1. Smoking or using any tobacco products accelerates the chance for tooth loss.
2. Bad breath is usually caused by bacteria that are found on the tongue.
3. You should change your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months or after a flu or cold.
4. Oral habits such as cheek and lip biting increase the chance for oral cancer.
5. The best age to take a child for his/her first visit to the dentist is between 18-24 months.
6. Periodontitis is inflammation of the supporting structures of a tooth or teeth including
the gum, the periodontal ligament and the jaw bone.
7. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums.
8. Fluoride is useful because it decreases the chance for cavities.
9. As we get older, our chance for cavities increases.
10. McCarl dentists and hygienists recommend that you brush your teeth twice daily and floss your teeth daily.
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The dentists at McCarl Dental Group have a passion for providing top quality care to their dental patients. They understand that a smile can change a person’s attitude, health, and ultimately life. In addition to preventative care, many dental patients would like to correct problems they have had since childhood, such as discolored or misaligned teeth, while others would like to minimize the effects of aging that develop over time. McCarl dentists are adept at managing complex dental cases that require a combination of treatments, as well as cosmetic dental treatments that produce excellent results in one to three visits. Whether your profession requires being in front of a television camera, speaking with students or conducting business meetings, a beautiful smile conveys warmth, confidence and success.
The McCarl Dental Group is comprised of Dr. Clayton McCarl, Jr., Dr. Jay McCarl, and Dr. David McCarl—all of whom completed their Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Maryland Dental School, and continue postdoctoral training with prestigious instructors and advanced programs throughout the country. The McCarl dentists are active in their communities, volunteer regularly, and are proud to honor their grandfather, Dr. James W. McCarl, who started his practice in 1924 and was the first dentist in Greenbelt, Maryland. Today, the McCarl Dental Group offers expertise in traditional porcelain veneers and no prep veneers, porcelain crowns and bridges, Invisalign orthodontics, custom teeth whitening, minimally invasive and traditional dental implants, composite white fillings, dental hygiene and periodontal treatment.
More than seventy percent of new patients to McCarl Dental Group are referred by existing patients who are delighted with their dental care. Five current patients have shared their success stories through their own words and smiles on the following page. These patients are a testament to the brilliant work and service that McCarl dentists provide.
Patient Testimonials
“A smile is very important in the business world because it’s one of the first things a potential client, customer or coworker sees. I speak with a lot of crime victims in my line of work, and a warm smile often helps express concern and compassion when words seem to fall short. Thanks to the McCarl Dental Group my smile is the last thing I need to worry about. I can focus on the person in front me and help them find justice. The McCarl Dental Group is very professional and up-to-date on the latest technology, and best of all I didn’t have to travel the country looking for the best dentist. He was right in my backyard!”— Karen Daboroski, producer of America’s Most Wanted
“I always hated to see my teeth when I smiled for pictures because they were so yellow. Even after trying different whiteners, I could not get them any whiter. Dr. McCarl recommended a veneer to repair a front tooth that was dark and said that my smile could be further enhanced by placing veneers on the other front teeth that showed when I smiled. I had porcelain veneers placed on six teeth and couldn’t be happier with my white smile now!”— Cecily Duda, elementary school teacher
“The dentists at McCarl Dental Group have removed the anxiety one typically experiences when going to the dentist. It is an established practice that truly gives you the feel of an ‘old-time’ family practice, but with current, state-of-the-art technology and dental practices. Over the years, my visits to McCarl Dental Group have become more than the routine patient-dental service provider relationship—they treat me like family. Thank you to all of the members of the McCarl Dental practice for helping me attain the smile that I always desired and making my dental care a friendly, comfortable visit.”— Dan Dering, business executive
“Before my experience with the McCarl Dental Group, I did not like showing my teeth when I smiled. I am so glad I chose to enhance my smile through Invisalign, and I am pleased to have chosen the McCarl Dental Group for my dental needs. I now love showing my teeth when I smile, and especially love being photographed.”— Jackie Oddoye, recruiter
“My smile became increasingly important to me as I started to speak publically, and appear on national television shows. It was not just a matter a vanity—it became a necessity for career advancement. After doing the Dr. Phil Show over a dozen times, I had some of my own material pitched to different networks, and was told my work was great, but my teeth and smile were not up to standards. After consulting with three dentists, I choose the McCarl Dental Group to do my complete mouth restoration. Dr. McCarl’s knowledge and confidence about the process of dental restoration was evident. It was a fair and realistic price for my veneers and crowns, and I could not be happier with my smile. My favorite compliment is, ‘They look like your teeth,’ and that’s exactly what I wanted.”— Joani Gammill, RN and Board Certified Alcohol and Drug Interventionist
The health of your gums is intricately connected to the health of your teeth. We use the phrase, “brush your teeth,” but that really means “brush your teeth and the crevices of your gums.”
