Are you afraid of the dentist? Dental anxiety is a common issue for many people in Rockville. If anxiety is preventing you from going to the dentist, there are some things you can do to help cope with your fear. Here are some ways to get the care you need while being considerate of your anxiety.
What is Dental Anxiety?
Do you experience fear, anxiety, or stress in a dental setting? You may have dental anxiety. Needles, drills, or the dental setting can trigger anxiety for many people. However, if dental anxiety is severe, some people may avoid going to the dentist all together. This is classified as a dental phobia.
Signs and Symptoms
People with dental anxiety may experience the following.
- Racing heart
- Sweating
- Fainting
- Low blood pressure
- Visible distress
- Crying
- Withdrawal or using humor/aggression to mask anxiety.
While it is understandable to avoid the things that make us afraid, routine dental care is crucial to your oral health.
What Causes Dental Anxiety and Phobia?
There are many reasons why people may experience dental anxiety in Rockville. This includes:
- A traumatic dental experience or other healthcare experience
- Prior trauma to the neck or head
- Other traumatic experiences include abuse.
- General anxiety, depression, or PTSD
- Trust issues
- Fear of loss of control
- Anxiety associated with other conditions like agoraphobia, claustrophobia, or obsessive compulsive disorder.
Anyone can have dental anxiety. Children who have had a bad dental experience can often overcome their fear through proper management of the situation and future support in dental visits. Adults unfortunately tend to remain anxious throughout life.
However, finding a dentist who is sympathetic and understanding of your situation can help you cope with going to the dentist.
Coping with Dental Anxiety in Rockville
There are many ways to cope and manage dental anxiety. An open discussion with your dentist about your triggers can help your provider create a management plan with you. This may include things like:
- Meditation
- Deep breathing
- Weighted blankets
- Distraction like music
- Happy gas
- Oral anxiety medication
- Conscious sedation (IV)
- General anesthesia (for severe cases)
If you are looking for a dentist that is sympathetic and understanding of your dental anxiety, please contact Hackley DDS.
How Much Does a Smile Makeover Cost in Rockville? On average, a smile makeover is priced at $11,175, with costs varying up to $59,999, spending on a variety of factors. Though it may not come cheap, this tailored procedure offers solutions for an array of dental issues, including stains, chips, crooked teeth, gaps, or a gummy smile. In this breakdown, we explore the factors influencing the overall cost of your smile makeover and evaluate whether real patients found their results to be worth the investment.
Does Insurance Cover a Smile Makeover?
Certain components of a smile makeover, such as crowns, dental bonding for tooth repair, gum grafting, and even Invisalign, may receive partial coverage from your dental insurance plan, particularly if you have additional orthodontic coverage.
Nevertheless, your provider might suggest other elective procedures like teeth whitening solely for cosmetic purposes. While most dental insurance plans typically exclude coverage for cosmetic dental treatments, it’s advisable to verify the specifics of your coverage with your insurance provider.
What affects the price you’ll pay for a smile makeover?
There are a number of factors that can cause the cost of a smile makeover to fluctuate, which can include:
The Complexity of Your Smile Makeover
Dental procedures offer numerous avenues to enhance your smile, addressing issues such as discoloration, chipped teeth, gum problems, and misalignment.
The journey toward your dental transformation typically starts with a consultation. During this session, you’ll share your main concerns, aspirations, and financial considerations. Additionally, your provider will conduct an oral examination to evaluate any structural concerns requiring attention.
Subsequently, a tailored treatment plan will be proposed. While some individuals may benefit from teeth straightening and whitening alone, others might opt for porcelain veneers or comprehensive full mouth reconstruction.
The Providers Credentials and Level of Expertise
For comprehensive smile design and enhancement, it’s important to seek out a cosmetic dentist or even a prosthodontist. These professionals undergo specialized training in techniques such as dental veneers, porcelain crowns, and teeth whitening, enabling them to optimize the appearance of your smile.
