Blog

If you've been considering orthodontic treatment as an adult, you probably don’t find the prospect of traditional metal braces to be very appealing. ClearCorrect® clear aligners are an excellent alternative that works without brackets or wires.

Gladnick Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Rockville, MD, provides ClearCorrect treatment for patients looking to address misalignment, crowding, and spacing issues.

What Is ClearCorrect?

ClearCorrect is a ...

A broken tooth usually happens unexpectedly, whether as a result of biting into an olive pit, accidental impact, or long-term wear and tear. Acting quickly when dental breakage happens will help you protect your tooth and reduce the risk of further damage. 

Here is Gladnick Dentistry’s guide to what steps to take after a dental injury, which helps make treatment ...

Did you know that most dental insurance plans renew in January? Yours might be one of them! 

That's why January is a great time to review your plan details and determine how to maximize your benefits for 2026. Our team can help. Here are a few things you should know about maximizing your dental insurance benefits. 

Understanding Dental Benefits

First, to maximize ...

Hearing that they need a dental crown can dredge up bad memories for some patients of waiting weeks for the dental lab to finish their restoration. Maybe they had a troublesome temporary crown that wouldn't stay put while they were waiting. Maybe the impressions for the crown and its temporary version caused gagging or discomfort. 

Well, we have good news ...

When you’ve got a tooth extraction on your calendar, it’s natural to feel a little nervous. The good news is that, with the right preparation and professional guidance, your procedure can be smooth, comfortable, and stress-free. At Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Elizabeth P. Gladnick and our caring team take every measure to make sure every patient feels ...

Dental implants are the top choice of most dentists, and they are carefully planned across a treatment timeline.

In most cases, the timeframe looks like this:

• Initial Consultation: Your dentist in Rockville, MD, determines whether implants are suitable for you through a comprehensive consultation in our dental office. You’ll also learn about costs and what to expect.
• Implant Placement Day: If ...

Summer break has flown by, and suddenly, your kids are heading back to school. They’ve got their school supplies, new clothes, and hopefully, a healthy smile.

Why schedule a back-to-school dental cleaning in Rockville, MD? At Gladnick Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re raising our hands in this digital classroom to give you some good answers:

• Get the jump on removing stubborn ...

Losing teeth can feel like losing part of yourself; you might not feel like smiling or laughing with your friends and family, and eating the foods you love may seem like a distant memory. If this sounds familiar, you should know you’re not alone.

Bridges and dentures are common tooth replacement options, but did you know that many patients are now ...

There is nothing worse than a chipped front tooth! The only thing on your mind is repairing it as soon as possible. It makes it difficult to eat, talk, and smile, and its rough edges may be irritating the soft tissues of your lips or cheeks.

The good news is that there are solutions for broken teeth, such as a

Deciding between Invisalign® clear aligners and traditional braces can be challenging, and it’s crucial to make the right choice for your oral health. You want an orthodontic treatment that suits your lifestyle and smile goals, but how do you know which one is the best?

At Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we realize that every smile is unique; that’s why ...

The better question might be: “When is it time to see the dentist?”

Your dentist can save a broken or deeply decayed tooth in many cases, provided you don’t wait too long to schedule an assessment. You might be making a mistake if you’re putting off care because you assume the tooth is beyond salvaging and dread extraction. You may be ...

Have you recently had a root canal in Rockville, MD? Then you might be wondering what comes next! While your tooth may feel better after the procedure, it still needs long-term protection. At Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we recommend dental crowns in Rockville, MD, to restore strength, function, and aesthetics after a root canal. Here’s why they’re ...

In our opinion, dental veneers are so worth it!

When you look at fashion magazines or celebrity smiles, there is an excellent chance you’re looking at porcelain veneers. These custom tooth shells are thin but mighty and can conceal the following aesthetic issues:  

• Gummy appearing smiles
• Slightly crooked teeth
• Short or worn teeth
• Stains and discoloration
• Unusually shaped teeth
• General chips and flaws

Dental veneers are arguably ...

