Dentists and specialists in Anne Arundel County and Prince Georges County work together to provide optimal dental care for their patients. An example of this is a complex dental implant case that may require a bone graft or sinus lift. The general dentist and oral surgeon or periodontist will communicate on all aspects of dental treatment. They email dental x-rays and discuss the treatment plan, patient healing and technical specifications for the next phase of treatment. There are several study clubs for dentists in Annapolis, Severna Park, Crofton and Millersville. These study clubs foster continuing education and review of current research and literature, communication among dental among colleagues, and ultimately improved patient care.

Another way that Dr. Clayton McCarl works with other dentists is by helping them secure financing for dental equipment upgrades and capital improvements to their dental offices. Dr. McCarl is a Director on the Board of Revere Bank which has branches in Laurel and Rockville, Maryland. Revere Bank is currently looking for an Anne Arundel County location. Read more from Dr. Clayton McCarl to learn about how a dentist on a bank board can help other dentists.

Banking on Dentistry, by Dr. Clayton McCarl, Jr.
With the banking world turned upside down, a new bank in Laurel, Maryland found a stable and dependable partner … in dentists.

Revere Bank opened its doors in November 2007, just months after the nationwide residential mortgage melt-down. Banks across the country were paying the price for speculative lending, and this new community bank set its sights on partnering only with dependable businesses with a track record of success.  As a third-generation dentist, I know about the financial stability of dentistry.  Dental practices have among the lowest failure rates of any business in the United States (less than one percent nationwide).  Dentists by nature are careful, organized and methodical people.  Our dedication to our patients’ well-being has earned us the community’s trust.  Although no business is recession-proof, dental care is still valued and prioritized by the public.  People know the economy will turn around and do not want to neglect their dental health if at all possible.

Two years ago I became an initial investor in Revere Bank, a start-up or “de novo” bank.  After working with the principals, I was invited to be a director on the managing board.  During the first year, board members attended bimonthly meetings which included director education.  All directors underwent extensive background checks and were interviewed by state and federal regulatory agencies.  Board members were also required to pass tests on banking regulations.

At first glance it may seem unusual for a full-time dentist to be a bank
director, but I have always enjoyed the business aspect of dentistry and business in general.  Before receiving my DDS from the University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, I earned a business degree from Maryland’s Smith School of Business.  Every business faces the same challenges — increasing revenues and managing cash flow while controlling overhead.  All businesses need to embrace technological changes and new products and identify trends in society that have substance not just flash.  The business acumen necessary for successful management of a large dental practice is similar to that of any business, including the business of banking.
In recent conversations with dentists, a recurring topic was the changing playing field regarding banking products and services.  I shared the concerns of my dental colleagues with Revere Bank CEO Drew Flott and the other directors.  We decided that Revere Bank should place an emphasis on the dental community as preferred customers and dedicate a large pool of funds for dentists and their business needs.  Banks across the country have been experiencing loan losses in those industries most affected by the recession.  These losses adversely affect the banks’ ability to lend money to thriving businesses like dental practices despite their excellent track record. Other banks that were lending money to dentists were doing so with unfavorable rates, terms and fees.  Since Revere Bank opened after the sub-prime debacle, we are not burdened by bad loans.  Our bank decided not to offer residential home mortgages or engage in risky hybrid financial products. These safeguards allow us to offer better rates and services to our customers.

