MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Invisalign^© offers a simple, convenient solution for teens and adults who want all the benefits of beautiful, straight teeth without the hassles of braces. With Invisalign, you can enjoy a more beautiful smile and greater confidence. Plus, since straight teeth are easier to care for, having treatments means you just might reap the benefits of better oral health, like fewer cavities and a lower risk of gum disease. But let’s face it: All those benefits won’t seem quite as sweet if caring for your aligners takes a lot of time and effort. The good news is, caring for your Invisalign trays is just as simple and convenient as the treatment itself. All it takes is a little know-how and a minimal amount of effort to keep your trays in good shape. Here’s what to do.

It’s safe to say pretty much everyone would love to have straighter teeth and a more attractive smile. Not only do straight teeth make you feel more confident about your appearance, but they also make it a lot easier to care for your teeth. How? Straighter teeth are easier to floss and brush, and there are fewer places for food particles and harmful bacteria to hide. That means your risks of gum disease and tooth decay can be significantly decreased when your teeth are straight and properly aligned.

Every year in the U.S., millions of people receive dental implants to replace their missing teeth. Thanks to their natural design, dental implants are more comfortable and more secure than dentures and bridges, and they also look, feel, and function more like natural teeth, making them an extremely popular alternative to dentures and bridges. Thanks to their natural design, implants also help many men and women feel more confident about their teeth and their smiles after tooth loss.

The CEREC dental restorations used to create your beautiful new smile are just like natural teeth. Failing to take proper care of your restorations will cause them to chip, crack, fall out, and dull in appearance, leaving you with a smile that you want to hide. However, with proper care and maintenance, you can keep your newly restored smile looking shiny and new for years to come.

For some people, going to the dentist for a cleaning and exam is simply a part of taking care of their health. Millions of people, though, have the opposite experience. Studies suggest that about 60% of people feel anxious about visiting the dentist. Somewhere between 5% and 10% have a full-blown dental phobia.

Adults lose teeth for a few reasons. Oral hygiene habits and diet both play a big role in the health of your teeth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to decay that loosens teeth, which eventually fall out, while some foods and drinks put you at risk for cavities that cause decay over time. Sometimes, teeth can be lost as a result of injury.

Does achieving a bright, perfect smile sound too good to be true? It’s not! Living with damaged, short, or misshapen teeth can make you feel less than your best, hurting your self-confidence. With porcelain veneers, you can have the smile you’ve always wanted. A smile that you’re proud of can boost your confidence and enjoyment of life.

Who likes going to the dentist? Show of hands — anyone?

Dr. Malcolm Murray and the team at MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry understand that dental tools, drills, and injections can invoke dread in the toughest of folks, but fortunately, technology is taking the edge off visiting the dentist. A trip to the dentist today is more friendly, transparent, informative, and painless. Here’s what we have to look forward to in the future of dentistry.

Metal braces and headgear might seem like a necessary rite of passage in the journey to straight teeth, but these days, you have a choice for perfecting your smile. Many common dental problems — like misaligned teeth, overbite, and underbite — can be corrected with Invisalign®️  clear aligners, which fit over your teeth to gently move your them into proper alignment.

If you’re not happy with your smile, there are a lot of small imperfections that can be easily corrected. Porcelain veneers are one of the cosmetic dentistry procedures that we provide for patients in the greater Fairfax area. Veneers are a custom-made “false front” that can be attached to your teeth to give you that perfect smile you’ve been wanting. These porcelain attachments can correct minor imperfections or cover up gaps or misshapen teeth. They’re also a fairly durable cosmetic attachment, which can last more than a decade with the proper care.