Articles by McCarl Dental Group

An important measure of periodontal (gum) health is the depth of the pocket around each tooth. The top of gum tissue does not attach directly to teeth. There is a space of pocket between the gum and the tooth before it attaches. This space or pocket deepens in the presence of gum disease. To monitor and evaluate gum health, the pocket depth must be measured, recorded, and monitored over time.

Many diseases are not obvious without testing. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar levels must be measured in order to be evaluated. Similarly, periodontal disease needs to be measured by pocket depth around each tooth.

The pocket depths are compared to see if gum health is improving, maintaining, or getting worse. Gum disease is sometimes called “the sneak thief of teeth.” You may not know you have it until it is too late. People may assume their gums are fine because “they don’t hurt,” but if the pockets haven’t been measured, you can’t be for sure. The dentists and hygienists at McCarl Dental Group work to monitor these levels closely for each patient in our Greenbelt and Millersville, MD dental offices.

In a healthy mouth, a pocket can be anywhere from 1-3 millimeters deep. To measure a pocket we use a periodontal probe. The probe allows us to measure in millimeters from the top of the pocket to the bottom of the pocket. The bottom of the pocket is the area where the tissue is connected through ligaments to the root.
This measurement is taken very gently and causes no damage to the delicate gum tissue.

When a tooth has periodontal disease, this tissue becomes detached past 3mm deep. Under 3mm deep a pocket is considered healthy, while 4mm or deeper it is considered unhealthy. When connective tissue loss occurs, it is also a sign that there is bone loss. By our hygienists and dentists measuring the periodontal pockets regularly, we can monitor bone and tissue attachment levels. These measurements should be taken once or twice a year, or more often in patients with active or previous periodontal disease.

The recordings taken during periodontal probing are recorded onto a chart. There are 6 measurements taken for each tooth, 3 on the facial side and 3 on the tongue side. By monitoring the recordings against each other, the dentists and hygienists at our dental offices in Millersville and Greenbelt, MD are able to make sure no areas become progressively worse, or note improvement where treatment has occurred.

When several deep pockets are evident we will recommend scaling and root planing, or “deep cleaning.” The deep cleaning is more involved in that the focus is to remove the tartar from all pocket areas, since that is the bacteria’s “hiding place.”  Not even diligent brushing and flossing can remove the tartar from a deep pocket. If left alone, these infections can cause more bone loss and tissue detachment, resulting in tooth loss.

The Dentists at McCarl Dental Group in Millersville, MD and Greenbelt, MD, we believe in early intervention and prevention. By recording periodontal measurements at regular recall appointments, it can help us to detect small problems before they turn into large ones. We will work together with our patients to help them understand where these periodontal pockets are, and what we can do to help them heal. If you’re looking for a dentist in the Greenbelt or Millersville, MD area, please feel free to call and schedule an appointment. Greenbelt dental office -  301-474-4144; Millersville, Maryland dental office 410-987-8800. We’re available 6 days a week.   To learn more about periodontal charting and other dental topics, please visit the McCarl Dental website at www.mccarldental.com.

We all know that gum can be bad for you. Sugar containing gum actually increases our risk for tooth decay. Cavities that develop from chronic gum chewing often are not very noticeable in plain view. A small hole will be evident on the tooth enamel, but when an x-ray is taken, half of the tooth is “bombed out” on the inside. This type of decay is unique to gum chewing. Even when excellent oral hygiene habits are in place, frequent gum chewing continues to cause decay of the teeth. (i)

Sugary chewing gum can increase your risk of tooth decay.

Now there are now chewing gums available that have the sweetener Xylitol. Xylitol containing gums have actually been shown to reduce tooth decay and encourage enamel remineralization.(ii) Further studies show that chewing a gum with Xylitol encourages healthier gums, reduces bleeding, and decreases harmful bacteria.(iii) For patients who are actively fighting gum disease and recurrent tooth decay, chewing these gums may be beneficial to their oral health.

