Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  Dentists encourage their patients to brush and floss regularly to remove food debris and plaque from the teeth. Plaque is the sticky, clear film that forms on the teeth and gums; it contains bacteria that produce acids that can lead to tooth decay, or dental caries (cavities). Along with regular dental exams, another important part of keeping teeth clean and healthy is getting a sufficient amount of fluoride. This naturally-occurring mineral can help strengthen enamel, prevent cavities, and even repair teeth that are in the very early, microscopic stages of caries.
• X-rays
  If there are signs that something is wrong, the dentist may request for dental x-rays, CT scans, and MRI to obtain further information regarding the underlying state of your teeth, jaw, joint disk, and surrounding tissue.
• Oral Cancer Screening
  Oral cancer can affect anybody, regardless of age or background. The most effective defense against oral cancer is frequent oral cancer screenings. During these screenings, our dentist can identify early signs of cancer, if any, and help you get treatment for the same while there’s plenty of time for successful intervention.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  We provide a competitive range of general dental services, including exams, dental cleanings and imaging, that help reduce the risks of decay and gum disease. The American Dental Association (ADA) strongly suggests that patients should get their teeth checked twice a year.
• Fluoride Treatment
  Fluoride can be consumed (systemic fluoride) through food and water – many public sources of water now are fluoridated. It can be found in tea and several different foods, such as crab, potatoes, and grapes. Fluoride can also be obtained through dietary fluoride supplements. Besides being swallowed, fluoride can be obtained topically, by having it applied directly to the tooth enamel. Fluoride toothpaste, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments at the dentist’s office are all ways to obtain fluoride topically. You can receive this treatment at our office to give your teeth a boost in health. It is more effective than store-bought options because the fluoride preparation used by dentists is more strongly-concentrated than that in toothpaste or mouth rinses.
• Dental Sealants
  Brushing and flossing are great habits to practice to maintain clean and healthy teeth. For an extra level of protection, however, dental sealants are a good option. After all, toothbrushes, floss, and even mouthwashes can leave traces of food debris and plaque behind, especially in the tricky grooves and depressions of the back molars. At our office, we are proud to offer a dental sealant treatment to provide an extra level of protection for you and your family.

Restorative

• Fillings
• Resin Composite
  Bonding does not require any special preparation or anesthesia (unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth). Your dentist will first choose the composite resin color that matches the color of your tooth most closely. He or she will then slightly etch the surface of the tooth to roughen it; this helps the bonding material to adhere better to the tooth surface. A conditioning liquid will be used to coat the tooth lightly. This further helps the bonding material to adhere. The bonding is applied as a tooth-colored, putty-like resin. It will be molded and smoothed until it is the desired shape and size, then hardened with an ultraviolet light or laser. Once it has been hardened, your dentist will trim and shape it, then polish it until the bond matches the look of the neighboring teeth. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete (for one tooth; additional teeth may require separate appointments).
• Veneers
  Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that are attached to the front of the teeth to change their appearance. They are custom-made and help to improve the look of a smile. At our office, we aim to provide our patients with a smile that they’ll love.
• Crowns
  Teeth are remarkably strong, but occasionally, they can be damaged. If they are not cleaned properly with good brushing and flossing habits, they may become affected by tooth decay in the form of cavities. Additionally, teeth can become damaged as a result of trauma or injury. Cavities are usually treated with a filling, and more serious damage or decay may require a crown. Sometimes, however, the damage is not serious enough to need a crown, but is too large for a filling to fix. In these cases, dental inlays or onlays can be the solution. Your dentist can assess the damage and make the best recommendation for you. Both of these restorations are custom-made to be bonded to the affected tooth (or teeth) to effectively treat a damaged tooth and restore its functionality and appearance.
• Bridges
  If you have one or more missing teeth, a dental bridge could be the solution to restoring your smile. This fixed dental prosthetic literally bridges the gap where the teeth are missing. Dental bridges are made up of the false tooth/teeth, called the pontic, that is anchored to abutment teeth. At our office, the pontic can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
• Dental Bonding
  Dental bonding: a putty-like resin is applied to the teeth to change the shape of the tooth. It is a noninvasive method to repair chipped, cracked, or misshapen teeth.
• Restorative Dentistry
  While restorative dentistry treats problems to restore health to the teeth and cosmetic dentistry addresses the physical appearance of the teeth, preventive dentistry does what the name suggests – prevents problems from happening in the first place so that no treatment will be necessary. This is a good path to take for the health of your mouth. For one thing, it’ll help keep the mouth healthier overall not to have been affected by any issues like cavities or gum disease.