Additionally, they may collaborate with other dental specialists as needed. A periodontist specializes in gum tissue-related issues like uneven gum lines or gum disease, while an orthodontist addresses concerns such as crooked teeth and misaligned jaws. In complex cases, an oral surgeon may also be involved.
The level of experience and board certification of your chosen provider significantly influence their fees. Generally, providers with extensive experience and advanced training may command higher fees for their services.
The Provider’s Location
Patients residing in major metropolitan areas with high living costs typically incur greater expenses for cosmetic and restorative dental procedures. This phenomenon stems from the fact that providers in cities like New York City and Los Angeles face elevated rents and overhead expenses, which are subsequently passed on to patients.
Nevertheless, within these urban centers, competitive pricing may still be accessible due to the abundance of qualified providers. The sheer volume of practitioners often results in competition for patients, potentially driving down prices.
Given that a dental makeover represents a significant investment, it’s advisable to consult with multiple experienced providers. By doing so, you can compare their treatment plans and personalized price quotes before making a decision. This proactive approach ensures that you receive optimal care at a reasonable cost.
The Type of Anesthesia if Needed
The majority of gum and dental procedures can typically be handled using a blend of local anesthesia and oral sedation, both of which can be administered by your primary dental provider. This choice generally doesn’t result in a significant increase in your total expenses.
However, if you’re undergoing extensive treatment such as replacing multiple missing teeth with dental implants, you may require either general anesthesia or local anesthesia combined with IV sedation. Incorporating the expertise of an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist into your procedure could potentially add more than $1,000 to your overall bill.
Is a Smile Makeover Worth the Money?
Smile makeover treatments have garnered an impressive 93% Worth It Rating from patients who shared their experiences on RealSelf. So, a significant majority believe their investment was worthwhile.
Many individuals who expressed satisfaction with their dental makeover reported that their newfound smile had a profound positive impact on their confidence and overall quality of life. Speaking with your provider in the consultation helps create trust and transparency prior to the procedure.
Smile Makeover in Rockville Maryland
If you are interested in learning more about a smile makeover or scheduling a consultation, we are here to help. To learn more, please contact Hackley DDS today! We also proudly offer dental payment plans to help make dental care affordable for everyone.
Maintaining oral health is vital for overall well-being. Beyond fostering a radiant smile, good oral hygiene plays a pivotal role in reducing the risk of infections, heart disease, and even cancer, making it an integral aspect of both your and your family’s health and wellness. While you might instinctively consider a pediatric dentist as the ideal choice for your children’s dental care, a family dentist in Rockville MD is equally equipped to provide exceptional oral health services. One of the primary advantages of choosing a family dentist is the convenience it offers. By making just one phone call, you can schedule appointments for the entire family, streamlining the process and minimizing logistical hassles associated with visiting multiple dental practitioners. Let’s delve into more benefits of family dentistry in Rockville MD.
Family Dentistry in Rockville MD
A family dentist is a dental professional who provides care to patients spanning all age groups, ranging from children to adults. Their services encompass a comprehensive range of treatments, including dental checkups, cleanings, examinations, fillings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, and more.
Eliminating Dental Anxiety
Both dental phobia and dental anxiety can lead to the postponement or avoidance of dental care. If any of your family members experience these conditions, scheduling dental checkups together as a family can be beneficial.
Children, in particular, may develop dental anxiety early on, and having a family dentist can aid in overcoming it. When children observe their parents attending checkups or receiving treatment, they gain confidence and become more at ease with the dental experience. Children often mirror the behaviors and attitudes of their parents. By demonstrating the importance of regular dental visits, you establish a lasting impression.
The significant advantage of attending appointments with a family dentist together is that it helps children overcome their fears early on, fostering a lifelong comfort with dental visits.
A Family Dentist is Convenient
The convenience of having a family dentist for your entire household is undeniable. By scheduling one appointment for multiple individuals or the entire family, you streamline your life. Gone are the days of needing to take time off work on various occasions for separate appointments—one for yourself, another for your children at the pediatric dentist, and yet another for your teenagers elsewhere.