According to the American Dental Association, chewing gum may also be beneficial for patients with dry mouth. Medications and certain medical conditions are a common cause of dry mouth. Radiation therapy may also be the culprit, as it can destroy the salivary glands within the mouth. When there is no saliva to cleanse the teeth on a normal basis, decay becomes rampant. Xylitol containing gum promotes salivary production and can help decrease the decay rate. Dry mouth can also be very uncomfortable, and salivary supplements that don’t damage your teeth are extremely important. While the old school of thought might have been to suck on a peppermint, we know this is not the healthiest option for our teeth. Within just 5 to 10 minutes of chewing gum, saliva production will peak.(iv) Chewing a Xylitol gum may be a good option to decrease the dental consequences and discomfort of dry mouth.

Research indicates that chewing  gum containing Xylitol can be beneficial to dental health. Check the labels of different brands of chewing gum. You’ll be able to see on the front side of the package, usually in the corner, whether or not Xylitol is an ingredient. Brands like Orbit and Trident use this sweetener in most all of their products. If you or your children enjoy chewing gum, the American Dental Association recommends that you choose gum that contains Xylitol.

It is important to have routine dental hygiene cleaning and preventative oral health care. Please call McCarl Dental Group, dentists in Greenbelt MD 301-474-4144 or Millersville MD 410-987-8800 to schedule an appointment. Visit McCarl Dental Group at http://www.mccarldental.com/dental-hygiene-periodontal-therapy-dental-services.php

References:

(i) Paice EM, Vowles RW, West NX, Hooper SM.; The erosive effects of saliva following chewing gum on enamel and dentine: an ex vivo study.; Br Dent J. 2011 Feb 12;210(3):E3.

(ii) Chewing gum and dental health. Literature review. ; Rev Belge Med Dent (1984). 1992;47(3):67-92.

(iii) Campus G, Cagetti MG, Cocco F, Sale S, Sacco G, Strohmenger L, Lingström P.; Effect of a Sugar-Free Chewing Gum Containing Magnolia Bark Extract on Different Variables Related to Caries and Gingivitis: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial.; Caries Res. 2011 Aug 3;45(4):393-399

(iv) Olsson H, Spak CJ, Axéll T.; The effect of a chewing gum on salivary secretion, oral mucosal friction, and the feeling of dry mouth in xerostomic patients.; Acta Odontol Scand. 1991 Oct;49(5):273-9.

Have you seen our  iTero Digital Scanner? It looks like R2D2 and talks to us in a robot voice! It makes crowns, bridges and veneers from hundreds of images of your teeth instead of from rubber impressions.

iTero digital oral scanner at McCarl Dental Group

At McCarl Dental group in Greenbelt and Millersville, MD we are excited to be using the advanced iTero technology that almost completely eradicates the need for conventional dental impressions. Instead, the iTero device allows a virtual 3D impression to be taken of the patient’s teeth in about the same amount of time that it used to take impression material to set and harden.

iTero technology works by using an intra-oral scanner that takes approximately 300 slices of information with 100,000 points in each picture. A voice-guided computer program navigates the clinician on proper placement of the scanning mechanism, so that a thorough image is recorded. These different layers of information are laced together to create a 3D image of the teeth.

Because the iTero impression technology is extremely accurate, it improves the seating of restorations like crowns and bridges by requiring little to no adjustment to the fit of the restoration when it is permanently placed into the mouth. With conventional impressions there are numerous steps to be taken, all of which require extreme detail, and all of which can alter the way a dental restoration fits into the mouth. With iTero, these other steps are not required, and the precise digital 3D image ensures proper fit of the final restoration.

