There’s something more than just being a dentist whose focus is solely on teeth. In today’s world of advanced science and technology, we now know that there’s a deep, intrinsic connection between our oral and overall health. This is one of the reasons why we include an oral cancer screening as part of our new patient and regular examinations. We pay close attention to what’s happening inside and around your mouth, because the earlier we detect anything out of the ordinary, the better your chances of treating the disease early. We use our highly skilled training and a keen eye to ensure that the early signs and symptoms of oral cancer and precancerous conditions are easily identified.

During your exam, we are most commonly looking for:

• Red or white spots or sores anywhere in the oral cavity
• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• A lump, thickening, or rough spot
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue

At your next dental appointment, don’t be alarmed if you hear the words oral cancer screening. As we said, the earlier we detect irregularities the better.

If you’re old enough to remember, there was a time when you heard the word “x-ray” and dreaded what would come next courtesy of a heavy lead vest and possible exposure to harmful radiation.

Those days are over and your Sunshine Dentists only rely on the most advanced imaging technology available today to provide safe, reliable general dentistry in Burke.

What’s amazing about digital x-rays is they’re immediately available for viewing via TV or computer monitor so that you can see exactly what your dentist is seeing simultaneously.

We utilize both regular x-rays and also panoramic x-rays which provide us with a 360-degree view of your dental health. Digital x-rays are loved by patients and dentists because of their ability to provide several advanced imaging options designed to:

• Save you time
• Provide clearer photos
• Allow for a more convenient treatment
• Keep you safe from unwanted radiation exposure

Digital x-rays help us be able to remain focused on our ongoing goal of making all of your dental experiences with us comfortable and convenient.

Sunshine Dentists offers patients two different ways to have their teeth cleaned. Some patients prefer a more traditional cleaning with polishing and hand instrumentation. For patients with sensitive teeth, we offer AirFlow. This a unique style of cleaning that uses soft particles and warm water to gently abrade the tooth and root surfaces, thus removing biofilm and stains. Both are effective, but we want you to have a choice in what style of cleaning you like!

While we may be biased, we believe you will receive the finest dental cleaning here in Northern Virginia. Our team is extensively trained and is current on all the latest techniques & technology in dental hygiene.

Besides removing the plaque, biofilm, and tartar from your teeth, our hygienists are also natural educators. You can see what they see as they digitally scan your teeth and then learn the best ways to clean your teeth, avoid stains, and reduce oral inflammation.

You can also rest assured that you will be in and out ON TIME at Sunshine Dentists. One of our core values is respecting time, and this means cleanings begin and end when we say they will. Your time is valuable and we never forget that.

Periodontal or gum therapy is just as important as brushing and flossing every day. Your gums play an integral, often overlooked role in your oral health.

Without proper care, your gums can become riddled with bad bacteria, putting your oral and overall health in jeopardy.

At Sunshine Dentists, we don’t have a go-to, one-shot method for putting an end to periodontal disease.

This is because no two patients, their smiles, and their gums are alike. We can create a highly-personalized periodontal solution for any patient.

It’s simply part of what we do as premier providers of a variety of outstanding services for phenomenal general dentistry in Burke. Typical treatment plans might include:

• Non-surgical procedures such as scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
• More frequent visits for improved dental hygiene
• Periodontal or laser gum surgery
• Long-lasting, durable dental implants

Don’t forget that regular dental checkups and gum health assessments are so important to maintain your oral and overall health. Don’t lose your gorgeous smile to periodontal disease.

Sometimes, the term mouthguard can be a bit confusing. A sports mouthguard is something worn when playing contact sports to prevent dental injuries. A nighttime mouthguard can be used to describe an appliance worn at night to protect the teeth from wear and grinding. Each type is unique but is made the same way.

At Sunshine Dentists, you will never experience a goopy impression ever again! You will receive a 3D scan to digitally capture the shape of your teeth and gums for a more accurate fit and improved comfort. Custom mouthguards are digitally printed and then delivered with care to ensure a perfect fit. We stand behind our nightguards with a 2-year warranty. Your teeth deserve the best possible protection.