One of the most common causes of gum problems is insufficient flossing. If you do not floss your teeth, you never fully clean between your teeth. With time, lack of flossing leads to bleeding gums and sometimes more severe problems like advanced gum disease and loss of teeth. Gum neglect is one extreme of the spectrum.
The other extreme is when you brush your gums really hard. In this situation, gums actually start to recede up and away from their teeth. Receding gums leave sensitive parts of the tooth exposed and can lead to discomfort and later infection.
A misconception about dental care is that you need to brush really hard. This is not true. In fact, it’s often better for your gums and teeth if you use a soft brush and gentle touch. The plaque and bacteria that build up on your teeth are removed more effectively with a soft, gentle scrub. If you brush too hard, you are risking gum recession and you are not cleaning your teeth as efficiently as you could be.
Here are a few tips if you are a “gum scrubber” who tends to brush too hard:
• Lighten up! The first step is to admit that you brush too hard. Practice brushing with a gentle touch. You can also ask your spouse or a family member to watch you brush and remind you if you start brushing too hard.
• Find a new angle. Reduce the force of the brush against your gums and make sure that your toothbrush bristles touch your gums at a 45-degree angle.
• Power up with an electric toothbrush. If you just can’t seem to brush more softly, get a machine to do it for you! Purchase a battery-powered toothbrush, like a Philips Sonicare or OralB electric toothbrush. Your McCarl dentists and dental hygienists are happy to make a recommendation based on your brushing preferences. Electric toothbrushes give your teeth and gums a steady, consistent and gentle scrubbing, just like the professional teeth cleaning at your dentist’s office.
• Try Disclosing tablets. Disclosing tablets are chewable pills or liquid that stains the plaque red. Then you simply brush and floss until the red is gone. You do not need to brush longer or harder than it takes to get the red off your teeth.
• Soothe your sensitive teeth with special toothpaste. If you have receding gums caused by excessive brushing, your dentist can prescribe an analgesic toothpaste with special ingredients to reduce discomfort and promote healthier gums. You may also try Sensodyne or Colgate Pro Health toothpaste.
You can usually repair the harm that has been done to your gums from the pressure of excessive brushing or lack of flossing. At the very least, you can prevent receding gums from getting worse. Ask your dentist at McCarl Dental Group for advice – that’s why we’re here!
Yes! If the dental pain is from grinding your teeth!
Grinding and clenching teeth often occurs during times of personal stress. For many people, the first symptom of teeth grinding is a headache or pain in the jaw. Grinding and clenching can also cause destruction of the enamel of the teeth which over time can lead to significant loss of tooth structure. Most people are not aware of the damage since grinding does not cause visible cavities in the teeth. Nighttime clenching is more subtle than grinding and often results in cracked or fractured back teeth.
A nightguard, such as the NTI device, is often the first treatment for grinding and clenching. The NTI attaches to your front two teeth and prevents the back teeth from touching which suppresses clenching and allows the jaw muscles and joints to relax and heal. Since the teeth do not have direct contact, teeth do not get worn down.