Our patients love the iTero because there is no need for taking traditional impressions that may trigger a gag reflex. The iTero also saves time for both our patients and our staff by shortening appointment length and doing away with the need to fabricate models in our own dental lab. Instead, the 3D impression is sent wirelessly to the iTero laboratory that takes the information and creates an accurate polyurethane model of the teeth, which is sent to the dental technician who will create the crown, bridge, veneer, or other dental restoration. The need for re-impressions, sometimes needed with conventional impressions, is not a factor with iTero technology.  This also helps McCarl Dental do its part to go green, by reducing consumables and waste products.

The iTero digital impression allows restorations to be made from all types of materials, whether porcelain or gold, it doesn’t matter. McCarl Dental Group uses the iTero to scan for various restorative and cosmetic dental procedures like crowns, bridges, veneers, onlays and inlays.

If you’ve been putting off dental treatment because of dental impressions or other conventional treatment, call our Millersville or Greenbelt, MD locations at (410) 987-8800 or (301) 474-4144 to schedule an appointment.

iTero digital oral scanner next to foot pedal drill (circa 1920s) Dentistry has come a LONG WAY!

Advances in Dental Hygiene

We have seven very talented dental hygienists who work at our dental offices in Greenbelt and Millersville Maryland.

Greenbelt and Millersville Maryland Dental Hygienists at McCarl Dental Group

Recent years have shown tremendous strides in the advancement of technology in the area of dental hygiene. The Dental Hygienists at McCarl Dental Group stay current with the latest advancements so they are able to deliver the highest quality dental hygiene care.  Several of our hygienists have worked at McCarl Dental Group for more than 20 years! Our patients always give fabulous reviews of their dental hygiene care. Because prevention and early intervention is key at your professional dental cleanings with the hygienists at McCarl Dental Group, we want to take a moment to share some of the technological steps that preventative dentistry is making.

• Desensitization

For patients who suffer from tooth sensitivity that does not require restorative dental treatment, desensitizing agents are now more effective than ever.  McCarl Dental Hygienists can apply topical gels that make your teeth “pain free.” Fluoride varnish helps block the pain receptors of the hypersensitive tooth surface. Our dentists can also provide prescription strength fluoride toothpaste for everyday use. This allows patients to eat and drink without associated tooth sensitivity and helps ensure dental comfort between dental appointments.

• Digital Radiography

In the beginning of dental radiography, x-ray films had to be dip processed in 3 separate tanks with chemicals that allowed the films to be viewed. This development process took 20 minutes. Electric processors shortened this time dramatically, usually developing an x-ray within 5-7 minutes after being placed in the machine. In the 21^st century with digital radiography, the images are ready for viewing in an instant. McCarl Dental Group uses digital radiography machines for several types of x-rays. This shortens the time it takes to view x-rays and decreases radiation exposure to our patients. While the exposure levels with traditional films were already safe, digital radiography lowers exposure even more. The detail and resolution of digital radiographs is of extremely high quality, and the files can be sent electronically to other dental professionals or insurance companies.

• Local and Systemic Delivered Medications

For patients who suffer from periodontal disease, in addition to procedures such as Scaling and Root Planing, local delivery of medication to areas with advanced bone loss can improve healing as well as encourage tissue attachment and bone regeneration. (1) These medications are placed below the gum surface into the infected pocket area, and are delivered through fibers, gels, chips, ointments and microspheres.

Recent studies also show that Statin drugs, commonly used to control blood cholesterol, are suggested to improve tissue attachment on the root surfaces of teeth, and encourage bone growth. (2) Azithromycin, another orally delivered medication, has also been shown to improve the success in Scaling and Root Planing therapy. (3)

At McCarl Dental Group  we strive to provide state of the art, quality preventative, restorative and cosmetic dental care to each of our patients. To find out more about the advanced dental care we offer in Millersville, MD and Greenbelt, MD, please call us at (410) 987-8800 or (301) 474-4144.

References:

1. Pradeep, A., Thorat, M.: Clinical Effect of Subgingivally Delivered Simvastatin in the Treatment of Patients with Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Perio 81: 214- 222, 2010.

