Short videos that answer common patient questions.

If you're nervous about the dentist, you're not the only one, and you're in the right place.

Here's how we handle it. First, no surprises: I'll tell you what I'm going to do before I do it. Second, you're in control: raise your hand at any time, and we stop. Third, we numb before we treat, and we go at your pace.

If it's been years since your last visit, that's okay. No lectures. We'll start where you are.

Mention it in your forms, or tell us when you arrive, and we'll take it slow.

Toothache, broken tooth, or a tooth knocked out? Here's what to do, right now.

First, call us at five-seven-one, two-five-seven, six-nine-nine-four. Tell us it's urgent, and we'll see you as soon as we can.

For a toothache, rinse with warm salt water, floss gently in case something is stuck, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed. Don't put aspirin directly on your gums.

For a chipped or broken tooth, save any pieces, rinse your mouth, and hold a cold compress on your cheek, to keep swelling down.

If an adult tooth is knocked out, time matters. Pick it up by the top, not the root. Rinse it gently, and try to put it back in the socket. If you can't, keep it in milk, and get to us right away.

Go to the emergency room instead, if you have swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a high fever.

Save our number in your phone now, so you have it when you need it.

If you've ever hidden your smile in a photo and wondered about straightening your teeth without metal braces, this video is for you. I'll answer the seven questions almost everyone asks me about Invisalign.

Let's start with the end. Picture it done: straight teeth you're happy to show, in photos, at work, and at the next family gathering. Here's how we get there.

Question one: will it work for my teeth? Invisalign works well for crowding, gaps and many bite problems. Some cases need extra steps, and a few do better with braces. We find out with a digital scan, and you'll see a preview of how your teeth are planned to move, before you commit.

Question two: how long does it take? It depends on how far your teeth need to move. Your scan gives us your own estimate, and I'll give you a number before you decide.

Question three: does it hurt? You'll feel pressure for a day or two each time you switch to a new set of aligners. That's how you know they're working. Most people describe it as a dull ache that fades quickly.

Question four: what do I have to do? This is the one that matters most. Aligners only work when you wear them: twenty to twenty-two hours a day. Take them out to eat, or drink anything but water, brush, and put them back in. You'll switch to a new set every week or two, and see me every few weeks to check progress.

Question five: will people notice? The aligners are clear. Some patients need small, tooth-colored bumps called attachments, which help the aligners grip, and they're hard to spot.

Question six: what does it cost? Your fee depends on your case, and you'll have it in writing before you start. Some dental plans include orthodontic benefits, and we'll check yours. You can use HSA or FSA funds, and monthly payment options are available.

Question seven: what happens when I'm done? You'll wear a retainer, usually at night. Teeth naturally try to drift back, and the retainer keeps the smile you worked for.

Here's the next step. We'll take your scan, and you'll see your plan, your timeline and your cost before you decide anything. If you have a wedding or a big event coming up, tell us, and we'll plan around it.

If we've recommended a deep cleaning, and you're thinking, why can't I just get a regular cleaning? This video is for you.

A regular cleaning cleans your teeth above the gumline. It's maintenance for healthy gums. But when we measured your gums, we found pockets deeper than healthy gums have.

Those pockets hold hardened tartar below the gumline, where a toothbrush, floss, and a regular cleaning can't reach. Left there, it keeps feeding the infection, and over time the bone that holds your teeth shrinks.

A deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, cleans below the gumline, and smooths the roots so your gums can heal and tighten back up. We numb the area first, so you'll feel pressure, not pain.

It's usually done in two visits, one side of your mouth at a time. Insurance usually puts it in a different category than a regular cleaning, so your share may be different. You'll see the exact numbers in your treatment plan.

Afterward, we'll see you every three to four months, to keep the pockets from coming back.

The good news: caught now, this is very treatable. The sooner we clean it out, the more bone and teeth you keep.

Why do I need a crown? Can't you just fill it? Good question. Here's how I decide.

A filling replaces a small part of a tooth. When a tooth has a large old filling, a crack, or has lost about half its structure, there isn't enough healthy tooth left to hold a filling.