Family Dentists Know Your Dental History
One of the key benefits of lifelong family dentistry is the familiarity your dentist will have with your family’s dental history. If there have been past dental conditions, surgeries, allergies, or sensitivities, your dentist will have comprehensive records of these. This enables them to tailor suitable treatments based on your family’s specific dental needs and medical history.
Having a Family Dentist Means a Lasting Relationship
Establishing trust between you and your dentist is essential for several reasons. With trust in place, communication becomes effortless, allowing you to share information openly and honestly. When your dentist is fully informed, they can accurately diagnose symptoms, ensuring that you and your family members receive the appropriate treatment.
Regular and Consistent Services
To uphold the oral health of you and your family members, it’s recommended to schedule visits to your family dentist at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings. With a family dentist, you’ll feel assured about attending these appointments, reducing the likelihood of missing any.
Preventative Care
Family dentists are experts in a wide range of dental fields catering to individuals of all age groups. Since children’s teeth are still developing, they require specialized care. Family dentists provide guidance on preventive measures to maintain optimal dental health for children. Additionally, it’s important to act early if one of your children requires teeth alignment. In fact, it is more beneficial in children compared to adults.
Emergency Dental Services
In times of urgent dental care needs, having a trusted dentist readily available is invaluable. You can rely on them to provide immediate assistance to any member of your family. Instead of searching for an emergency dentist each time a situation arises, you can simply reach out to your family dentist and schedule an immediate appointment.
Family Dentist in Rockville MD
Dr. Hackley and our knowledgeable and compassionate staff are dedicated to helping you create and maintain a smile you love. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
What are cavities and how can we prevent them? Essentially, cavities are holes in the enamel of your tooth. They can cause pain and discomfort, and if left untreated, lead to more decay. Here are some simple things you can do to prevent cavities.
What is a cavity?
A cavity is a hole in your tooth. In the early stages, it may look like a white spot but over time it will begin to look brow or black. They can be big or small. While they can be in many places, they often form on the tops of your teeth, where you bite and in between teeth, where food gets stuck.
Cavities cause pain, sensitivity, infections, and can even cause you to lose your teeth. The best way to keep your teeth healthy is to prevent cavities.
What causes cavities?
During the day, the bacteria in our mouth feed off of the foods we eat. Anytime we eat or drink sugar, the bacteria eat the sugar and turn it into acid. This acid stays on our teeth and essentially attacks the outer surface.
Over time, this acid wears down our teeth, creating a cavity. If the cavity isn’t fixed, the bacteria get inside it and travel from the outside of the tooth into the dentin and then the pulp, creating an infection.
Dental infections can be very serious. If you notice redness, pain and swelling in your face or mouth you should seek care.
Higher Risks for Cavities
Anyone can get cavities, but you may be at a higher risk if you:
- Snack between meals
- Have cracked or chipped teeth
- Eat sugar foods or drinks
- Take medications that cause dry mouth
- Have a personal and/or family history of cavities
- Have had head or neck radiation therapy
How to Prevent Cavities
The best ways to prevent cavities are to maintain good oral health and hygiene habits. This includes:
- Drink plenty of water
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste 2 times a day
- Floss
- Limit sweet snacks between meals
- Limit sugary foods and drinks like candies and soda.
- Don’t sip or snack on sugary things all day. If you are going to eat/drink them, do so at mealtimes and brush after.
- Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams.
- Sealants can be placed on the back teeth to help protect them from bacteria causing cavities in hard-to-reach grooves.
For more help with your oral health, please visit Hackley DDS. Let us take care of your teeth and keep your smile healthy and beautiful!
If you need dental care but the budget is too tight, you may be wondering if dentists offer payment plans. The answer is most of them do. If you are struggling with the cost of dental care, you’re not alone. Over half of U.S. adults say they have skipped or delayed dental care due to the cost. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Let’s talk about them.
What are dental payment plans?
Dental payment plans are financial options for dental work. Instead of paying the cost of dental care upfront, patients can make payments over time. Depending on your dentist, the payment plans available may differ.