Bankers typically determine the value of a business by its hard assets and cash flow.  Dental practices are unique in that a significant value must be placed on earning potential which is usually determined by patient count and collected billable fees.  A license to practice dentistry has great value in and of itself.  The difficulty in obtaining that license restricts free entry into the field and gives us an inherent advantage over other industries that have open, competitive entry systems.  The McCarl Dental Group works with Allen M. Schiff, CPA, CFE of Schiff and Associates, Certified Public Accountants and Management Consultants, a founding member of the Academy of Dental CPAS (www.ADCPA.org).  Schiff and Associates provide accounting, tax and practice management consulting exclusively for dentists.  Mr. Schiff, who continually seeks the best practices, products and opportunities for his clients, was a perfect choice to educate the directors of Revere Bank about the unique opportunity to assist dentists.  Mr. Schiff met with the Board and Revere Bank Officers to teach methods for determining the true value of a dental practice.  Revere Bank then elected to be a sponsor for a Schiff and Associates annual client practice management seminar.  This gave us an opportunity to introduce ourselves to over a hundred dentists and the response was overwhelming.  Revere Bank made a commitment to offer dentists the highest level of personal service and extremely low promotional rates to gain an entry into the dental community.

Just as a successful dental practice operates on efficiency, quality care and genuine concern for their patients, Revere Bank operates the same way for their banking customers.  Instead of daily trips to the bank for deposits, Revere installs scanning devices (Remote Deposit Capture) in dental offices so that checks and credit card payments are electronically deposited in their account.  If documents need immediate attention, Revere bankers can go to the dental office, so that the dentist doesn’t lose valuable production hours visiting the bank.
During the past year, Revere Bank has assisted in dental practice purchases, new office construction, renovation, refinancing, equipment loans, lines of credit and other related banking products.  Many dentists are taking advantage of extremely low borrowing rates for high tech equipment purchases that help us offer the highest quality of patient care.  Banking on dentistry has been a win-win relationship for dentists and for Revere Bank in our mid-Atlantic marketplace.

Clayton McCarl, Jr. DDS, FAGD is President of McCarl Dental Group http://www.mccarldental.com, a third-generation dental practice with two dental offices in Greenbelt and Millersville, Maryland.  He practices dentistry with his brother, Dr. Jay McCarl, cousin, Dr. David McCarl, and associates.  For further information, please contact Dr. McCarl at 301-474-4144 or cmccarl@comcast.net.

A filling is a dental restoration that is most commonly needed when tooth decay has caused a hole or cavity to form on a tooth surface. Fillings can also repair a chipped tooth or damage from grinding that causes the tooth surface to become worn down. Fillings repair teeth and stop tooth decay. If you do not get the tooth repaired, the cavity will get worse and lead to more severe problems, potentially including painful infection or tooth abscess and ultimately, bone loss. There is almost no risk involved in having a cavity filled. It is important to start treatment before tooth decay becomes worse. More severe decay may cause pain and tooth loss and may require a crown, root canal, or tooth removal (extraction).

In most cases, your dentist will use a drill to remove tooth decay. Once all decay is removed, your dentist will determine the type of tooth restoration that is most appropriate based on the size and location of the cavity. If the cavity is too large to restore the tooth with a filling, a crown may be necessary.

As with many dental procedures, fillings are restorative (purpose is to repair teeth) but also cosmetic. Dental fillings should blend in and look the same as your natural teeth. Old silver amalgam fillings can be distracting and make a tooth look darker than the rest of your smile.  The most attractive fillings are the ones you can’t see when you speak or smile. At McCarl Dental Group we use aesthetic composite fillings which are white fillings that match the color of your teeth. Composite resin is tooth-colored material used to fill a cavity after removing tooth decay. Fillings can last many years. It is important to replace worn or cracked fillings because tooth decay can occur beneath a filling that does not have a tight seal.

If your dentist used local anesthetic, your lips and gums may remain numb for a few hours until the numbing medicine wears off. Be careful not to chew on your lip or cheek while that area is numb. A tooth with a new large filling may be sensitive to heat and cold for days to weeks. We always check your bite carefully after filling a tooth but minor adjustments may be necessary to ensure a perfect bite. This takes only a few minutes and there is no charge. Simply call us to schedule a convenient time for a quick adjustment – there is no additional charge. If you still have sensitivity after the adjustment of the height of the filling, try Sensodyne or other toothpastes that may help decrease temporary sensitivity.

