Cleanings and Prevention
At Greater Washington Dentistry, Dr. Shohreh Sharif & Associates, we truly believe that prevention is the key to a lifetime of great oral health. Our experienced team members are here to help you and your family to establish a lifelong preventive dental care program.
During your routine visit, we will conduct a comprehensive exam to access your oral health needs. Dental exams, cleaning of the teeth, X-rays and fluoride treatments, are routinely provided for patients who choose our office as their dental home. To learn more about how we can help with your dental hygiene needs, please call or visit our office.
Fluoride treatment
Our office policy is to assess caries risk individually and recommend fluoride supplements and in-office applications based on the cavity risk factors. Each patient has unique fluoride needs. There are high, moderate and low risk patient groups for whom preventive oral care plan is developed accordingly.
Sealants
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from tooth decay by keeping germs and food particles away from these grooves. Permanent molars are the most likely to benefit from sealants. It is best if the sealant is applied soon after the teeth have erupted and before they have a chance to decay.
Digital Radiographs
Digital radiographs are the latest technology to take dental X-rays. This technique uses an electronic sensor (instead of an X-ray film) that captures and stores the digital image on a computer. This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged in order to help us detect problems easier. Digital X-ray can reduce radiation by 80 to 90 percent compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental X-rays.
Dental X-ray is an essential, preventative, diagnostic tool that provides valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. We are able to use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without X-rays, problem areas could go undetected.
Dental X-rays may reveal:
- Decay between the teeth
- Bone loss
- Abscesses or cysts
- Poor tooth and root positions
- Developmental abnormalities
- Tumors
- Nerve infections
Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage may save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and most importantly, your teeth!
