Patient Education | Cummins Dental Group

Invisalign

Invisalign in Silver Spring MD

Many residents in Silver Spring, MD, have enhanced their smiles with Invisalign from Cummins Dental Group. Invisalign is a unique orthodontic product that allows patients to fix orthodontic concerns discreetly. Invisalign can help patients with bite concerns and misaligned smiles. What is Invisalign? Invisalign is a discrete orthodontic treatment to enhance your smile. There are several cosmetic and health benefits to Invisalign clear aligners. Invisalign is the process where patients receive multiple clear aligners that progressively apply more pressure on their teeth to align them. Every one to two weeks, you will receive a new set of clear aligners to help you reach your orthodontic goals. Dr. Cummins recommends that patients wear their aligners for 22 hours per day. How do you Get Invisalign? The first step to getting Invisalign clear aligners is to call Cummins Dental Group and schedule a consultation appointment. During the consultation appointment, Dr. Cummins will explain the clear aligners process. Next, he will examine your smile and determine if you are a good candidate for clear aligners. If you decide to move forward with the process, he will take an impression of your teeth. We will send this impression to a lab where they will design your first set of clear aligners. Once the aligners are made, Dr. Cummins will invite you back to the office to try them on the aligners. As mentioned above, Dr. Cummins will instruct you to wear the aligners 22 hours per day. Dr. Cummins recommends you remove the aligners when you brush your teeth and eat. What are the Benefits of Invisalign? There are numerous benefits to Invisalign clear aligners, from the discrete appearance to the freedom to eat the foods you love. Discrete. Invisalign clear aligners appear nearly invisible. Invisalign is an excellent solution for teens or older adults who do not want the appearance of traditional metal braces. Other benefits include: More Comfort. Many patients say that Invisalign clear aligners are more comfortable than traditional metal braces. Traditional braces use a series of metal brackets on each tooth attached with archwires. Often the brackets or the archwires can irritate the soft tissue in your mouth, leading to cuts and scrapes. Patients are told to use wax to ease the discomfort. With Invisalign, patients do not have to worry about painful brackets or archwires because Invisalign clear aligners are designed to be comfortable. More Freedom. Another advantage of Invisalign clear aligners is that patients can eat the foods they love. We instruct our patients to avoid hard, chewy, or sticky foods with traditional braces. These foods can damage the hardware in the mouth or get stuck and lead to cavities. With Invisalign clear aligners, you can remove your aligners before you eat. Then, when you finish eating, you should rinse out the aligners and brush your teeth before placing the aligners back on. Cleaning your teeth before putting on the aligners prevents bacteria and debris from getting stuck between your teeth and the aligners. Better Oral Health. Compared to traditional metal braces, with Invisalign clear aligners, most patients experience better oral health. It is harder to clean between the teeth with conventional metal braces patients. Many patients have to use special floss to clean between their teeth with traditional braces. With Invisalign, there are no barriers to cleaning your teeth. Brush, floss, and use mouthwash twice a day. Additionally, your dentist can easily adjust your teeth during your Invisalign treatment, such as repairing dental decay. Most patients with traditional metal braces have gum disease or dental decay following their treatment. However, this is not the case with Invisalign clear aligners. Invisalign clear aligners can improve your oral health and enhance the appearance of your smile. Call our office today for more information about Invisalign clear aligners or to schedule an appointment.