Please visit our dental office in Millersville and Greenbelt Maryland for state of the art dental care.

The majority of dental patients who visit McCarl Dental Group live in College Park, Lanham, Seabrook, Bowie, New Carrollton, Laurel, Greenbelt, Severna Park, Annapolis, Crofton, Crownsville and Millersville Maryland.

A beautiful and healthy smile makes us more attractive, but did you know that smiling can also help you feel better?  According to Dr. Mark Stibich, smiling helps reduce your stress level, boosts your immune system, lowers blood pressure and releases endorphins, our body’s natural pain killers. Smiling also helps improve our mood and keeps us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed.

Smiling more frequently is a simple way to improve the quality of your life. Researchers think that even when you force a smile, you are signaling the emotional centers of your brain to tell them that everything is good. Simply activating specific muscles in your face that create a smile signals the emotions of happiness and joy. A smiling person brings happiness with them so you also help others feel better! Oprah Radio host Dr. Robin Smith says a smile is so powerful and contagious; your life may change for the better once you start smiling! “By smiling at someone, you have the capacity to ignite a chain reaction of other smiles,” she says.

A beautiful and healthy smile conveys warmth, confidence and success. Many people, however, feel extremely self-conscious about their smile. If you do not enjoy smiling because you are embarrassed by your teeth please call for an appointment with a dentist at McCarl Dental Group. We can help you have a confident and attractive smile.

If you would like to correct discolored teeth that you have had since childhood, you could consider zoom teeth whitening or porcelain veneers. Dental veneers can also minimize the effects of aging that develop over time including cracked or worn down teeth. The McCarl dentists are certified in all aspects of traditional and minimally invasive dental implants. They offer comprehensive dentistry featuring traditional  and no-preparation porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns and bridges, Invisalign orthodontics, composite fillings, teeth whitening, dental hygiene and periodontal treatment.

Crooked teeth can be straightened with Invisalign orthodontics. Straight teeth enhance the beauty of your smile and also have health benefits. Crooked teeth are harder to clean and can lead to gum disease and periodontal disease. Invisalign makes orthodontics a great option for adults who have always wanted straight teeth, or have had relapse from braces as a teenager. McCarl dentists can also straighten your teeth with porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are stronger, thinner and more durable than the veneers of twenty years ago. Both traditional and minimal preparation veneers are available at McCarl Dental Group. Talk to your dentist about which options will be most effective for you.

If you are missing teeth, there has never been a better time for a dental implant. With the recent advances in dental implants, more patients are candidates for permanent tooth replacement. Some people do not have enough bone in their jaws for the larger, traditional implants; however, most people have sufficient bone mass for mini dental implants. A dental implant restored with a crown looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth.  Dental implants replace the root of the tooth with a biocompatible titanium alloy and are placed in the jaw where they fuse to the bone. They are effective for single and multiple tooth restoration. The most common use of mini dental implants is stabilization of dentures. The bottom line for many dental implant patients is that for the first time since they have had dentures, they can actually talk and chew without being afraid that their dentures will fall out or shift causing sores in their mouths. Patients are able to remove and replace the denture easily so that they can clean their gums and dentures daily.

Could it be that SMILING is the true key to success? In his book How to Win Friends & Influence People, Dale Carnegie says, “the effect of a smile is powerful” and lists smiling as second in the top six ways to make people like you. He describes a genuine heartwarming smile as one of the most captivating features in charming and successful people. Smile and you will draw people to you. “The expression one wears on one’s face is far more important than the clothes on one’s back.”

The McCarl dentists were named Top Dentists by Dental Specialists in the AA County Dental Association in the What’s Up? Annapolis poll and nationally by the Consumers Research Council of America. McCarl Dental Group was also voted Best Dentist in the Capital Newspaper Reader’s Choice poll.