2. Fajardo, M., Rocha, M., Sanchez-Marin, F., Espinosa-Chavez, E.: Effect of Atorvastatin on Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized Pilot Study. J Clin Perio 37: 1016-1022, 2010

3. Rotundo, R., Nieri, M., Francesco, D., Mervelt, J., Bonaccini, D., Esposito, M., Pini-Prato, G.: Lack of Adjunctive Benefit of Er:YAG Laser in Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment: A Randomized Split-Mouth Clinical Trial. J Clin Perio. 37: 526-533, 2010

Teeth Straightening Promotes Oral and Overall Health

McCarl Dental Group Invisalign Patient

The dentists and dental hygienists at McCarl Dental Group are concerned not only with our patients’ dental health, but also their overall systemic health. Dental and systemic health go hand-in-hand, and procedures like Invisalign teeth straightening help to promote overall wellness for our patients who have crooked or crowded teeth.

Invisalign allows our patients to have proper teeth positioning, which allows for optimum function and personal oral hygiene as well as improved appearance. In areas where teeth are crowded, shifted or mal-positioned, the normal bacterial film that develops each day after eating becomes extremely difficult to remove from those areas with brushing and flossing.

When teeth are difficult to clean, bacterial film or plaque, is left on the tooth and root surface. This film also builds up under the gum and continues to multiply until it is removed. When plaque is not efficiently removed, it calcifies within 24 hours, leaving “tartar” or calculus behind on the tooth surface. This hard, calcified deposit cannot be removed without professional cleaning by a dental hygienist. The dental calculus harbors bacteria which cause periodontal disease, tooth loss, and is linked to conditions like stroke, premature births, heart attacks, obesity and diabetes.

McCarl Dental Invisalign Patient Wearing Aligners

Invisalign alignment trays are made of smooth plastic. There is no need for uncomfortable brackets or wires. Each set of aligners in the series is worn for about 2 weeks, before progressing to the next set. Invisalign and McCarl Dentists recommend that the alignment trays be worn for at least 20 hours each day in order to achieve optimum results. McCarl Dental Group sees its Invisalign patients approximately every 6 weeks at our Millersville, MD or Greenbelt, MD locations to monitor progress and response to their orthodontic treatment.

Because Invisalign trays can be removed for eating and oral hygiene, the impact on every-day activities is kept at a minimum. Traditional braces require omitting certain foods from your diet, and using special appliances to clean around your brackets and orthodontic wires. With Invisalign, simply remove your alignment trays for meals and eat whatever you like. Brush and floss as directed, without special threaders or brushes that are required for traditional braces. Cleaning is a snap. Even the aligners are low-maintenance and are simply cleaned with a toothbrush and lukewarm water.

To begin Invisalign treatment, our dentists and staff at McCarl Dental Group will first take x-rays, impressions and pictures of your teeth and smile at our Greenbelt or Millersville, MD location. We use these images to communicate with Invisalign laboratories where your aligners will be made.

Invisalign works best for mild to moderate corrective needs, but may work in some types of severe alignment needs as well. To determine if you are a candidate for Invisalign teeth straightening, call McCarl Dental Group to set up a consultation with one of our dentists in Millersville or Greenbelt, MD. You can reach us at (410) 987-8800 or (301) 474-4144.

(I)    Amabile N., Susini G., Pettenati-Soubayroux I., Bonello L., Gil J-M., Arques S., Bonfil J.J., Paganelli F. (2008). Severity of periodontal disease correlates to inflammatory systemic status and independently predicts the presence and angiographic extent of stable coronary artery disease. Journal of Internal Medicine, 263, 6, 644-652.

Is your smile causing you to lose confidence? Veneers can transform an everyday smile into a Hollywood smile in just a couple of simple appointments to the dental office. Smiles with spaces, gaps, crooked, discolored, broken or missing teeth are easily improved with the placement of dental veneers. Because veneers make your teeth appear straighter and whiter, your smile will be more beautiful than ever before.

