fix an arch of restoration teeth to the jaw (implant-supported denture).
After implant placement, it’s essential to brush and floss normally and continue seeing your Fairfax dentist every six months for checkups and professional teeth cleanings. Maintaining these healthy habits contributes to dental implant longevity, meaning your implants can last for decades and even for life.
Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation Today
If you’re considering tooth replacement and want to learn whether you’re a candidate for dental implants in Fairfax, VA, contact a dental team member today to arrange your consultation with our implant dentist.
We are pleased to accept third-party financing through CareCredit!
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment can take thirty minutes to an hour or longer, depending on an hourcomplexity of the tooth infection. However, we ensure you’re relaxed and comfortable during root canal treatment and use strong local anesthesia so you’ll not feel pain.
Why Do I Need a Root Canal?
A tooth root infection can be excruciating and lead to bacterial spread and tooth loss. However, with timely treatment, we can save your tooth and restore your well-being quickly.
If you have a tooth infection, you may notice some of the following symptoms:
- Toothache or increased sensitivity
- Tooth discoloration
- A bump or blister on the gum
- Face or jaw swelling
We consider tooth infections dental emergencies. If you have symptoms, contact a dental team member as soon as possible! An infection can result from untreated decay, poor oral hygiene, or a tooth injury. If bacteria enter the tooth our enamel andhe tooth’s canal, you’re at risk for a root infection.
Root Canal Treatment in Fairfax, VA
If you have a toothache or other symptoms, we encourage you to contact a dental team member as soon as possible to arrange an appointment with our emergency dentist. We can provide a relaxing root canal treatment and help you get back to living your best life.
We accept CareCredit financing.
Preventative Dentistry
The best way to protect your smile from developing tooth decay and cavities is to be consistent with your daily brushing and flossing routine and visit your Fairfax dentist every six months for teeth cleanings and checkups.
Tooth decay develops when plaque builds up on your teeth after meals, and you don't successfully remove it with daily brushing and flossing. Plaque buildup is home to bacteria that produce acids as a byproduct.
These acids eat away at tooth enamel and cause decay. Successfully removing plaque from your teeth daily disrupts this cycle and protects your teeth from cavities.
Brushing twice a day and flossing once helps to remove daily plaque buildup. However, an electric toothbrush can help take the guesswork out of brushing your teeth, and it does a lot of the hard work for you. Our hygiene team finds that patients who use an electric toothbrush have more success removing plaque buildup than those who don't.
Is it time for your next professional teeth cleaning and checkup? Contact your team at Family Dentistry in Fairfax to schedule your next appointment. You can book your appointment online or by calling us at (703) 691-1511 and speaking with a helpful team member.
If your gums bleed when you brush and floss, it could indicate a more significant problem developing, such as gum disease. The best thing to do is schedule an examination and teeth cleaning with your Fairfax dentist as soon as possible. We have a better chance of helping you successfully manage gum disease the earlier we detect it.
Gum disease is an infection that attacks the gums and jawbone that surround your teeth and provide support. If it's not successfully treated and managed, gum disease can result in tooth loss. Sadly, Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults over thirty in America.
But there is good news. We can help our patients successfully manage and even reverse gum disease in some cases when we detect it early. That's why routine visits to your dentist in Fairfax every six months are so important.
Some signs of early gum disease (gingivitis) to be aware of are:
- Persistent bad breath that doesn't go away with a mouth rinse or brushing
- Red, irritated, or swollen gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush and floss
An improved home care routine may also help you gain control of developing gum disease. Contact your team at Tummerello & Pandak Family Dentistry if you notice any of the signs and symptoms of gum disease.
Emergency Dental Care
The best thing to do if your tooth is broken is to contact your dentist to have it assessed. Whether your tooth sustains a small chip or a more extensive fracture, you may need immediate attention to treat your tooth so you can feel comfortable and chew with ease again.
