PROFESSIONAL DENTISTS IN BATON ROUGE
Dental Care You Deserve
Preventative care is crucial for keeping smiles looking and feeling their best. When you have a dentist that you trust, you’re more likely to stick with these checkups. We work hard to create a welcoming, warm environment for you. We want you to have a positive experience every time you walk through our doors. After all, your smile deserves the best.
In many cases, dental restoration can not only improve the appearance of your smile, but also restore functionality and improve oral health.
Digital X-Rays
How often dental X-rays (radiographs) should be taken depends on the patient's individual health needs.
It is important to recognize that just as each patient is different from the next, so should the scheduling of X-ray exams be individualized for each patient. Your medical and dental history will be reviewed and your mouth examined before a decision is made to take X-rays of your teeth.
When X-rays pass through your mouth during a dental exam, more X-rays are absorbed by the denser parts (such as teeth and bone) than by soft tissues (such as cheeks and gums) before striking the film. This creates an image on the radiograph. Teeth appear lighter because fewer X-rays penetrate to reach the film. Cavities and gum disease appear darker because of more X-ray penetration. The interpretation of these X-rays allows the dentist to safely and accurately detect hidden abnormalities.
The schedule for needing radiographs at recall visits varies according to your age, risk for disease and signs and symptoms. Recent films may be needed to detect new cavities, or to determine the status of gum disease or for evaluation of growth and development.
Children may need X-rays more often than adults. This is because their teeth and jaws are still developing and because their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than those of adults.
Complete Full Mouth Charting
Full mouth charting helps give your dentist a complete picture of your oral health. During this procedure, your dentist will examine all of your teeth and record any existing cavities, decay, or other damage. They will also take note of the health of your gums and the condition of your tongue.
Full mouth charting is important to maintaining good oral health, and it should be done every six months. However, if you have any concerns about your oral health, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with your dentist. They will be able to provide you with more information and help you develop a plan to maintain good oral health.
Bite Analysis
A bite analysis is an important part of your regular dental appointment. By taking a close look at how your teeth come together, your dentist can identify any problems that may be causing pain or difficulty when you bite down.
In some cases, a simple adjustment to your bite can alleviate these issue. In other cases, more extensive treatment may be necessary. Either way, a bite analysis is an important tool for ensuring that you stay comfortable and healthy.
Cosmetic Analysis
A dental cosmetic analysis is a process that helps your dentist understand what changes need to be made in order to improve the appearance of your smile.
The first step is to take photographs of your teeth and mouth from different angles. Next, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums, looking for any areas that need improvement. Once the evaluation is complete, your dentist will develop a treatment plan that may include one or more dental cosmetic procerure.
By taking the time to undergo a dental cosmetic analysis, you can be sure that you are getting the best possible care for your smile.
Temporomandibular (Jaw) Disorders
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the point where the lower jaw (the mandible) meets the skull. This joint allows the jaw to move up and down and side to side, so it’s in constant use throughout the day. But for some people, the TMJ doesn’t work properly. This can cause a wide range of symptoms, from pain and clicking noises to headaches and dizziness.
There are many possible causes of TMJ disorders, including misalignment of the teeth, arthritis, clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism), and stress. In many cases, there is no single cause, but a combination of factors.
Treatment for TMJ disorders depends on the individual case, but may include:
- Head, neck and jaw pain therapy
- Non-Invasive treatment including Nightguard Splints and bite adjustments
Fluoride
Dental fluoride is a key component in maintaining healthy teeth. Fluoride helps to prevent cavities by making the tooth enamel more resistant to acid. It also helps to remineralize the enamel, which can be damaged by acid or abrasion. In addition, fluoride can help to reduce the halftime of existing cavities. For these reasons, dental fluoride is an important part of keeping your teeth healthy. You can get dental fluoride from many sources, including toothpaste, mouthwash, and fluoridated water.
Teeth Cleaning
Regular teeth cleaning appointments are the basis of preventative care for all patients. During an appointment, all plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth by a dental professional. This helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease so your smile stays looking great.
Your dentists in Baton Rouge, LA, recommend regular teeth cleaning appointments twice a year to help keep your mouth healthy and your smile looking beautiful!
Dental Sealants
The pits and grooves of your teeth are prime areas for opportunistic decay. Even regular brushing sometimes misses some of these intricate structures on the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
Enter sealants, which are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces designed to prevent the intrusion of bacteria and other debris into the deep crevices on the tops of your teeth.
Sealants actually were developed about 50 years ago, but didn't become commonly used until the 1970s. Today, sealants are becoming widely popular and effective; young children are great candidates for preventative measures like sealants because in many cases, decay has not set in.
Sealants are applied by first cleaning the tooth surface. The procedure is followed by etching the tooth with an abrasive substance, which allows the sealant to better adhere. After the sealant is applied, a warm light source is directed to the site to promote faster drying. Sealants usually need re-application every five to 10 years.
Oral Cancer Screening
An oral cancer screening is a simple, quick, and painless procedure that can be performed by your dentist or hygienist. During the screening, they will visually examine your mouth, tongue, and lips for any signs of cancer. They may also feel around your neck to check for lumps or anything else that feels abnormal.
If they find anything suspicious, they will refer you to a specialist for further testing. Oral cancer screenings are important because they can help to catch cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Dentures
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It is made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals.
Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position.
Candidates for complete dentures have lost most or all of their teeth. A partial denture is suitable for those who have some natural teeth remaining. A denture improves chewing ability and speech, and provides support for facial muscles. It will greatly enhance the facial appearance and smile.
Dental Bridges
Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.
There are several types of fixed dental bridges (cannot be removed), including conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges, and resin-bonded bridges. Some bridges are removable and can be cleaned by the wearer; others need to be removed by a dentist.
Porcelain, gold alloys, or combinations of materials are usually used to make bridge appliances. Appliances called implant bridges are attached to an area below the gum tissue or the bone.