Traditional veneers are used to cover darkened teeth or very crooked teeth. They require the preparation or grinding off of natural tooth surface before the veneer can be constructed, manufactured and placed on the patient’s teeth. Should the veneer ever come off, there is an immediate need to have the veneer replaced due to the dark appearance and condition of the tooth underneath.

That was before no-prep veneers came along.

At the McCarl Dental Group, we have placed porcelain veneers for over 20 years, and now in selected cases, we offer veneers that require minimal to no-prep! Placing these no-prep veneers almost never causes any discomfort to our patients and the appointment process is extremely simple. In fact, when beginning the process for minimal or no-prep veneers, after the first appointment at our Millersville, MD or Greenbelt, MD dental office locations, it is often not even evident that anything has been done to the patient’s teeth. It’s that easy.

At the first appointment at our Millersville, MD or Greenbelt, MD dental office we simply skim the surface of the teeth that are to receive the veneers, then take an impression of the patient’s mouth. These impressions are used to create models of the teeth, so that customized veneers can be constructed in a dental lab to fit the patient’s mouth appropriately. After about 3 weeks, the patient returns to our office to have the veneers placed on their teeth, and we will adjust their bite as needed so that they will fit appropriately with the teeth on the opposite arch.

These minimal to no-prep veneers are so thin, at about 0.2mm in thickness, that they are extremely comfortable for our patients to wear. Our patients often say that in addition to being beautiful, the procedure is remarkably comfortable.

McCarl Dental Group has performed porcelain veneers for over 20 years and offers various other cosmetic dentistry options as well. Our cosmetic dentists in Millersville, MD and Greenbelt, MD will work with you to generate the smile that you’ve been dreaming of. Veneers are a wonderful cosmetic option to help restore self-esteem and confidence to your everyday life.

To learn more about the benefits of dental veneers call our Millersville dental office at 410-987-8800, Greenbelt dental office at 301-474-4144. You may read more about no-prep veneers and see pictures of our dental patients on the McCarl Dental Group website.  http://www.mccarldental.com/porcelain-veneers-dental-veneers-cosmetic-dentist.php

Our population is living longer than ever but not everyone is keeping their teeth. Unfortunately, one’s own dental health may restrict lifestyles such as the type of food we can eat. For some this may mean pureeing food or avoiding some foods completely. While dentures work well for some patients, others prefer something more stable that will allow them to function the way they did with their own teeth.

Of maybe you’ve just lost a tooth due to other reasons. It could be from an accident or injury, and you’re looking for the best cosmetic dentistry option to replace your missing tooth. Dental Implants can be used to replace one, several, or all of your missing teeth.

What are dental implants? Dental Implants are titanium inserts that are artificially used as “roots” in the jawbone of the mouth, where a natural tooth root would be. These artificial roots provide an anchor to support crowns, bridges, partials and dentures. The unique surface of these titanium posts allows the patient’s bone to grow around the implant so that it remains stable. Successful placement of implants allows the patient to function the way they would as if a natural tooth were in its place.

Here at the McCarl Dental Group in Millersville, MD and Greenbelt, MD we offer both traditional and mini implants. Traditional implants are placed surgically at the dental office, into the bone and require about a 3-6 month time span to rest before a crown or bridge is placed on the post. After the healing time has elapsed, we expose the post in the dental office so that an appliance can be snapped to it.

We are also very excited to now be offering mini implants, which are minimally invasive and are about half the cost of traditional implants. With mini implants only a small amount of Novocain is needed and the post is placed directly into the mouth without any surgical procedures here at our dental office in Millersville, MD or Greenbelt, MD. Mini dental implants are excellent for stabilizing loose dentures.

Dentists at the McCarl Dental Group have performed dental implants since the 1980’s. Many medical procedures have advanced through the last 30 years and so has the field of implant dentistry. We at McCarl Dental remain committed to following the progression of dental implants and cosmetic dentistry, and apply our knowledge and extensive training to be able to offer state-of-the-art care to each of our patients. Our dentists are certified in the advanced treatment of both traditional and minimally invasive dental implants.