Where can you get a dental payment plan?
Your dentist office will provide dental payment plans. Typically, dentists offer these plans to help make care more affordable for all patients. However, not all dentists offer payment plans. Some only accept insurance or full payment upfront.
Cost of Dental Treatment without Insurance
An estimated 76.5 million adults don’t have dental insurance. So, let’s look at some of the average costs of dental work when paying out of pocket.
- Oral exam and cleaning: up to $200
- Oral X-rays: $300 on up
- Root canal: up to $2,700
- Tooth extraction: between $75 and $4,000, depending on damage and need for anesthesia.
- Dental implants: between $1,750 and $8,270 a tooth
- Braces: $5,500 on up to $10,000
- Dentures: $1400 to $2800
Things to Consider
There are a few things to consider before you commit to a dental payment plan. First, if you struggle with poor credit, you may not be able to secure a payment plan. Some companies do waive credit checks though. Additionally, you need to consider interest rates, though some dental plans come with a 0% interest rate to sweeten the offer. Finally, make sure you can handle the ongoing payments.
Dental Payment Plan at Hackley DDS
Our team is proud to offer Sunbit as a monthly payment option at ROCHELLE E HACKLEY DDS ,LLC. Sunbit approves 85% of patients with no hard credit check and no late fees. Click here to see how much you are pre-qualified for! To schedule an appointment, please contact us today.
Root canals have long been surrounded by myths and misconceptions, often giving dental patients anxiety and fear. However, there’s no need to fret! In the capable hands of a root canal specialist in Rockville, you have nothing to worry about. These dental professionals possess the knowledge, experience, and expertise to save your smile and alleviate your dental woes.
What is a Root Canal Specialist?
A root canal specialist is a dental professional who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and conditions that affect the tooth pulp and the surrounding tissues of the teeth. Much like the roots of a tree, the root of the tooth is the part that is below your gums and holds your tooth in place. While general dentists are trained in a wide range of dental procedures, root canal specialists undergo additional years of advanced education and clinical training specifically focused on endodontics. A root canal specialist is going to focus on relieving any tooth and mouth pain while also trying to save your natural tooth whenever they can.
What Does a Root Canal Specialist Do?
Root canal specialists are highly skilled in performing root canal therapy. This procedure involves removing the infected or damaged dental pulp from the inner part of the tooth, known as the root canal, and sealing it to prevent further infection. They are experts in utilizing advanced techniques and specialized tools to ensure the efficient and effective treatment of root canal infections.
What Kind of Training Does a Root Canal Specialist Receive?
Dental school takes about four years to complete. Once a dentist finishes school, a root canal specialist receives at least two more years of focused dental training. During this time, they study various techniques to diagnose and treat tooth pain that affects tissues and roots inside your teeth.
Common Reasons to See a Root Canal Specialist Rockville Maryland 
Because Root Canal Specialists focus mainly on fixing damaged tooth pulp or roots, the following are common causes for these issues:
- Tooth decay: this destruction of a tooth is caused by poor teeth and gum care. You may need to see a root canal specialist if a cavity that goes untreated damages your tooth’s root tissue. Tooth decay can cause inflammation (pulpitis), infection in the pulp tissue, or even death (necrosis).
- Tooth injuries: Trauma affecting your tooth (such as from a hard fall or accident).
- Tooth abscess: An abscess happens when bacteria gets inside your tooth or gums and causes a buildup of pus.
- Cracked tooth: Damage to your tooth to the point that there is an opening for bacteria to get inside.
What Kind of Procedures Does a Root Canal Specialist Do?
Root canal specialist can perform a variety of procedures including:
- Root canal: This procedure will remove damaged or infected tooth pulp and then reseals the tooth to prevent infection.
- Endodontic retreatment: If a root canal didn’t heal properly, this procedure removes and replaces materials.
- Endodontic surgery: This is any specialized surgery, such as apicoectomy (the removal of the end, or tip, of a tooth’s root).
