Cosmetic Dentist

Northern Virginia Dentistry Serving Alexandria, Arlington, and Surrounding Areas

The process of finding the right dentist to address your needs, goals and priorities may take some time because there is a vast difference between one practice and the next.

Philosophy
"Dog & Pony" Shows
Intention
Training
Gifts and Talents
The Examination and Planning Process
Practice Size
State-of-the Art Facility

Philosophy

It is important for an individual seeking a Dentist to have confidence in him or her to bring their mouth back to health and natural beauty. Many practices today are repair-oriented, problem-focused, or sales-driven. In other words, the major focus of the practice is to resolve current problems with little time spent looking at trends, reasons why problems are occurring, or developing plans to prevent significant problems in the future.

"Dog & Pony" Shows

Sales-driven practices usually spend most of their continuing education, time, and money in sales training and, unfortunately, learning how to manipulate patient's emotions. They know all the buzzwords and have done hundreds of cases without much attention to the meticulous detail required to increase the long-term success of the case and health of the patient. The objective becomes either "patch and repair" or selling crowns instead of looking out for the best interest and long-term health of the patient.

These types of practices incorporate timesaving systems to keep costs down and maintain clients with the intention of manipulating them out of their money. A practice model like this can work for patients with few to no cosmetic or restorative needs but can be a disaster for those with significant needs or problems. Often, the source of these needs is never explored and the patient repeats the same cycle of destruction. In the worst-case scenario, expensive dentistry fails at an alarmingly fast rate.

The truth is that fine, long-lasting dentistry requires a great deal of planning, knowledge, and experience.

Intention

We hold a 'health-centered' intention in working with clients and friends of the practice. This is our fundamental belief and the reason we are here. Loss of any facet of health, such as healthy teeth, negatively impacts our lives. Good dental health is a part of the larger picture of overall health and is as important as any other facet of health. We enter into our relationships with people to facilitate the enhancement of their own health. Because of our training, experience, and caring relationships, our intention to practice a health-centered approach in dentistry rings clearly.

Training

Membership in associations and groups does not constitute training engagement in those groups. It might be the case for some and not for others.

Dental schools train dentists for board examinations that measure minimal levels of competency in the primary aspects of general dentistry. Therefore, the license to practice dentistry is a license to practice a minimum standard, giving no assurance that the dentist is competent to deliver high-level and complicated levels of care.

In particular, some dentists may not likely have the appropriate training to diagnose and plan treatment that is integrated with orthodontists, periodontists, implantologists, and other specialists. The finest restorative and cosmetic dentists in the world rely on a network of specialists and never claim to "know it all." Only those few dentists who take their careers seriously are engaged in advanced continuing education programs that have structure and are built on strong foundation of study, research, and caring.

As their practices mature, these doctors are able to provide predictable treatments that address patterns of wear and oral disease. They can plan cases that will have long-term success with the case histories to prove it. Dr Varipapa is such a Dentist and is known throughout Washington D.C., the United States, and Canada. Savvy consumers understand that being a Cosmetic Dentist does not mean putting veneers on everyone that walks in the door.

Dr. Varipapa stands out as a highly-trained and qualified cosmetic dentist who has completed advanced training to provide his patients with the best possible care.

Dr. Varipapa has completed training at several well-known institutes:

L.D. Pankey Institute
The Dawson Center
The distinguished Seattle Institute

Dr. Varipapa has also attended the Las Vegas Institute (LVI) and is an LVI preferred dentist.

Dr. Varipapa is the only Dentist in the Washington D.C. area to have completed all of these prestigious programs. This level of training is unusual in the field of dentistry. Unlike most of his peers, Dr. Varipapa has the advanced proficiency to accurately diagnose and successfully treat the most complicated cases and those that require meticulous detail.

Gifts and Talents

Cosmetic and advanced restorative dentistry also require an aesthetic eye. This is a unique talent that only a small percentage of dentists have. Dr. Varipapa is a nationally-known Cosmetic Dentist whose aesthetic eye sets him apart. His fine attention to detail, sense for balance, and golden proportion place him in a different category than other dentists. Plainly stated, he is an artist whose keen aesthetic talents are prevalent in many things he does - even in areas beyond dentistry. As a designer, he planned his own home and office and has done so for others. He is often called upon by doctors around the country to design their office both architecturally and decoratively. Dr. Varipapa is an artist and collector of fine art. He relies on his artistic sense to help clients create their own unique smile that is both healthy and naturally beautiful. A brief visit to our "before and after" gallery will demonstrate the symmetry and natural appearance of his cases. Gum tissue and tooth length and width are balanced, following a golden proportion that is either hidden, disregarded, or does not appear on other Web sites.

Dr. Varipapa counts among his patients, numerous dentists, their spouses and parents. We are pleased to offer our services to you as well as to these discriminating clients.

As a guest at our practice, you will learn enough information to make ideal choices about your treatment and realize superior results that have long-term success.

The Examination and Planning Process

Dental exams typically leave patients in a quandary of mixed thoughts and emotions. They are often examined and told what to do without participating in the decision-making process. One or two things typically happen in these practices: (1) there are time constraints that don't allow patients significant attention to make good choices for themselves or (2) a dental team functions as cheerleaders to "sell" dentistry to patients by manipulating them emotionally.

The communication that occurs in our office is honest and safe. We have put the appropriate amount of time aside to help patients choose. We spend a significant amount of time listening to understand your wants and needs and to fully understand your history. More than half of the people who seek our care need us to re-do poorly planned dentistry. One patient told us that she became "a dental connoisseur." After her first few visits, she learned what was necessary for her to not only have a dazzling smile, but also to have a healthy smile where her dentistry would be predictable long term. She participated fully in the process of understanding her current health status. Based on her goals, priorities and where she was in her life, she was able to make choices toward a healthy future.

Practice Size

After 15 years in private family practice, Dr. Varipapa has deliberately chosen to keep his practice small to serve the needs of one patient at a time. This way he and his care team can see people privately, individually, and without interruption. Care and service is highly personalized and waiting for appointments is not an issue. Dr Varipapa's office is one-third the size of a typical general dental and cosmetic practice, allowing him to devote his time to the individual clients he is privileged to serve. Patients experience personalized care and whatever is in their best interest is the ultimate priority.

State-of-the Art Facility

Micro Dental Lab

View our Lab Photos

In 2002, Dr. Varipapa re-modeled the historic property on North Washington Street in Old Town Alexandria that is home of the Center for Esthetic Dentistry. Careful planning went into each facet of the practice. To say the least, it is one-of-a-kind without counters, windows, and abrasive treatment rooms. Designed impeccably to deliver the highest level of dental care, the office is immaculate and a clean, safe environment. We invite you to review sterile protocols with team members and enjoy the comfort of knowing that Dr. Varipapa and his team take infection control seriously. Knowing that some practices pride themselves in their "in-house" dental laboratories, we know that it is impossible for an in-house lab to deliver the varied restorative materials necessary to address the varied restorative needs of clients. Dr. Varipapa works specifically with two master ceramists and has worked with them for more than 20 years.

Mr. Stan Lott, CDT, AACD, is one of the only eleven laboratory technicians accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and has completed the Las Vegas Institute Laboratory Technician Program.

Ms. Joy Goodrich, CDT, is a master ceramist for Micro Dental Lab, MAC division.

It takes more than a phone call to work with these expert acclaimed ceramic artists.

Patients from Washington, DC and Northern Virginia are invited to contact our Alexandria, VA advanced dentistry office today for a consultation. Enjoy the confidence of visiting the right cosmetic dentist to deliver a healthy and naturally beautiful smile!

Call 703.299.9899 or email us today.