Family Dental Services in Ashland, VA

Dental Services for Adults and Children

Depend on Happy Smiles Family Dentistry - Ashland for the oral and overall health of your family! Whether you need a simple or complicated dental treatment, we can provide quality dental work. 

We accept Medicaid for adults and children, Delta, MetLife, Cigna, Liberty, and most other major insurances. Call your provider to verify that you are covered. We are members of the American Dental and Virginia Dental Associations. Call to see if we are available for same-day service. We take emergency services for root canals and extractions.

Learn About Our Dental Practice

Routine checkups and cleanings

You should visit the dentist twice a year for professional treatment. A bi-annual visit can detect early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and more. Don't wait until you are in pain to go to the dentist.

How often should I see the dentist?

Usually, going to the dentist twice a year is fine. However, if you are a smoker or diabetic, you may need to visit more often.

What to expect during your visit

A typical visit includes a professional cleaning, an exam, and X-rays. During the exam, we'll check the surfaces of your teeth, review your X-rays, and check for oral cancer.

We'll review your health history, dental issues, allergies, medications, chronic conditions, recent surgeries, or illnesses. 

Fillings 

If you have a cavity, restore your teeth with a filling. More serious cavities may need a crown.  

What is a filling made of?

Fillings are made of composite resin that looks like natural teeth, making them unnoticeable. Fillings can also be made of silver amalgam or gold, although they are not as common today.

Scaling and root planing

The early stages of periodontal disease are best treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy. Even in severe cases of periodontal disease, non-surgical periodontal therapy often precedes surgical therapy. This is done to improve the overall tissue quality before surgery and also to help limit the areas requiring surgery.

Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. The first step is usually a thorough cleaning that may include scaling to remove plaque and tartar deposits below the gum.

Antibiotics or irrigation with anti-microbials (chemical agents or mouth rinses) may be recommended to help control the growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause periodontitis. In some cases, we may place an antibiotic in the periodontal pockets after scaling and root planing. This may be done to

control infection and encourage normal healing.

When deep pockets between teeth and gums are present, it is difficult for us to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar. It's rare to keep your teeth free of plaque. Scaling and root planning, sometimes called a deep cleaning, may take 2-4 visits based upon the level of periodontal disease. A surgery might be needed.

Crowns and bridges

A porcelain or ceramic crown (or cap) entirely covers a damaged tooth. Crowns strengthen damaged teeth by restoring the tooth to its normal shape and alignment. Crowns can also improve the appearance of your teeth.

When do I need a crown?

A crown can be used in many different situations. Sometimes cavities are too large for fillings and will need a crown to preserve the strength of the tooth. A crown can protect a weak tooth from fracturing. If a tooth has already fractured, a crown can restore the fractured tooth.

Crowns are used to protect teeth after root canal treatment. Crowns attach bridges. If you are displeased with the shape or color of a tooth, a crown can be used to improve your smile. Finally, crowns are also used to cover dental implants.

Implants

Dental implants are a small post made of titanium that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. The implant replaces the root of the tooth. The abutment is then attached to the implant, connecting it to the crown. The final part of the implant is the part you see: the crown. This is crafted with porcelain to look just like a natural tooth.

How do I know if I need implants?

Unless you have osteoporosis or uncontrolled diabetes, you could be a candidate for dental implants.

Veneers

Improve your smile with porcelain veneers. Because of their versatility, they are a popular cosmetic dental product. 

Teeth whitening

The cosmetic dental procedure of teeth whitening will make your teeth brighter and remove stains.

Does whitening work on all kinds of teeth?

Do not get teeth whitening for bridges, crowns, fillings, or veneers; only natural yellow teeth.

Root canals

Root canals are one of the most common types of dental procedures. A root canal can save your natural teeth and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges.

The pulp is in the middle of your tooth. It's a collection of blood vessels that help to build the surrounding tooth. Pump infections are caused by tooth trauma, deep decay, cracks, chips, or repeated dental procedures.

Symptoms are swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature, or pain in the tooth and gums. If you experience any of these symptoms, we'll most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp.

During a root canal, the injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. The tooth will then be restored with a crown or filling. Root canal therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required.

Braces

Braces are made of fixed wires and brackets to correct a bite. Appointments are scheduled regularly to change the wire and move teeth under the supervision of an orthodontist. 

How do braces straighten teeth?

Braces use constant, gentle pressure, which over time, move teeth into their proper positions. The main components of your braces are the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them.

The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. The archwire bends to reflect your “ideal” bite.

The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire returns to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jawbone. With pressure on one side from the archwire, the bone on the other side remodels. The tooth moves in that direction, and new bone grows behind.

To fix your bite, elastics may be worn. Elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. For the force to remain constant, elastics must be worn as directed and changed every day.

Dental emergencies

Happy Smiles Family Dentistry - Ashland offers emergency dental services including root canals and extractions.

Common Dental Services