Uncategorized

Nova Dental Partners Doctors Voted 2023 Top Dentists

November 30th, 2023

Top Dentist 2023

We are delighted to announce that Drs. Kambiz and Kamran Tavakkoli have once again been named a Top Dentist by Northern Virginia Magazine.

Receiving a top dentist award is extremely meaningful for the team at Nova Dental Partners as we work tirelessly to create a welcoming environment at our dental practices in Fairfax, Woodbridge, and Alexandria with top level and comprehensive dental services.

To compile the Top Dentists list, Northern Virginia Magazine sent out surveys to over 2,000 Northern Virginia dentists in seven specialties and asked them to recommend other dentists to whom they would refer friends and family. Those on the list received the most nominations from their professional peers and were vetted by Northern Virginia Magazine’s in-house research team to make sure they are in good standing with the Virginia Department of Health Professionals.

This method of picking the winners means a lot to our team as we appreciate other dental experts recommending us. It’s an honor to be included and we thank everyone for their nominations for this accolade.

As we quickly approach the end of the year, make sure to book your next appointment at one of our five convenient dental office locations. Our team is looking forward to welcoming you!

5 Reasons Why You May Experience TMJ-Related Issues

November 30th, 2023

Many people suffer with chronic jaw pain or TMJ/TMD without knowing. During TMJ Awareness Month, our Doctors. at Nova Dental Partners want to highlight these issues and ensure our patients understand the symptoms so we can help to improve your quality of life.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the point where your jawbone (mandible joint) joins your skull (temporal join) which allows you to perform functions such as speaking and chewing. TMJ disorder, often referred to as TMD, includes any issues affecting the joint or surrounding muscles that can cause chronic discomfort and impede on the normal movement of your jaw. 

Reasons Why You May Experience TMD

  1. Misaligned Bite: This can put stress on your jaw if your teeth are not connecting properly
  2. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): People who grind or clench their teeth at night can experience joint inflammation and tension around the muscles
  3. High Stress Lifestyle: If you suffer from high levels of anxiety or stress, this can lead to tension or increased bruxism which can further increase TMJ-related symptoms
  4. Trauma: If you experience an injury to the jaw area, the damage to your joint can cause TMJ symptoms
  5. Arthritis: Inflammatory conditions like arthritis can affect the TMJ, causing pain

If you experience any of the above and also have symptoms such as pain, discomfort or tension around your jaw or temples, persistent headaches, difficulty chewing, popping/clicking jaw or ringing in your ears, you may well be experiencing TMD. It’s important to share this information with your dentist. Our dental practices are conveniently located in Fairfax, Woodbridge, and Alexandria to allow easy access for our patients to dental treatment nearby.

Treatment options for TMJ disorders/TMD can vary depending on the severity of your condition. Drs. Kambiz and Kamran Tavakkoli may recommend a variety or combination of treatments. Most will include recommendations for alleviating stress, such as meditation, exercise, and other relaxation techniques. This should help in the longer term. In the short term, they may recommend eating a softer diet or taking anti-inflammatory medications to help with the symptoms. A bite guard will be key to reducing symptoms relating to bruxism, and Invisalign may be recommended if your TMD is due to a misaligned bite. In some severe cases, you may require surgery to help alleviate your symptoms. Our Doctors. will discuss all your options with you, but it’s important to know there is a solution to your discomfort and you don’t need to continue with headaches and soreness — we are here to help. Make an appointment at one of our 5 convenient locations today if you are experiencing any symptoms.

8 Oral Cancer Symptoms to Look Out For

April 20th, 2023

As part of Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April, Drs. Tavakkoli and the team at Nova Dental Partners want to put focus on this specific type of cancer that is rarely discussed in the media but affects around 55,000 people a year

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is when cancer is found anywhere on your lips, tongue, gums, cheeks or throat lining. 

