Sleep Apnea

While most dental practices offer a very narrow scope of procedures, we have established a full-service dental practice that specializes in preventative, restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. For patients hoping to restore their smile after an accident should be aware of the many options we have available to fix their smile.

 

With restorative dentistry, we are able to replace or restore missing teeth or missing parts of the tooth structure. Tooth structure can be damaged due to decay, deterioration of a previously placed restoration or the tooth could fracture. We offer the following restorative dental procedures at our Silver Spring, MD office:

• Bridges
• Crowns
• Dentures
• Bonding

The goal of restorative dentistry is to preserve your natural teeth as much as possible. In cases where we cannot save the natural teeth, full dentures might be necessary. Most people do not know that a missing tooth can cause serious damage to your mouth. When a tooth a missing, the rest of your teeth will begin to shift, causing your teeth to become misaligned. When teeth become misaligned, they are more difficult to clean, and decayed teeth are susceptible to periodontal disease which can lead to tooth loss. Missing teeth also put extra stress on your remaining natural teeth because you don't have as much surface area to chew with.

 

If you are missing any teeth, consider restorative treatments at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring, MD. Our staff has years of experience and specialize in these restorative treatments. 

Brushing While Having Orthodontic Treatment

Brushing While Having Orthodontic Treatment

Patients who visit our dental practice in Silver Spring, MD for orthodontic treatment are encouraged to not ignore the importance of brushing and oral health. Not only is brushing important for preventing tooth decay and keeping breath fresh, but food particles can get stuck in between the brackets and wires, which puts our orthodontics patients at an even higher risk for plaque and gum disease. Brushing while having ortho treatment, such as braces, is easy to do once patients learn the proper technique.

 

We ask any patient getting orthodontics treatment to continue brushing their teeth multiple times a day, using a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Their regular fluoride toothpaste is acceptable for brushing over and around braces, though they need to hold it at an angle in order to get around the brackets and remove all of the food particles. During orthodontic treatment, our dentist, Dr. David Bishop, asks his patients to brush up to four times a day, including in the morning after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and just before bed.

 

Keep in mind that you may need to replace your toothbrush more often when you are wearing dental appliances, such as braces. For this reason, be sure to examine your toothbrush regularly for wear and frayed bristles, which are indications that it’s time for a new toothbrush.

 

Call us at 301-608-9270 to learn more about brushing while having orthodontic treatments.

Dental Bonding

If you live in Silver Spring, MD and have cracks or gaps in your teeth, you might want to consider a dental bonding treatment to restore your smile. Dr. David Bishop has become the go-to local dentist for bonding procedures. Unlike veneers, which are manufactured in a laboratory and require a customized mold, bonding can be done in a single visit.

 

The procedure for dental bonding is non-invasive and quite simple. Patients are not required to be sedated for the procedure. Dr. Bishop will utilize a shade guide in the beginning to match the resin color to the natural color of your teeth so it looks perfectly natural. Dental bonding is not just used to repair teeth that are cracked or damaged, it is also used to:

• Repair decayed teeth
• Improve discoloration of teeth
• Change the shape of teeth

After selecting the proper shade, Dr. Bishop will begin the bonding process. It begins with abrading or roughening the surface of the tooth. The tooth will then be coated lightly with a conditioning liquid. This liquid will help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. Once the tooth is prepared, Dr. Bishop will simply apply the tooth-colored putty and mold it to the proper shape and size. The material is then hardened with an ultraviolet light. The final step is polishing the area to give you a fresh, vibrant smile.

 

Come on by Bishop and Bishop Dental in Silver Spring, MD for your dental bonding procedure!

Dental Bridges

If you are missing any teeth, you have probably noticed a difference in chewing and speaking. Missing teeth can greatly affect jaw position and tooth alignment as well. Dental bridges are a unique solution for those with missing teeth. We offer all of our patients the opportunity to restore their smiles with this non-invasive, safe procedure.

 

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Creating a bridge is quite simple. Dr. David Bishop will create an abutment out of your existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. The existing teeth are reshaped to support the base of the bridge. After the abutments are created, a mold is cast of the area and sent to a dental lab. The lab uses the mold to create a permanent bridge. He will then fit you with a temporary bridge in order to keep your teeth from shifting.