- Emergency dental surgery: This procedure could extend from repairing difficult dental injuries to severe tooth infections.
- Tooth extraction (removal) surgery: Pulling a tooth because there’s too much tissue damage for a provider to save it.
- Dental implant surgery: Surgical placement of a dental implant. A specialist can use an implant to restore the function of your teeth and repair the appearance after you’ve had or have a tooth removed.
Root canal specialists are still dentists. So, they can perform the same common procedures such as cleanings, whitenings, crowns, and veneers.
When Should You Call a Root Canal Specialist?
It is important to call a dental provider you trust any time you have tooth pain that doesn’t go away or gets worse. Waiting could cause further damage and put you at higher risk of not being able to save the natural tooth.
You may need a root canal specialist if you have
- Tooth pain that doesn’t go away
- Unexplained mouth or jaw pain
- Sensitivity to cold, hot or sweet foods
- The area around the affected tooth and gums is inflamed
Seek immediate treatment if you have an abscess, you’ve had a tooth injury or there are signs of infection like fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or redness or swelling in your mouth.
Root Canal Specialists in Rockville Maryland
Dental, Spa, and Cosmetic Surgery has a compassionate and knowledgeable team dedicated to providing the best dental care for you. If you are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity, contact us today to schedule your consultation!
Do you need an emergency dental office in Rockville? Dental emergencies are potentially life threatening and may require immediate dental care. It’s important to understand the difference between a standard dental issue that can wait until morning and a real emergency that can threaten your health. Let’s discuss when your dental care is considered a dental emergency.
What is a Dental Emergency?
According to American Family Physician, about 22% of people reported having experienced oral pain in the previous six months, showing just how common dental emergencies can be. Even with emergencies being common, not every dental issue should be considered an emergency. To determine if you can wait until the morning to see you dentist, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you in severe pain? Severe pain and bleeding are signs of an emergency.
- Have you lost a tooth? Fast treatment can potentially save a tooth.
- Do you have loose teeth? Adults should never lose teeth. A loose tooth, even without pain, is a serious problem.
- Do you have an infection? An abscess or serious infection in your mouth can be potentially life-threatening, and treatment should not wait.
- Are you bleeding from the mouth? This is a potential sign of an emergency.
Common Dental Emergencies
Here are some of the most common dental emergencies.
- Unexplainable toothache
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Swollen jaw or mouth
- Exposed nerves
- Knocked-Out tooth
- Broken crown
- Missing filling
- Abscessed tooth
- Food/object stuck between teeth
What Are Treatments for Common Dental Emergencies?
Treating dental emergencies depends on the situation and the type of damage. In many cases of severe toothache and chips or cracks, your dentist may need to treat an infection and repair the cracked or chipped tooth, which could involve:
- Root canal treatment
- Dental filling
- Extraction
- Irrigation and antibiotic treatment
If your tooth has been broken, knocked loose, or has come out completely, your dentist may need to perform the following:
- Dental filling
- Root canal treatment
- Splinting
- Reimplantation
- Antibiotic treatment
Emergency Dental Office Rockville
Dr. Hackley and our knowledgeable and compassionate staff are dedicated to helping you create a smile you love. Call (301) 917-3964 between the hours of 9 am and 1 pm or text our emergency line at (301) 602-6068 any time after 1 pm.
The most common reason why someone may want to get a smile makeover in Rockville is because they don’t feel good or confident about their smile. While this is a genuine reason to get the makeover, there are plenty of other reasons why someone might choose to renew their smile. Some of those reasons include:
- Yellow or brownish teeth that always appear dirty even when they are clean.
- Chipped, cracked, or otherwise broken teeth
- A gummy smile due to having small teeth
- Issues when chewing and biting down
- Gaps and spaces around teeth
- Anything that makes you constantly hide your smile
- Your low self-image negatively affects your interaction with others
- Taking on a job where having a great smile essential
What Are Smile Makeovers in Rockville?