Dental anxiety is real, and we want you to feel as absolutely comfortable as possible with your care. All patients will receive the most gentle delivery possible of local anesthesia (numbing) with several minutes of pre-numbing gels and precise technique.

For patients wishing for nitrous oxide (laughing gas), you can easily request this for any procedure. Its effective results and long track record of patient safety make it a very popular option. Nitrous oxide creates additional peri-oral numbness as well as a calm feeling for reduced anxiety.

Are you one of the millions of Americans who struggle daily with odd facial and neck pain? Do you have frequent headaches or migraines? Have been to your general practitioner or even a health care specialist only for them to prescribe pain medications and misdiagnose? Many patients looking for trusted general dentistry in Burke don’t know this, but these issues (and so many others) are oftentimes related to temporomandibular disorder (TMD) which affects your temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These joints connect your jawbone to your skull. Your TMJ gets a lot of use throughout your everyday life as they’re responsible for:

• Chewing
• Speaking
• Swallowing
• Yawning

Patients who are experiencing TMD often tell us they’re experiencing pain and discomfort that’s disruptive to their normal life and restricts their movement.

Some of the most common symptoms we see can include:

• Jaw pain
• Ear pain or ringing in the ears
• Headaches, neck pain, and jaw spasms
• Facial swelling on both sides
• Locked jaw or limited mobility

The first thing you’ll want to do if you notice any of these issues is to let Dr. Donohue or Dr. Ellis know. We can help detect the presence of TMD and create an effective treatment you can trust to be effective. Sometimes it can be as simple as creating a custom appliance for you that’s worn at night to reposition your bite and prevent teeth from clenching or grinding.

Dental emergencies are the same as other emergencies, in that they can happen at any time or any place.

If something does go wrong with your smile or if someone in your family needs help fast, please be sure to call Sunshine Dentists as soon as you can.

If you or someone in our dental family needs attention when the office is closed, you can still call us! You will be directed to Dr. Donohue, Dr. Ellis, or one of our knowledgeable, friendly team members who are on call.

If, for any reason, you’re unable to reach a dentist and you’re experiencing a true emergency, please call 911.

Some of the most common dental emergencies we see are:

• Broken, cracked, or chipped teeth
• A permanent tooth gets knocked out
• Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Severe, unending toothaches

Even though dental emergencies are rare, they do happen. We want you to know that Dr. Donohue, Dr. Ellis, and our team are here to help you any time, any day. When your dental health is at risk, we’ll go out of our way to make sure you’re seen as soon as possible.

As a fully digital dental practice we pride ourselves on our up to date technology. From diagnosis to treatment to follow-up, we have tools to make your care more accurate, comfortable and efficient.

Digital Scanning – iTero digital scanning is the heartbeat of our practice. We use it for wellness scans that evaluate and compare (to previous scans) to track changes in your teeth over time. This can highlight areas of recession, tooth wear, bite changes and crowding. When fabricating a nightguard, Invisalign aligners or restorations, we again use digital scanning and CAD/CAM technology to print these items. And for Digital Smile Design, this is the blueprint for our designs to show patients what is possible in cosmetic dentistry.

AI analysis and digital X-rays- All of your x-rays taken at Sunshine Dentists will first be reviewed by “Second Opinion”, our newest AI tool to measure bone levels and search for cavities or bone infection. This information will then be shared with our doctors for closer review. The software color codes the parts of the tooth to help show you what we’re seeing. This can aid in better diagnosis and understanding, so little things don’t get overlooked.

Cone beam – Dental cone beam computed tomography is imaging equipment that goes one step further than conventional digital x-rays. We use the cone beam to create impressive 3-D images of your teeth, bone, soft tissues, and nerve pathways in one easy scan.

Soft tissue laser – Contouring gum tissue is crucial in cosmetic dentistry to shape the smile and create proper tooth symmetry. Excessive or uneven gum tissue can be removed in a painless way to enhance your teeth and smile. Lasers can also be used to remove lesions for biopsy or for releasing the tight ligament under the tongue (tongue tie).