It's like patching a wall that's mostly patches. The tooth can break, sometimes below the gumline, and then we may not be able to save it.

A crown is a cap that covers the whole tooth and holds it together. It protects what's left, so you can chew normally without babying that side.

Here's the process. At the first visit, we numb the tooth, shape it, take a digital scan, and place a temporary crown. About two weeks later, we place your permanent crown, matched to the color of your teeth.

Most insurance plans cover part of a crown as major work, and you'll see your share in your treatment plan.

The bottom line: a crown now often costs far less, in money and time, than a root canal or an extraction later.

If you're missing a tooth, or about to lose one, you have three main options: an implant, a bridge, or a denture. Here's how they compare.

Option one is an implant. A small titanium post goes into the jawbone, where the root used to be. Over a few months the bone bonds to it, and then we attach a crown.

It looks, feels and chews the most like a natural tooth. It doesn't touch the teeth next to it, and it helps keep the jawbone from shrinking. It takes the longest, and usually costs the most up front.

Option two is a bridge. We crown the teeth on either side of the gap, and attach a false tooth between them. It's fixed in place and done in a few weeks. The trade-off is that the neighboring teeth get shaped down, even if they're healthy.

Option three is a partial denture. It replaces one or several teeth, and you take it out to clean it. It's the fastest and most affordable option, but it can take time to get used to, and it doesn't stop the bone from shrinking.

Which one is right depends on your bone, the teeth next to the gap, your budget, and your timeline. I'll show you what fits your mouth, and you'll get the cost of each option in writing.

One thing not to do is leave the gap. Nearby teeth drift into the space, and your bite changes over time.

If you just heard the words, root canal, you might be picturing the worst. Here's what it actually involves, because the procedure itself is a lot like getting a filling.

Inside every tooth is a small space that holds the nerve and blood vessels. When decay or a crack lets bacteria reach it, that space gets infected. That's usually what causes throbbing pain, lingering sensitivity to hot, or swelling in the gum.

A root canal removes the infected tissue, cleans the inside of the tooth, and seals it. We numb the area completely first, so you'll feel pressure and vibration, not pain.

Afterward the tooth may be tender for a few days, and over-the-counter pain relievers usually handle it. Back teeth usually need a crown afterward, because a tooth that's had a root canal becomes more brittle.

The alternative is taking the tooth out, and then you're looking at an implant or a bridge to fill the gap. A root canal saves your natural tooth, and that's almost always the better deal.

Thinking about whitening, before a wedding, a reunion, or just for you? Here's what to know, so you get the result you want.

There are two main ways to whiten. In the office, we use a professional-strength gel, with a light to speed it up. At home, you wear custom trays with a gentler gel, for about two weeks. Many patients do both.

Whitening works on natural teeth. It won't change the color of crowns, veneers, or tooth-colored fillings, so if you have those in front, we'll plan around them so everything matches.

Some people feel short-term sensitivity. It fades within a day or two, and we can use a desensitizing gel to help. To keep your results, go easy on coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco for the first couple of days.

If you have an event coming up, give yourself at least two weeks. Book your whitening, and we'll pick your target shade together.

Do you wake up with a sore jaw, a dull headache, or teeth that feel tender? You might be grinding or clenching at night.

Most people who do it have no idea, until someone tells them, or until we spot the wear.

Grinding puts far more force on your teeth than chewing does. Over time, it can flatten and chip teeth, crack fillings, cause sensitivity, and strain the jaw joint.

The usual fix is simple: a custom night guard. We take a quick scan, and a thin guard is made to fit your teeth exactly. You wear it while you sleep, and it takes the force instead of your teeth.

Store-bought guards are bulky, and fit loosely. A custom guard is thinner, more comfortable, and lasts for years. If any of this sounds familiar, tell me at your next visit.

Thinking about veneers? Here are five things to know, before you decide.

One: what they are. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain, bonded to the front of your teeth. They can change the color, shape and length of your teeth, and close small gaps.

