Preventive and General Dentistry in Old Town, Alexandria

Regular teeth cleanings and hygiene appointments are the foundation of preventive dental care. During your cleaning, we will thoroughly cleanse your teeth and gums, removing any plaque or debris from every surface in your mouth. You’ll even be able to reverse minor stains to keep your smile bright and beautiful. We recommend scheduling routine cleanings and exams every six months for most patients. You will be given specific recommendations based on your unique needs, after a very thorough assessment.

However, good oral hygiene shouldn’t stop when you leave our office. Keeping up with your at-home brushing and flossing routine is equally as important as attending professional cleanings, and is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Use a fluoride-rich toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time; and don’t forget to floss! Flossing at least once every day, ideally before going to bed, helps to get rid of food particles, plaque, and bacteria that can’t be removed with brushing alone.

Digital x-rays are safe, quick, and comfortable. Using the latest technology, we can create crisp, immediate, high-resolution images of your mouth’s structure and anatomy, so we can make the most accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. Digital x-rays use only a fraction of the radiation that traditional film x-rays use (80-90% less radiation), so you can rest easy that we make all efforts to keep you safe. Digital x-rays are also much more diagnostic than traditional film, and can be altered to improve contrast for maximum accuracy. They are also smaller and more comfortable to have in your mouth. 

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Did you know? To put it into proper context on radiation exposure, a single dental x-ray has a radiation exposure of about 0.1 microsieverts. Eating a banana actually gives you 0.2 microsieverts of radiation! Most people do not realize that compared to daily exposure, dental x-rays are extremely safe. Even a CT scan, which is the highest radiation exposure we use (relatively speaking), is comparable to the radiation you get from a cross country flight from New York to Los Angeles. Many people are surprised to learn these facts about everyday radiation. Put in perspective, dental x-rays are a very low source and their benefits are immeasurable.

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We believe that a healthy smile starts with a thorough dental exam. Our comprehensive dental exams are more than just routine check-ups; they are a cornerstone of preventative care and help keep you in control of your oral health. During each exam, our experienced dentists meticulously assess your oral health, examining your teeth, gums, and mouth for any signs of decay, gum disease, or other dental issues. We also perform 2 types of oral cancer screenings, an airway assessment, TMJ evaluation, bite assessment, and evaluate for signs of medical problems, including issues with stomach acid eroding your teeth.

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Fluoride treatments are one of the best ways to keep dental decay at bay. A simple, non-invasive procedure, fluoride treatments help to keep your enamel strong. After your cleaning, we’ll apply a fluoride-rich varnish or gel; we may ask you to refrain from eating or drinking anything for 30 minutes or so following your visit. Fluoride helps strengthen the enamel, making it more resistant to acids from plaque, bacteria, and sugary foods that cause cavities. For those patients who prefer to remain fluoride-free, we can offer suggestions on other avenues to help strengthen your enamel and decrease the rate of decay formation. 

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Dental sealants are a great way for patients to protect their teeth from decay. Dental sealants are often recommended for children, but can still be a great option for patients of all ages. Dental sealants can provide protection for your teeth for years after being applied.

Applying dental sealants is a non-invasive procedure that utilizes a special dental resin that is applied to the molars or premolars. Sometimes, the uneven surface of the back teeth are filled with grooves where plaque and bacteria can flourish. These grooves are cleaned with a special micro-abrasive particle, and the special resin is applied. After application, the resin is cured with a UV light, causing it to harden into a powerful barrier between your teeth and the foods, drinks, acid, and bacteria that lead to decay.

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When left untreated, gum disease can have serious effects on your oral and overall health. More and more research has come out that shows the strong correlation of untreated periodontal disease to heart disease, diabetes, preterm labor and low birth weight, early miscarriage, gut issues, etc. Don't forget that your mouth is connected to your body! Your oral health often represents your overall health. 

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Gum recession, bone loss, tooth mobility, and even tooth loss can occur without proper periodontal treatment, so scheduling regular checkups for treatment is essential. Our team can keep gum disease from compromising your smile (or your health) through a variety of periodontal treatments, such as deep cleanings (also known as scaling and root planing), laser treatments, topically placed antibiotics, and more. If your gums are inflamed, look red, or bleed easily, if you have persistent bad breath, sensitive teeth, or notice any changes in your bite, get in touch with us today. We'll schedule a consultation to get your smile back on a healthy path.

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Dental anxiety doesn't have to stop you from getting the care you need for your smile. We specialize in sedation, and have a highly skilled team that offers various levels of sedation that suit your needs and goals. Many of our patients opt for sedation due to anxiety, or previous dental experiences that have created dental phobias. We also have many patients that choose sedation if they have a limited range of motion and can't comfortably hold their jaw open for an extended period of time. Additionally, we treat and work with many busy professionals and high level executives, who opt for sedation for time efficiency to get as much done in a single appointment as possible. 

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Whatever your needs are, we're happy to offer you various sedation options, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy painless, stress-free dental care, no matter the complexity of your treatment. We offer everything from light anxiolytics all the way up to and including hospital-grade general anesthesia with a board-certified MD anesthesiologist who comes to our office just for you. 

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If you're interested in our sedation options, get in touch with us today, and we'll find out what option will work best for you.

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Does your jaw click or pop when you open your mouth? Do you regularly experience soreness, tension, or find it hard to enjoy your favorite foods? You may have a form of TMJ/TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), often just called TMJ after the joint it affects, is a condition that causes pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. If you have dealt with this or are currently dealing with this, you know firsthand how frustrating this process can be. Fortunately, Dr. Ahmed has extensive experience and success in treating and managing joint and muscle issues that can improve your quality of life. We also are well-connected with other treating providers in our local area who work together with us to ensure you have a multidisciplinary approach to your care, when necessary. There are a variety of minimally invasive treatments that can provide you with the relief you deserve. You don't need to live with jaw pain! Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you alleviate your TMJ/TMD so you can get back to living life with a smile, and enjoying your favorite foods.

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A dental CT scan, or CBCT, is a highly diagnostic imaging tool to allow your dentist to see a wide range of relevant anatomic structures, to aid in the most accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. CBCT, or cone-beam computed tomography, is a highly sophisticated device that captures 150-200 images of your teeth, jaw, neck, airway, sinuses, nasal cavity, nerve canals, and other relevant areas of your mouth, in under a minute!

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We are proud to be one of the only offices in the area, and among only 10% of offices in the United States, to have an in-house CBCT scanner. Our CBCT utilizes cutting-edge technology to take a special 3D x-ray, allowing our team to fully diagnose and visualize your condition, as well as plan the most precise and predictable procedure possible, especially when it comes to dental implant surgery as well as root canals. It is also the best imaging tool available to dentists for diagnosis of lesions that can be indicative of serious disease, including cancers of the jaw bone.