The NTI is easy to wear and is custom made in just one visit to the Greenbelt or Millersville Maryland offices of McCarl Dental Group http://www.mccarldental.com/mccarl-dental-office-directions-hours-dental-services.php. Many of our patients experience relief from jaw discomfort in a few days.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Your teeth start developing when you are born. By the tenth or twelfth year, all of the baby teeth arrive, eventually falling out during childhood to be replaced by permanent or adult teeth. The last teeth to arrive are your wisdom teeth, they are the third set of molars to appear and hopefully indicate that you are “wise.”
However, wisdom teeth frequently cause problems and need to be removed. Sometimes your dentist at McCarl Dental Group will choose to remove your wisdom teeth for you and other times we will refer you to an oral surgeon for removal. We select cases carefully for the maximum comfort of our dental patients. We will monitor tooth eruption and spacing during your regular dental hygiene visits and dental exams. If you are a new dental patient to McCarl Dental Group, please take advantage of our New Patient Invitation for a teeth cleaning, dental exam and x-rays for $45.
Why are Wisdom Teeth such “Troublemakers?”
Getting Wisdom teeth removed has become a rite of passage – something almost everyone experiences during high school years or early adulthood. But why? What is it about Wisdom teeth that make them such “troublemakers?”
Since Wisdom teeth are the ‘last teeth to arrive”, they get the amount of space that remains in the back of the jaw. Often times that space is not large enough to allow normal eruption. In precious generations, people lost permanent teeth at an early age. Teeth shifted forward into the space of the missing tooth, creating more room for the wisdom teeth to erupt. When there is insufficient room, the Wisdom teeth become misaligned. Wisdom teeth tend to come in at odd angles that interfere with the rest of your teeth. When wisdom teeth come in too close to your other teeth, they can crowd your teeth, causing damage and increasing the risk of tooth decay. Wisdom teeth can also trap plaque and food particles, resulting in cavities and infection.
Another complication that we often see with wisdom teeth is when the tooth becomes impacted – or stuck within the jawbone or soft tissue of the gum line. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause infection, tooth decay and gum disease. The pressure from impacted wisdom teeth and resulting infection can be painful.
What Should you do About your Wisdom Teeth?
Your dentist at McCarl Dental Group will monitor the growth and eruption of your wisdom teeth. We evaluate dental x-rays to see if wisdom teeth are coming in crooked, if the teeth are impacted, or if they are likely to cause other problems for the rest of your smile. Not everyone gets all four of their wisdom teeth and some people who have large jaws have enough room for them.
If your dentist recommends getting your wisdom teeth removed, it is usually easiest to remove them before they cause any problems. It is also easier to remove wisdom teeth from people while they are young, because the roots of the teeth are not entrenched as solidly. Wisdom teeth can be removed from older people, but it is often more difficult, and recovery can take longer.
How are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Depending on the position of your wisdom teeth and other factors, you may be able to have your wisdom teeth removed by a general dentist with local anesthetic. Some complex cases are referred to an oral surgeon for sedation – especially when wisdom teeth are impacted. Sometimes wisdom teeth can be removed one at a time as they emerge; for other patients, it’s best to remove all four wisdom teeth at once.
Please talk to your McCarl dentist if you have any concerns or questions about your wisdom teeth.
Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth’s pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the center or canal of the tooth that contains a tiny nerve, artery, and vein. The pulp is the part of the tooth that gets infected from decay or trauma and transmits pain messages to the brain. Once the damaged, infected or decayed pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled which seals the canal.
With the experienced dentists at McCarl Dental Group, a root canal is a simple and routine procedure that will have you feeling great again quickly. During the root canal, your dentist will remove the pulp from the center of the tooth and fill the pulp cavity. This dental procedure promotes healing and can relieve a toothache and prevent the development of a painful infection that may spread to other teeth. A root canal can also treat an infection that has progressed into an abscessed tooth.
It is important to make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible if you are experiencing dental pain. Bacteria from an infected tooth can enter the bloodstream and cause infections in other parts of the body. Dental patients who are at higher risk of complications from infection or are immunosuppressed may need to take antibiotics before and after a root canal.
