General Treatment
Providing Quality General Dentistry in La Plata, MD
At the office of Dr. Christian Johnson, DMD, we proudly provide a wide range of high quality dental services to patients of all ages. Our talented and experienced dentist, Dr. Christian Johnson, strives to offer every type of dental service your family may need, so you won't have to experience the hassle and inconvenience of seeing a specialist. From general dentistry to cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Johnson is a trusted La Plata and Waldorf, MD dentist who can meet all your family's dental needs in one convenient location. Our dentistry is focused on total preventive care in order to help our patients avoid the most common problems with the teeth and gums.
Dental Exams
At the beginning of your visit with your Waldorf, MD dentist, we will provide you with a thorough examination to look for any potential problems. We may need to take a few X-rays to get a closer, more detailed look. If Dr. Johnson finds any signs of decay or other issues, he will recommend the most appropriate treatment options and make note of any conditions that he will need to monitor going forward. Because maintaining good oral hygiene is very important, we will provide you with some proper oral hygiene instructions and tips for taking good care of your teeth and gums.
Routine Teeth Cleaning
Having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year is a great way to safeguard your smile! During this type of routine office visit, your dental hygienist will remove plaque from your teeth where your brush cannot reach, like under the gum line and in the tight spaces between your teeth. We will then clean your teeth thoroughly and finish up by applying fluoride to help protect your teeth from decay.
Fillings
If your Waldorf, MD dentist finds you have tooth decay, there's no reason to be worried! Dental fillings are designed to treat damaged or decayed teeth by placing a restorative material on the tooth to protect it from further damage. Dr. Johnson uses several types of filling material including:
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Silver amalgam: While silver amalgam fillings are effective and commonly used, these fillings are not the most aesthetically-pleasing fillings available, due to them being visible.
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Gold fillings: Gold fillings are durable and long-lasting as they can remain in good condition for approximately ten to fifteen years. Since gold is a precious metal, these fillings come with the drawback of being more expensive than other types of fillings.
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White fillings: Nowadays, there are tooth-colored materials being used to fill teeth that are strong, durable, long-lasting, and aesthetically-pleasing. White fillings, which are very popular, can be color-matched so they blend in perfectly with your natural tooth color.
Crowns
If Dr. Johnson determines a filling is not enough to repair your damaged or decayed tooth, he may recommend a type of cosmetic dentistry procedure called a crown. This is a tooth-shaped cap or tooth top that fits over an original tooth that is decayed, damaged, or cracked. Crowns are made from many types of materials including porcelain, gold, acrylic resin, or a mix of all the materials. When receiving a crown, you can expect the following to occur:
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Your tooth will be numbed so you do not feel any pain when Dr. Johnson removes the decay from inside or around the tooth.
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The tooth will be reshaped to ensure the crown fits well.
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A photo or digital impression will be taken of the tooth so a temporary crown can be fabricated and placed on the tooth while your permanent crown is being made.
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You will return to our office so Dr. Johnson can remove the temporary crown and replace it with your new permanent crown.
Thanks to many advances made in crown technology, the time needed to make a natural-looking crown has been greatly reduced. Once you have your new crown cemented in place, you can expect it to last a lifetime as long as you're diligent with your oral hygiene and visit us twice a year for checkups and cleanings.
Bridges
Dr. Johnson may also recommend another form of cosmetic dentistry — a bridge ― if you're missing a tooth to help prevent further problems from developing. A bridge is a dental device designed to fill a gap once occupied by a tooth. A bridge may be needed to prevent your teeth from shifting out of place, to address bite issues, or to keep the surrounding teeth strong and healthy.
Fixed bridges are the most popular type. A fixed bridge consists of a filler tooth attached to two crowns to hold the device in place. "Maryland" bridges are commonly used to replace missing front teeth. This type of bridge uses tooth-colored metal bands that are bonded to surrounding teeth. Cantilever bridges use two crowned teeth positioned next to each other on the same side of the missing tooth.
Regardless of your unique dental needs, Dr. Johnson has a bridge solution that's right for you, to help keep your smile healthy and looking great!
Implant Dentistry
If you are missing one or more teeth, Dr. Johnson may also suggest implant dentistry. Implant dentistry consists of screwing titanium posts down into the jaw during a minor surgical procedure. During the healing process, the titanium screw will become infused into the jaw. After the area has healed, a custom-made crown that matches your smile is placed on top, filling in the previously open space, and allowing the patient to enjoy a complete smile once again.
Root Canals
If you have a badly decayed tooth, Dr. Johnson may recommend you have a root canal. This is a general dentistry procedure that involves removing the decayed tissue from inside the tooth, reshaping the canal and then filling it with a special filler. Root canals are often recommended when there has been a dental injury, severe decay, or an infection or inflammation of the tooth pulp. If left untreated, these types of problems can do extensive damage to the structure of the tooth.
Typically, a root canal can be completed in just one visit with your Waldorf, MD dentist. However, if the decay/damage is extensive, a second appointment may be necessary. You may drive yourself home following the appointment, so no need to make other driving arrangements.
Tooth Extractions
The complete removal of a tooth is called an extraction. Dr. Johnson may recommend you have a tooth extracted if:
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A primary tooth is preventing a permanent tooth from erupting normally.
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The tooth has suffered extensive decay or trauma that cannot be repaired.
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You have severe gum disease.
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You have an impacted tooth like a third molar or "wisdom tooth". Third molars often need to be extracted because they erupt long after the other teeth have grown in, leaving them little to no room to come in.
Depending upon the complexity of the case, an extraction can be done surgically or non-surgically. A mild anesthesia is used to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while your tooth is being extracted.
Speak to Your Trusted Dentistry in La Plata, MD Today
Whether you're in need of general or cosmetic dentistry, La Plata, MD local Christian Johnson DMD can help! If you have any questions about the dentistry services we provide, please get in touch with us, as we're always happy to speak with you! If you're ready to set up a visit with Dr. Johnson, please request an appointment today. We offer our many quality dental services to the residents of Waldorf, MD and the surrounding communities of La Plata and Brandywine. If you're in need of a quality dentist, La Plata, MD's Dr. Johnson is ready to assist you! We look forward to your visit and are excited to help you achieve your healthiest smile.