Chipped or broken teeth can happen in an instant—whether it’s a sports injury or an accidental bite into something hard like ice, candy, or an olive pit. The realization that your tooth is damaged can be unsettling. On the bright side, modern dentistry offers a variety of solutions to restore your smile to its beaming and fully functional best. At ...

Chances are, you put time and effort into maintaining your home, car, and overall physical health. Amid it all, it’s important to ensure you’re not neglecting your dental health, even matters as minor as caring for dental fillings.

After getting a dental filling, proper care is essential to ensuring the restoration’s longevity and your oral health. Proper post-filling care involves ...

If you’re driving and your car starts making a weird sound or rattling, is your first thought, “Oh, that’s probably nothing?” Hopefully not. And if it is, you’ll likely discover, sooner rather than later, that it was, in fact, something.

Ignoring a toothache, no matter how minor, invites the same kind of uncomfortable discovery.

Understanding Toothaches

Toothaches come in all shapes and sizes. ...

Are you afraid that gum disease has slammed the door on your hopes of smile and bite restoration with dental implants? Fear not! You have options for setting things straight and reclaiming the smile of your dreams!

Many patients with gum disease ask us if they have viable options for eligibility for dental implants. While gum disease complicates the process, it’s ...

You may wonder how to restore your smile when a tooth is missing. Your Rockville dentist is here to help. 

A complete smile looks beautiful but is also essential for your overall health. Losing a tooth can make eating and chewing correctly tricky, not to mention speaking clearly. Loss of self-esteem can directly affect your health, success, and general happiness. Your ...

Missing teeth pose several challenges, including the ability to enjoy meals and to speak and laugh with confidence. Tooth loss also impacts your oral health.

At Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer various tooth replacement options, but dental implants are considered the gold standard—for several reasons.

Dental Implants: The Gold Standard

Dental implants in Rockville, MD, are the only tooth replacement ...

Of the many types of cosmetic dentistry treatments available, porcelain dental veneers arguably have the most significant potential to transform and recreate your smile.
Dental veneers in Rockville, MD, are a versatile treatment choice that can be tailored to aesthetic needs. No matter what level of improvement you’re hoping to see—whether you yearn for a dramatic, Hollywood-style smile makeover ...

At Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Rockville, we understand that a bright, white smile can significantly boost your confidence. While many patients are familiar with teeth whitening, not all are aware of internal tooth bleaching. Here's a detailed look at teeth whitening versus internal tooth bleaching in Rockville and Shady Grove.

Teeth Whitening: Enhancing the External Shine

Teeth whitening ...

If the canal of your tooth is infected, you may need root canal therapy. The canal is the pulp and nerve center of your tooth. Infections can result from tooth injury, lack of dental care, and even untreated cavities.

Your tooth requires a dental filling if you have an area of decay.

Occasionally, untreated tooth decay can reach the canal, ...

If you've recently relocated to Rockville, MD, one essential aspect of settling in is finding a reliable cosmetic dentist. Oral health is crucial, and a great dentist can make all the difference. Here are four tips to help you in your quest while exploring the local area.

1. Location Matters: Find a Convenient Dentist

Start your search by considering the location ...

When you visit Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we want you to feel like part of our dental family. Our entire dental team works hard to welcome patients and make them comfortable, and we strive to provide expert dental care to each person who walks through our office doors.

For a dental team to function well and provide top-notch services ...

Finding time for dental appointments during the week can be challenging, especially for busy professionals and families. Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry understands this modern-day reality and offers a solution for those with demanding schedules: Saturday appointments!

We take pride in being a dentist open on Saturday in Rockville, MD, catering to our patients' needs for convenience without compromising the ...

There are many considerations when choosing a dentist for you and your family. You want a dentist who offers all the services your family needs, such as dental exams and cleanings, emergency dental care, cosmetic dentistry, periodontal treatment, and orthodontics.  