The Root Canal Procedure
• First, your dentist will numb your gums with a gel and then your dentist will inject a local anesthetic that will completely numb the teeth, gums, tongue, and skin near the infected tooth.
• The dentist may use a dental damn to separate the decayed tooth from the other teeth. A dental damn is a small sheet of rubber on a metal frame that helps stop liquid and tooth chips from entering your mouth and throat.
• The dentist will use small instruments and a drill to remove the pulp from the tooth. Your dentist may also fill the interior of the tooth below the gum line with medicines, temporary filling materials, and a root canal filling.
• When the root canal is complete, a permanent filling and often a dental crown is needed to strengthen the weakened tooth. When making a crown, the dentist shapes the tooth and then scans the tooth to create a digital impression that is sent to the dental lab fabricating the tooth. With digital impressions, each porcelain crown is a perfect fit! The tooth may be fitted with a temporary crown until the permanent crown is fabricated and cemented into place.
What to Expect After Your Root Canal
After a root canal, your lips and gums may remain numb for a few hours until the anesthetic wears off. An antibiotic will be prescribed if your tooth was infected. If there is any discomfort, pain medicines, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or a stronger prescription painkiller will be prescribed by your dentist.
Root Canal Illustration
Dental Hygiene and Periodontal Therapy
BRUSH AND FLOSS YOUR TEETH FOR A LONGER HEALTHIER LIFE!
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/brush-and-floss-your-teeth/
DENTAL CARE BEFORE AND DURING CHEMOTHERAPY
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/dental-care-for-chemotherapy/
Teeth Whitening
ARE OVER-THE-COUNTER WHITENERS AS EFFECTIVE AS PROFESSIONAL WHITENING PRODUCTS?
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/over-the-counter-whiteners/
White Composite Fillings
COMPOSITE FILLINGS FOR TOOTH DECAY
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/composite-filling-tooth-decay/
Minimally Invasive Implants, Mini Dental Implants and Traditional Dental Implants
ANNAPOLIS DENTAL IMPLANT PATIENT HAPPY WITH EASE AND SPEED OF PROCEDURE
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/annapolis-dental-implant/
The Newest Dental Implants are a Convenient and Affordable Solution for Missing Teeth
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/dental-implants-missing-teeth/
Invisalign Orthodontics
GREENBELT DENTIST FEATURES INVISIBLE BRACES WITH INVISALIGN ORTHODONTICS
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/greenbelt-dentist-invisalign/
Porcelain Dental Veneers
NO PREP VENEERS – BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/no-prep-veneers-photographs
No Prep Veneers by McCarl Dental Group
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/no-prep-veneers/
PORCELAIN VENEERS AND THIN VENEERS
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/porcelain-veneers-lumineers/
Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
COSMETIC DENTISTRY WITH PORCELAIN CROWNS AND VENEERS BY MCCARL DENTISTS FEATURED ON NATIONAL DENTAL WEBSITE!
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/cosmetic-dentistry/
HOW WE COMBINE TECHNIQUE, TECHNOLOGY AND ARTISTRY TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL PORCELAIN CROWNS AND VENEERS AT MCCARL DENTAL GROUP
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/porcelain-crowns-and-veneers/
Oral Cancer Screening
ORAL CANCER RATES INCREASING IN YOUNG WOMEN
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/oral-cancer-in-young-women/
Emergency Dental Care
DENTAL EMERGENCY TREATMENT FOR BROKEN TEETH
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/dental-emergency-treatment/
DENTAL EMERGENCIES – SAME DAY CARE AT MCCARL DENTAL GROUP
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/dental-emergencies/
EMERGENCY DENTAL TREATMENT FOR A BROKEN TOOTH
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/emergency-dental-treatment/
All of our McCarl Dental Group blog articles are carefully researched by health care professionals and reviewed by a McCarl Dentist. We are passionate about providing the highest quality dental care and patient education. McCarl dentists serve patients in Severna Park, Annapolis, Crofton, Gambrills, Crownsville, Millersville, College Park, Lanham, Seabrook, Bowie, New Carrollton, Laurel, and Greenbelt, Maryland. Our featured dental services include traditional porcelain veneers and no prep veneers, porcelain crowns and bridges, Invisalign orthodontics, teeth whitening, minimally invasive and traditional dental implants, composite white fillings, dental hygiene and periodontal treatment. The Dentists at McCarl Dental Group are listed in America’s Top Dentists, Best Dentists by Capital Gazette Communications and HometownAnnapolis.com and Top Dentists by What’s Up? Annapolis. Visit McCarlDental Blog at http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/.