Two: you'll see it first. Before we change anything, we plan your smile, and make a preview you can try on. You get a say in every detail.

Three: they're permanent. To make room, we usually reshape a thin layer of enamel, and enamel doesn't grow back. So we'll make sure veneers are the right choice for you.

Four: they need normal care. Brush, floss, and keep your checkups. Don't use your teeth as tools, and if you grind at night, you'll wear a night guard to protect them.

Five: cost. Veneers are usually considered cosmetic, so insurance rarely covers them. You'll get your fee in writing before you start, and monthly payment options are available.

Deciding between veneers, whitening, or Invisalign? That's a great question for your consult. Sometimes the simplest option gets you the smile you want.

The question we hear most on the phone is: will my insurance cover this? Here's the honest answer, in one minute.

We're in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, and others.

Before your visit, we contact your plan and check three things: your deductible, how much of your yearly maximum is left, and what they cover.

Most plans cover checkups, cleanings and X-rays better than fillings or crowns. But every plan is different, so we check yours instead of guessing.

If you need treatment, you'll see in writing what your plan is expected to pay, and what your part would be, before we start.

Your insurance company makes the final call, so that number is an estimate. But we'll get you as close as we can. No insurance? Watch our payments video next.

Here's how paying works, so there are no surprises at the front desk.

Your part of the bill is due at the time of your visit. That's your copay, or whatever insurance isn't expected to cover.

We take credit and debit cards, HSA and FSA cards, and cash.

For bigger treatment, like crowns, implants or Invisalign, ask about monthly payment options. We'll go over them with you before anything starts.

No insurance? Just ask us about your options. Bottom line: you'll always know the number before we do the work.

Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Truvan. You just booked your visit at Dentistry of Alexandria. Thank you!

In the next few minutes, I'll show you exactly what happens before your visit. There are four simple steps.

Hi there! I run our front desk. Step one: we'll text you a link to your new-patient forms.

They take about ten minutes on your phone, and you'll get to skip the clipboard.

Step two: add a photo of your insurance card in those forms. We'll check your benefits before you arrive.

No guessing. If we're not in network with your plan, we'll tell you first.

Step three is your visit. We're at 3223 Duke Street, Suite C. Please arrive ten minutes early.

Bring your photo ID, your insurance card, and a list of any medications you take.

At your first visit, we'll take X-rays, I'll do a full exam, and we'll talk about anything you'd like to change about your smile. Plan on about an hour.

Step four: before any treatment, you'll get a written plan showing what insurance should pay, and what you'd pay. Nothing happens without your OK.

Your time is reserved just for you. Need to change it? Give us 24 hours' notice, and there's no charge. Missed visits do have a fee, because an empty chair is time another patient needed.

That's it! Forms today, insurance card in, arrive ten minutes early, and we'll take care of the rest. We can't wait to meet you.

Let's talk about the one policy nobody likes, and why we have it anyway.

When you book, we hold that time just for you. The doctor, the hygienist, the room and the instruments are all set up for your visit.

If an appointment is missed without notice, that time is gone. Another patient who needed care, sometimes someone in pain, couldn't get in.

So here's the deal. Give us at least twenty-four hours' notice, and you can reschedule at no charge. Missed appointments and late cancellations have a fee.

We'll text you reminders before your visit, and you can confirm or reschedule right from the text. Our goal is that you never see this fee.

Your new-patient forms take about ten minutes, and doing them before your visit means less time in the waiting room.

Look for a text and an email from us with the link. You'll fill in your contact details, your medical history and medications, and upload a photo of your insurance card.

On the day, bring three things: your photo ID, your insurance card, and your medication list.

Have recent X-rays from another dentist? Ask that office to email them to us, so we may not need to take new ones.

Can't find the link? Just text us, and we'll resend it.

Life happens. Here's what to do.

Running late? Call or text us as soon as you know. If you'll be more than fifteen minutes late, we may need to shorten your visit, or move it, so the next patient isn't kept waiting.

Need to reschedule? Reply to your reminder text, or call us. With at least twenty-four hours' notice, there's no charge. We'd much rather move your visit than miss you.