Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  An oral cancer screening is another important component of your dental exam. Because your chances of surviving this deadly condition are greater the earlier it is detected, Dr. Hornstein performs a meticulous oral cancer screening at every checkup using modern detection tools. VELscope is an instrument that detects abnormal cells that can’t be seen with the naked eye, allowing for the earliest possible detection of cancerous and precancerous cells.
• X-rays
  Advanced dental technology helps Dr. Hornstein to make accurate diagnoses. DIAGNOdent is a handheld instrument he uses for early detection of cavities, and he may also use an intraoral camera to photograph your teeth and gums to detect issues in hard-to-reach areas. If you have not undergone dental X-rays in the previous year, he will obtain digital images of your teeth and jaws to determine if you have problems with decay, bite, jawbone position, or tooth eruption.
• Oral Cancer Screening
  We recommend routine checkups and dental cleanings every six months according to American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines, but we may want to see you more frequently if you have certain oral health issues such as gum disease. Routine dental cleanings will ensure that the surfaces of your teeth are smooth and free of tartar, which helps reduce your chances of developing tooth decay and periodontal disease. At your checkup, Dr. Hornstein will check your teeth for signs of decay using a visual examination and state-of-the-art dental technologies such as DIAGNOdent and digital X-rays. Your general dental care from Dentistry of Bethesda will also include an oral cancer screening and an examination to check for signs of gum disease. Why? These two oral health problems often go undetected, and if allowed to progress, they can cause serious complications.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  You can help reduce your risk of developing gum disease by seeing Dr. Hornstein for dental cleanings every six months, brushing your teeth a minimum of twice a day, and flossing at least once a day. However, even with vigilant oral hygiene practices, some patients are at a higher risk of gum infection. Hormones are a big contributing factor to gum disease, and you are more likely to develop gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Diabetes is another risk factor, as diabetics have a more difficult time fighting infections. Smokers also face a higher risk of gum disease because they often have lowered immune systems, and the chemicals in tobacco products reduce blood flow to the gum tissues. Those with cancer, AIDS, or other conditions that affect the immune system may also be more susceptible to periodontal disease. Sometimes medications are to blame, specifically those that cause dry mouth, as saliva helps keep infection-causing bacteria in check.
• Fluoride Treatment
  Children often miss spots when they brush and floss, which places them at a greater risk for developing cavities. To give your child extra protection against tooth decay, Dr. Hornstein offers professional fluoride treatments and sealants. Fluoride treatments can be administered at every dental checkup to help protect and strengthen tooth enamel against decay. Dental sealants, which are thin plastic coatings applied to the back teeth, can help protect the vulnerable molars from decay. Sealants last about five to ten years and wear away gradually, protecting your child long enough for him or her to learn proper oral hygiene techniques.
• Dental Sealants