April 1, 2022 No Comments

Affordable Dentist

Dentist in Silver Spring

Patients in Silver Spring, MD, can now benefit from Cummins Dental Group. Dr. Adrian Cummins is an experienced dentist in the Silver Spring area. Dr. Cummins offers various dental services in his practice, from preventative to restorative to cosmetic dentistry. Dentist in Silver Spring Dr. Cummins is your dentist in Silver Spring, MD. He is a passionate dentist that works hard to provide high-quality dental care to his patients. Dr. Cummins is a second-generation dentist who went to the University of Maryland for dental school. He completed an advanced General Practice Residency in New York following dental school. Today, he is happy to be back in Maryland to serve the residents of Silver Spring, MD, and surrounding areas. Dr. Cummins’s philosophy is to provide comprehensive treatment for patients and educate them about their oral health. Cosmetic Dentistry in Silver Spring, MD At Cummins Dental Group, we offer cosmetic dentistry to the residents of Silver Spring, MD, and surrounding areas. Two of Dr. Cummin’s most popular procedures are teeth whitening and dental veneers. Dr. Cummins can whiten your teeth multiple shades lighter with professional in-office or at-home teeth whitening. He recommends that patients use professional teeth whitening instead of over-the-counter solutions, which can be inaccurate. Secondly, Dr. Cummins often places dental veneers on patients. Dental veneers are typically made of porcelain and are often called shells. Veneers sit on the front of your tooth and can dramatically change the tooth’s size, shape, and shade. At Cummins Dental Group, we recommend four to six veneers per tooth. Both teeth whitening and dental veneers can dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile. Restorative Dentistry in Silver Spring, MD You may benefit from restorative dentistry if you have dental decay, a cracked tooth, or a tooth infection. Standard restorative dentistry procedures performed at Cummins Dental Group include dental implants, dental crowns, and dental bridges. Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth. A dental implant is a complete prosthetic restoration for a tooth that replaces the root with the tooth’s crown. A dental implant is placed by inserting a titanium post in the gums and attaching an abutment on top. Then we put a crown, bridge, or denture on the abutment. Dental implants are a permanent solution, and the care is similar to taking care of your natural teeth. If you have a broken or decayed tooth, you may benefit from a dental crown. This restoration is made of porcelain. A dental crown is often called a cap because it sits on top of the natural tooth. Once we remove the decay, Dr. Cummins will buff down the natural tooth. A porcelain crown is created from an impression taken at the dental office in a lab. Then, the crown is bonded to the top of the existing tooth. You will have a new functioning tooth in only a few weeks. We often recommend a dental bridge for people who are missing one tooth. Unlike a dental implant, a dental bridge only replaces the crown of the tooth, not the root. A dental bridge is three crowns attached. The outside crowns adhere to the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth. Then, the middle crown floats above the gums where the missing tooth was. A dental bridge can improve the appearance and function of your teeth. As a dentist in Silver Spring, MD, Dr. Cummins is dedicated to your oral health. Dr. Cummins offers several dental services, from cosmetic dentistry to restorative dentistry. For more information about Dr. Cummins or to schedule an appointment, call our office.