 

In your follow-up visit with Dr. Bishop, he will set your bridge in place. The bridge will be placed on the abutments and an adhesive will be used to make sure the bridge is set. While getting used to your bridge, it is a good idea to eat soft food for the first couple days. After this period, you will be able to return to your normal eating habits.

 

If you are missing a tooth, you should strongly consider having it replaced with a dental bridge. Dental bridges will restore your smile, help maintain the shape of your face and can prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.

 

Come to our Silver Spring, MD location for a consultation with Dr. David Bishop today!

Proper Oral Hygiene

Proper oral hygiene is essential to maintaining your good looking smile. Regular visits to your dentist are the best preventative measure you can take when it comes to proper oral hygiene upkeep. We believe that patient education is a key factor in keeping your mouth healthy!

 

We provide our patients with the tools necessary to maintain a healthy smile. Regular brushing and flossing is a must when it comes to proper oral hygiene. You should also know which toothpaste is best for you.  With the wide array of options available, you need to know which product will work best for their oral hygiene goals.

 

Proper brushing technique is lot more in depth than you might think. While the goal is to prevent cavities and to have a white smile, you might be interested in learning what is known as “correct” brushing techniques. First, your brushing ritual should last at least two minutes. You also need to use the appropriate brush style; this varies person-to-person, so ask us at your next cleaning. You should be using short, gentle strokes and make sure to pay attention to the gum line and hard-to-reach areas such as fillings or crowns. The last step would be to brush your tongue in order to have fresher breath.

 

When it comes to flossing, most people just not their head “yes” when they see their doctor. Flossing is extremely important in maintaining a healthy smile. It might be hard to believe, but flossing is actually more important than brushing. While brushing twice a day is extremely beneficial, you’re not optimizing your oral health potential. Through flossing, you’re able to get in the small parts of your mouth that brushing cannot reach. Places where if bacteria goes untouched, could cause serious damage to your oral health.

 

Give us a call today to schedule your appointment! 

Brushing While Having Orthodontic Treatment

Brushing While Having Orthodontic Treatment

Patients who visit our dental practice in Silver Spring, MD for orthodontic treatment are encouraged to not ignore the importance of brushing and oral health. Not only is brushing important for preventing tooth decay and keeping breath fresh, but food particles can get stuck in between the brackets and wires, which puts our orthodontics patients at an even higher risk for plaque and gum disease. Brushing while having ortho treatment, such as braces, is easy to do once patients learn the proper technique.

 

We ask any patient getting orthodontics treatment to continue brushing their teeth multiple times a day, using a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Their regular fluoride toothpaste is acceptable for brushing over and around braces, though they need to hold it at an angle in order to get around the brackets and remove all of the food particles. During orthodontic treatment, our dentist, Dr. David Bishop, asks his patients to brush up to four times a day, including in the morning after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and just before bed.

 

Keep in mind that you may need to replace your toothbrush more often when you are wearing dental appliances, such as braces. For this reason, be sure to examine your toothbrush regularly for wear and frayed bristles, which are indications that it’s time for a new toothbrush.

 

Call us at 301-608-9270 to learn more about brushing while having orthodontic treatments.

Brushing While Having Orthodontic Treatment

Brushing While Having Orthodontic Treatment

Patients who visit our dental practice in Silver Spring, MD for orthodontic treatment are encouraged to not ignore the importance of brushing and oral health. Not only is brushing important for preventing tooth decay and keeping breath fresh, but food particles can get stuck in between the brackets and wires, which puts our orthodontics patients at an even higher risk for plaque and gum disease. Brushing while having ortho treatment, such as braces, is easy to do once patients learn the proper technique.

 

We ask any patient getting orthodontics treatment to continue brushing their teeth multiple times a day, using a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Their regular fluoride toothpaste is acceptable for brushing over and around braces, though they need to hold it at an angle in order to get around the brackets and remove all of the food particles. During orthodontic treatment, our dentist, Dr. David Bishop, asks his patients to brush up to four times a day, including in the morning after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and just before bed.