Restorative

• Fillings
  Dr. Hornstein uses both amalgam and composite resin fillings to treat cavities. Amalgam fillings, also called silver fillings, are composed of metal alloys. While many patients do not want silver fillings because of their dark, conspicuous appearance, Dr. Hornstein does offer them to those who are concerned about costs, as they are less expensive than other filling materials. He also uses them in cases where they are the best material for the job. Most patients, however, prefer composite resin fillings, which are shaded to match the surrounding tooth for better aesthetics. Composite resin requires less tooth reduction for placement and also bonds better with the porous tooth surface, resulting in a stronger tooth.
• Resin Composite
  Your Bethesda dentist starts the filling process by removing all areas of decay, and then he removes any bacteria or debris present to sterilize the prepared space. Next, he places the composite resin material, in its liquid form, into the space and hardens it with a special light or laser. Once the resin has been cured, he will shape it and make adjustments so that your new restoration fits with opposing teeth when you bite down, and then he will polish it so that it blends inconspicuously with the rest of the tooth.
• Veneers
  As an experienced cosmetic dentist, Dr. Hornstein knows what it takes to design a smile makeover that will garner attention for all the right reasons. If your teeth are stained from coffee drinking or deeply discolored from childhood tetracycline use, professional teeth whitening from your Bethesda cosmetic dentist can dramatically lighten your teeth. For those rare cases of tooth discoloration that cannot be corrected with teeth whitening, Dr. Hornstein can cover your stains with cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers. These cosmetic procedures, along with tooth contouring, can also change the size and shape of your teeth to create a more balanced, aesthetically-pleasing smile. Cosmetic dental procedures can make a huge difference in how others perceive you—when people see you smiling confidently, showing off your bright, white, and stunning smile, you’ll definitely make a great first impression.
• Crowns
  Despite good preventive dental care, some patients will still develop cavities. Also known as tooth decay or dental caries, a cavity is a hole in a tooth caused by acids that destroy the enamel. Without protective enamel, your tooth is left vulnerable to the bacteria that cause decay. Acids are formed when oral bacteria mix with sugars and starches in foods and attack the hard outer layer of the tooth. Your saliva, as well as certain minerals (such as calcium in dairy products and the fluoride in your toothpaste), can help neutralize these acids. However, if you eat too many starchy foods or fail to clean your teeth regularly, the acids will win the constant battle occurring in your mouth. If you keep up with regular dental checkups with your Besthesda general dentist, any decay that forms can be caught at such an early stage that it can be treated with a simple filling rather than a crown or root canal therapy.
• Bridges
  Nothing can break your smile confidence quite like missing teeth. Not only that, but missing teeth also make it harder to speak, eat, and simply enjoy life the way you used to. Over time, missing teeth can contribute to nutritional deficiencies, cause other teeth to become unstable, and leave you in danger of losing even more teeth. Replacing missing teeth isn’t just an issue of appearance – it’s a health issue as well. Dentistry of Bethesda offers several different forms of tooth replacement, including fixed bridge, dentures and partials, and dental implants.
• Dental Bonding
• Restorative Dentistry
  If you fracture a bone or cut your finger, your body has the amazing ability to heal these injuries. However, when a tooth becomes decayed, there is nothing the body can do to reverse the damage. That’s why restorative dentistry is so important for the longevity of your teeth – left unattended, a cavity will simply continue to grow until the tooth is beyond repair and lost, possibly contributing to other oral health problems like gum disease along the way. Restorative dental care counteracts problems like decay, rebuilding injured teeth and rebuilding your oral health.

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  Endodontics refers to the dental care procedures that treat problems with the tooth root and the nerve tissue that runs through that tooth root, otherwise known as the pulp. Dr. Hornstein provides endodontic treatments, including root canal therapy and endodontic retreatment, at his Bethesda dental office. When an infection threatens the health of your tooth, endodontic attention can stand between you and eventual tooth loss.

Periodontics

• Deep Cleaning
  To treat the early stages of gum disease, our first course of action is often a deep cleaning. Also called scaling and root planing, this procedure removes debris and bacteria from the periodontal pockets and smoothes the rough surfaces of the tooth roots. This allows infected gum tissues to heal and reattach to the teeth. Dr. Hornstein may also prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse or topical antibiotics to help heal the infection.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  Dentures and partial dentures have been around for a long time. These removable dental prosthetics tend to be the most affordable tooth replacement option. A full denture replaces an entire upper or lower arch, while a partial denture is held in place by clips that can clasp onto the remaining teeth for those who haven’t lost all of their teeth.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  If you’re missing some teeth or need to have all of your teeth removed due to damage or decay, the first thing we recommend you do is call us for a consultation. This will allow Dr. Hornstein to help you better understand the unique advantages of each type of tooth replacement. Dentistry of Bethesda can also provide dental implant restorations, another form of tooth replacement that you might want to explore further during your consultation.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics

General

• Teeth Whitening
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  We also offer gum contouring, a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can help give your teeth a longer look if overgrown gums are a problem. Thanks to our use of laser dentistry, our Bethesda dentist office can transform your gummy smile in a minimally-invasive manner. Lasers safely remove and reshape gum tissues without the bleeding and swelling normally experienced with traditional surgery, resulting in shorter healing times. Also known as a gum lift, gum contouring by Dr. Hornstein will create more balance between your teeth and gums for a symmetrical, beautiful smile.
• General Dentistry
  The typical first-time general dentistry visit to Dentistry of Bethesda lasts an hour and fifteen minutes. That’s because we believe in spending the time required to give you the most thorough, quality care possible. We have special experience in helping children and special needs patients, including older patients, so our office offers truly comprehensive general dental care for everyone.