Senior Dentistry
As part of our family dentistry treatments, we provide dental care for seniors. Dental treatments and oral hygiene are an important part of life, and our dentists are committed to making sure that you receive high-quality care throughout your entire life. Please call 703-830-9110 today to learn more about our senior dental care in Centreville, Virginia, and to schedule your appointment with our experienced dentists.
Regular recare appointments
We encourage our patients to schedule their next recare appointment before leaving our office. Geriatric patients are placed on either three, four, or six month recare appointments. Oral hygiene instructions are given at each appointment, and we have many homecare devices that we recommend and demonstrate to our patients.
Kodak digital radiography
We utilize the Kodak digital radiography system for all our X-rays. Digital X-rays use much less radiation than standard film.
Periodontal disease screening
Our geriatric patients are screened for periodontal disease at least once a year. Due to the lack of dexterity many times in older patients, our hygienists work with our patients to find the tools that enable them to have better homecare.
Oral cancer screening
Our office utilizes the VELscope® oral cancer screening system. The VELscope uses an ultraviolet light to look for the presence of abnormal tissue. If abnormal tissue is found, a biopsy is recommended. Treatment options depend on the biopsy results.
Fluoride therapies
Geriatric patients are offered a fluoride treatment at their appointments to make their teeth more resistant to decay. Occasionally, home fluoride is recommended if there is a high decay rate.
Treatment of periodontal disease
Periodontal treatment is done by our hygiene team. There are seven highly skilled hygienists in our office. We treat periodontal disease by thorough, deep cleanings called root debridement therapy, localized antibiotic therapy (ARESTIN®), and the Perio Protect® method of delivering medicaments as needed. Patients’ periodontal pocketing is measured, as well as recession and mobility that affects oral health.
Dry mouth and gums
As we age, our mouth becomes drier, which increases our decay rate. Also, many medications can cause the patient to suffer from a dry mouth. We have products that help to alleviate the effect of this on the tissues in the mouth.