March 1, 2022 No Comments

Emergency Dentistry

Toothache Relief in Silver Spring, MD

Have a toothache? It could be a more serious issue than you think. You may not need to worry if it goes away within a specific amount of time. But why wait? What’s the harm in making sure everything is ok? Why not address the pain as soon as possible? Please schedule an appointment with Cummins Dental Group in Silver Spring, MD, so that we can get you the treatment you need. We’ll make sure your smile is in excellent condition and help you get rid of that toothache for good. Some Signs Which May Indicate You Need Treatment If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, please get in touch with us: Persistent, sharp, severe, or throbbing tooth pain. Swelling or pain in the area of the tooth or gums. Pain when you apply pressure to the teeth. Fever. Chills. Earache. Jaw or ear pain. Tightness or pain in the chest. Difficulty opening your mouth, speaking, or eating. Persistent tooth or gum bleeding. These symptoms could be indications of an infection or something equally serious. Can a Toothache Go Away Without Treatment? It would be best if you never ignored a toothache. You might be able to bear the pain while it lasts. If you’d prefer to make the pain go away as quickly as possible, you might seek professional treatment. The pain could be an indication of a severe problem. Even if it is not a severe problem, minor dental issues can worsen and quickly become more concerning dental problems that grow without treatment. For example, if your toothache is due to a tooth or gum infection, the condition can last for at least several months or years and spread. If a toothache lasts more than a day or two, you shouldn’t wait. Please get in touch with us to schedule an appointment. What Causes My Toothache? Many things can bring on a toothache, and Dr. Cummins can help you determine the cause. Some of the most common causes of toothaches are: Tooth decay. A tooth with an abscess or infection. Tooth cracks or breaks. Fillings that have been chipped or broken. Tooth grinding or chewing incorrectly. Gum disease. How Can I Relieve My Toothache? The tips, not necessarily in order of importance, may help you manage pain until you see a dentist for the necessary treatment. Rinse with warm saltwater. Warm salt water can help remove debris between your teeth, sanitize your mouth, and reduce inflammation. Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash. Check with your pharmacist about any suggestions for product recommendations. You can also create a home-care solution by combining three percent hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water. Swish for 30 seconds through your mouth and teeth, then spit, being careful not to swallow the solution. After that, rinse well with clean water. Take a pain reliever. Ibuprofen may be the most effective pain-reliever and anti-inflammatory to alleviate toothache and is the most commonly recommended. Check with your doctor before taking any medication. Schedule an appointment. Even a small toothache can signal the beginning of a more serious problem. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to book an appointment, and we will do our best to accommodate you. Apply a hot and cold compress to the affected area. Start with a five-minute application of a warm, moist compress to the face outside the sore area. After that, apply a cold compress to the same location until your face feels numb. Repeat this process a couple of times until you’re feeling better. Keep your head elevated. More blood flows toward your head when you lie down. With a toothache, this might enhance pressure, sensitivity, and pain. Try propping your head up on a pillow or two or any other method of keeping your head raised and less pressure out of the painful area. Clean and treat the teeth and gums around the painful area. You may have an infection if you feel discomfort and swelling in the gums surrounding a tooth. To clean the region, start flossing it and then rinsing it with warm saltwater. Before rinsing, try massaging aloe vera juice on your gums with a clean finger. You might also notice pain when chewing, bad breath, and a sour taste. It’s critical to seek treatment as soon as possible before the infection worsens. See also the section on pain relievers. The Best Dental Care in Silver Spring It’s easy to maintain good dental hygiene and avoid toothaches. It takes a little effort and practice daily. We can help. We’ve been doing this a long time, and we know what we’re doing. Let us take a closer look at the problem. We can eliminate your toothache, heal what ails you, and prevent future issues. Please get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation. Cummins Dental Group is committed to your smile.

February 1, 2022 No Comments

Affordable Dentist

Affordable Dentist in Silver Spring, MD

At Cummins Dental Group we are an Affordable Dentist in Silver Spring, MD. We want to provide you with more service for less. We offer access to high-quality dental care at competitive, affordable rates. We’ll work with your provider to ensure affordable dentistry if you have dental insurance. If you don’t have dental insurance, we’ll work with you to understand your budgeting considerations. We want to ensure your experience is comfortable, relaxing, and easy on the wallet. Affordable Dentist in Silver Spring, MD Dr. Adrian Cummins recognizes that people want high-quality care at an affordable price. Patients may seek out low-cost dentistry for a variety of reasons. When people retire or lose their dental insurance, they may look for low-cost options. Or perhaps they’re simply on a tight budget. They may avoid going to the dentist because they believe they will not be able to afford the service. At Cummins Dental Group, we hope this never occurs. While we understand that dentist visits are not something you look forward to, we want to stress the importance of keeping your dental appointments no matter what. We want to help people get the best dental treatment possible in any manner we can. We understand the need to offer competitive rates that our customers appreciate. It makes it easier for our customers to justify keeping their regular appointments. Talk to us, and we’ll see what we can do to aid you with any affordable financing solutions. How Can I Get Affordable Dental Work? The best way to save money on your dental treatment is by keeping your teeth in great shape. This means doing the work to prevent dental issues rather than needing the dentist to treat them. Treating dental problems is usually more expensive than preventing them. Prevention dentistry usually only involves a few simple things: Brushing regularly with fluoridated toothpaste Flossing regularly Rinsing with fluoridated mouthwash Going to your regular dental checkups about twice per year Regular dental and overall health examinations by an affordable dentist are essential. The mouth is the body’s gateway, and bacteria or plaque buildup in the mouth can affect the rest of your body. Minor issues can often escalate into more significant problems. Poor dental hygiene has been linked to several major health issues, including: Diabetes Cardiovascular disease High blood pressure Cancer Infertility Stroke Keeping your dental checkup appointments makes good economic sense too. Dr. Cummins can spot dental issues before they grow into more significant problems during checkups. Treating minor dental issues is easier and less expensive than waiting until they grow into larger, more complex problems. For example, if you have a cavity, we should address it as quickly as possible. We can treat a small cavity in a simple and low-cost manner. Not to mention that we can treat a cavity with minimal discomfort. We will need to address a cavity sooner or later. But if you wait too long, the problem will grow. As the decay worsens, treatment options become more complicated. A root canal, for example, might be required for a tooth that has become infected due to decay. Alternatively, extraction and implants can replace the missing tooth and restore optimal oral health. These procedures will be significantly more costly than simply filling a minor cavity. Not to mention less comfortable. What Can Cummins Dental Group Do to Help Me With My Budget? Every patient is unique, and their dental needs and treatment recommendations may differ. As a result, the price of your therapy may vary from the next patient. We can work with your insurance provider to get you the best possible rates for our high-quality dental services. If you don’t have insurance, we can still work with you to understand and address your budgetary concerns. So please don’t put it off any longer. To schedule an appointment, call today. We’ll provide a helpful, informative consultation to help you better understand your treatment options and costs. Affordable Dentist at Cummins Dental Group Our affordable dental care will keep you smiling no matter your dental condition – whether you have exceptional dental health, need to improve your dental health, or are somewhere in the middle. We’ll work with you to keep your smile healthy, bright, and confident, all while keeping our prices low and competitive.

