A general dentist offers comprehensive dental services to patients that focus on the overall health and wellness of their natural smiles. Routine dental care, patient education, and disease prevention can help patients achieve and maintain healthier smiles. Dr. Justin Deckard is a general dentist in Washington, DC, who offers dental services for patients and families. He focuses on providing personalized care and treatments for all your oral health needs and wants.
General Dentistry in Washington, DC
During each routine visit, you can expect our staff to do everything we can to keep your smile healthy. As a general dentist, DC Precision Dentistry offers full exams, screenings for dental health problems, X-rays, and teeth cleanings. We typically take dental X-rays once a year to ensure the health of your teeth, mouth, jaw, bite, gums, and underlying gums.
Additionally, we help each patient improve their oral health through education and preventive measures. We want to encourage our patients to actively participate in their dental health success.
Tooth decay and gum disease are serious problems Dr. Deckard sees daily. Both are highly preventable with consistent dental care. This includes visits to the dentist twice a year but also good at-home oral care. Additionally, it is important that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once. These at-home oral health habits will greatly reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.
DC Precision Dentistry is equipped with state-of-the-art dental technology and quality materials. This supplies Dr. Deckard and our dental care team with the tools to deliver exceptional dental care. Our dental team is comprised of highly trained, kind staff. As your dental team, we promise to provide the highest care and services.
What to Expect from a General Dentist
Dr. Deckard instructs patients to visit the dentist every six months for a preventive care exam. Routine dental exams allow your dentist to spot any early signs of problems, which can then be treated before they turn into more advanced issues.
Patients who visit the dentist often are less likely to have complex dental problems. Early dental treatment and preventive dental care are key to maintaining a healthy, beautiful, and lasting smile.
In addition to preventive dental care, Dr. Deckard has training in TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, and sleep-disordered breathing. This allows him to address health concerns about oral structure and dental problems.
General Dentistry Services
We offer the following general dentistry services to our patients:
Dentistry for Children
DC Precision Dentistry offers a complete range of general dentistry services for patients of all ages, including children. For good oral health, every family member should visit the dentist twice a year (about every six months). We offer special care for children with developing smiles to help make their visits easy. Our goal is to make their dental experience as painless as possible.
Regular dental care for children is very important for many reasons. Early dentist appointments have proven to help reduce the number of cavities that children get. Tooth decay in children is a major problem in our society.
This is because drinks filled with sugar and candy are always available to them. Additionally, early visits help reduce the chance of dental anxiety in the future. They will get used to a dental office setting and learn to trust all the dental professionals.
Patient Review:
“Justin Deckard is the best and most compassionate dentist I’ve ever been to. He’s also just an extraordinarily kind person. He took an emergency appointment with me when I was in severe pain, which turned into a root canal on Thanksgiving Eve. I was in tears, but he calmed my nerves, numbed me into next week, and I felt nothing during the whole procedure. He called to check on me that night and made sure I had enough pain medication to get me through the next few days.
Since then I’ve seen him for crowns, fillings, and grinding issues, and hygienist Amy for my cleanings. He has never let me sit there in pain-just patiently waits for the novocaine to kick in. I recently moved out of state but I fly back for my appointments – he’s that good. I will never go anywhere else.” – Amy Miller
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to learn more? Our office is here to help. Read answers to common questions about general dentistry in Washington, DC.
What is airway dentistry?
Airway dentistry is a branch of dentistry that diagnoses and treats conditions that relate to the airways. These conditions can include sleep apnea, snoring, TMJ disorders, mouth breathing, and tongue-tie syndrome.
Airway dentists use methods such as oral appliances and orthodontics to improve teeth and jaw alignment. In severe cases, our dentist may recommend surgery to remove blockages or obstructions.
What is classified as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any urgent situation that requires immediate care from a dentist. Examples include severe tooth pain, facial or jaw swelling, broken teeth, lost crowns or fillings, large cavities, and injuries to the gums. If you think you may be experiencing a dental emergency, call Dr. Deckard immediately for an assessment.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
Most people do not feel any pain when they receive dental sedation. However, it may depend on the type of sedation your dentist uses and the patient’s response. For example, you won’t experience pain if you receive nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or local anesthesia.
But intravenous (IV) sedation can cause some discomfort in some patients during needle insertion. Before the dental procedure, discuss your comfort levels and concerns with your dentist to determine the best sedation.
What should I do if my gums bleed when I brush?
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, it’s a sign that something isn’t quite right. The most common cause is gum disease, which happens when plaque builds up along your gum line. Sometimes, bleeding gums can also be caused by brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with stiff bristles.
Start by switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush and brushing gently in small circles. Make sure you floss every day to remove plaque and food between your teeth. If the bleeding continues for more than a few days, schedule a visit with Dr. Deckard. He can check your gums, clean away buildup, and help you get your gum health back on track.
How painful is a tooth extraction?
Tooth extractions, while generally not a pleasant experience, are typically not too painful. During the procedure, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area so you don’t feel pain. We may also give you sedation.
After the extraction, some people may feel mild soreness in their mouth or jaw. You can manage this with over-the-counter pain medications or warm compresses. Dr. Deckard can advise you on post-extraction care for the best results.
Is it worth getting a custom mouthguard?
Yes. Custom mouthguards provide a better level of protection than stock guards. Dentists make custom mouthguards precisely to the shape of your mouth. They provide a snug and secure fit that stays in place while you play contact sports.
Custom mouthguards are also more comfortable than stock guards. They conform perfectly to the teeth and gums without placing excessive pressure on them. Lastly, custom mouthguards last longer than store-bought models due to their high-quality construction and the materials that dentists use.
How is dental care different for adults and seniors?
Yes, dental care can be different for adults and seniors because teeth and gums change as we age. Seniors are more likely to have worn teeth, gum recession, dry mouth, or missing teeth. They may also have health conditions or take medications that affect their oral health.
Dr. Deckard adjusts treatment for adults and seniors. He focuses on preventing problems, keeping teeth and gums healthy, and restoring smiles when needed. Regular checkups are important to catch issues early and maintain a healthy mouth as you get older.
What does a dental exam include?
A typical dental exam involves a thorough evaluation of the teeth and gums. Our dentist will check for cavities, plaque buildup, gum disease, tooth discoloration or chips, and signs of oral cancer.
Our dentist will take X-rays to identify any issues beneath the surface that are not visible during visual inspection. Then one of our registered dental hygienists (RDH) will clean your teeth. Finally, Dr. Deckard will recommend treatments to improve or maintain your oral health if needed.
Schedule A Dental Exam Today
To learn more about our general dentistry services, visit DC Precision Dentistry. We proudly serve patients and families in downtown DC, Shaw, Navy Yard, and surrounding communities.
If you’re searching for a highly trained, trusted dentist in Washington, DC, visit DC Precision Dentistry. To schedule an appointment, call (202) 851-7554 or request an appointment online.