However, you also want your dental office to be conveniently located near shopping, restaurants, and other medical professionals ...

Dental emergencies can strike unexpectedly, causing discomfort and anxiety. Knowing how to identify a dental emergency and taking the right steps can make a significant difference in preserving your oral health. Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is here to provide prompt and effective care if you're in Rockville, MD, and facing a dental emergency.

Common Dental Emergencies in Rockville, MD

We ...

Tooth extraction recovery is typically straightforward. However, following your dentist’s aftercare instructions is essential for best results.

Reasons You May Need Tooth Extraction

Your dentist in Rockville, MD, recommends tooth extraction for various reasons. Additionally, a patient may opt for extraction in specific situations.

Here are a few reasons you may need to have a tooth or teeth pulled:

• Problematic wisdom teeth ...

We are pleased to offer Opalescence Boost teeth whitening in our dental office. Additionally, we can create custom take-home trays (with bleaching gel) to be used at your convenience. The latter is ideal if you’d prefer to whiten on your own time. However, in-office Opalescence Boost teeth whitening offers faster results—usually a dramatically brighter smile within an hour!

Some patients ...

Do you admire your favorite celebrity's smile and wish yours could look that perfect? Maybe you thought they were born with flawless teeth, but the truth is, they've probably had a little help from veneers. 

So, how do veneers work, and is this transformation right for you? Let's explore the world of veneers as you imagine the possibilities for your smile!

Types ...

Dental checkups are just as vital to your health as checkups with your physician. During these visits, your dentists in Rockville, MD check for potential issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancers. They also provide preventive treatment to keep oral diseases at bay and offer treatment plans to correct problems like cavities, infections, and tooth damage. 

Routine ...

Yes, dental crowns can be replaced in Rockville, MD. As with most restorations, dental crowns have a lifespan. While it’s true that they can last for decades—and sometimes for life—many people face dental crown replacement at some point.

If you have a loose or broken crown, you must contact your dentist in Rockville, MD, to schedule an evaluation and ...

A standard teeth cleaning for healthy patients typically takes around 45 to 60 minutes. However, patients managing gum disease may need a more extended dental cleaning or additional teeth cleanings throughout the year to keep their condition under control.

What Can I Expect During My Teeth Cleaning?

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that patients see their dentist in ...

Living with crooked teeth can feel embarrassing, especially when it's time to take photos or interact with new people! But, aside from feeling self-conscious about your smile, did you know dental health benefits come from properly aligned teeth? It's true! Straight teeth are easier to keep clean with daily brushing and flossing.

These days, excellent options like ClearCorrect™ or

Many people think of cosmetic dentistry as a superficial benefit for your smile. However, while cosmetic treatments enhance your smile, they also significantly benefit your dental health and well-being.

Here are some surprising benefits of cosmetic dentistry in Rockville, MD.

Your Oral Health Improves

Cosmetic dentistry may enhance your smile, but it also fixes your teeth, making it easier to chew, talk, ...

Out of the blue is a phrase familiar to many of us when discussing unanticipated occurrences, often without warning. "It struck like a bolt out of the blue" is undoubtedly poetic, but it sounds truer than it actually is because when lightning strikes, the thunderclouds are nearby.

Such is the case for dental emergencies near Rockville, MD. Though unexpected at the ...

Are you currently experiencing any pain in your teeth? Maybe you’ve noticed a few unwanted changes in your oral health and want to keep things in check. Depending on the type of pain and associated symptoms, you may need a root canal treatment to save a tooth.

At Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Rockville, MD, we do everything we can ...

The American Dental Association and most dentists agree that twice-yearly checkups and teeth cleanings are the best course for a healthy smile. But “healthy smile” is too broad for what’s at risk. Proper dental care with your dentist in Rockville, MD, can also help prevent systemic health complications.

If you have not been to the dentist in years, ...

Dental implants are an excellent solution for patients missing one or more teeth. Not only do implants replace missing teeth, but they also protect your oral health by restoring both your lost root and a missing tooth. There are no other tooth replacement options that provide this benefit.

