Virginia Dentistry by Design Blog

If someone told you that you were losing $900 a year over a simple scheduling error, you’d probably feel pretty irritated. Unfortunately, it could be true! The American Dental Association found that the average insurance benefit is an annual $1,250 per person, but that most people only use around $323. That’s over $900 each person could be using for dental care that’s simply gone, and one of the main reasons is failing to schedule early enough in the year. Also, there’s a common misconception that insurance rolls over, but it’s actually a “use it or lose it” situation. And since everyone needs high-quality dental care for a healthy smile, you may as well use it! Keep reading to learn some interesting facts about dental insurance and how you can get the most from your plan. 

Sleep apnea is more common than you might think and affects an estimated 22 million Americans. On top of causing chronic fatigue and low energy levels, it also increases the risk of many serious illnesses like heart disease, stroke, and depression. Fortunately, there are more treatment options today than ever before, including custom-made oral appliances from a dentist. In addition, researchers have learned that simple lifestyle changes such as eating the right foods can also make a difference. In this blog, you’ll learn about which dietary choices promote a better night’s rest and which ones to avoid. When combined with effective treatment, these foods can help you find relief from sleep apnea and greatly improve your overall well-being. Learn more below!

Getting good-quality sleep each night can be a challenge, even for people who don’t have sleep apnea. And if you’re one of the millions of people who do, it’s even more crucial to take the right steps to get good rest because your energy levels and general health are at stake. One surprising culprit of poor sleep? Spending time on electronic devices like your phone, laptop, TV, or tablet too close to bedtime. Keep reading to find out how turning these devices off at the proper time will greatly improve your sleep quality and overall wellness.  

Porcelain veneers are an incredibly popular cosmetic procedure for a good reason: They work beautifully for so many different issues and can give your smile a whole new look in just a couple of visits. But that’s not to say they’re the best option in every situation, so a cosmetic dentist will always start with a thorough evaluation before making a recommendation. If you have crooked teeth and have been wondering if porcelain veneers can work for you, keep reading to find out!

Many people mistakenly believe that the only reasons to see a cosmetic dentist are driven by vanity or aesthetic concerns alone, but that’s simply not the case! Sure, it’s true that when you look good, you feel good, but cosmetic dentistry can also help alleviate several problems that affect your well-being in surprising ways. Keep reading to learn about 3 indications that it’s time to see a cosmetic dentist! 

If you’re preparing to complete your treatment with Invisalign soon, you might be wondering what’s next? You’ve spent the last year or so with your teeth gradually moving into the desired location, but how do you keep them from shifting back into their original place? Straightening your teeth is an investment that should last longer than the time it takes to realign your smile. In order to make sure you keep your new and improved smile for years to come, an orthodontist explains what you can expect once you’ve completed Invisalign treatment.

Because root canals have received such a bad reputation over the years, there are a lot of myths that surround this dental procedure. While many people believe that root canal therapy is painful, the truth is, it actually helps to eliminate an infected or abscessed tooth and save it from being extracted. Your dentist is here to dispel common myths and finally share the truth about root canal therapy.

Myth #1: Root Canals Are Painful

Root canals have long been associated with pain, and truthfully, if you need this treatment, it’s likely that you are experiencing pain. However, the discomfort you’re feeling is actually being caused by an infection inside the nerve of your tooth. Root canal therapy actually relieves your pain, eliminates your infection, and preserves your natural tooth structure. Read More

If you or a member of your family decides to straighten their teeth with orthodontic treatment, you are committing to regular checkups every few weeks. For many adults, this is a deterrent due to their hectic schedule. What if you could complete your orthodontic treatment at the same place where you receive your general dental services with the dentist you already know and trust? Look no further than Dr. Dilolli at Virginia Dentistry By Design, because this is exactly what she offers!

Did you know that frequent or chronic headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and tenderness when you’re chewing are all symptoms of problems with your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ? This complex joint is responsible for moving your jaw in all directions, and if it’s not healthy, you can experience a host of issues and discomfort. Here’s what you should know about managing TMJ problems and how to alleviate your pain.

Temporomandibular Disorder

The term for chronic problems with your jaw joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. This condition affects patients in different ways that can be very debilitating in some cases. Patients may experience one or a combination of these symptoms:

• Tenderness or discomfort when chewing
• Chronic neck and shoulder pain
• Popping or clicking when opening or closing
• Jaw locking open or closed
• Frequent headaches or migraines

Diagnosing TMD

Sometime it may be hard to determine that TMD is the cause of your discomfort, and the root cause of pain differs greatly for each patient. This is where your Herndon dentist can help. Your dentist can determine if you have TMD with x-rays of your jaw joint and a thorough evaluation. Getting to the root cause of the problem helps determine the treatment that will be most effective for your condition.

Treating TMD

For some patients, stress management or relaxation techniques may be all that’s needed to alleviate TMD. Other patients benefit from alternating hot and cold packs on the problems areas. Patients who suffer from bruxism, or clenching and grinding their teeth may see results from wearing a custom mouth guard to help their muscles reposition and relax.

If bite misalignment is the cause of TMD, orthodontic treatment to align teeth and correct the bite may be necessary to alleviate the condition.

Contact Your Dentist

If you think you may be suffering from the effects of TMD, be sure to discuss your concerns when you have your preventive health checkup with your dentist. They can take the proper steps to diagnose your condition and make the treatment recommendations that will best suit your needs. Don’t suffer with pain or discomfort any longer, contact your dentist today for more information.

About Virginia Dentistry By Design

Dr. Sonia Dilolli and her team love caring for patients in Herndon, VA! Dr. Dilolli has completed advanced training in many fields including implant dentistry and orthodontics in order to offer her patients comprehensive treatment in one location. Patients also enjoy the caring and welcoming atmosphere they experience at Virginia Dentistry By Design.

 

If you would like to contact Dr. Dilolli, please call 703-478-9574 or reach her online.

You feel that sinking sensation in your stomach as you walk into the restaurant to meet your friend. What will you be able to order and eat in front of them without embarrassing yourself? You have a missing tooth that makes chewing your food awkward, and you’re wondering if you’re going to have to resort to eating soup again. Did you know that Herndon dental implants can help you eat and chew with ease while also giving you your smile back?