General Dentistry

At Watergate Dental Associates we believe that the first step to a beautiful smile is good oral health, maintained through quality preventative care. Routine checkups and comprehensive periodontal therapy with our dedicated hygienists are an important way to ensure that your teeth and gums retain their optimum health. We are proud to offer wide-ranging services for the entire family, in addition to general dental care.

Oral Health Care Screenings

Rounding out our commitment to your complete oral health, we routinely perform visual oral cancer screenings. Even if you do not regularly use tobacco or alcohol, it is important to be screened periodically. Early detection and diagnosis is vital, since oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when identified in its early stages, yet alarmingly fatal when left untreated. For an enhanced and more in-depth screening of the tissues, we recommend the use of the VELscope® Mucosal Examination System to help us in the early detection of oral tissue abnormalities. If there is a need for additional verification of any suspicious findings, the OralCDx© brush biopsy may be used as an added diagnostic aid.

VELscope®

The VELscope® Mucosal Examination System is a new FDA-approved screening system to detect oral mucosal abnormalities that are not visible to the human eye. The VELscope® is a handheld device that emits a harmless beam of blue light that is directed towards the tissues of the mouth, causing healthy tissues to fluoresce. Normal tissues appear bright apple-green, while abnormal tissues appear dark green, or deep maroon-colored, due to a lack of the natural fluorescence. The screening process takes less than five minutes and requires no rinses.

Digital Radiography, Digital Imaging, and Panoramic Radiography

Our office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to enhance our ability to diagnose your dental healthcare needs, and to communicate with our dental laboratory technicians the precise esthetic requirements of the cosmetic restorations for our patients. Additionally, the digital radiographic and photographic images will enable you to visualize your specific problem, making it easier for you to see and understand your dental treatment needs, while exposing you to less radiation and speeding up many dental procedures.

Endodontic Treatment: Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy can save a tooth whose pulp, which contains the nerves and blood supply of the tooth, is diseased or damaged. The sensitivity and inflammation you may be experiencing as a result of this condition can often be relieved with root canal therapy. Once the bacteria and debris from inside the damaged tooth are cleaned and the canals are disinfected, the root canals are sealed, and a crown restoration is placed to protect the weakened tooth structure. With modern advances in dentistry, there is no need for patients to be apprehensive about this procedure. Our dentists will take the utmost care to ensure that you have a comfortable experience in our office.

TMJ Treatment

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome or TMJ joint disorders are medical problems related to the jaw joint. The TMJ connects the lower jaw to the skull (temporal bone) in front of your ear, while certain other groups of facial muscles control chewing. Problems in this area can cause head and neck pain, a jaw that is locked in position or difficult to open, popping sounds, or other problems with your bite.

Our Watergate Dental Associates dentists can advise you on self-care treatment, or appropriate medications. If these conservative treatments do not give you relief from your TMJ symptoms, you may need to be fitted with a nightguard, or a bite plate splint such as the BruxGuard™, to reduce clenching and grinding. If these measures do not adequately address your problems, your TMJ disorder may require evaluation and referral for surgery.

Refresh! Breath Center

Bad breath, or halitosis, is an embarrassing problem that can interfere with your personal and business relationships. Our goal at the Refresh! Breath Center is to effectively diagnose and treat all aspects of halitosis. Bringing your mouth into a healthy state through good oral hygiene measures such as thorough brushing of the teeth and the tongue along with other tissues of the mouth, flossing, and effective periodontal therapy are crucial steps towards eliminating bad breath.

Regular check-ups are vital to maintaining your complete oral health. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment!

Featured Cases

Transform your smile into something beautiful, just like this patient did.