While dental implants are an investment in your smile and dental health, ...

If you are someone who suffers from bruxism —the grinding and clenching of teeth while you sleep, you may be looking for a solution.

Studies show a strong correlation between stress and the clenching and grinding of teeth, but it is unclear why exactly the two are linked.

Further studies show that stress may be more related to the clenching and grinding ...

Root planing is a treatment for advanced gum disease. By the time your dentist recommends dental planing, tartar has formed deep below the gum line, causing inflammation, possible gumline rescission, and damage to your overall oral health.

It is best to think of root planing as cleaning your tooth's roots.

Just like the hygienist will scrape the tartar off of your ...

We’ve all been there, the moments after an unlucky turn of events or a bad choice, and something traumatic has been the result. At those times, your heart beats like a drum and your mind races. So the first thing you should do is take a deep breath and calm down. Panic never makes any dental emergency easier to ...

Do you have a broken, worn, or severely discolored tooth? At Gladnick Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer various aesthetic and restorative treatments to improve your smile's health and appearance, including custom-made dental crowns in Rockville, MD. 

How Do I Know If I Need a Dental Crown?

So, what is a dental crown? A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap ...

Bringing your child to the dentist early in life is important for their dental health. Early dental visits can set the foundation of a lifetime of healthy smiles and help your little one feel comfortable with the sights and sounds of the dental office.

We recommend that you bring your children in for their first dental appointment just after their first ...

For many patients, sensitivity is a common side effect of most whitening procedures, but why does it happen, and is there anything a patient can do to reduce the sensitivity their teeth feel after a professional whitening treatment?

How Whitening Works

Tooth whitening works because whitening agents, usually a type of peroxide, pull stains from teeth by binding with the stain.

While we ...

Smile problems like tooth discoloration, oddly shaped teeth, or tooth size discrepancies can embarrass and make you feel self-conscious. Oddly shaped teeth may cause you to have gaps in your smile, and it's not uncommon for baby teeth to stick around in adult smiles and cause noticeable size discrepancies.

The good news is that cosmetic dentistry in Rockville, MD offers excellent ...

Do you clench and grind your teeth at night? If you wake up with frequent headaches, have excessive wear or fractures on your teeth, or experience pain or tenderness when you chew and eat food, the answer to that question might be yes!

The problem is that many people who suffer from clenching and grinding (bruxism) don't even know that it's ...

Missing teeth can cause a host of problems in your daily life!

Eating and chewing become a challenge, which can impact your nutrition. What about smiling or talking with new people? If you don't feel confident about your smile, you may find yourself hiding it, resulting in other people seeing you as hard to approach.

While you're dealing with these day-to-day problems, ...

In the popular 2010 film “Inception,” extraction is stealing a person’s secrets through their dreams. While that sounds unpleasant enough, we’re not talking about that kind of extraction here. In dental parlance, extraction refers to the process of having a tooth removed due to decay, damage, or overcrowding. While that means curtains for your natural tooth, it’s not the end ...

Dental technology has progressed since the old days when the public regarded a root canal with a sense of dread. With so much lore about the procedure entrenched in our culture, Drs. Thomas and Elizabeth Gladnick in Rockville, MD, are happy to dispel those myths and express a singular truth. In short, root canals save teeth. They are the ...

Porcelain veneers are a pain-free, realistic, and reliable cosmetic treatment used to enhance or repair a patient’s smile. Whether you have a chipped tooth or severely stained teeth, porcelain veneers can revive your smile and complement your appearance. 

At Gladnick Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide the highest quality of dental care available to ensure your smile stays healthy, bright, and ...

Do you have dull or yellow-stained teeth? Are you tired of hiding your smile in photos or during social events? With professional teeth whitening at Rockville, MD, Dr. Gladnick can remove stains and brighten your teeth in as little as one dental appointment. 

Professional teeth whitening is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to give your smile an instant ...