Call us today for a consultation at our Millersville, MD dental office 410-987-8800 or our Greenbelt, MD dental office 301-474-4144 to determine what type of dental implants or other cosmetic dentistry services are right for replacing your missing teeth.  You may read more about dental implants on the McCarl Dental Group website.

http://www.mccarldental.com/dental-implants-tooth-implant-dental-services.php

McCarl Dental Patient before Dental Implant with Sinus Lift

X-Ray of Dental Implant with Sinus Lift

McCarl Dental Patient after Dental Implant with Sinus Lift

Have you been told that you need a dental implant that will first require a sinus lift? Sometimes in the upper jaw, the floor of the maxillary sinus is too low to place a dental implant.  A traditional sinus lift procedure creates space for an implant but can be too costly or involved for many dental patients.  Now a “mini sinus lift” can be performed by your general dentists at McCarl Dental Group at the time of dental implant placement with lower cost and no additional recovery time.

Rather than entering the sinus from the cheek side of the arch, a mini sinus lift “bumps” up the floor of the sinus just ahead of the advancing dental implant.  There is no additional entry point, no additional healing period, and a substantial savings over a full lateral approach sinus lift.

Dentists Clayton McCarl Jr, DDS and David McCarl, DDS of the McCarl Dental Group in Greenbelt and Millersville Maryland have received advanced training in placing mini sinus lifts.

"Before" x-ray of missing tooth

"After" x-ray showing sinus lift with dental implant in place

In this x-ray, a patient of Dr. David McCarl needed an implant to replace a missing tooth on her upper arch.  The “Before” x-ray shows the floor of the sinus (white line) was so low there was not enough bone to place an implant.  The “After” x-ray shows a full sized dental implant placed with the floor of the sinus bumped up or lifted ahead of the advancing implant.

The mini sinus lift is an easy affordable way to receive a dental implant for dental patients who were  previously not candidates to receive a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.

You may be surprised to know that the benefits of having straight teeth extend far beyond a beautiful and confident smile. According to the American Dental Association, straightening your teeth can actually significantly affect your overall dental health. With Invisalign, having an attractive, confident smile and reducing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease go hand in hand.  If would like to learn more about the benefits of Invisalign orthodontics please call McCarl Dental Group in Millersville and Greenbelt Maryland for a complementary consultation with one of our Invisalign dentists.

HEALTHIER TEETH AND GUMS
Teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced can lead to swollen, red gums, which are signs of periodontal disease. When teeth are properly aligned, gums fit more securely around the teeth. This creates the strongest and healthiest defense against potential periodontal problems. Comfortable and clear Invisalign aligners gently and gradually move your teeth into the proper position – without unattractive brackets and wires.

EASIER CLEANING
One of the biggest challenges of traditional metal braces is removing all the food that gets trapped in the brackets and wires. Difficulty cleaning your teeth often leads to plaque buildup and eventually tooth decay. With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so it’s easy to continue brushing and flossing your teeth for optimal plaque removal.

OVERALL HEALTH
Your teeth serve as a window to the health of your body. Your teeth and gums – and how they look to others when you smile – tell a lot about your overall health.

Tooth decay and periodontal disease (also called gum disease) are caused by bacteria. Left untreated, periodontal disease and tooth decay can cause bad breath, mouth sores, tender or bleeding gums and even tooth loss. Studies by the American Dental Association have shown that oral infections can also lead to other more serious health problems. Illnesses related to poor oral health include: heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, premature birth and diabetes.

Invisalign aligners make daily oral hygiene easier, thus reducing the risk of serious health problems. Correctly aligned teeth can also alleviate the issues caused by an improper bite, including jaw problems, speech or chewing difficulties, and increased wear on tooth enamel. Invisalign effectively addresses all of these orthodontic issues. With straight teeth, you’ll have the confidence of a great smile AND increase the likelihood of improved oral health.

