General Dentistry in Alexandria

What Do General Dentists Do?

A general dentist is your primary dental care provider. He or she will perform a variety of general dentistry services to maintain your and your family’s oral health. If this sounds good to you, you’re probably wondering where to find a general dentist near me. We hope you’ll consider our practice. At our practice, we strive to provide excellent dental care to all our patients. We know how important a person’s smile is to them.

What General Dentistry Services Do You Offer?

We offer a wide range of dental services to help you maintain good dental health. We focus on preventative care, like exams, but also offer procedures to restore teeth. These include, but are not limited to:

Tooth Repair & Replacement - Our general dentist can repair a decayed or damaged tooth, in addition to replacing one or more missing teeth.

Crowns - Crowns are caps for teeth. They completely cover damaged teeth, restoring their appearance and functionality.

Porcelain Crowns - Porcelain crowns are the gold standard for front teeth crowns. They have the most natural appearance as they are translucent, just like natural teeth.

Dental Bonding - A dentist will apply a composite resin, which bonds to your teeth, to restore a tooth's appearance by filling in cracks, chips or gaps.

Dental Bridges - Dental bridges replace a missing tooth by taking a false tooth and attaching it to the teeth on either side of the gap. It's a permanent restoration that only a dentist can remove.

Fillings - When dentists remove decay from a cavity, there is a hole left. It's important to have a filling to close the cavity and prevent further damage to the tooth.

Composite Fillings - Composite fillings, or white fillings, are less noticeable than metal fillings, so they are ideal for cavities near the front of the mouth.

Porcelain Fillings - Porcelain fillings are stronger than composite fillings, so they are a better value in the long-term. They also more closely resemble a natural tooth.

Laser Dentistry - Laser dentistry uses a beam of light to eliminate decay or cut gums without the noise and pain of a drill. It's safe and less invasive as dentists have pinpoint accuracy.

Nitrous Oxide - Also called laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a gas you breathe during dental procedures to sedate you and possibly make you giggle. There are no lasting effects after our dentist turns gas off; you feel fine after about two minutes.

Sealants - Sealants are a thin coating that protects the chewing surface of molars from decay by creating a physical barrier against plaque buildup.

How Often Should I See a General Dentist?

If you have good oral health, an exam every six months is sufficient. This gives your dentist time to catch developing problems early, while they are easy to treat. If you have a higher than average risk for dental diseases, such as decay or gum disease, your dentist may want to see you more often.

How Much Does a Visit to a General Dental Office Cost?

Our fee depends on why you're making an appointment. For example, a routine exam will cost less than getting a crown. Your cost also depends on your dental insurance coverage. If you call for an appointment, we can give you an estimate of what your visit will cost.

What Are Dental Teeth Cleanings?

Dentists, or sometimes dental hygienists, clean teeth by removing plaque and tartar (hardened plaque). They use special instruments that are more effective than brushing and flossing at home. You will also have your teeth polished with gritty toothpaste and professionally flossed. Professional teeth cleanings help prevent decay and gum disease. They also brighten your teeth and make your smile sparkle.

How Long Do Appointments with a Dentist Usually Last?

If you're coming to see our dentist general practice for a routine exam, your appointment will take about an hour. Other procedures can take more or less time. Our staff can give you an estimate of how long your appointment will last when you schedule one.

What Do I Need to Do Before My Dental Appointment?

If you're coming in for your initial visit, we will take a medical history and ask for a list of your current medications. Don't forget to bring in your dental insurance card. We ask you to arrive on time for your appointment. If you have dental anxiety, don’t worry as it's very common, just let us know so we can make you as comfortable as possible.

If you need an appointment at a general family dentistry office, call us today. We can also schedule appointments for family members on the same day to save you from making separate trips to our office. We value your time.