January 3, 2022 No Comments

Cosmetic Dentistry

Invisalign VS Traditional Braces

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There’s more than one way to get a perfect smile. Some people are just born with one. However, those people are rare. Most people need a little bit of help along the way, either in their teenage years or when they’re adults. While sometimes things like veneers and crowns are all that’s needed to have great teeth, at other times, a corrective procedure is required in order to straighten the teeth. At that point, it’ll be time for braces. But there’s more than one type of brace. There’s the traditional type of braces, which are fixed. And then there’s Invisalign, a new type of removable, invisible brace that can give a person straight teeth without some of the downsides of traditional braces. In this blog, we’re going to run through everything you need to know about Invisalign VS Traditional Braces The Essentials of Invisalign VS Traditional Braces Though the method differs, both Invisalign and traditional braces share the same objective: to straighten teeth, improve the smile, and give the overall health of the teeth a boost. Traditional braces have been around for a long time, but Invisalign is relatively new; they’ve only been around for 15 years or so, but they’re increasingly popular because of the flexibility and the minimal impact on a person’s lifestyle they provide. Whichever you choose, by the end of your treatment, your teeth will look noticeably better than they looked before you began treatment! How They Work So now, let’s think about how they both work. Traditional braces use a fixed wire which is incrementally tightened to help straighten the teeth. The wire is held in place by rubber bands. Neither the wire nor the bands are removed during treatment. Differences As we’ve said, traditional braces are fixed, and that can make certain aspects of life more difficult. For instance, there are foods that you’ll need to avoid if you have metal braces, and brushing can be a little tricky. With Invisalign, you won’t have these issues. You will remove the braces for eating or drinking or during periods when it’s not feasible to wear them. This allows for greater fluidity of life since you don’t have to wear them all the time. Cummins Dental Group in Silver Spring, MD If you’re in Silver Spring, Maryland, and you’re ready for Invisalign braces, or any other type of cosmetic dentistry service, then be sure to get in touch with us here at Cummins Dental Group. We can provide an Invisalign service from beginning to end, which will ultimately ensure that you love your smile! You can book an appointment with us by clicking the ‘Schedule Online Now’ button at the top of this page, or you can give us a call at (301) 681-9111.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

May 10, 2021 No Comments

Invisalign in Silver Spring MD

Dentist in Silver Spring

Toothache Relief in Silver Spring, MD

Affordable Dentist in Silver Spring, MD

Invisalign VS Traditional Braces

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Dr. Denise Taylor-Shaw's Gentle Touch Dental is now Cummins Dental Group.