You might think of orthodontics and Invisalign as the way to a straight and beautiful smile, and you would be right. But Invisalign has other benefits that you may not have considered.

Our dentists in Rockville, MD offer Invisalign because of the benefits—both the obvious benefits and those not considered—and our patients have been thrilled with the results.

3 Benefits of ...

If you have a dental cavity, it requires a tooth-colored filling in Rockville, MD. These fillings are aesthetically pleasing because they match the shade of your teeth.

While tooth-colored fillings are a great option for treating tooth decay, it is even better to have no cavities at all.

Lowering Your Risks for Cavities

Most dentists recommend twice-yearly dental exams and ...

No one wants to experience a toothache, but unfortunately, it’s not that uncommon to end up with a toothache at some point in your life. And when your tooth is hurting, you shouldn’t wait around. It’s time to call your dentist to set up an appointment for an exam!

When Is My Toothache an Emergency?

A toothache is always a cause ...

If you’ve broken or chipped your tooth, you may wonder how a dentist can possibly restore it to its former functional and attractive state. The good news is that there are actually many ways for a dentist to restore slightly damaged or chipped teeth. Dentists can use veneers, dental bonding, and other methods to cover tooth flaws and make ...

Remember when we got rid of all the kids' prizes because we thought they might increase the risk for coronavirus transmission? Well, they're back, they're ...

Dental implants are considered the gold standard by dentists because they are most similar to your natural teeth. Unlike other options, they contain both a tooth (dental crown) and a root. But a dental implant can also work with a prosthetic like a bridge or a denture.

What Is a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns in Rockville, MD are tooth-shaped caps ...

Dental crowns offer a range of uses across dentistry and help restore your oral health. The dentists at Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry rely on quality materials to craft custom crowns that work just for you.

Dental crowns in Rockville, MD are tooth-shaped caps shaded to match your teeth.

Here are five ways dental crowns work for your oral health.

1# ...

One of our favorite aspects of general dentistry is that we get to treat patients of all ages and at all stages of life, from grandparents to young children. At Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Rockville, MD, we value our patients, no matter what age they may be or what dental concerns they may have. We take pride in ...

A bright and healthy smile can make you feel like you can tackle even the toughest challenges, not to mention it can improve your overall health and wellbeing. With a new and improved smile, you can live your life authentically, without worrying about cosmetic imperfections like chipped or stained teeth. Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry offers our patients a wide ...

There’s no doubt about it: braces are a medical miracle that have allowed millions of people to achieve healthier, more attractive smiles. 

Thanks to modern dentistry, just because someone is born with crooked teeth doesn’t mean they have to stay that way! And today, more than ever before, adults are turning toward alternatives to traditional medical braces.

Straightening Your Teeth With Invisible ...

Most of us aren’t born with our dream smiles, but because we’re lucky enough to live in a world full of modern dental treatments, having a beautiful set of teeth is possible. 

One of the best ways to completely transform your smile and, in turn, your entire appearance, is through dental veneers in Rockville, MD. 

Creating a Perfect Smile with Veneers

Cosmetic ...

Many people are not happy with their teeth. Maybe they are twisted or crowded. Perhaps there is uneven spacing or overlapping front teeth. In the past, adults may have avoided orthodontics because they did not want brackets and wires. But today, we offer Invisalign in Rockville, MD.

Invisalign is the clear solution to bracket and wire braces. It is a discreet ...

Cavities are often thought of as a childhood issue, but adults get cavities regularly as well. A cavity means you have an area of decay on your tooth that requires treatment from your dentist in Rockville, MD.

In our dental office, we offer tooth-colored fillings to treat your tooth decay aesthetically. We shade this composite resin to match your tooth, which ...

If you have never had an aesthetic dental procedure done before, you may not be familiar with the many benefits of cosmetic dentistry and how it can improve your life. 

Even if the way your teeth look doesn’t immediately seem important to you, when you stop to consider how many different times each day you show your smile to other people, ...

