As you can see, gum disease is a serious condition that requires targeted treatment. That’s where we come in. At Bethesda Sedation Dentistry, Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Schlossberg, and Dr. Klotz provide comprehensive gum disease therapy for life-long oral health.

Early Diagnosis is Crucial to Success
Gum disease is often silent in the early stage, presenting few or no visible symptoms. Some patients may notice slight bleeding while brushing or experience bad breath that just won’t go away. Early detection is vital to combat gum disease, so our dentists use a periodontal probe to measure the area between teeth and gums. This measurement provides a precise gauge of periodontal health and enables the doctors to determine appropriate treatment.

Full-Service Care for all Stages of Gum Disease
We offer a comprehensive range of treatments to address gum disease at any stage. A deep cleaning and instruction on proper homecare often resolves gingivitis, which is early-stage gum disease. Your dentist may recommend topical antibiotic therapy to alleviate your symptoms. If you require periodontal surgery for severe gum disease, you can rest easy knowing that our dentists have advanced training in oral surgery. Your doctor will perform your procedure with compassion, attention to detail, and focus on what’s best for your individual needs. Soothing sedation will ensure your comfort and ease.

Don’t let gum disease harm your smile – or your health. Call today to schedule a comprehensive periodontal exam at Bethesda Sedation Dentistry, your choice for personalized dental care.

At Bethesda Sedation Dentistry, we are always looking for ways to improve patient experience and provide lasting treatment of the highest quality. In keeping with that, our office and team are equipped with a wide variety of the latest advances in dental technology. These tools and techniques are part of our overall effort to deliver relaxing, excellent care. In addition to investing in technology, our entire staff is committed to continuing education, so we can stay at the leading edge of dentistry. We believe that you deserve the best, and we work hard to provide it!

Bethesda Sedation Dentistry’s technology includes:

Air Abrasion
If you’re used to the traditional dental drill, you’re in for a pleasant surprise with air abrasion. As an alternative decay removal device, it uses a pressurized stream of particles to smooth away decayed tooth structure and prepare it for restoration with a tooth-colored filling or crown.

DIAGNOdent
Prevention and early detection of dental decay is one of the most important ways we keep our patients’ mouths healthy. DIAGNOdent uses laser technology to find problem areas that may be as yet undetectable by a routine visual inspection. By catching these problems now, we save our patients the headache of more costly and time intensive restorative procedures down the road.

Digital X-Rays
Traditional X-rays are a thing of the past at our office. Digital X-ray images improve patient safety, create no hazardous chemical waste, and are easily magnified and stored for future review.

Dental Implants
These secure tooth replacement solutions can permanently anchor a single crown as well as a bridge or denture. They mimic the structure of your natural teeth, so they look and feel real. No matter how many teeth you have lost,  Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Schlossberg, and Dr. Klotz can use dental implants to restore full oral function and beauty.

TMJ Therapy with BNS-40
Temporomandibular joint problems can cause facial pain, headaches, muscle spasms, and clenching or grinding of your teeth. After evaluating your condition, we may recommend using the BNS-40 home device in conjunction with other neuromuscular treatments. This machine is a portable version of the Myomonitor, which relaxes your facial muscles and prevents spasms without using medication.

Sedation Dentistry Options
As a sedation dentistry office, our top priority is providing a safe place for anxious patients to receive exceptional dentistry. Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Schlossberg, and Dr. Klotz are all highly trained in every level of sedation, ranging from nitrous oxide to IV sedation.

If you’re ready for advanced dentistry with a gentle touch, call our office and schedule your consultation today. We look forward to putting the latest technology to use in benefiting your smile.

At Bethesda Sedation Dentistry, our dentists take a comprehensive approach to your dental care, which means that whether we’re addressing a cavity with a tooth-colored filling or repairing a damaged tooth with a porcelain crown, we focus on your smile’s integrity. We take into account the health of your teeth, gums, and surrounding structure, as well as the attractive appearance your smile presents to the world. Each treatment is designed to improve and maintain your aesthetics, comfort, and overall wellness.

Whether you visit us for general dentistry, restorative dentistry, or cosmetic dentistry, our dentists will perform a full evaluation of your dental condition, and discuss your goals for treatment. Every step that Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Schlossberg, Dr. Klotz and our team takes is in your best interest and with your personal preferences and needs in mind. Our holistic perspective creates an environment in which you can always relax and trust our team for the very best dental care possible. Our sedation options ensure you’ll never experience anything less than a soothing visit, no matter your anxiety level or treatment need.