 

Keep in mind that you may need to replace your toothbrush more often when you are wearing dental appliances, such as braces. For this reason, be sure to examine your toothbrush regularly for wear and frayed bristles, which are indications that it’s time for a new toothbrush.

Call us at 301-608-9270 to learn more about brushing while having orthodontic treatments.

Dental Emergencies

Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. At Bishop & Bishop Dental, we understand dental emergencies may not only be painful, but also stressful. Our office facilitates emergency calls to ease your concerns and get you the help you need.

 

It is important to understand what constitutes a dental emergency in order for you to seek help as soon as possible. Dental emergencies may involve trauma to the teeth or gums including an injury, which results in a tooth knocked out. Another dental emergency is tooth pain, which is accompanied by swelling in the mouth and face. A seriously fractured tooth and dental pain, which lasts for hours or is not relieved by over the counter medication, is also considered a dental emergency.

 

If you think you have a dental emergency, don’t ignore it. Not being treating for a dental emergency can lead to additional problems and complications. For example, some dental emergencies may damage blood vessels and nerves if they are not treated promptly. Additionally, if a tooth has been knocked out, the sooner you are treated the higher the chances of tooth survival.

 

Our dentists and staff at Bishop & Bishop Dental take your dental health seriously. If you think you have a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call our office. For more information on our practice or to schedule an appointment please call our office at 301-608-9270.

When to Replace Your Complete Dentures

When to Replace Your Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are a set of dentures that are made following the removal of all the patient’s teeth. Dentures are usually placed in the mouth 8-12 weeks after the teeth are removed, as this is when the gum tissue has healed enough. Dr. David Bishop begins preparing these dentures once the gum tissue is healing properly. Once complete, the patient has a brand new set of dentures that let them eat the foods they want with teeth that require only minimal care.

 

For patients who want to have a temporary solution before their final dentures are ready, we provide a temporary set of dentures here at Bishop & Bishop dental. They are not as secure while talking and eating as the complete dentures, but are great for this in between period.

 

Once patients have their complete dentures, they are advised to re-visit Bishop & Bishop Dental to look at the dentures and determine if and when they need to be replaced. While complete dentures are stable and can last a long time, we do recommend replacing them ideally about every five years on average.

 

If you are ready to get fitted for complete dentures, visit our practice in Silver Spring, MD.

Implants / Mini Implants

Implants / Mini Implants

If you are missing teeth, you might be experiencing difficulty eating your favorite foods, not to mention the fact that it isn’t aesthetically pleasing. While it can be a pain to have missing teeth, there is a permanent solution in the form of implants. Here at Bishop Dental in Silver Spring, MD we provide regular implants and mini implants. Each implant provides a permanent restoration to replace one or multiple missing teeth.

Our dentist, David Bishop, provides traditional and mini implants. Traditional implants involve placing a titanium post deep into the jaw bone of the missing tooth. Once it has healed, a crown is placed over the post, allowing you to chew as you normally would. The crown is custom-made to fit your smile, so it looks and feels natural. It will be the same basic color, size, and shape of the surrounding teeth.

Mini dental implants are done in a similar way, though they take less time. The post used in mini implants is about half the size and doesn’t go in as far into the bone, so it heals much more quickly. This is done in a single step, as opposed to months. Once the post is in, the crown is placed over it right here in our office.

Either direction you go, your implants provide a permanent answer to your missing teeth problem, but should also be cared far like your other teeth. Always brush and floss the implant twice a day.

 

Veneers

Veneers

At Bishop Dental in Silver Springs, MD, we provide many treatments for helping to correct patient’s smiles, including veneers. Veneers, made of porcelain or laminates, are extremely thin and cover the front of the teeth. Patients often come to our office looking to correct the visual appearance of their teeth, like discoloration or chipped teeth. Veneers are made custom in our office to match your natural teeth.

We start the veneer process by preparing the tooth to be covered, which includes removing a small amount of the enamel to make room for the veneer. We may also reshape the tooth before making an impression of it. After that is complete, the veneer is made in a lab, which takes about 1-2 weeks. Once it is ready, we bond it to your tooth with permanent cement.