Oral Cancer Symptoms

As your dentist is usually the first person to notice any early signs of oral cancer, it’s important to make sure you visit one of our dental practices in Fairfax, Alexandria, and Woodbridge, VA for a check up at least twice a year. In between visits, it’s also recommended to do self-checks on a regular basis while brushing your teeth. If you notice any of the following symptoms of oral cancer, it’s important you don’t delay, and make an appointment at one of our conveniently located dental offices.

  1. Unexplained bleeding in your mouth
  2. White or red patches in your mouth
  3. A mouth sore, lump, or swelling in your mouth
  4. Feeling that something is stuck in your throat
  5. Pain or soreness in your throat
  6. Problem or pain with swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
  7. Ear pain
  8. Unexplained and sudden weight loss

What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening?

Oral cancer screenings are fast and pain-free. If you’ve been to our practice before, you may not have even noticed that we are conducting a screening. One of our doctors will check inside your mouth for sores, lumps and patches in your mouth. 

Risk Factors of Oral Cancer

Anyone can be affected by oral cancer however research suggests that the following factors increase your likelihood of developing oral cancer:

  • The use of tobacco products or drinking excessive quantities of alcohol 
  • Poor oral hygiene habits and not visiting the dentist regularly
  • Too much sun exposure on your face and lips without SPF lip balm
  • Poor diet and excess weight
  • Men are twice as likely as women to get oral cancer
  • Having HPV (human papillomavirus)

Drs. Tavakolli and the rest of our Nova Dental Partners team are available to answer any oral cancer questions you might have about the screening. Contact any of our dental practices in Fairfax, Alexandria, and Woodbridge.

3 Ways To Avoid Toothache

February 9th, 2023

National Toothache Day on February 9th provides our doctors at Nova Dental Partners a great opportunity to remind our patients about the importance of proper oral hygiene so we can reduce the likelihood of you experiencing unnecessary dental pain.

Causes of Toothache

It’s important to understand the factors involved in developing toothache as there are several causes:

  1. Tooth decay/cavities/dental caries
  2. Fractured tooth
  3. Abscessed tooth
  4. Damaged filling
  5. Infected gums

Tooth decay is the most common cause and occurs when the hard surface of your tooth is damaged by bacteria, creating tiny holes in your tooth. It’s important to take care of your teeth in order to reduce the likelihood of developing any of these issues. 

How to Avoid Toothache

Our team believes that prevention is key when it comes to your dental health. Therefore our doctors recommend the following steps to avoid toothache:

  1. Oral Hygiene — Having good oral hygiene habits like brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and flossing daily is imperative for a healthy mouth.
  2. Dental Cleanings in Woodbridge, Alexandria, or Fairfax — It’s important to have dental exams and cleanings at least twice a year. Professional cleanings mean you will be far less likely to experience tooth or gum issues in the first place and the more you see our doctors, the more likely they can spot any issues early on.
  3. Healthy Habits — Habits like smoking and eating lots of sugary food or drinking sodas are big culprits of causing tooth decay and gum disease. Therefore avoiding these can also help avoiding dental pain in the long term.

If you are suffering from toothache, you will likely know immediately, however you should look out for a sharp or throbbing pain around your tooth (especially when chewing), swelling around your tooth, swelling of your jaw or face, bleeding gums, and sensitivity to hot or cold food.

It’s important to monitor your pain and call one of our dental offices in Woodbridge, Alexandria or Fairfax if you have severe pain or if your toothache lasts more than 2 days with no improvement. Also look out for fever/earache that’s connected to it. It’s important to speak with the dental team and get seen quickly so that an infection doesn’t spread. Treatment will depend on the cause of your toothache. 

In the meantime, make sure to keep your teeth clean and ensure no food is stuck in between your teeth by flossing. Our team is available 24/7 to help with dental emergencies, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local dental office in Old Town, Mount Vernon, or King Street Station, Alexandria; Fairfax City, Fairfax; or Lake Ridge, Woodbridge.

