Dr. William Dougherty has been practicing dentistry in the Falls Church, Arlington, and McLean, VA communities since 1988. He continues to work hard to deliver the most advanced dental treatments with a traditional personal touch and a strong emphasis on building lasting relationships. Our patients choose us because they trust that they are going to receive the best care possible, and they know we will do whatever it takes to make sure they have a wonderful dental experience.
Our practice is committed to providing you and your family with safe, gentle, and state-of-the-art dental care. We understand that you or your child may feel anxious about visiting the dentist; you are not alone! Our practice puts forth an extra effort to make sure you are comfortable and happy every time you visit our practice. We are sensitive to your needs and concerns; you can always count on receiving individual attention from Dr. Dougherty and our staff.
When you're ready to make our Falls Church dental office your dental home, please give us a call.
Our practice is committed to providing you and your family with safe, gentle, and state-of-the-art dental care. We understand that you or your child may feel anxious about visiting the dentist; you are not alone! Our practice puts forth an extra effort to make sure you are comfortable and happy every time you visit our practice. We are sensitive to your needs and concerns; you can always count on receiving individual attention from Dr. Dougherty and our staff.
When you're ready to make our Falls Church dental office your dental home, please give us a call.
Services
A child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable.
Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown.
Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment.
We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.
The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel.
Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday.
It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at six and 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.
Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown.
Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment.
We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.
The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel.
Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday.
It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at six and 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums surrounding your teeth.
Gum disease is one of the top reasons for tooth loss in adults, and because it is virtually pain-free, many patients do not know they have the disease.
During each regular checkup, your dentist will check for signs of periodontal disease by measuring the space between your teeth and gums.
If the plaque is not removed (by flossing, brushing, and regular dental checkups), it will continue to build up and create toxins that can damage the gums.
Gum disease is one of the top reasons for tooth loss in adults, and because it is virtually pain-free, many patients do not know they have the disease.
During each regular checkup, your dentist will check for signs of periodontal disease by measuring the space between your teeth and gums.
If the plaque is not removed (by flossing, brushing, and regular dental checkups), it will continue to build up and create toxins that can damage the gums.
There are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth.
Sometimes a baby tooth has misshapen or long roots that prevent it from falling out as it should, and the tooth must be removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt.
At other times, a tooth may have so much decay that it puts the surrounding teeth and jaw at risk of decay, so your doctor may recommend removal and replacement with a bridge or implant.
Infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also require removal of a tooth.
Sometimes a baby tooth has misshapen or long roots that prevent it from falling out as it should, and the tooth must be removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt.
At other times, a tooth may have so much decay that it puts the surrounding teeth and jaw at risk of decay, so your doctor may recommend removal and replacement with a bridge or implant.
Infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also require removal of a tooth.
Newer dental fillings include ceramic and plastic compounds that mimic the appearance of natural teeth.
These compounds, often called composite resins, are usually used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important, but they can also be used on the back teeth depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay.
Before your treatment begins, your doctor will discuss with you all of your options and help you choose the best filling for your particular case.
In preparation for this discussion it may be helpful to understand the two basic types of dental fillings - direct and indirect.
These compounds, often called composite resins, are usually used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important, but they can also be used on the back teeth depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay.
Before your treatment begins, your doctor will discuss with you all of your options and help you choose the best filling for your particular case.
In preparation for this discussion it may be helpful to understand the two basic types of dental fillings - direct and indirect.
In the past, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you would probably lose that tooth.
Today, with a special dental procedure called root canal treatment, your tooth can be saved.
Root canals are a relatively simple procedure involving one to three office visits.
Best of all, having a root canal when necessary can save your tooth and your smile!
A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums.
Its only function is sensory - to provide the sensation of hot or cold.
Today, with a special dental procedure called root canal treatment, your tooth can be saved.
Root canals are a relatively simple procedure involving one to three office visits.
Best of all, having a root canal when necessary can save your tooth and your smile!
A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums.
Its only function is sensory - to provide the sensation of hot or cold.
Reviews (1)
Harry R.
Nov 14, 2024
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I have been a patient for a number of years. His office handles problems as well as regular cleanings. He and his staff are first rate. In the past month he has installed a 4-tooth bridge to replace a tooth that broke this summer while we were out of the area. He also replaced an old crown when the underlying tooth had developed decay. Finally, he installed a permanent filling following a root canal. He and his staff communicates well during procedures, alerted me beforehand about the expected costs, and made the repairs without physical discomfort. I am always pleased with their work.