One of the obstacles to orthodontic treatment is the unattractive, fixed metal bracket and wires associated with traditional braces. Although clear brackets have been introduced, the wire that goes through the brackets remains very visible.

Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible with the added benefit of being removable and comfortable. No metal wires and quick, beautiful, healthy results! Patients remove the aligners each time they eat. This means they can continue to eat all the foods they love without any restrictions or worrying about food getting stuck in their braces. Equally as important, patients maintain their normal oral hygiene practice, because brackets and wires are not an impediment during brushing and flossing. With other teeth-straightening methods, eating, as well as brushing and flossing, can often be difficult.

One of the best things about Invisalign is the minimal impact it has on our patients’ everyday lives. Since the aligners are so comfortable, patients are able to wear them for the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day without much effort.

Advantages of Invisalign:
•    Clear aligners are virtually invisible
•    Smooth plastic aligners are comfortable
•    Patients eat whatever they want
•    Aligners are removable for easy cleaning

The dentists at McCarl Dental Group are preferred providers of Invisalign orthodontics. We offer Invisalign G3, the newest innovation by Invisalign orthodontics, engineered to deliver even better clinical results. Invisalign is a win-win situation. When our dental patients are healthy and happy, everybody wins!

Mary Yetter from Invisalign Orthodontics recently discussed the health benefits of straight teeth at the Greenbelt dental office of McCarl Dental Group. The dentists at both the Millersville and Greenbelt offices of McCarl Dental Group are preferred providers of Invisalign.

McCarl dental patient with a beautiful smile after teeth whitening, thin porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns and gum re-contouring.

Dental patient before teeth whitening, thin veneers, porcelain crowns and gum re-contouring.

Every dental patient is unique and dentistry should be customized specific to each patient’s situation and needs. When a patient consults with a dentist at McCarl Dental Group about concerns and goals for their smile, we listen. Our dental practice features  general dentists with advanced dental skills offering a wide range of dental treatment options. We offer a full range of advanced dentistry  in our Greenbelt and Millersville dental offices.

Combining dental procedures allows us to address our dental patients’ unique needs and provide solutions that will create the most attractive smile AND the most cost effective option. A combination case is the best choice when “just whitening teeth” or covering teeth with “all veneers” or “all crowns” would be inappropriate, unnecessary, or might not be the best way to achieve the dental patient’s goals. Patients who want to straighten and whiten crooked teeth benefit with Invisalign orthodontics combined with teeth whitening or porcelain veneers and crowns. The dentists at McCarl Dental group provide a wide range of dental treatment options to best meet their patients needs.

In a recent case, a patient came to us with 10 year old porcelain fused to metal crowns on her two front teeth after root canal therapy following trauma. The crowns were well made but were not attractive. No matter how well made, dental crowns made completely with porcelain (called all-porcelain crowns) look more natural, lifelike and esthetic than crowns made from porcelain fused to metal.

When the patient and dentist discussed the advantages of replacing the porcelain fused to metal crowns with “all-porcelain crowns”, the patient also wanted to address a slight uneven gum height and small, uneven teeth (lateral incisors) adjacent to the front two teeth.  In this case, full crowns would be unnecessary on the lateral teeth so we elected to place minimal preparation veneers (also called thin veneers). Thin veneers eliminated the need for reduction of healthy teeth, allowed us to improve the size relative to the front two teeth. All four teeth were restored with identical matching porcelain in an attractive white shade chosen by the patient. The gum line was re-contoured and the remaining natural teeth were whitened with beautiful results.

The” general dentists” at McCarl Dental Group are skilled in advanced “combination dental cases.”  We offer our patients the best dental materials and procedures to create beautiful smiles. We can often combine dental treatments and dental materials so that the most attractive smile  is also the most cost effective .