5 Tips For Whiter, Brighter Teeth

February 9th, 2023

Smiling is a powerful thing! Not only can it be a great way to break the ice with someone new, but it’s also known to help release endorphins, lower blood pressure, reduce stress and boost your overall immune system! So what’s stopping many of you from smiling? Discolored or stained teeth!

How To Get Whiter Teeth

There are several ways to ensure you have white teeth, these include:

  1. Avoiding smoking
  2. Avoiding stain-causing foods and drinks such as red wine, coffee/tea, and sodas
  3. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing
  4. Getting regular teeth cleanings at one of our five conveniently located dental offices in Woodbridge, Alexandria, and Fairfax, VA
  5. Wearing protective headgear if you’re doing any contact sports to avoid discoloration from tooth trauma

There are some other factors to consider such as the effects of natural aging, and some medications and illnesses that can affect your tooth color, as these are difficult or impossible to avoid. That’s where teeth whitening comes in!

Tooth Whitening in Woodbridge, Alexandria, and Fairfax

Nova Dental Partners offers both in-office and take-home professional teeth whitening options — Opalescence® (take-home whitening) and Philips Zoom whitening (in office). Although both treatment options are extremely effective, the take-home option takes longer to complete and you see results more gradually so the one you choose will depend on your schedule. Our talented team of doctors at Nova Dental Partners are here to advise you on the best treatment for you. Click here for more information about the two options.

When Should You Get Your Teeth Whitened?

Teeth whitening is available at all our dental offices and we recommend doing it straight after your regular teeth cleaning appointment so that surface stains have been removed and the whitening gel can work more effectively. Our team will speak to you about your teeth whitening goals and work towards achieving your dream smile (note that artificial teeth do not whiten, so it’s worth considering this when choosing your shade of white).

Tooth Whitening Aftercare 

Aftercare for your teeth is simple — for the 48 hours following whitening, your tooth enamel is more porous so it’s best to completely avoid any foods or drinks that might stain your teeth. Following that, our advice is that the more you look after your teeth, the longer your results will last! 

So whether you have an important event or you just want a boost of confidence, speak to our helpful dental teams at any of our practices in Woodbridge, Alexandria, and Fairfax to learn more about your teeth whitening options and book your appointment! You won’t regret it!

Nova Dental Partners Opens Fifth Dental Practice in Fairfax, Virginia

August 28th, 2019

Nova Dental Partners is excited to announce the opening of their fifth location in Fairfax, Virginia. This newest location is conveniently located inside Patriot Square Professional Park, adjacent to University Mall and walking distance from George Mason University. Patients will love the easy access to this location, the abundance of parking and all the amenities University Mall has to offer. 

Nova Dental Partners is committed to providing the Northern Virginia community with comprehensive dental care for the entire family including preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental services. Nova Dental Partners is a certified provider of both Invisalign® Clear Aligners and Lumineers® brand veneers. 

Brothers and founders of Nova Dental Partners, Dr. Kamran and Kambiz Tavakkoli comment that “Nova Dental Partners is honored to open our fifth dental practice in Fairfax. We look forward to continuing to build our reputation for excellence among the Fairfax community. What makes Nova Dental Partners truly different is our strong family values. We treat every patient as if they are part of our own family, that is with great care, respect and kindness.” 

The new dental practice is located at 10529 Braddock Rd., Suite A, Fairfax, VA 22032. The practice will be open Monday thru Friday from 8am-5pm. Contact Nova Dental Partners to schedule an appointment or consultation.

About Nova Dental Partners
Dr. Kamran and Kambiz Tavakkoli are the founders of Nova Dental Partners with five dental practices across Northern Virginia including Fairfax, Woodbridge and Alexandria. The Tavakkoli brothers have been named Top Dentist by Northern Virginia Magazine and have gained a reputation of excellence in the dental community. They are experts in general and cosmetic dentistry and are certified providers of Invisalign® and Lumineers®. For more information about Nova Dental Partners please visit www.novadentalpartners.com