Links from Dr. Ackerman Letter
What You Can Do If You Have Stained or Discolored Teeth...
Age, dietary habits like too much coffee, tea, or soda, and other factors can frequently lead to a "yellowing" or permanent staining of the teeth. If your teeth have lost their sparkle, don’t give up hope. Our state of the art whitening techniques make it possible for us to DRAMATICALLY improve the whiteness and brightness of your smile.
Never Look In the Mirror Again Wishing for a Brighter, Whiter Smile... With BriteSmile You Can Have the Smile of Your Dreams!
You can transform the appearance of your smile in a single visit using the revolutionary BriteSmile one hour tooth whitening system. In independent tests BriteSmile significantly outperformed most other tooth whitening options, achieving average improvements of more than 8 shades in the whiteness of the teeth. During your consultation your dentist will go over what you personally can expect.
How It Works...
We take a "Before" Picture and then we isolate the surrounding soft tissues with protective materials before applying the BriteSmile Whitening Gel. We then activate the gel in three consecutive twenty minute sessions using BriteSmile’s patented Blue Light while you relax. We remove the barrier materials and you rinse the gel from your mouth and you’re done. We take an "After" picture and you look at your amazing new smile for the first time. Simple, Safe, and Affordable!
Request an appointment for a free consultation.
Do You See Chipped or Cracked Teeth When You Look in the Mirror?
If you do, you need to be aware that ignoring these problems almost always leads to more damage to the tooth structure and eventual loss of the tooth or the need for more expensive care. By taking advantage of some of the solutions that modern dentistry makes available you can fix these problems easily.
The three most common options for restoring a chipped or cracked tooth include bonding with composite non-metal material, full porcelain crowns or an inlay or onlay. Each has unique advantages and may be the best choice depending on your particular circumstance and the condition of the tooth being restored.
Bonding uses space age tooth colored materials to repair chips and even some fractures. The materials are exceptionally strong and form a permanent bond to the tooth structure resulting in a tooth that looks and works as well as the original. Bonding is a very conservative form of treatment and requires minimal removal of tooth structure when repairing a chipped tooth. We even use bonding techniques to re-contour misshapen or unsightly teeth.
Inlays and Onlays are used in circumstances where there is too little tooth structure remaining to get a good result using bonding techniques. Onlays require that we take an impression after the tooth is cleaned and shaped. We then send it to a dental lab for fabrication. At the second visit it is cemented into place, restoring the tooth to its original strength and beauty. Onlays are usually made of special porcelain material that is extremely durable and can be color matched to the surrounding teeth.
Porcelain Crowns are the same thing as an onlay except that they cover the whole tooth. Crowns are typically used when an onlay is not a suitable option. The procedure is virtually identical to that of the onlay, and once completed, it is virtually impossible to distinguish a crown from a real tooth.
Together we will decide which of these options can best solve your problems and give you the best result while being conservative in our approach. I always want to save as much of the natural tooth structure as possible.
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Why Would Anyone Willingly Place A Metallic Dark Filling in Their Mouth When Better Alternatives Are Available? ... The Failing Amalgam
Amalgam was first used in the Civil War and remains in use in many dental offices today. Many adults have large amalgam fillings that date back to the time when amalgam was the only available material to restore a tooth damaged by cavities. That is understandable, but today with the development of advanced composite materials that provide superior results it makes no sense to use amalgams.
Even though the American Dental Association and the federal government have said that amalgams are perfectly safe there are a number of reasons that make amalgams somewhat undesirable. First, mercury is a highly temperature sensitive material. That’s why it is used in thermometers. It expands under heat and contracts when cooled. After years of ice cream, other cold food and drinks and hot soups and similarly warm foods, your amalgams microscopically change their shape. Why is this a problem?... because the tiny fissures and cracks at the margins of the amalgam creates an opening for decay. In some instances the expansion is so great that it cracks the tooth structure surrounding the filling, requiring a crown. Throughout my 32 years of practice, I have found decay under the vast majority of amalgams that I have removed that are more than five years old. Second, most patients prefer their teeth to look natural, and big black-grey fillings just don’t look good. And finally, even with the ADA and government assurances of safety, why take a risk with a toxic substance in your body, even if the toxic substance is combined into a stable alloy – no matter how small the risk? If you drop mercury on the floor, you have to treat is as a hazardous substance. It just makes sense to me that if you can avoid putting that in your body, that’s the wiser choice.