Visit your dentist at McCarl Dental Group several weeks before starting chemotherapy or radiation therapy to check for bacterial infections, such as nerve abscesses, periodontal disease or plaque build-up on your teeth.  Although chemotherapy is given to kill cancer cells, it can also damage normal cells. Especially rapidly growing cells like those found in the mucosal lining of the mouth and throat. Chemotherapy may compromise your immune system by lowering the number of white blood cells produced in your body. This may place you at a higher risk for developing infections, and your body may be less able to fight infections once they develop. An oral infection can travel through your bloodstream and have very serious consequences if it occurs when your immune system is suppressed.

Your dentist is an important member of the health care team during your cancer treatment. Visit your dentist before chemotherapy begins to make sure your mouth is healthy. Your Millersville and Greenbelt Dentists and Hygienists at McCarl Dental Group will examine and clean your teeth, take necessary x-rays, identify and address any dental problems or concerns and teach you how to care for your mouth during cancer treatment. Not all mouth changes and problems can be avoided but you may be able to decrease or minimize side effects.

It is not uncommon for chemotherapy and radiation therapy to cause inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the mouth and upper gastrointestinal tract. This inflammation is called mucositis and sometimes causes soreness in the mouth, gums, and throat. Patients may also experience red burn-like sores or ulcers throughout the mouth which can cause discomfort and interfere with eating, taste, chewing or swallowing and can affect appetite, weight and nutritional status.

In addition to sores in the tissues lining the mouth and throat, other problems associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy include dry mouth (little or no saliva), changes in taste and smell (food may taste like metal, have no taste, or may not taste or smell like it used to), increased risk of infections of your gums, teeth, or tonsils, and increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods. The severity of side effects varies greatly from one person to another.

Dry mouth is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. One of the concerns about dry mouth is that it increases likelihood of cavities and tooth decay. Saliva is a buffering agent that reduces acids. Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms around your teeth and on your gums. It is important to brush teeth twice daily and floss daily to help remove plaque. Without routine brushing and flossing, plaque can harden within 24 hours, requiring professional cleaning for removal. The bacteria in plaque that normally accumulates on our teeth turns sugars in our mouths into acid. Acid eats holes in the enamel of the teeth causing cavities. Using saliva substitute when your mouth feels dry will help keep your mouth moist and with routine brushing and flossing may help prevent tooth decay.
Biotene makes several excellent oral moisturizer products for dry mouth. It is also important to keep your mouth and lips moist by drinking plenty of liquids. Sip water through a straw, suck on ice chips and use lip moisturizer.

Brush your teeth and tongue with a very soft toothbrush after every meal and at bedtime with toothpaste that contains fluoride. Every three hours during the day rinse your mouth with the following mix (1 cup warm water, ¼ teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt). This mouthwash can soothe pain and dislodge food particles to help avoid infection. Oral hygiene is the mainstay of prevention and treatment of mouth and throat discomfort and will also help prevent infections!

What Foods Should I Eat?
Maintain a balanced diet and include foods from the five different foods groups – grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy, and meats or other protein sources. It is important to eat a varied assortment of healthy foods, emphasizing plant sources.

If your mouth is sore, eat soft, bland foods that are moist and easy to swallow (good choices include scrambled eggs, cooked cereals, custards and mashed potatoes). Liquid supplements including Instant Breakfast, Ensure, and Boost can also provide nutrients without discomfort. You may want to soften foods with gravy or other liquids.

Avoid things that can make your mouth hurt!
•    Don’t use mouthwash containing alcohol.
•    Avoid alcohol, such as beer and wine and liquid medications containing alcohol (some cough medicines).
•    Don’t drink citrus beverages including orange, lemon, tomato or grapefruit juice.
•    Don’t eat foods that are very hot or very cold, crunchy or spicy.
•    Minimize sugary foods and soft drinks.
•    Do not smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products.

