Does everyone in your home share the same dentist? Seeing a family dentist offers several important advantages that you may have never considered before. Read on to learn how your Washington, DC, dentist, Dr. Ralph Mazzuca, provides a range of family dentistry services that will help your entire household maintain healthy smiles!

Convenience

Rearranging your schedule to make room for dental checkups can be challenging if your family sees multiple dentists. You not only have to take time off from work for your visits, but you also have to arrange paid time off if you accompany family members to their appointments. Depending on your workload or commitments, finding enough time for all of these visits may cause a few headaches!

However, when you visit a family dentist, you can schedule a group checkup with back-to-back appointments. Thanks to your group appointment, you'll need less time off and won't spend hours in the car or on the train traveling to dental offices.

The care you need

Diagnosing and filling cavities is certainly an important aspect of family dentistry, but the procedure isn't the only one offered by your dentist:

Family dentists offer:

• Regular checkups and cleanings that help you lower your risk of tooth decay and gum disease
• Bonding, veneers, and crowns can all repair damage to, conceal imperfections, and change the shape and length of teeth.
• Sealants to reduce your kids' cavity risk
• Root canals to preserve inflamed or infected teeth
• Bridges, dentures, and dental implants to replace missing teeth
• Teeth whitening to remove stains that dull teeth
• Tooth-colored fillings for a more natural appearance

No age limits

You'll never hear the words, "You're too old or too young," when you see a family dentist. The dentists see the entire family, from toddlers to senior citizens—after all, they're trained to treat oral health issues that can occur at any age!

A positive experience

Family dentists offer friendly, compassionate care and understand that dental visits can be difficult for young children and people who have dental anxiety. They'll take the time to put your fears at ease and explain dental procedures in easy-to-understand language.

Protect your family's oral health with regular family dentistry visits. Call your Washington, DC, family dentist, Dr. Ralph Mazzuca, at (202) 537-1088 to schedule your appointment!

Veneers can do a lot for you, even if your smile has numerous imperfections that can’t be corrected with other types of cosmetic treatments. Let Dr. Ralph Mazzuca, a dentist serving patients in Washington, DC, model your teeth for veneers at a consultation to show you how your smile can look in a matter of weeks.

What Veneers Can Do for You
Take a close look at your smile and identify what you don’t like about it. Is it jagged edges or chips in the surface? Large or tiny gaps between the teeth? Have your teeth become severely discolored over time and you can no longer whiten them with bleaching agents? Maybe you have a few teeth that are crooked or protruding. Veneers can help with all of these issues and more. They are individual, translucent dental wafers that cover imperfections when applied with a dental bonding agent. The bonding material is shaded to best fit your smile. It doesn’t matter how flawed your front teeth are -- veneers can fix them up.

The Convenience of Veneers
It isn’t always viable to wait months or years to see a drastic improvement in the shape, positioning, or color of your smile. Veneers are a shortcut for patients who need to see a significant cosmetic change inside of a month’s time. You’ll need to visit your Washington, DC, dentist on two or three occasions to complete the treatment, then you can reveal your new smile to the world. Veneers will better your smile for about 10 or more years, and also provide you with a level of dental enamel protection.

Today's Veneers Look More Natural
Some patients are worried that veneers will make their teeth look chunky or fake. But modern veneer modeling technology allows Dr. Mazzuca to create a smile that looks natural in size, color, and the way each tooth is contoured. Be prepared for the day when you finally see how a smile makeover can brighten up your whole face and renew your self-confidence.

Enhance Your Smile
It’s worth exploring what veneers can do for you and your smile, especially if you’ve been unhappy with the way your front teeth look for some time now. Call (202) 537-1088 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mazzuca at his office in Washington, DC!

Dental implants are a great option for replacing missing permanent teeth: they're attractive, low-maintenance and long-lasting. Dr. Ralph Mazzuca, your dentist in Washington, DC, goes into more details about the benefits of dental implants in this post.

Artificial but attractive

Someone you know might have dental implants, but you wouldn't necessarily realize it just by looking at them. That's because dental implants, like the kind used by your Washington, DC, dentist, are made to look just like natural teeth. Their hardware is hidden beneath your gum line, only visible on an X-ray, in the same place where a natural tooth's roots would be; all that can be seen is a porcelain crown that is carefully matched to the rest of your teeth's size and color.

