Creating Beautiful Healthy Smiles

Note:  Altadonics and Periolase

Preventive Care
Regular visits to our dental clinic can be imperative in helping to prevent more costly visits in the future.  Undoubtedly, the most important service we offer to our patients is preventive dental care.  Early detection can help minimize damage to the teeth and gums that often require more costly and painful treatments to correct.  Preventative care normally includes an examination, periodic x-rays, and cleaning.

Fillings
Our dentists take great pride in restoring a tooth to as near to its original look and functionality as possible.  Whereas in the past, when oftentimes a restorable tooth by today’s standards would have been extracted, with the current availability of restorative materials and the confidence and skill level attained by dentists today, tooth extraction should be in most cases, the treatment of last resort.   While silver and gold restorations are still available, the newest composite materials can provide a long-lasting alternative and very nearly match the original color of your tooth.  Your dentist will gladly discuss the advantages of the different restorative materials with you at the time of your visit.

Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is prescribed to save a tooth whose nerve chamber has been injured or infected with decay.  A healthy tooth may have one or more root chambers, or canals, that extend all the way to the jaw.  Within the canal is a living pulp of blood vessels and nerves that feed the tooth and keep it healthy.  Deep tooth decay or injury can cause damage resulting in infection within the canal.  Using various instruments, the chamber is cleaned of the infected tissue and sealed with a moisture resistant material.  Although most root canal therapy is performed by a dentist at our office, the more difficult cases are referred to an endodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating infected root canals of the teeth.  Quite often, the dentist will prescribe a crown to complete the procedure and to further seal the tooth.

Crowns
A crown is normally prescribed when the dentist detects a fractured tooth, observes a tooth that is severely damaged by decay or one that may have a large filling that has deteriorated beyond repair.  Once the damaged portion of the tooth is stabilized and decay is removed, the crown will protect the remaining tooth structure.  Although there are several materials for making crowns, including gold, porcelain and combinations of porcelain and metal, the final product will normally appear and function just as the original tooth.  A crown procedure requires at least two visits to the dental office.  During the first visit, tooth decay will be removed, the remaining tooth structure will be shaped and the dentist will use a molding compound to take an impression that will be used at the laboratory to manufacture the crown.  The dentist will also spend time with you in determining the proper color shade of the crown so that it closely matches your surrounding teeth.  The dentist will use a special binding material to cement a temporary crown in place until the permanent one is sent back from the laboratory.  Because the special binding material is designed for easy removal, the temporary crown may detach before the final product is placed.  If this does occur, just bring the temporary crown to the office and the dentist will re-cement it back in place.  Approximately two weeks after your first visit, the permanent crown will be ready to be cemented in place using a stronger, more permanent bonding material.

Extractions
The treatment of last resort is usually tooth extraction.  Whenever possible our dentists will attempt to restore your teeth using any combination of methods available today.  Topical anesthetic, local anesthetic and nitrous oxide are all available to make the extraction visit as comfortable as possible.  The dentist will prescribe pain medication that can be taken at home.

Teeth Whitening
Louisiana Dental Center offers two choices in teeth whitening procedures; one is accomplished by the patient at home while the other method is completed in the dental office.  One of the take-home methods requires the purchase of whitening strips which can be done so at the office.  The strips, containing the whitening material, are placed over the teeth for a specified period of time and then removed.  The end result should provide teeth that are several shades brighter than their original color.  Another at-home  method requires a visit to the dental office only to have a customized whitening mouthpiece, or tray, made from a mold of your teeth.  While at home, the patient places the whitening material in the mouthpiece, so that when placed in mouth the whitening jell evenly covers the teeth.  The mouthpiece remains in place for a specified period of time depending on the concentration of the active ingredient in the jell.  Although at two to four weeks, the in home method takes much longer to complete, the results are impressive.  It is not uncommon that the end result is 4 to 5 shades brighter.  However, if you want speedier results and have a bit more to spend on teeth whitening, the in-office method may be best for you.  During this procedure, the whitening solution is placed directly on the teeth.  Then, a specialized light activating device operating at controlled wavelengths is aimed at the jell-covered teeth at timed intervals until all of the teeth have been exposed.  The entire procedure lasts a little more than an hour and the patient will normally leave with a smile that can be up to 8 shades brighter.

Dentures
Most people would be surprised to discover that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends replacing a denture every 5 to 7 years. Although dentures are durable, they won't last forever and as dentures age they become more porous and capable of housing harmful and odor causing bacteria. The side effects associated with wearing dentures older than 7 years are numerous and range from accelerated resorption of the gums, to headaches and bad breathe. Since the mouth is in a constant state of change a replacement denture every 5-7 years also helps to maintain a healthy natural appearance. Click here to learn more about dentures.

Veneers
Porcelain veneers are top line in cosmetic dentistry.  If your teeth are chipped, broken, or discolored, porcelain veneers are a great way to change the color and shape of your teeth.  A porcelain veneer is a covering over the tooth that gives natural color and bridges small gaps.  Veneers can be a great alternative to braces for slight orthodontic problems and provide a beautiful smile in a short amount of time. The results are simply gorgeous!

Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is the technical name for gum disease, the most common reason for tooth loss in patients after the age of 25.    Although relatively painless in the beginning, by the time the first acute abscess occurs, some teeth may already be beyond saving.  The first sign of periodontal disease is bleeding gums that are also usually red and swollen.  As the disease progresses, the gums will recede causing the affected teeth to appear longer than normal.  Finally, in the latter stages, the teeth will loosen to the point of being painful and useless, and will either fall out on their own or will have to be extracted.

Poor oral hygiene is what causes gum disease.  Thoroughly brushing and cleaning between the teeth at least once per day will help prevent the onset of gum disease.  If a patient finds it difficult to floss, using thin toothpicks can be an acceptable alternative for cleaning between the teeth.  Although easily preventable, periodontal disease is often difficult to maintain once the deterioration process begins. 

A More Detailed Look at Periodontal Disease