A crown fits over and restores a decayed, broken, or weak tooth and becomes the tooth’s new outer surface. Crowns may be made of all porcelain, all metal, or a metal base covered with a thin layer of porcelain. The shade or color selected may match the neighboring teeth to blend in, or a different shade may be chosen to brighten your smile.
Reasons you may need a crown:
• Repair teeth that have broken or decayed so much that your dentist cannot fix them with a filling.
• Cover a tooth that is so severely damaged that most of the top layer had to be removed.
• Replace a worn or cracked filling.
• Improve the appearance of a tooth.
• Strengthen a tooth after root canal treatment to seal the tooth and prevent it from breaking.
• Crowns sometimes come loose over time, and you may need to get them re-cemented or replaced. With proper care a crown can last for many years and will function the same as any healthy tooth.
At the Greenbelt and Millersville dental offices of McCarl Dental Group we recommend all-porcelain crowns for front teeth because they look and function like natural teeth. The use of all-porcelain crowns eliminates gum irritation associated with metal allergies and is healthier for gums because it is not necessary to place the crown deep under the gum line to hide the metal. All-porcelain restorations used for cosmetic dentistry require very sophisticated design software and pressing ovens used only by the highest quality dental laboratories.
There are many ways to make a crown. Porcelain can be added as one color only, all at once, and fired in the furnace, or can be added in layers with a variety of colors to more closely mimic natural teeth. The labor time and skill level for fabricating porcelain crowns are considerably higher in the highest quality crowns. High end Dental Technicians are artists, using their color palette of wet porcelains to copy the shade and shape chosen by the dental patient and dentist. They use a technique called “layering” in which they bake the porcelain in the shape of the tooth and then “cut it back” and layer in different shades of porcelain which adds vitality to the crown. The highest quality porcelains have the finest grain size, which creates a more aesthetic and natural looking crown. The high end, fine grain porcelains also prevent wearing away of the enamel of the opposing teeth, a problem that may occur with lower cost porcelains.
You will typically need two visits to your dentist to restore your tooth with the highest quality crown. During your first visit, your dentist will make sure you are comfortable by using any of the many local anesthetic techniques available. The dentist will remove any decay or unsound tooth structure and prepare the tooth for a crown by shaping it with his/her headpiece (drill). If you received an injection, your lips and gums may remain numb for a few hours until the anesthetic wears off and you should be careful to avoid biting your numb lip or cheek.
An impression of your teeth or a digitally scanned image will be used to create a model for construction of the crown. While the dental laboratory is making your permanent crown, your tooth will be covered with a temporary crown. On your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown, try in the permanent crown, check the fit and bite, make any minor adjustments necessary and cement your permanent crown.
We have had photographs taken of more than 20 McCarl dental patients who have porcelain crowns or veneers and have volunteered to share their beautiful smiles. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group always explain treatment options and get input from dental patients during the planning process so that they can meet and exceed dental treatment goals.
From time to time people with removable partial plates are forced to be without their partial. Whether it has been removed for routine cleaning, a medical procedure, or has been sent to a dental lab overnight, patients inevitably have to do without it for periods of time. When one or more of your front teeth are replaced by that partial, it is embarrassing to be seen without your front teeth. It is ideal not to have front teeth included as part of a partial plate so that your smile is unaffected for those times when it is not in place.
