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.

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.

Please visit our website at http://www.mccarldental.com to see smile makeovers designed and created by McCarl dentists.  Several of our dental patients featured on our website had complex dental cases with combinations of treatments including Invisalign orthodontics, dental implants and gum recontouring along with porcelain veneers and crowns. Others were able to achieve their goals for their smile in two or three visits.

• Crooked teeth can be straightened with Invisalign orthodontics, or for a quicker solution, porcelain veneers.
• Chipped and broken teeth can be repaired – the treatment will depend on the extent of damage, but the options include cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.
• Missing teeth cause functional problems as well as being unsightly. Solutions include dental implants with crowns, permanent bridges or dentures.
• Gaps between your teeth can be closed instantly with porcelain veneers. Orthodontics can also be used to move the teeth and close the gaps between them.
• If stained and discolored teeth cannot be brightened with professional teeth whitening, porcelain veneers are an option.

McCarl Dental Group conveniently located near Annapolis and Severna Park Maryland offers complimentary consultations to answer questions and share information regarding dental implants, Invisalign orthodontics or a smile makeover with porcelain crowns or veneers.

One of the most exciting aspects in dentistry is the rapidly improving dental treatments in dental procedures. If you are missing teeth, there has never been a better time to take advantage of the dramatic improvements in minimally invasive dental implants. The procedure used to require significant and expensive periodontal surgery with a six month recovery before any teeth could be placed on the implant. Now it is a quick and minimally invasive procedure that often has no down time before a tooth, partial or full denture can be attached to the implant.

The bottom line for many patients with dentures 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. Because the new procedure is less invasive, it is also less expensive. It is a win-win situation for our dental patients who now have a quick, comfortable and affordable solution for the discomfort and inconveniences of missing teeth and dentures.

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

The Invisalign system is a series of clear aligners that allows McCarl Dental patients to straighten their teeth without having to wear traditional braces. Each pair of aligners is worn two weeks. Patients are instructed to remove them only to eat, drink, brush and floss. In just months, the aligners move the teeth into the desired final position.  Patients of all ages love the comfort, ease and affordability of Invisalign.  Our Annapolis Maryland octogenarian is half way through her Invisalign treatment – she says it is a breeze! A McCarl Dental patient from Crownsville Maryland says, “The process was less costly and less time consuming than conventional braces. People never knew about my treatment unless I choose to tell them about my invisible braces. The best advice I would give someone considering Invisalign is not to hesitate. You will be wearing a great big smile immediately.”

Invisalign Orthodontics are often combined with other dental procedures including, dental implants, as well as porcelain veneers and crowns.  McCarl Dental Group has been named a 2010 Preferred Provider of Invisalign Orthodontics by Align Technology.

McCarl Dental Invisalign Orthodontics patients are all smiles with their straight and healthy teeth. Invisalign Orthodontics are affordable and we offer interest free financing options.

Special Offer Invisalign Orthodontics McCarl Dental Group

Invisalign Orthodontics are a great option for patients who would like to straighten teeth without the inconveniences associated with traditional metal braces. The clear Invisalign trays are almost invisible.  Our McCarl Dental patients really appreciate the ability to take the trays out of their mouth for eating and cleaning their teeth. In many cases, our patients’ smiles can go from “crooked to straight” in less than a year!

McCarl Dental Group is a Preferred Provider of Greenbelt, Millersville, Annapolis and Severna Park Invisalign Orthodontics. As always, our goal is to help you keep all of your teeth healthy and beautiful for life.

Electric tooth brushes are excellent for more thorough brushing because they make it easier to have the proper technique for cleaning teeth and gums, reducing tooth decay, gingivitis and other gum disease. Not everyone takes the time to correctly angle manual tooth brush bristles and apply the needed motion.  If teeth are brushed too hard, the gum tissue can become damaged causing recession and tooth sensitivity. An electric toothbrush requires less pressure, leaving gums with minimal damage from brushing. Even though it exerts less pressure, an electric toothbrush enhances plaque removal providing whiter and cleaner teeth and fresher breath.

Even with the most effective tooth brushing techniques, it is important to have a professional cleaning and dental exam at least every six months.  Please visit McCarl Dental Group one mile from Severna Park where we emphasize quality dental care, healthy smiles and patient satisfaction.

Reasons for sensitive teeth can include: tooth decay or cavities, fractured teeth, exposed roots, gum disease and grinding or clenching teeth. According to the Severna Park Dentists at McCarl Dental Group, the first priority is to identify the source of the problem. Dental treatment for sensitive teeth can be as simple as teaching brushing techniques for healthy gums, recommending toothpaste for sensitivity, prescribing fluoride rinses, and covering or sealing exposed roots. We may also recommend tooth restoration with a filling or crown, or a custom night guard (NTI) to prevent clenching and grinding.

Tooth sensitivity does not usually go away by itself, and because of the potential seriousness of the underlying causes, you should see your dentist if you are experiencing sensitivity or any other dental related discomfort.   The Severna Park Dentists and Hygienists at McCarl Dental Group are experts in treating and resolving tooth sensitivity.

Although most people think they know the reasons for proper, daily toothbrushing, few people realize that clean teeth and healthy gums can protect against a variety of general, even life-threatening, health problems. When you don’t brush regularly, harmful bacteria multiply and plaque forms.

Over time, the decay works its way below the enamel to infect tooth dentin.  Plaque build-up on tooth surfaces irritates gums, causing them to pull away from the teeth and expose the sensitive tooth roots. Loose gums form pockets where bacteria gathers, causing an infection. This can destroy the bone that holds teeth secure, resulting in tooth loosening or loss. Finally, chronic gum disease can break down the protective barrier between oral bacteria and your blood stream. This allows bacteria to enter your blood stream and increases the risk for a host of health problems like heart disease, stroke, respiratory illness, diabetes complications, and pregnancy complications.

You should replace your toothbrush after an illness such as a cold or flu or at least every three months – toothbrushes can become breeding grounds for germs, fungus and bacteria.

You also need to change your toothbrush when the bristles begin to show wear.  Toothbrushes wear out and lose their effectiveness.

If you would like to clean your toothbrush and it is not yet time to change it, sterilize it in the silverware rack of your dishwasher.

The Severna Park Dentists at McCarl Dental Group,  give our patients free replacement toothbrushes (and also toothpaste and floss) at every Dental Hygiene appointment.

Lois says, ” Working in this office has always been a good fit for me and I really enjoy our patients and the people who work on the McCarl dental team.” THANK YOU LOIS for your dedication to our dental office and especially our patients!

At McCarl Dental Group, we are happy to provide complementary consultations for Greenbelt and Severna Park porcelain veneers, crowns and dental implants.