The goals of treating mouth and throat changes are to decrease the severity and shorten the duration of inflammation, to provide relief from discomfort, and prevent or treat infection. Ask about pain medicine or medicated mouthwash to reduce discomfort if your mouth or throat is sore.

When to Call your Doctor or Nurse
•    Temperature is greater than 100.5 F.
•    If you have difficulty eating or swallowing, white patches in your mouth or sores on your lips or in your mouth.
•    Also let your nurse know if you experience changes in taste or smell, dry mouth, or pain when you eat hot or cold foods.

How much do you know about Periodontal Disease?

1.  What systemic diseases are related to periodontal disease?
a)    heart disease
b)    diabetes
c)    premature birth
d)    rheumatoid arthritis
e)    dementia
f)    all of the above

2. Flossing and gum health have been linked to longer healthier lives. True or False

3. What percentage of Americans over the age of 35 has some form of periodontal disease?
a) 25%
b) 50%
c) 100%
d) 75%

4. Patients who want to maintain a healthy smile should…
a) visit their dentist at least twice a year
b) brush with fluoride toothpaste twice daily
c) floss teeth daily
d) all of the above

5. Match the dental term with the correct definition
a) gingivitis _____
b) periodontal disease _____
c) plaque _____

1) chronic bacterial infection that causes gum tissue to pull away from the teeth forming pockets and
resulting in damage to the bone supporting the teeth and ultimately the loss of teeth
2) sticky film with bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth and gums
3) mild inflammation of the gums often characterized by red, swollen and bleeding gums which can
be prevented by regularly brushing and flossing teeth

Contest Rules
1) Must be a Facebook Fan of www.Facebook.com/McCarlDental (Just click “LIKE”)
2) Submit quiz answers to McCarl Dental Group via email to mccarldentalgroup@gmail.com
3) The winner will be selected randomly from Facebook Fans with correct answers.
4) Employees are not eligible for prize money but their families are!
5) Winner must pick up the check from our Millersville or Greenbelt Dental Office.
6) Drawing will be held on July 1, 2010.

Answers are in our Taste of the Bay Cover Story!

Cheryl Pruitt was surprised when the surgeon replacing her knee required a complete dental work up prior to surgery. “It was a real wake up call,” she says. “I had no idea I would need to go to the dentist before getting knee surgery.” Pruitt, a corporate human resources specialist from Millersville, needed her dentist to verify that she didn’t have any bacterial infections, such as nerve abscesses, gum disease or plaque build up on her teeth….

…click here to download full article PDF

Retired dentist and Heritage Harbour Annapolis resident Dr. Walter Smith summarized the recent dental presentation by McCarl Dentists by saying there has never been a better time for dentistry. The newest technological changes have made dentistry more comfortable for dental patients than ever. When Dr. Smith retired in the 1980s, dental implants were in their infancy. Dentists could not have imagined a digital scanner taking pictures of teeth prepared for dental restorations with images sent via high speed internet for fabrication of perfect dental crowns and bridges. Neither could dentists imagine computer morphology that would allow clear aligner trays to straighten teeth. Today’s dentistry is remarkable!

Dr. James McCarl interviewing retired dentist Dr. Walter Smith.

Drs. Clayton and Jay McCarl discussed four of the newest procedures and technologies in dentistry at Heritage Harbour in Annapolis Maryland last week. The four topics they presented were dental implants, Invisalign orthodontics, digital scanning for dental impressions and healthy mouth – healthy body: the relationship between oral and overall health.

Door prizes are always fun! Dr. Walter Smith won a professional custom in-home teeth whitening, Lillian Gill won a dental exam, cleaning and necessary x-rays. Sheri Reagor won a Sonicare Electric toothbrush.