The dental patient in this video has an upper removable partial plate that replaces one front tooth and a few others in the back. By inserting a mini dental implant and restoring it with a crown we were able to remove the front tooth off of the existing partial so that it just replaces missing back teeth. The entire procedure took two visits, 2 weeks apart, with a combined chair time of 90 minutes. The dental visits were extremely easy for the patient. This patient did NOT need general anesthesia, incisions, stitches, and virtually needed no recovery. For the first time in years this Annapolis patient is not missing a front tooth! He is amazed that the mini implant restored with a porcelain crown feels and functions like a natural tooth.
Annapolis Dental Implant Patient Before Procedure
Annapolis dental implant patient after restoring mini implant with a porcelain crown.
With the most recent advances in dental implants, more patients are candidates for permanent tooth replacement. Some patients do not have enough bone in their jaws to place the larger, traditional implants while most patients have sufficient bone mass for placement of a tiny minimally invasive dental implant. Mini implants withstand normal chewing forces just like natural teeth.
Dr. Clayton McCarl, Dr. Jay McCarl and Dr. David McCarl have attended dental implant mini-residency programs and are certified in treatment planning, case selection, implant placement protocol and restorative techniques for both traditional and minimally invasive dental implants.
Did you know that straight teeth are healthier than crooked or crowded teeth? Crowded and crooked teeth are harder to brush and floss causing plaque buildup, tooth decay and periodontal disease. When left untreated, crowded, missing or widely spaced teeth can prevent normal chewing which also increases the likelihood of periodontal disease and bone loss. Similarly, misaligned teeth and jaws can cause abnormal wear on your teeth, painful jaw joint problems, TMJ syndrome, tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments.
Overall gum and bone health are improved when teeth fit together with an ideal bite. Clinical studies have shown that when teeth are properly aligned, gums fit tighter around the teeth, which improves periodontal health. And, of course, there are cosmetic benefits of a beautiful straight smile. Your teeth should make you look and feel great. Our Millersville and Greenbelt Dental patients love their healthy, straight teeth and beautiful smiles.
Adults are having their teeth straightened in unprecedented numbers! Whether you are self-conscious about your smile or concerned about your dental and overall health, Invisalign is a great solution. Many adults notice their teeth shifting, crowding and getting crooked, especially the lower front teeth. Even people who had braces as teenagers often experience relapse causing crowded teeth.
Benefits of Straight Teeth
• Improved function and wear patterns of the teeth
• Increased ability to clean the teeth
• Better long-term health of teeth and gums
• A more attractive smile
Fortunately there are simple and convenient ways to straighten your teeth. Invisalign trays straighten teeth and correct your bite just like metal braces – only nobody else knows you are wearing them! The metal brackets and wires used with braces often cause irritation to the mouth and gums. Also no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your dentist’s office getting adjustments. Invisalign is more comfortable, more convenient and less expensive than metal braces. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group are premier providers of Invisalign Orthodontics.
Invisalign can correct a wide variety of dental and orthodontic concerns. Before starting Invisalign orthodontics at McCarl Dental Group, your dentist will take x-rays and photographs that are combined with 3-D computer imaging technology to design your individual treatment plan. You will receive a series of custom made clear trays which fit snugly over your teeth. Each tray is worn for two weeks before moving to the next tray. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will gradually shift until they have straightened to an ideal position. If you have only minor crowding, it will take fewer trays to correct. Some Invisalign cases take only ten trays (20 weeks) to correct fully. Major crowding cases take longer; however, Invisalign is often faster than traditional braces. For most adults, treatment time is just under one year. Invisalign is a great way to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life.
Sally McCarl Moore adds that hygienists LOVE Invisalign because the patients take them out to eat and brush and floss before replacing them. “This keeps the gums healthy during treatment and does not cause any decay or tooth discoloration, which are all significant problems with traditional braces. Invisalign allows patients to maintain good oral hygiene habits and is a great way to straighten teeth!”
Invisalign Orthodontics are often combined with other dental procedures including, dental implants, porcelain veneers and crowns. Because crooked teeth and misaligned bites can contribute to other health problems, Invisalign orthodontics may be covered by dental insurance. There are also excellent financing options available. Call our Greenbelt Dental Office at 301-474-4144 or our Millersville Dental Office at 410-987-8800.