Feeling self-conscious about your smile can lead to low self-image but with a smile makeover in Rockville, you can feel confident showing off your pearly whites. A smile makeover is one or more dental procedures that are performed with the goal of getting the patient the smile that he or she desires. Some of the procedures one might see a dentist perform during a typical smile makeover include teeth whitening, veneers, bridges, natural-looking fillings, partial dentures, and composite resin bonds. An improved smile and the increase in self-confidence that comes with it have the power to transform self-image.
Get a Smile Makeover in Rockville Maryland
If you are tired of hiding your smile, it may be time to consider a smile makeover. Get the beautiful, radiant smile you deserve with a smile makeover in Rockville! Dr. Hackley and our knowledgeable and compassionate staff are dedicated to helping you create a smile you love. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Are you or a loved one afraid of the dentist? If so, you’re not alone. About 36% of people fear dental treatment. Therefore, many dentists adopt the pampering amenities and services of day spas to ease patient anxiety. Today’s blog will tell you everything you need to know about finding a dental spa in Bethesda.
Services Offered 
Not every dental spa Bethesda is the same. That being said, the types of services available to you are entirely dependent on your chosen practice. Here at Hackley DDS, we provide our customers with a wide range of services and perks:
- Skin rejuvenation like chemical peels, HydraFacials, laser hair removal, Viora skin rejuvenation, micro-needling, and more.
- Cosmetic procedures like veneers, metal-free restorations, crowns, bonding, teeth whitening, and bite correction.
- Sedation options to comfort our patients during their time in our office.
Benefits of Dental Spa Dentistry
Dental spas do a tremendous job of alleviating patient fear. And their stress-reduction techniques are especially beneficial for patients with anxiety, heart conditions, or dentophobia (fear of dentists). Dental spas also encourage reluctant patients to come in for treatment. And after they get people in the door, many dental professionals report that relaxed patients pose less risk of injury than their anxious or fearful counterparts.
Best Dental Spa Bethesda
Hackley DDS is the best dental spa Bethesda. As your one-stop shop for both dental and spa needs, our qualified team is dedicated to delivering top-quality oral healthcare for individuals and their families.
To summarize, Dr. Hackley and her team specialize in dental implants, sleep apnea appliances, conscious sedation dentistry, Invisalign, and more. And our state-of-the-art dental spa services relax, rejuvenate, and transform our patients into the very best versions of themselves. If you’re interested in learning how we can serve you, contact our team today.
Most American families have quite a bit on their plates. Between soccer games and band practices and algebra tutoring sessions, raising a family often feels like you need to be everywhere at once. However, scheduling an appointment with a family dentist in Rockville, Maryland can help. By treating your entire family at once, family dentists prevent you from juggling four (or five, or six!) separate appointments.
Benefits of Family Dentistry in Rockville
Still aren’t sure if a family dentist in Rockville, Maryland is right for you? Here are some of the benefits of family dentistry:
Schedule Household Appointments 
Let’s be honest, it can be tough to keep up with yearly appointments, cosmetic work, and oral surgeries. However, when you see a family dentist in Rockville, Maryland, you only have to worry about one appointment. When you arrive at Hackley DDS, your son’s Invisalign, your daughter’s cavities, and your husband’s teeth whitening needs can all be treated at once.
Variety of Dental Services
Most family dentists offer a wide variety of dental services. That way, they can accommodate everyone’s dental needs. Here at Hackley DDS, we offer both general dentistry and cosmetic services to help your family achieve the smiles of their dreams.
Convenient and Flexible Hours
Family dentists have convenient and flexible hours for you to choose from. We understand that dental appointments might not fit within the traditional workday. That’s why we’ll work with you to find an appointment time that suits your family’s unique needs.
Best Family Dentist in Rockville, Maryland
If you’re desiring an experienced, versatile, and compassionate family dentist in Rockville, Maryland, Hackley DDS is the one for you. With 20+ years in the industry, our team can treat all your family’s dental needs.
From routine check-ups to dermal fillers, our qualified professionals are here to help. Book your family dentistry appointment today.
