Comprehensive Dental Services
Periodontal Treatments
Healthy Gums and a Healthy Smile! Periodontics includes the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gingiva (gums) and bone. The word periodontal means “around the tooth” and healthy gums fit like a cuff around each tooth. Where the gum line meets the tooth, it forms a v-shaped crevice known as a sulcus. When these gums become damaged by periodontal disease, it becomes more difficult to practice effective oral hygiene as they harbor and promote the growth of harmful bacteria. These damaged compromised gums can lead to bone and tooth loss. At Pahlavani Dental we work hard to educate you on the importance of healthy gums and we promote healthy gums by twice-yearly tooth and gum cleanings. We also, proudly offer Arestin, a great technique used to treat periodontal disease. Arestin controls bacteria that grow between the spaces below the gums and teeth. Typically Arestin is used in conjunction with deep cleanings and is placed in the periodontal pocket which is the space between the gums and the teeth. This medication uses agents such as hydrogen peroxide, may also be herbal or include antibiotics depending on the severity of the periodontal pocket.
Deep cleanings are also known as full mouth Scaling and Root Planing is done to minimize the bacterial pool from tartar and other debris on or around the gums. This reduces the risk of introducing bacteria into the bloodstream. When gone unnoticed, bacteria in the periodontal pockets may lead to the deterioration of the teeth and ultimately the bone structure housing those teeth as well. After treatments of full mouth debridement, your gums will feel healthier, teeth will look whiter and breath will feel fresher. This procedure may be covered by your dental and/or medical insurance.
Periodontal disease can cause: Bad Breath, Loose Teeth, Noticeable Plaque, Calculus, or Tartar, Swollen Gums, Tooth Sensitivity, Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing, Large gaps developing between teeth and Receding Gumline
Periodontal disease has also been linked to: Type 2 Diabetes, Chronic Inflammation, Heart Disease, Babies with low birth weight, Premature birth, Blood Clotting, Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), Respiratory Disease
Tooth Restorations
Tooth-colored restorations are referred to as composites because they are composed of a resin matrix and fillers. Composites or resins have undergone continual improvements in durability, stability, and esthetic properties. Tooth-colored restorations are actually bonded to tooth structures as opposed to amalgam metal restorations that are locked into the tooth. Tooth-colored restorations come in a variety of shades to match your tooth, so they will look and feel just like your tooth. These restorations are strong, tough, and will last a long time if properly taken care of. At Pahlavani Dental we only offer tooth-colored composite restorations.
There are many advantages of using resin composite fillings such as: matches tooth color, Helps prevent breakage of natural tooth structure unlike metal fillings, Almost no risk of an allergic reaction.
Crowns, Bridges & Veneers
Crowns: A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth-colored) crowns are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years but, like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting, beautiful smile.
Reasons for crowns:
Broken or fractured teeth, Cosmetic enhancement, Decayed teeth, Fractured fillings, Large
fillings, Tooth has a root canal.
Bridges: A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth permanently to adjacent teeth. We offer bridges at all our clinics at Omaha Family Dental.
Reasons for a fixed bridge:
Fill space of missing teeth, maintain facial shape, Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position, Restore chewing and speaking ability, Restore your smile, Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance.
Dental veneers: sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length. Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you with your dentist.
Reasons for porcelain veneers:
Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile, Crooked teeth. (Cosmetic fix rather than
pursuing orthodontic treatment), Misshaped teeth, Severely discolored or stained teeth, Teeth that
are too small or large, Unwanted or uneven spaces, Worn or chipped teeth.
Root Canal
Root Canal Therapy is used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure the nerve and pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function. Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and can potentially cause problems for adjacent teeth. Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime although, on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.
Signs and Symptoms for Possible Root Canal Therapy: An abscess (or pimple) on the gums, sensitivity to hot and cold, severe toothache pain, sometimes no symptoms are present, or swelling and/or tenderness.
Extractions
Extraction is the removal of the tooth and will either be simple or surgical, depending on whether your tooth is visible or impacted. When a patient hears that they need a tooth extraction, it's synonymous with everything that's scary about the dentist. If performed properly, tooth extractions and easy and painless, with little to no downtime. You will receive a local anesthetic, which numbs the area around your tooth so you’ll feel only pressure, not pain, during the procedure. The dentist then uses an instrument called an elevator to loosen the tooth and forceps to remove it. You will receive local anesthesia and a sedative, the latter of which makes you calm and relaxed. You may also receive general anesthesia, depending on any medical conditions. With general anesthesia, you will remain unconscious during the procedure, however, we will refer you to a specialist for this procedure. The general dentist or oral surgeon will cut into your gum with a small incision. They may need to remove bone around your tooth or cut your tooth before it can be extracted.