Dental Implants
Dental implants can improve your quality of life if you are missing teeth! Dental implants have improved dramatically since the 1980s and have continued to improve during the last few years. They are small titanium posts that are inserted into the jaw bone and function like the root of a tooth. Implants are an effective and reliable anchor for dental crowns, removable bridges and dentures. The jaw bone fuses to the titanium implant and withstands forces from chewing food. Mini dental implants, known as minimally invasive implants, are thinner in diameter and the procedure for placing them is less invasive than traditional dental implants. Case selection is instrumental in a successful dental implant case. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group are certified in traditional and mini dental implants and understand what is best for each individual patient.

Invisalign Orthodontics
Crooked teeth contribute to gum disease. Invisalign orthodontics are less expensive, more esthetic and can also be faster than metal braces. Adults of all ages are straightening their teeth in record numbers. These dental patients improve the health and appearance of their smiles. McCarl dentists are preferred providers of Invisalign orthodontics.

Digital Scanning for Dental Impressions
Digital scanning for dental impressions is the future! McCarl Dentists and LVI Dentists use the Cadent iTero 3D Intraoral Scanner. The iTero has a camera on a wand that takes digital pictures of teeth that have been prepared for a dental crown or bridge. These pictures are sent over high speed internet to fabricate dental restorations. This method provides the most accurate impression of teeth available today. The crowns and bridges fabricated using digital scanning for impressions require very little or no adjustment – they fit perfectly! Digital imaging will replace conventional dental impressions in our lifetime.

Healthy Mouth-Healthy Body
Diseases in the mouth affect your entire body. Prior to joint replacement surgery it is essential to have a dental exam to check for infection in your mouth. Oral infections range from gum disease or periodontal disease to tooth abscesses. Germs in your mouth can get into your bloodstream and affect other parts of your body. Are you planning a knee or hip replacement? See your dentist first! Are you about to start chemotherapy? Have your dentist check your gums and teeth for potential sources of infection before taking immunosuppressant drugs including chemotherapy. When teeth are healthy it enhances nutrition. McCarl Dentists help our patients enjoy smiling and eating. A healthy smile contributes to your overall health and well being. Visit our YouTube Channel to see videos of the presentation. McCarl Dentists discuss Healthy Mouth Healthy Body

The dentists at McCarl Dental Group in Millersville and Greenbelt Maryland were recently voted Best Dentists in the Capital Hometown Annapolis Reader’s Choice Awards.  The Reader’s Choice Awards reflect votes by our dental patients who read the Capital magazine. McCarl dentists have also been named What’s Up? Annapolis Magazine’s Top Dentist. This award represents dentists who were chosen as the best by other dental specialists.  The dentists at McCarl Dental Group specialize in complex comprehensive dental care as well as everyday general dentistry. Our patients’ responses in our smile survey, found at www.mccarldental.com indicate that they are very satisfied with our family and cosmetic dentistry. A patient who received dental veneers last week called Dr. Clayton McCarl “Michelangelo of the mouth!”

McCarl dentists have been recognized for excellence in dental veneers which are thin, custom-made moldings that cover unattractive teeth. They are created from tooth-colored, high-tech materials to portray a bright, natural smile. No prep, minimal prep and traditional veneers cover unattractive gaps between teeth and cover stained misshapen or crooked teeth. Traditional dental veneers can transform even the darkest teeth to bright white. They are individually sculpted and it is almost impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth.

For traditional porcelain veneers, the face of the tooth is reshaped to allow for the added thickness of porcelain. In comparison to a crown, a minimal amount of the natural tooth must be altered for a veneer. At the Mccarl dental group, a digital image can be taken of the reshaped tooth and sent via high-speed internet to a dental laboratory where the veneer is custom-made for your mouth. If you receive a no prep or minimal prep veneer, no temporary is needed to cover the tooth while the veneer is being made. The veneer is permanently attached to the face of your tooth with adhesive material or cement which bonds it to the original tooth structure. With good care, veneers can last for ten to fifteen years or longer. Unlike most bonding materials, veneers are resistant to stains from coffee, tea and cigarettes. They will not change color over time. Because a small amount of tooth is reduced to fit traditional veneers, the process is not reversible. No prep veneers are placed on the original tooth structure and can be removed.