There are a variety of reasons you might need dental veneers, including the following:

1) Discoloration – Your tooth may be discolored from smoking, drinking dark liquids or following a root canal without a crown placed.

2) Chips or Cracks – Teeth that are chipped or cracked can also be covered with a veneer.

3) Gaps or Spaces – If your teeth have gaps and you don’t want braces, you can get veneers to cover the gaps.

If you think veneers might be the right solution for you, give us a call at 301- 608-9270.

Radiography

Radiography

Radiography, or more colloquially, x-raying, is an important part of the dental exam, diagnostic and preventative care capabilities. We use dental radiography to gain special insight into the health and structure of your teeth, oral cavity, throat and even areas of the sinus. Radiography also allows us to plan procedures with greater accuracy, and ensure that recently completed dental work is successful.

Dental radiography is safe and essential to providing you with excellent dental care.  To learn more about how it will benefit you during your next procedure, contact us directly. 

 

Sedation Dentistry

We do our utmost to provide you with a comfortable, relaxing dental experience, from the moment you enter Bishop & Bishop Dental, through to the end of your visit. Even though our patients always feel welcome, we understand that some dental procedures can cause patients to feel uneasy or phobic. For these patients, as well as those patients who would like to complete multiple procedures in a single visit, we provide complete sedation dentistry services.

We offer both oral conscious sedation, which is administered through a one or two-dose oral medication, and nitrous oxide sedation, which you are likely familiar with as laughing gas. Both of these sedation dentistry methods allow you to remain conscious and communicative, however you will experience your procedure as nothing more than a pleasant and relaxing dream. You’ll experience no pain, apprehension or unpleasant sensations for the duration of your visit.
Sedation dentistry is safe and effective for many of our patients.  If you’d like to learn how it can benefit you during your next procedure at Bishop & Bishop Dental, please call us directly.

Power Bleaching

Power Bleaching

If you’re seeking a brighter, stain-free smile we provide a specialized service that delivers stunning results. Power bleaching is an innovative method of professional teeth whitening and bleaching that is especially effective against stubborn or concentrated stains. Many of our patients here at Bishop & Bishop dental have loved the results of their power bleaching procedure, which works by using a special concentration of hydrogen peroxide that’s only available from professional dental practices like ours.

If you’re ready to discover the confidence boosting effects of power bleaching and the professional teeth whitening services we offer, please arrange an appointment with us here at Bishop & Bishop Dental.

Bishop & Bishop Dental Employee of the Month: Shanice Miller, our Dental Hygienist

As many of you know, we here at Bishop & Bishop Dental are committed to providing our patients with excellent dental service and gentle, personalized care.  That is possible thanks to our accomplished team of professionals. This month, we’d like to recognize our hard working dental hygienist, Shanice Miller.

Many of you know Shanice, and like us, you appreciate her for her clear dedication to excellent service, friendly, welcoming attitude and gentle touch. All of these reasons and more are why we’ve chosen Shanice as our Employee of the Month.  Next time you come in for a visit, we encourage you to show your appreciation of her as well. Shanice, thank you for all that you do and keep up the great work!

Dental Implants

Dental Implants

Do you have a missing tooth?  Whether your smile gap is accidental or your tooth has been extracted, it’s still important to have your smile restored.  Dental implants are one of the best ways to restore the natural look and feel of your smile.  Compared to other tooth prosthetics, dental implants have unique advantages that set them above the rest.  

If you are not sure which dental restoration is best for your smile, I’m always happy to help.  Just arrange an appointment at my office for a consultation.  For many patients, dental implants have proven to be a successful restoration with a number of benefits:

•    There is no need to modify the surrounding teeth or rely on adjacent teeth for support.  Dental implants stand alone.

•    They can be placed anywhere within the mouth, serving as a great replacement for teeth in the front or back of your smile. 

•    Dental implants can be used to restore a single tooth, or entire rows of teeth through multiple implants.

•    They provide patients with a natural look and feel that makes the restorative indistinguishable from the rest of your smile.

•    Dental implants last are designed to last a lifetime with regular brushing, flossing and dental checkups