To schedule your initial consultation, call our Bethesda office today. We’re ready to invigorate your smile! Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Schlossberg, Dr. Klotz and our team proudly serve residents of Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Baltimore and beyond. Let our family take care of you.

One of the most popular aesthetic treatments for the modern dental patient, porcelain veneers can quickly and effectively change your smile from dull to dazzling. What are they? Essentially custom-fabricated shells of dental porcelain, veneers are firmly bonded to your front teeth. They can correct any number of cosmetic concerns, such as tooth size, shape, and color. Most often, a younger, refreshed appearance takes just two visits to Bethesda Sedation Dentistry.

First, your dentist will meet with you in a personal consultation to discuss your needs and smile goals. We may review photos of completed veneer cases as well, so you can see what can be achieved with porcelain veneers. Once we receive your custom veneers from our trusted dental laboratory, you’ll visit our office again to have them permanently bonded to your teeth. With proper homecare, porcelain veneers can last for many years.

Call our Bethesda office today to schedule your cosmetic dentistry appointment with Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Schlossberg, or Dr. Klotz. We can’t wait to show you what porcelain veneers can do for your smile!

Why do I have bad breath?
The answer to that question consists of two elements leading to the same result. One cause is certain foods that contain sulfur compounds, like garlic and cabbage. When these foods are digested, the sulfur is released and is carried into our lungs through the bloodstream, and then exhaled - yuck! The other cause is bacteria in the mouth that feed on food particles left behind after we eat. The bacteria create the sulfur compounds that make foul-smelling breath.

How can I eliminate bad breath?
The most important weapon in your arsenal to fight bad breath is proper dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly will work to remove the layer of plaque and food particles that invites bacteria, as well as remove the bacteria so they can’t produce the sulfur compounds which cause bad breath. Our dentists here at Bethesda Sedation Dentistry can provide patients with special mouthwash and toothpaste that contains chlorine dioxide. This formula will kill bacteria and neutralize sulfuric gases.

Talk to the experts
Don’t let a halitosis problem hold you back any longer. Ask Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Schlossberg, or Dr. Klotz about effective fresh-breath treatments and strategies at your next appointment in our Bethesda dental office. Call today to schedule a visit–we look forward to improving your quality of life through excellent dental care!

Our sedation options include:

Nitrous Oxide
This form of sedation, also known as “laughing gas,” is a very effective means of enhancing comfort and relieving anxiety for patients of any age. If your dentist decides that nitrous oxide is the best sedation option for you, he or she will administer the gas that you will inhale through a face mask. Soon after we begin administering the gas, you will feel very relaxed. Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Schlossberg, or Dr. Klotz can begin treatment while you remain completely comfortable in the dental chair. The effects of nitrous oxide will subside very quickly once the mask is removed, so if nitrous oxide is the only form of sedation you receive, you will be able to drive yourself home following treatment.

Oral sedation
If oral sedation is appropriate for your situation, one of our dentists can select an appropriate sedative medication in pill form. You will take the prescribed pill at a pre-determined time before your appointment, and by the time of your visit to our office, you will be completely at ease. The sedative drugs we prescribe are very safe and widely-prescribed to alleviate anxiety and help patients relax. Though oral sedation will not “put you under,” as IV sedation does, some patients become so relaxed they drift off into a restful sleep while our dentists perform their dental work.

IV Sedation
This type of sedation is most often used for complex procedures or oral surgeries, but can also be appropriate in situations where patients suffer from severe anxiety. We will thoroughly evaluate your medical background, and may even check with your MD, to ensure that IV sedation will be safe for you. The level of sedation we administer will correlate to your needs, and one of our team members will continuously monitor your vital signs during treatment.

There’s no need to dread dental work. Our caring dental professionals and customized sedation options will ensure that you experience soothing visits with a minimum of stress. Call our Bethesda office today to schedule your sedation dentistry consultation. Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Schlossberg, Dr. Klotz and our team proudly serve residents of Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The tooth-replacement solution that most closely mimics natural teeth, dental implants are built to last a lifetime. A dental implant consists of two parts: the titanium post, which is implanted into your jawbone, and the restoration, which is the tooth-like structure placed on top. Since titanium is a biocompatible metal, the surrounding jawbone fuses with the implant, resulting in a man-made tooth root that functions similarly to a natural tooth’s root.

Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Shlossberg, and Dr. Klotz are trained and experienced in all phases of implant dentistry, so your care can be centralized at our office. If your mouth is missing teeth, and you’re interested in finding out if dental implants are the right replacement option for you, call our Bethesda office today. One of our dentists will be happy to assess your mouth and discuss dental implant treatment plans with you. Don’t put off enjoying a strong, full smile!

Signs that you may suffer from gum disease include loose teeth, pockets between your teeth and gums, halitosis (bad breath), and bleeding or swollen gums. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, or Dr. Schlossberg can evaluate your mouth and determine if you have periodontal disease. We provide several conservative gum disease therapies at our Bethesda dental practice.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy
Preventing the infection from advancing further is key to maintaining your oral health if you have gum disease. Our conservative treatments include:

• Scaling—a procedure which removes any hardened plaque that lies beneath the gum line
• Root Planing—a procedure which removes tartar and smoothes root surfaces, preventing any plaque from sticking.
• Arestin—an antibiotic treatment Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, and Dr. Schlossberg use to eradicate bacteria in diseased periodontal pockets. This medication continues fighting infection for up to 21 days after application.

Periodontal Surgery
If gum disease has advanced beyond early and moderate stages, oral surgery may be the best way to save teeth and bone structure from degeneration. Surgical procedures include reducing periodontal pockets’ depth, bone or soft tissue regeneration, crown lengthening, and soft tissue grafts. One of our highly skilled dentists can perform surgical procedures for periodontal disease in the comfort and convenience of our Bethesda office.

If you’re concerned about the condition of your teeth and gums, call our Bethesda dental practice to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, or Dr. Schlossberg. Our dentists will expertly evaluate your periodontal health and provide comprehensive treatment for your dental needs, from scaling or root planing to oral surgery. We also offer several sedation methods for optimal comfort during dental visits.

What is nitrous oxide?
You’ve probably heard of nitrous oxide by its familiar term, “laughing gas.” This form of sedation is milder than oral or IV sedation, and  Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, or Dr. Schlossberg administers it through a face mask. Patients begin inhaling the gas before a procedure, and in a very short period of time the sedative will leave them completely relaxed and ready for a comfortable general, restorative, or cosmetic dentistry procedure.

Is nitrous oxide safe?
Yes, this form of sedation is very safe, and is routinely used in the treatment of adults and children. To ensure our patients’ safety, we closely monitor and closely control the amount of nitrous that they inhale. The effects swiftly wear off once we remove the mask, so our patients are usually able to drive themselves home from an appointment. Nitrous oxide can be a great solution for patients who feel anxious about dental visits or procedures.

How do I find out which type of sedation is right for me?
Start by calling our convenient Bethesda office. One of our skilled sedation dentists will be happy to meet with you and determine which sedation option is right for your unique situation.  Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, and Dr. Schlossberg have provided patients from Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and beyond with soothing sedation dentistry. Don’t let dental phobia or discomfort keep you from getting the care you need.

Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, and Dr. Schlossberg are experienced sedation dentists. Whether you struggle with dental fear, a sensitive gag reflex, or have had trouble with anesthesia, one of our doctors can prescribe oral sedation to ease your visit. This type of sedation may also be appropriate if you’d like to consolidate several procedures into as few visits as possible while remaining comfortable.

First, you’ll meet with one of our dentists at Bethesda Sedation Dentistry. Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, or Dr. Schlossberg will consult with you and assess your overall health. If you are a good candidate for oral sedation, the dentist will select an appropriate sedative. This safe and effective medication will allow you a worry-free dental experience.

Before your appointment, you will take the oral medication , and a friend will need to drive you to and from our office, since the sedation medicine causes drowsiness. When it’s time for your procedure, you will feel totally relaxed and at ease. In fact, in addition to the lack of nervousness or anxiety during treatment, it’s likely you won’t remember your experience on the following day.

If dental phobia or other discomfort has been keeping you from oral care, sedation dentistry may be the answer. To find out if oral sedation is right for your situation, call our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, or Dr. Schlossberg. They provide exceptional, soothing dental experiences to Bethesda area patients every day.