FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Routine visits and preventive care keep your teeth and gums healthy and reduce your risk of issues like cavities and gum disease. By coming in every six months for a cleaning and checkup, your smile will stay bright, beautiful, and healthy. Routine visits also save time and money by giving our team the opportunity to catch any potential oral health issues early while they are still able to be easily treated.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you see a dentist when your child’s first tooth comes out, or when they turn 1 year old. Seeing a dentist early is the best way to ensure your child’s mouth is developing properly, and it helps them become more comfortable and familiar with the process of visiting the dentist.

Restorative dentistry can be used to repair any damaged, decayed, or missing tooth. Often, a tooth can be cracked, chipped, or dislodged due to an oral injury or accident. We know life can sometimes get in the way of staying on top of your oral health, and that is why we always offer judgment-free restorative care. To learn more about your options, contact Dulles Life Smiles today.

Restorative treatments can repair your smile and your bite. You’ll be able to speak, eat, and chew normally again without worrying about further complications. This will boost your self-esteem and help relieve the pain and discomfort of a damaged or missing tooth. Early restorative intervention also helps prevent more severe issues down the road, saving you both time and money in the long run.

If you have minor-to-moderate orthodontic problems like crooked or gapped teeth, but do not have major issues like jaw alignment or bite issues, Invisalign may be right for you. Contact the team at Dulles Life Smiles to schedule your consultation today!

If you are missing one or more teeth but have a healthy mouth and strong jaw bone, dental implants may be right for you. To find out if you’re a good candidate, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gino today! During this visit, he will assess your smile to determine whether your jaw and gums are healthy enough to support an implant.

This depends on your child’s oral health. However, most kids should have an orthodontic exam between the ages of 6-8, and most dentists recommend beginning Phase 1 orthodontic treatment at the age of about 7. To see if your child can benefit from early orthodontics, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Gino as soon as possible.

In general, it is easier to provide orthodontic treatment to pre-teens and teenagers, compared to adults. This is because their mouths are still growing, which makes it easier to shift their teeth into the proper position. However, adults of all ages can also benefit from orthodontic treatment at Dulles Life Smiles. To find our what treatment might be right for you or your child, schedule an orthodontic consultation today!

Cosmetic dentistry boosts your confidence and self-esteem. Some cosmetic treatments, like Invisalign, can also make it easier to care for your teeth. Treatments like crowns and veneers cover up cosmetic issues while strengthening your teeth. Studies have shown that when patients are pleased with the aesthetics of their smile, they are more likely to take better care of it! If these benefits sound appealing to you, call today to schedule a consultation!

The answer varies for each patient depending on which treatments they may need. To get an accurate estimate for the cost of your personalized cosmetic treatment, we recommend scheduling a consultation at Dulles Life Smiles in Ashburn.

Yes! Sedation dentistry is very safe. However, before you can be sedated, we will need you to provide us with a complete medical history and discuss any health conditions that you may have in order to ensure that you are a good candidate for sedation.

This mostly depends on the method of sedation you choose. Laughing gas has only a few minor side effects like dizziness, fatigue, headaches, or minor nausea. It usually wears off within about 5 minutes, so you can drive yourself to and from our office, and get back to work or your day-to-day life after your procedure.

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Oral conscious sedation lasts 4-6 hours, and has more side effects. You may feel disoriented and drowsy, and your reflexes will be impaired. You will not be able to drive yourself home or go back to work, so plan accordingly.

Most patients will fully recover within 1-2 weeks. Symptoms like pain, discomfort, bruising, and swelling usually peak and begin to fade within 3-5 days after your extraction. Dr. Gino will provide you with a comprehensive set of recovery instructions, which you’ll need to follow to ensure your mouth heals properly post-extraction.

The best way to know if you need a tooth extraction is to come to Dulles Life Smiles for an appointment with Dr. Gino. Whether your wisdom teeth are coming in, you have experienced a major oral injury, or you suspect you may need an extraction due to gum disease or tooth decay, Dr. Gino can discuss your options in more detail.

A dental emergency is any dental problem that you can’t treat on your own and is causing you significant pain. If your condition meets these criteria, contact the team at Dulles Life Smiles for a consultation now.

The new patient special* can not be combined with insurance. However, if you do have insurance, it most-likely covers your cleaning**, exam, and x-rays***! So let us know if you would like to use your dental insurance plan and we will gladly help you maximize your plan’s benefits.

*Includes ADA codes D0150; D1110 or D1120 (Nov Valid In Cases Of Periodontal Disease); D0210 or D0272 or D0274. The nondiscounted fee is $437. Valid until further notice. New patients only. Can Not Be Used with Insurance. Not Valid in Cases Of Periodontal Disease.

**ADA CODE D1110 or D1120. Not Valid in cases of Periodontal Disease.

***ADA CODE D0210 or D0272 or D0274

After your first visit as a new patient, if any issues are found, Dr. Gino will provide you with honest advice and treatment recommendations for your smile’s health.