Welcome to Dupont Dental, your DC area dental office. We help patients find the best dental treatments for their smiles. Whether patients need routine care or want to makeover their smiles, we’ll create custom treatment plans that meet their goals. Dr. Christopher Banks has the expertise and experience to deliver complete dental services in his Washington, DC, dentist office.
He’s continued his education to expand his care beyond general dentistry. From comfortable whitening to TMJ therapy, Dr. Banks wants to meet his patients’ goals.
Dental Services at Dupont Dental
Dr. Banks provides a wide range of services to meet all your dental needs. These services include cosmetic, general, and restorative treatments that improve the smile’s aesthetics, function, and health.
Our team provides high-quality dental implants to replace one or more missing teeth. Implants last and help you bite, chew, and speak. We also offer cosmetic treatments like veneers to fix multiple problems at once. Our cosmetic treatments can address stained, damaged, or crooked teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Whether through teeth whitening, veneers, or complete smile makeovers, Dr. Banks can help you get your dream smile. Dr. Banks provides comprehensive cosmetic dental services to help you improve the look of your teeth and gums:
- Invisalign: Clear Invisalign aligners offer a discreet alternative to metal braces. Invisalign gently straightens teeth without brackets or wires. The aligners are also removable for simple cleaning and care.
- Porcelain Veneers: Dental veneers are thin shells Dr. Banks applies to the front of the tooth enamel. Veneers can address stained teeth, uneven teeth, and tooth gaps. We can place one or more veneers to create a bright, straight smile.
- Dental Bonding: Bonding treatment uses tooth-colored resin to cover areas of tooth damage. It works best for small cosmetic problems like tooth chips, cracks, and stains. For many patients, tooth bonding is a more affordable option than veneers. This treatment is also easily removable.
- Teeth Whitening: Tooth stains are one of the most common cosmetic concerns among dental patients. Our professional teeth whitening treatments can brighten dull and stained teeth. We offer these treatments in-office or at home to lift stains from foods, drinks, and tobacco.
General Dentistry
The goal of general dentistry is to help maintain good oral health. Preventative or general dentistry also stop dental problems from worsening. We can treat gum disease, tooth decay, and injuries with general dental care. Our office recommends these treatments in addition to regular check-ups and cleanings:
- Custom Mouthguard: We create custom-made athletic mouthguards for patients who play contact sports. These mouthguards protect the teeth, gums, and braces. Wearing a custom sports mouthguard also prevents tooth damage, tooth loss, and gum injuries.
- Emergency Dentistry: Contact our office if you have a dental emergency. We’ll provide you with urgent dental care for a knocked-out tooth, toothache, or other sudden dental problem. Prompt, professional emergency dental care can keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Laser Dentistry: Dental lasers use light and heat to cut and contour gum tissue. We use a soft tissue diode laser for gummy smiles and gum disease. Lasers are a comfortable alternative to surgical tools that offer quiet treatment.
- Tooth Extraction: Sometimes, we must remove severely damaged, infected, or impacted teeth. While many patients worry about tooth pain, our office offers comfortable tooth extractions. Dr. Banks will numb your tooth before treatment and offers sedation so you feel relaxed in the dental chair.
Restorative Dentistry
We recommend restorative dental care for missing teeth, tooth damage, or bite issues. Our office can even treat mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea. We provide these restorative dentistry treatments to help patients renew the full form and function of their teeth and gums:
- Dental Bridge: A dental bridge fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth. It uses support from crowns or dental implants. Bridges can help restore the look and function of your mouth.
- Dental Crown: Tooth crowns fully cover and protect worn and damaged teeth. Crowns are tooth-colored caps that not only protect teeth but also cover dental implants or secure bridges. We use crowns that are color-matched to your natural teeth for the best results.
- Dental Implants: We work with local surgeons to provide dental implants. Implants are strong, titanium posts that restore teeth at the root. They support restorations that replace teeth and provide long-lasting results.
- Dentures and Partials: Partial dentures replace rows of lost teeth, while complete dentures restore arches of lost teeth. While removable dentures are the traditional option, we prefer implant-supported dentures. Implant dentures last longer than removable options.
