Dr. Mark C. Carl DDS

Dentist

4210 Fairfax Corner West Avenue Suite 240 Fairfax Virginia, 22030 Show map

About
Contacts & Locations
Accepted Insurances

About

Mark C. Carl, DDS, has a private practice in Fairfax, Virginia. He specializes in general dentistry, along with implant dentistry and additional training in orthodontics. Voted a top dentist by the Consumer's Research Council of America, Dr. Carl was an adjunct professor at Georgetown University in Washington DC.

Education and Training

Georgetown University

Provider Details

MaleEnglish 41 years of experience

Dr. Mark C. Carl DDS

Dr. Mark C. Carl DDS's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Should old amalgam fillings be replaced?
If they are defective yes. If they are intact there is no reason to replace them unless you have a metal sensitivity , or you do not like their appearance . READ MORE
Which is better Emax or zirconia?
They are both very good porcelain. Zirconia is stronger then eMax and a lot of dentist may use them on the molars but may use eMax in front of the molars. eMax looks better then the standard zirconia. Some of the newer esthetic zirconia look close to what eMax does,but are not as strong as the standard zirconia but are still stronger then eMax . I have used eMax on all the teeth and have not had any problem as long as I can get the proper thickness in the molar region READ MORE
Should I put ice on the area my tooth was extracted?
It is usually best to put ice on the area in the first day. After that it will not do much since the healing process has started. Ice during the first day helps keep the swelling down. If pain persist after several days and is not getting better you should go back to the dentist and have it checked. You could be getting a dry socket. READ MORE
How long does it take to fill 3 cavities?
It will depend on the size of the filling and were they are. If they are tiny it will be a quick appointment. If they are large it will be longer. Most times we tell the patient how long the appointment will be. READ MORE
Why is my tooth discolored after treatment?
When a root canal is done. The nerve tissue is removed and a filling placed inside the root. If the tissue was necrotic and some residual tissue was left up in the tooth, it will continue to decompose and as it does, it will darken the tooth. If this happens, the tooth will need to be bleached internally to get rid of as much of the discoloration as possible. READ MORE
How do you know if you have a wisdom tooth infection?
Yes it can be infected. You can get food stuck in the tissue around the wisdom tooth. Especially if it has not come in all the way. Pain can also come form tissue being stuck over the tooth and as you eat you keep irritating the tissue. This should be checked by a dentist to figure out what is happening. You may need to have them removed READ MORE
Can an infected root canal tooth be saved?
The tooth can usually be saved. The filling in the root canal should not be placed if an infection is still active. If it was ,a lot of times antibiotics can calm it down and it will not have to be retreated. Sometimes the filling material will need to be removed and then placed again later when there is no longer an infection. In some cases one of the canals on a molar was missed and the infection is coming from that. This canal needs to be treated to get ridge of the infection READ MORE
How can dry socket be prevented?
You will not be able to treat it yourself. In a dry socket, there is no clot left covering the bone and the bone is inflamed. If not treated, you run the risk of a secondary infection. The socket needs to be rinse and packed to cover the bone. It can be packed with several different materials. When the extraction is done, if there is not a good clot in the socket, some collagen or re-absorbable hemostatic gauze can be placed to stabilized the clot and help prevent a dry socket. Sometimes that may have to be secured with a suture. During the first day, it is important to not spit, rinse, or drink out of a straw or can. Nothing that will create suction and possible pull the clot out of the socket. READ MORE
Can a cracked dental bridge be repaired?
Any repair would be temporary. Bonding to porcelain in the mouth usually does not have good results. If this is a partial denture and not a bridge then a repair is much easier. READ MORE
What are the signs of early stage gum disease?
If your gums are bleeding easily you most likely have gingivitis which is the first stage of gum disease READ MORE
Is scaling of teeth painful?
It depends on if the gums are inflamed and how much root mat be exposed. If the gums are red and bleeding it can be sore. It is easier on the patient to use an ultrasonic cleaner, it sprays a lot of water. Some pieces of tarter may be very hard and a hand scaler may need to be used. That can be a little more uncomfortable. If the tissue is very healthy, it will not be difficult at all. READ MORE
Should I have gum pain after getting a tooth pulled?
It can depend on the difficulty of the extraction. If it was fairly simple by 7 days you should be able to brush lightly with very little to no discomfort. If there was tissue elevated with sutures this will take longer. If it persists I would go back and check to make sure the tissue is healing properly READ MORE
Do dental sealants need to be reapplied?
Sealants can wear off. They are not meant to be permanent. They are only meant to cover the surface until the child is out of there cavity prone years. Average time before replacement would be 3 to 5 years READ MORE
Why do dentists use X-rays?
Unless it is a very big fracture of tooth surface a x-rays will not always show anything. Cracks in teeth can be hard to diagnose because a majority will never show up on x-rays and you need to use other test to diagnose the problem. If a tooth is cracked deep enough the nerve can die and that may be seen on x-ray READ MORE
Can I take pain medicine for tooth pain?
There is a cause for that pain and you should have a dentist find out what it is. The medication may keep you comfortable but the source of the pain needs to be addressed. If there is an abscess the medication will only temporarily make you feel better. READ MORE
Is a dry socket an infection?
After an extraction the blood clot needs to cover the bone for at least 3 to 5 days before the gum migrates over the bone. If the blood clot comes out before this you can get a dry socket. Since there is nothing covering the bone the saliva will cause an inflammation in the bone. This will cause a throbbing sensation. The bone would have to be covered with a packing material to keep it covered until the tissue grows over it. While the bone is exposed after the clot is lost if you get a lot of food stuck in the socket it is possible that you can also get an infection on top[ of the dry socket. READ MORE
Why is my daughter still not teething?
No. You should have her checked to make sure there are teeth developing. READ MORE
When should I follow up with my dentist after my root canal?
After the root canal is finished you should have it fixed as soon as possible. The hole made to do the root canal needs to be filled. It is possible to wedge some thing in the hole. If the tooth has not been crowned before this can lead to the tooth breaking. Depending on the break the tooth might have to be removed. It is best to get to hole filled and a crown if that is needed. READ MORE
My daughter's braces are too tight. Is there anything I can do?
You can try Tylenol for the discomfort. Advil or Ibuprofen will slow down her treatment. If this is right after she had the braces put on initially they will be sore for the longest. The bone needs to start its change so the teeth can move. Usually a light wire is the first wire so I would be surprise if it lasted more then the first couple of weeks. If it does ask the treating doctor READ MORE
Can grinding your teeth cause TMJ?
Your night time grinding can lead to muscle fatigue and cramping and with possible soreness and associated headaches. This would be what they call a myofascial problem which is included in TMD (what they now call TMJ problems). READ MORE