In modern and holistic dentistry we aim to save all teeth, but in some cases, if teeth are severely decayed or damaged extracting the tooth may be the only option. Secondly, extractions may be necessary for orthodontic treatment and the application of braces.
It normally takes a few days to recover after tooth extraction. The following steps help ensure that your recovery goes smoothly.
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Apply an ice pack to your cheek directly after the procedure to reduce swelling. Use the ice pack for 10 minutes each time.
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After the dentist places the gauze pad over the affected area, bite down to reduce bleeding and to aid in clot formation. Leave the gauze on for three to four hours, or until the pad is soaked with blood.
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Take any medications as prescribed, including over-the-counter painkillers.
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Rest and relax for the first 24 hours. Do not jump immediately into your regular routine the following day.
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Don’t use a straw for the first 24 hours.
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Don’t smoke.
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Don’t rinse for 24 hours after the tooth extraction, and spit only gently.
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Use pillows to prop your head up when you lie down.
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Brush and floss your teeth like normal, but avoid the extraction site.
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The day after the procedure, eat soft foods, such as yogurt, pudding, and applesauce.
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After 24 hours, add a half-teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water to rinse out your mouth.
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As you heal over the next few days, you can slowly reintroduce other foods into your diet.
If you are experiencing pain that isn’t going away after several days or signs of an infection including fever, pain, and pus or drainage from the incision make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.
Implant Dentistry
A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over the span of a few months. The dental implant acts as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. In turn, this "artificial tooth root" serves to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Having a dental implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to mimicking a natural tooth because it stands on its own without affecting the nearby teeth and has great stability. The process of fusion between the dental implant and jawbone is called "osseointegration." Most dental implants are made of titanium, which allows them to integrate with bone without being recognized as a foreign object in our body. Dental Implants have advanced over the last 20 years with technology and science have progressed to greatly improve the outcomes of dental implant placement. Today, the success rate for dental implants is close to 98%.
Implants are dentistry's most innovative techniques for the replacement of missing teeth. From a health standpoint having a missing tooth or missing teeth can affect the form and function of the mouth. Secondly from a cosmetic perspective, it can cause self-consciousness and insecurity. When a tooth is missing, the teeth around it will biologically start to drift to close the gap. This could lead to problems with your bite and muscular/jaw issues. The teeth that start to drift or shift could become loose which consequently may fall out. So now one tooth missing could lead to many missing teeth!
Implants do not decay, and individual implants do not rely on adjacent teeth to support a crown or bridge. This method of tooth or teeth replacement is the closest to replacing natural teeth that dentistry has to offer. Teeth naturally apply stress to the bone. The bone around teeth needs stimulation in order to keep its density and form. This stress biologically causes the bone to regenerate. If this stress on the bone no longer exists due to a tooth missing, it causes the bone to eventually wear down and degenerate. This deterioration of bone can cause issues such as sinus problems, additional teeth falling out, and the risk of gum disease!
Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Pahlavani and staff are experienced in the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years. Children are not just small adults. They are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam. Our dentists care for your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout the various stages of childhood and know how to examine and treat children in ways that make them comfortable. Children begin to get their baby teeth during the first 6 months of life. By age 6 or 7 years, they start to lose their first set of teeth, which eventually are replaced by secondary, permanent teeth. Without proper dental care, children face possible oral decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications. Today, early childhood dental caries, an infectious disease, is 5 times more common in children than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. Trust our team to take care of you and your child with the proper experience and care we have to offer! Call us today and ask about our Happy Visits.
Dental Emergencies
Did you know every 15 minutes someone in D.C experiences dental pain? What is your plan in case of a dental emergency?
Dental accidents can happen at any time – so it’s best to be prepared with a dentist that you can trust to be available in an emergency. Pahlavani Dental makes every effort to schedule same-day emergency dental visits to provide patients with the immediate attention they need.
Whatever your emergency may be, urgent dental care can provide you with relief and prevent any further problems for your health. Delaying your emergency care can be very uncomfortable and possibly lead to more serious health conditions. Whether your case is causing you pain, affecting the appearance of your smile, or you think you might have an infection, contact us immediately.
New and Existing patients are welcome to call after hours to receive further instructions regarding their oral health. Our dentists are equipped to handle your dental emergencies in a timely, professional manner, right here in the office. Most often, you will be able to be seen within just a few hours of your call, if not immediately.
Types of Dental Emergencies
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Chipped, cracked tooth
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Broken jaw
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Trauma to gums
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Damaged dental work
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Abscessed tooth or infection
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Permanent tooth knocked out
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Severe toothache
Pahlavani Dental is here to help you with any Dental Emergency – but the best way to avoid a potential emergency is to be proactive with your dental hygiene with routine check-ups. Our dentists can provide you with custom solutions to address problems before they develop into an emergency.