A chipped tooth can irritate your tongue and the soft tissues that rub against it. You may need it smoothed or repaired with dental bonding or a veneer.
A broken tooth could become sensitive and make eating and chewing difficult, not to mention detracting from your smile's appearance. Therefore, it's important to have your broken tooth assessed right away to prevent further damage to it. Our dentists may recommend a crown or veneer to restore your tooth, depending on your needs.
If your broken tooth is an emergency, don't hesitate to contact Family Dentistry immediately by calling (703) 691-1511. Our dentists leave time in our daily schedule to examine and treat emergency patients with same-day dentistry if possible. We'll get you back on the path to wellness with the prompt emergency dental care you can rely on.
Contact us to discover why Tummerello & Pandak Family Dentistry has the emergency dentists in Fairfax that patients trust.
Children's Dentistry
Our dentists like to begin seeing children shortly after their first teeth arrive. Typically, around age one is a good time to start. If this seems early, it's not; early visits actually give our team a head start on building a relationship with your child that helps them feel safe and welcome when they visit the dentist.
Early visits also allow us to begin monitoring your little one's oral development so we can make you aware of any problems or concerns early before it becomes more significant. This is also an excellent time for parents to ask questions and learn more about their baby's oral health since they will be in charge of it for the next few years.
Some parents wonder why it's essential to protect baby teeth that will fall out in the future. Great question! It's because baby teeth have a few critical jobs to do before they leave:
- Introducing your baby to solid foods
- Helping them say their first words
- Holding space for and guiding incoming adult teeth
If your child loses a baby tooth too early, it may impact their future dental health.
If it's time to schedule your little one's first dental visit, we would love to meet them! Book an appointment online or call your Fairfax children's dentist at (703) 691-1511.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Tummerello & Pandak Family Dentistry offers take-home teeth whitening systems that we customize, allowing you to brighten your smile at home when it's most convenient for your schedule.
Our team takes impressions of your teeth to create custom plastic trays just for your smile. The trays fit snugly against your teeth and keep the whitening gel from escaping onto your gums where it could cause irritation.
Most patients achieve their desired results by bleaching their teeth for 30 minutes a day for one to two weeks. And you'll always have your trays available at home when you need to touch up your smile.
Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening?
With so many bleaching products available at the local grocery store, many patients wonder why professional teeth whitening is a better choice for their smiles. Here are a few things to consider:
- Stronger products: Your dentist has prescription strength bleaching gel to help you achieve your desired results quicker.
- Customized options: Using custom trays for whitening your teeth protects you from excess gel hurting your gums or soft tissues.
- Safety solutions: Your dentist can help you if you encounter any problems with tooth sensitivity.
If you're interested in learning more about teeth whitening in Fairfax, we invite you to contact your team at Tummerello & Pandak Family Dentistry for more information.
Cosmetic dentistry offers beautiful solutions for patients who are unsatisfied with their smiles. So whether you want to brighten dull teeth or completely redesign your smile, our dentists can help!
Here are some cosmetic dental treatments we offer at Tummerello & Pandak Family Dentistry and how they benefit your smile:
- Professional teeth whitening — We make custom plastic trays you can use at home to achieve whiter, brighter teeth whenever it's most convenient for you. Sometimes all your smile needs is a boost!
- Dental bonding — Our dentists can use the composite resin material they use for dental fillings to restore minor cosmetic concerns like tooth discoloration, chipped teeth, oddly shaped or sized teeth, or gaps between teeth.
- Porcelain veneers — Did you know that thin slivers of porcelain can completely transform your smile? Dental veneers fit over your teeth to cover imperfections and create the smile you've always wanted. Think "Hollywood" smile!
- Porcelain crowns — When a veneer or a filling is not enough, a crown completely covers your tooth to repair it and restore your smile.
These are just a few procedures we use to help deliver your dream smile. Contact your team at Tummerello & Pandak Family Dentistry at (703) 691-1511 to schedule an evaluation and learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Fairfax.