Even if you weren’t born with the smile of your dreams, modern dentistry still makes it possible for you to get a beautiful, sparkling set of teeth. Various cosmetic dentistry treatments, including porcelain dental veneers, enable you to change aspects of your smile and hide the flaws that you’d rather no one else sees. 

Whether you have been wanting to change ...

When you hear the phrase “dental emergency,” you most likely picture a broken tooth or a throbbing toothache. While it’s true most emergency dental situations involve injury to teeth, you can also need emergency treatment for your cheeks, tongue, lips, and gums. 

But how can you tell if your painful or damaged gums are a dental emergency? The best way to ...

Especially now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be hearing a lot of buzz about dental emergencies. But unless you’ve experienced a dental emergency yourself or know someone close to you who’s needed emergent dental work, you may not have a perfect idea of how teeth get broken or why people end up at their dentist at 2 a.m. 

Below, our ...

Despite root canals being safe, routine dental procedures, root canal treatment can feel stressful for many people.

The most common reason our patients report being scared of having a root canal is because they’re afraid the root canal will hurt. In reality, most patients who need root canals are already in excruciating pain due to a dental infection within the tooth. 

Root ...

Once you receive a new dental implant in Rockville, MD, that implant has the potential to last a lifetime. 

With the proper care and maintenance, your dental implant will stick with you and protect your smile for decades to come. But what exactly does that care and maintenance look like? 

Cleaning and Protecting Your Dental Implant

Luckily, keeping your dental implants healthy ...

You probably already know that dental crowns can repair damaged teeth, but what you might not know is that dental crowns are also useful in cosmetic dentistry.

Because tooth crowns are made of durable materials like ceramic, dentists rely on them to strengthen teeth and add structural support back to a compromised smile. Crowns for teeth are strong and reliable, ...

At Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we do our best to save your tooth if it is at risk; yet there are times when all options have been exhausted, and tooth extraction is the only way to protect your oral health. 

No one wants to consider having a tooth removed; therefore, we strive to make the process as pain-free and stress-free ...

When you smile at yourself in the mirror, are you happy with what reflects back? Do you love your teeth, or do you find them yellow and dull? It’s not uncommon to have discolored or stained teeth as we age. Often the foods we love can be staining or acidic, even the coffee we enjoy in the mornings, or glass ...

Your smile plays an integral role in how you feel about yourself and the impression you make on other people. If you don’t feel confident about smiling because your teeth are crooked or overlap, you could tend to hide your teeth when you interact with other people. You might have also considered the toll that wearing braces would take on ...

If you’ve had a dental filling in the past, you may remember having or still have metal amalgam fillings. While these fillings were durable, they did not really enhance your smile since the dark grey metal was visible when you would talk or laugh.

Today, composite resin is a tooth-colored material that has replaced the amalgam fillings used in the past. ...

Recently, a patient emailed us and asked what type of toothbrush is best. Of course, every patient is different, and certain patients may need different types of toothbrushes. That being said, my response to this patient would probably be useful for 95% of our patients, so I thought I would share it with you. 

Good Afternoon [NAME REDACTED], I've sent ...

During dental school, Dr. Liz and I were instructed to wear scrubs every day. Most people that didn’t have abnormally long legs found them quite comfortable. I never had pants the right length, and I always had to choose between exposing my ankles or exposing my midriff. When I was lucky enough to find a pair of scrub pants long ...

Discovering the cause of bad breath starts with the basics

Every now and then I’ll have friends, family members, or patients that are concerned about bad breath, and they want to know why this is happening. Now, the vast majority of our patients (and family members and friends!) are pretty darn good about brushing twice per day, so it’s not necessarily ...

Over the past several weeks I’ve had a few patients ask me the same question:

What does it mean if my teeth are loose?

The most common reason why teeth are loose is due to the destruction of the bone around the teeth. This occurs most frequently in patients that have severe gum inflammation over a long period of time which causes ...