You are probably wondering why amalgam continues to be used today. One of the primary reasons is insurance companies. Many insurance companies will not reimburse for composite fillings (the alternative to amalgams) or will only reimburse at the same cost as an amalgam. Why? Because they are interested in minimizing the benefits they pay out rather than optimum care, no real mystery there.
I have concluded that amalgam is no longer a suitable material for use when there are much better alternatives available; consequently I no longer perform amalgam restorations. Many of my patients have chosen to replace their amalgam fillings for all of the reasons above – you can see the results in the Before and After photos. And many patients are perfectly comfortable with their old fillings – it’s really a matter of personal choice.
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Are Crooked, Uneven Teeth or Unsightly Gaps Spoiling Your Smile?
Learn About Veneers – Turning Your Smile Into a Masterpiece...
Porcelain veneers are a thin porcelain covering bonded onto a tooth after the tooth has been prepped. As you can see from the photos below, veneers can be used to dramatically improve the appearance of your smile. They can be used to close unsightly gaps, make teeth appear straight without the use of orthodontics, and to create that "Hollywood" smile of perfectly even and dazzlingly white teeth. These results can usually be achieved in two short visits. With proper care your veneers will last for years. After tooth whitening, veneers are the second most commonly requested cosmetic treatment – and it’s not hard to see the reason why!
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Replace Missing Teeth With Dental Implants...
Dental implants are one of the more revolutionary developments in modern dentistry. A dental implant consists of a titanium component that is surgically inserted into the bone once occupied by a tooth. After a certain period of time the bone and the implant permanently "fuse" together, creating a permanent anchor for the crown or overdentures. The "fusing" of the bone and the implant is the same process of osseointegration that occurs when someone receives a hip or knee replacement surgery.
Implants eliminate the need for removable partials or dentures and often can be used as a substitute for bridgework. In rare cases, an implant may not be possible if there is insufficient supporting bone structure in which to place the implant. A dental implant is almost always the most stable and permanent restoration possible for missing teeth. A completed implant looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth.
Patients often comment that they feel more youthful, strong and healthy with their implant restorations.
Request an appointment for a free consultation.
Do You Hate the Discomfort and Embarrassment That Comes From Ill Fitting Dentures and Bridgework?
Learn How To Eliminate These Problems Forever...
Have you ever been embarrassed by your loose fitting denture, literally afraid that everyone will notice that you have false teeth. Maybe you have been concerned that you might take a bite of the wrong food and pull the denture out of your mouth! With dental implants and the ability to completely stabilize and fasten your dentures you will never have these worries again. Imagine eating anything you want, whenever you want, never worrying if your denture is affecting your speech, never wondering if someone is noticing your false teeth. This is all achievable with implant anchored overdentures.
In just a few months, you can throw away your false teeth and chew just as you did when you had all of your natural teeth. I have seen personalities change with the confidence that is restored with the improvements in appearance and function that implants make possible.
Implant anchored dentures come in several varieties, they can be permanently fixed and not removable, fully removable, and a hybrid variety combining some features of both. Each case is unique and the best clinical choice for you is determined by the condition of your gums and bone. Treatment options will be determined after a complete clinical examination and consultation with you.
In all cases, the denture restoration is anchored on titanium components that are surgically inserted into the jaw bone. Over a period of several months the bone "fuses" with the insert and becomes sufficiently stable to hold the dentures.
Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all of your teeth. Twenty five years ago, implants were virtually experimental, today they are routinely provided in almost every community in the country. Implants truly make it possible for you to have a second chance at a perfect smile. Look at the remarkable results in the Before and After Photos below.
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If You Have Already Decided That You Want To Improve the Appearance of Your Smile...
Then you are in the right place!
Technology and advanced training have revolutionized our ability to help you achieve your dream smile. You can achieve the same beautiful results that used to be reserved for the rich and famous. From something as simple and effective as tooth whitening and bleaching to major rejuvenations using implants and veneers, there are almost no cosmetic problems that we cannot solve. You can achieve great results with less time and less money than you ever thought possible. You only have one chance to make a positive first impression... why not start with a perfect smile that radiates your personality?
Call us at one of our convenient offices for your FREE consultation.
Request an appointment for a free consultation.
Ackerman & Associates
10525 Braddock Road
Suite 9A
Fairfax, VA 22030
Tel. 703-323-4626
5701 Centre Square Drive
Centreville, VA 20120
Tel. 703-968-7022
10692 Crestwood Drive
Manassas, VA 20109
Tel. 703-369-5442 |