- Gum Disease Treatment: If you have sensitive, inflamed, or irritated gum tissue, you need dental care. Over time, this problem can lead to gum recession and tooth loss. Our deep cleaning treatments, like scaling and root planing, help treat gum disease.
- Sleep Apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can lead to many pauses in breathing during sleep. Luckily, we can help. Oral appliances are a modern option for sleep apnea that can be more comfortable than CPAP machines. We create custom sleep appliances to keep the airway open so you can get a good night’s sleep. They are portable, quiet, and comfortable.
- TMJ Treatment: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) cause problems like teeth clenching and grinding, headaches, migraines, jaw pain, and tooth wear. We offer oral appliances to protect the teeth. Wearing a TMJ nightguard during sleep can prevent morning headaches and bruxism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to know more? We can help. Read answers to common questions about dental services in our Washington, DC, dentist office.
What are the benefits of laser dentistry compared to traditional methods?
Dental lasers reduce bleeding, swelling, and discomfort during procedures and often eliminate the need for anesthesia or drills. They’re more precise than traditional tools. Lasers preserve more healthy tooth structure and promote faster healing. Many patients experience less anxiety with laser treatment because it eliminates the noise and vibration of conventional dental tools.
What is the difference between dental bonding and porcelain veneers?
Dental bonding uses a tooth-colored composite resin applied directly to your teeth. They’re ideal for minor repairs or cosmetic improvements. It’s quick, less expensive, and usually done in one visit.
Porcelain veneers, however, are thin ceramic shells custom-made to fit over your teeth. They provide greater durability and stain resistance. Veneers offer longer-lasting results and a more natural look but require more preparation and investment. We’ll help you choose based on your dental goals and budget.
How long does Invisalign treatment typically take?
Invisalign treatment usually takes about 12 to 18 months based on your situation. Mild corrections might finish in about six months, while complex cases can take two years or longer. You can complete treatment on time when you wear your aligners as directed for 20 to 22 hours a day. Dr. Banks will outline your personalized treatment timeline so you always know exactly what to expect.
What should I do with a dental emergency outside of office hours?
Call our office immediately if you have an emergency outside office hours. If your emergency involves severe pain, swelling, or trauma, seek immediate care from an urgent dental clinic or the emergency room. Contact us first thing in the morning if you have minor issues like a small chip in your tooth or a lost filling. We can help you schedule an appointment.
Does dental insurance cover cosmetic or restorative treatments?
Dental insurance usually covers restorative treatments, such as fillings, crowns, or bridges, at least partially. However, cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening or veneers typically aren’t covered. Dental coverage varies widely based on your specific plan. We’ll help you verify exactly what treatments your insurance includes.
What is the difference between dental bonding and porcelain veneers?
Tooth bonding is a composite resin that we directly apply to your teeth. We recommend dental bonding for small cosmetic fixes, like chips or minor gaps. It’s cost-effective, and you can get treatment in one office visit.
Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic covers custom-made in a lab and attached to your teeth. Veneers often need more appointments and it comes with a higher initial cost. Dr. Banks will discuss both options to help you select the best choice based on your needs.
Are dental implants better than dentures for replacing missing teeth?
We recommend dental implants over removable dentures to restore teeth. Implants are a long-lasting solution that helps stop bone loss and support your facial structure. They also make it easier to chew and feel more like natural teeth.
Removable dentures can slip out of place, need sticky glue to stay in, and may lead to bone loss over time. Implants may cost more at first, but last longer and work better. Dental implants are a smarter choice for many people to secure dentures.
How do I know if I have a dental emergency?
You might have a dental emergency if you have sudden pain, bleeding, or swelling in your mouth that doesn’t go away. Other signs include a knocked-out tooth, a cracked or broken tooth, or a severe toothache. If you can’t eat, sleep, or go about your day because of the problem, it’s likely an emergency. When in doubt, call our office. We can help you figure out if you need urgent care or if it can wait.
Call Our DC Dental Office Today
Do you want to learn more about our dental services in Washington, DC, dentist office? Contact Dupont Dental for complete care at (202) 946-4720. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Banks on our website today.
Let us know if you have questions at your next dental visit or a current dental concern. We’re here to help you.