Patients with veneers still need to brush and floss regularly to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. Veneers typically cannot be damaged by abrasion from your toothbrush or floss. As with natural teeth, patients with dental veneers are advised to avoid chewing fingernails or anything else that may cause the veneers to chip or crack. Remember: never use your teeth as tools!

Veneers used to be reserved for Hollywood movie stars and the rich and famous. Now you would be surprised how many of your neighbors achieved their beautiful smiles with veneers. Call McCarl Dental Group at 410-987-0870 or 301-474-4144 to find out if veneers are right for you.

No Prep Veneers can be a conservative, esthetic, and affordable veneer solution for chipped teeth, spaces between teeth and dark or stained teeth. McCarl dental patients have been delighted with their smile makeovers that have been accomplished in two quick dental visits. We can brighten smiles, change shapes of teeth, eliminate spaces between teeth and create natural beautiful smiles without Novocain or drilling!

Minimal and No Prep Veneers aren’t the best solution for every patient who would like to enhance their smile. A dentist with experience in all types of veneers will create an individual dental treatment plan for each dental patient to create the best possible results. McCarl dentists in Greenbelt Maryland and Millersville Maryland have been enhancing smiles with veneers for more than 20 years and continuously study the technologies, products and procedures available for our dental patients. Because we stay current with the latest dental techniques and technologies in dental implants, Invisalign orthodontics, porcelain veneers and crowns and teeth whitening, we can offer our dental patients a wide range of options for comprehensive custom smile makeovers.

Please watch our videos to hear McCarl dental patients tell about their great experiences with no prep veneers and smile makeovers.

Explanation of No Prep Veneers before Dental Procedure

McCarl Dental Patient After No Prep Veneers>

Broken teeth needing emergency dental care by Greenbelt dentist

Emergency repair of broken teeth by Greenbelt dentist

At McCarl Dental Group, we treat patients who need emergency dental treatment every day. When a dental emergency is causing pain or prevents you from going out in public, we ask, “How soon can you get to our dental office?”

Pain, swelling, broken teeth and a lost crown are the most common dental emergencies. Sometimes dental emergencies happen when you are traveling or when you just can’t get to a dental office.

Here are some short term remedies you can try before you see your dentist.

Tips for Lost Crown, Veneer or Permanent Bridge – If your crown, veneer or bridge has come loose, the primary short term goal is to NOT swallow or lose it!

If there is any risk of swallowing or losing your crown, veneer or bridge, keep it out of your mouth, store it in a safe place and make an appointment as soon as possible!
Hint: a clear sandwich bag or medicine vial is much safer than wrapping it in a tissue or paper towel – they are often accidently thrown away or simply disappear.

•    Sometimes a patient can re-seat a crown and have it “snap” into place.

•    Another temporary solution is to use Vaseline or an FDA approved denture adhesive as a temporary glue. DO NOT     use super glue or any other type of permanent glue to hold your crown, veneer or permanent bridge into place!

Emergency Dental Care for a Broken Tooth – Does cold air or water cause pain? If so, you should schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible. Do not eat on that tooth – a crack can spread and cause major damage.

What to do when a Permanent Tooth is Knocked Out
Gently pick up the tooth by the chewing surface being careful to not touch the root of the tooth. If dirty, gently rinse the tooth in water or milk. Do not use soap, scrub the tooth or wrap it in a tissue. Try to reposition the tooth in its socket immediately – do not use excessive force. The sooner the tooth is replaced the greater the likelihood it will survive. If you cannot get the tooth back into its socket, keep it moist either by carrying the tooth in cool milk or in the mouth – do not swallow the tooth!

Make an appointment with your Greenbelt dentist or Millersville dentist  at McCarl Dental Group as soon as possible and ideally within 30 minutes. You may also apply a cold compress to the mouth and gums to decrease pain and bleeding.