Easy to maintain

Dental implants are quickly becoming the preferred way to replace missing teeth for both dentists and patients, and one of the main reasons is because they don't require special care. Unlike dentures and partials, they never need to be taken out for cleaning; they can simply be brushed and flossed in order to keep them clean and the gum tissue around them healthy. You also won't need to make appointments with your Washington, DC, dentist for periodic adjustments. In fact, they can last as long as several decades, even a lifetime.

Practical and permanent

The design of dental implants makes them as close to "the real thing" as possible. This means that the post of your implant mimics the function of a natural tooth's root. It not only keeps the tooth from shifting; it also keeps your jawbone healthy by providing minuscule movements every time your chew (again, like the root of natural teeth). As long as you maintain good dental hygiene and stay current with checkups at your Washington, DC, dentist's office, you can count on your dental implants to be a permanent restoration.

To learn more about how dental implants can help you, contact the dental office of Dr. Ralph Mazzuca in Washington, DC, for a consultation.

Which Dentures Type Is Right for You?

Losing your teeth? You don't have to go through life without teeth. Dentures are removable appliances constructed to replace missing teeth. Today's dentures are attractive and more comfortable than ever. Dentures have made a difference in the lives of millions of people. Dr. Ralph Mazzuca offers state-of-the-art dentures to his patients. Read on to learn about the different types of dentures that are available today.

1. Partial Denture

Partial dentures are an alternative to dental bridges. A partial denture is used when one or more teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. A partial denture closes the gaps created by missing teeth. Some partial dentures are worn permanently, while others are removable. This denture consists of replacement teeth, a gum-colored plastic base, a metal framework, and clasps that connect to the teeth. A partial denture will improve your appearance and help to restore comfort when eating and speaking.

2. Complete Denture

A complete denture, also called full denture, is used when all the teeth are missing. A complete denture is a removable dental appliance that consists of fabricated teeth attached to a gum-colored base that fits over your gums. This denture is created and placed in your mouth after your existing teeth have been removed and the tissues have healed, which may take several months. A beautiful, natural-looking complete denture will help you feel like you again and boost your confidence at work and in social situations.

3. Overdenture

An overdenture is a removable dental appliance that rests on teeth, the roots of teeth, or dental implants. The most important benefit of implant overdentures is the prevention of jawbone loss. Overdentures should align jaws accurately and restore about 90 percent of chewing power to the patients. Better oral hygiene and a lower risk of periodontal (gum) disease are two additional benefits of using overdentures.

4. Immediate Denture

Immediate dentures, also called temporary dentures, are made before the remaining teeth have been extracted. This is an option for patients who do not want to go without teeth. A temporary denture will protect your gums while you heal and make the transition to a permanent denture easier. Immediate dentures should be considered temporary dentures. After healing from having the teeth removed, a new denture can be made.

Want a better life? Say yes to dentures! Call Dr. Ralph Mazzuca at 202-537-1088 today to schedule a dental consultation in Washington, DC. A denture will give you the freedom to enjoy life again. We want you to have a wonderful life!

TMJ is a common disorder that affects the alignment of the jaw and the cushioned disc that rests between it. It can be caused by a head injury, arthritis, or genetics. TMJ is short for "temporomandibular joint," which is the area that is affected by misalignment. Dr. Ralph Mazzuca, your dentist in Washington DC, diagnoses and treats many patients with TMJ; read below to learn of the common symptoms and give Dr. Mazzuca a call if you are at all concerned!

Pain

An aching jaw that is tender to the touch is a common sign of TMJ. The pain, typically caused by inflammation, doesn't necessarily have to come directly from your jaw—it may radiate to your head, neck, shoulders, or ears. Although TMJ pain can often be relieved temporarily with analgesic medication, your Washington DC dentist's goal is to help you manage your TMJ diagnosis long-term.

Noises and Pops

It can be disconcerting to feel and hear your jaw align itself back into place. For TMJ sufferers, this is a common occurrence when they chew, talk, or yawn. Our Washington DC patients describe the feeling as creaking, shifting, or grinding; sometimes a popping or clicking sound accompanies it. Any noise or sensation in your jaw joint that persists over a few days warrants a visit to Dr. Mazzuca for an examination.

Stiffness

Along with the pain and uncomfortable sensations associated with TMJ, your jaw may also not work as efficiently as it should. Chewing and talking can be a challenge, and opening your mouth all the way to yawn, brush your teeth, or take a bite of food may be impossible. For some unlucky TMJ sufferers, their condition may be so severe that the jaw gets stuck in an open or closed position.

Call Today!

Think you might be dealing with TMJ? It's time to contact Dr. Ralph Mazzuca, your dentist in Washington DC to schedule an evaluation: (202) 537-1088.