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  According to the American Dental Association, endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerning dental pulp and tissues surrounding the roots of a tooth. You may not realize that a tooth is made up of layers. The outermost layer is called enamel. It is hard and serves well to protect the tooth. Underneath the enamel is the dentin layer, which is yellow. The innermost layer of the tooth is the pulp. This is where the nerves and blood vessels are located. When tooth decay has penetrated the tooth and threatens this layer, endodontic treatment will be needed to save the tooth. At Bishop & Bishop Dental, we provide root canal treatments to restore health to affected teeth in Silver Spring, MD.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  Bridges and dentures are very effective solutions for missing teeth. It can be very inconvenient to have missing teeth, as you lose some ability to eat and speak, and these dental prosthetics restore both function and appearances.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  Before any work can be done to place dental implants, a consultation will be needed. Your dentist will examine your overall oral health and determine whether or not you have sufficient bone structure to support the implants. If not, a bone graft procedure may be recommended to build it up before the actual implant procedure takes place.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  Dr. Taylor-Bishop graduated in 1992, obtaining her DDS degree from the faculty of dentistry at Howard University College of Dentistry. She was selected to complete an Advanced Education Residency in General Dentistry at Howard University. This residency provided her with advanced training in all the specialties of dentistry, including hospital rotations in oral surgery, anesthesiology, and dental treatment of medically compromised patients. Dr. Taylor-Bishop was also trained in pediatric dentistry while working in various clinics throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia. In 1998, she opened a private practice in Silver Spring, MD, with her partner & spouse, Dr. David Bishop. Within the same year, she was accepted into the HUCD Implant Maxi-Course & was awarded a Certificate in Oral Implantology.
• Tooth Extractions
  At our office, we are experienced in handling tooth extractions. You can trust us to advise you on when it is necessary and to ensure that the procedure is made as comfortable as possible for you.

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
• Invisalign Orthodontics
  For best results, the aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. A new aligner will be changed out almost every week, according to the treatment plan. Regular check-ups with your dentist will be necessary to monitor the progress of the treatment. Wearing the aligners for the recommended amount of time ensures that they are effectively shifted; with Invisalign® aligners, the teeth can be moved horizontally, vertically, and even be rotated if needed. The aligners can be taken out when brushing and flossing the teeth. The aligners themselves will also require cleaning, which involves simply a gentle brush and rinse.
• Braces
  Although traditional metal braces are still a very popular option for straightening teeth, advances in dental technology have developed Invisalign®, a system of clear aligners that is just as effective at producing a straighter smile as traditional or ceramic braces. Each custom aligner works in a similar way to metal brackets and wires – by exerting a small amount of pressure on the teeth to gradually shift them to a new position. If you are considering teeth straightening treatments, visit our office to learn more about Invisalign®.

General

• Teeth Whitening
  As diligently as you may take care of your teeth, they, unfortunately, may still get yellow or stained over time. This can be due to a number of reasons, such as diet (consuming teeth-staining substances such as coffee and tea), personal habits (such as smoking), or simply natural aging. There are several options for whitening available, from toothpaste and mouth rinses to whitening strips. For the best results, try a teeth whitening treatment at our office.
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  Everyone wants a beautiful smile. Some people are fortunate to have a naturally bright and straight smile, while others may need a little work. Sometimes, an oral injury or personal habits like coffee-drinking or smoking can hinder the look of your smile. If this is the case for you, you may benefit from cosmetic dentistry. At Bishop & Bishop Dental, we offer a variety of treatments that can address aesthetic issues with your smile. We will work with you to achieve the smile you want in Silver Spring, MD.
• General Dentistry
  Regular, timely, and prompt general dentistry services can also help in the detection and treatment of secondary health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and some cancers.