Bonding and Fillings for Your Teeth

Chipping or breaking a tooth can be very painful. It can also leave the tooth misshapen or with a sharpened edge that could hurt the inside of your mouth. Dental bonding and fillings assist in rebuilding the affected tooth with special materials. We at Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group are proud to offer both of these procedures to our patients. We are committed to helping fix your smile when unexpected chips and breaks occur!

Dental bonding restores the natural shape of your tooth by using composite resin matched to your specific tooth color. In cases of accidental damage or minor decay, it is an inexpensive way to restore the look of the tooth to its normal healthy self. Dental bonding can also be used for protecting the roots of your teeth. Receding gums exposing the tooth root allow bacteria in easily, making them more susceptible to infection.

Dental fillings focus more on restorative efforts than cosmetic ones since they are stronger and more durable than dental bonding. This method also has a low cost, but is the better option over dental bonding in the long run. Whereas dental bonding fixes the outside of the tooth, dental fillings fix the inside of a tooth damaged from decay or a break. For back teeth, it’s better to use metal fillings so that it can better withstand the force of chewing. 

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group is located on 1500 W 38th St., Suite 34, in Austin, TX 78731. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit fredrickshawdds.com or call 512-451-7491.

 

Conventional and Immediate Dentures

At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, we pride ourselves in helping our patients achieve the best, confidence-boosting smile they can get. Dr. Fredrick Shaw, DDS has extensive training in complete dentures. Dental dentures are designed to replace missing teeth as well as the surrounding tissues. They are custom made, removable, and significantly improve the function and appearance of your smile. You can even eat and sleep with them! Your dedicated Austin, TX dentist will ensure that your new dentures fit your mouth properly and comfortably.

Complete dentures are either “conventional” or “immediate.” Conventional dentures are made after the teeth have been completely removed from the gum tissue and the healing process has had a chance to begin. After that time, this type of complete denture is placed in the mouth for eight to twelve weeks. Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. This is a great alternative to conventional dentures because the wearer doesn’t have to go without teeth during the healing process.

Other benefits of complete dentures include:

- Facial muscle support

- Allows patients to eat food they couldn’t eat without teeth

- Improves the ability to chew, eat, and speak

- Improves appearance and smile

- Improves confidence and self-esteem

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group is located on 1500 W 38th St., Suite 34, in Austin, TX 78731. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit fredrickshawdds.com or call 512-451-7491.

 

Periodontal Disease

Did you know that it’s abnormal for your gums to bleed while brushing your teeth? Your hands shouldn’t bleed when you wash them, but many people seem to think that bleeding from the gums is normal. In actuality, this is a sign of an underlying issue. We at Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group dedicate our time and expertise to educating our patients about good oral health. Your Austin, TX dentist can help you achieve that winning smile.

If your gums are swollen and bleeding, these are signs of the beginning stages of periodontal disease known as gingivitis. The gums have been infected with bacteria-infested plaque, which is usually caused by poor dental hygiene or pre-existing conditions. Periodontitis is the advanced stage of the disease, where the teeth can actually be loosened and fall out.

Factors that can increase your risk of periodontal disease include:

- Chronic stress

- Certain medications such as antidepressants, diuretics, high blood pressure meds, seizure-controlling meds, and calcium blockers

- Poor nutrition

- Fluctuating hormones

- Diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, inflammatory bowel disease, and HIV

- Teeth grinding

- Crooked or crowded teeth

- Tobacco use

- Genetics

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group is located on 1500 W 38th St., Suite 34, in Austin, TX 78731. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit fredrickshawdds.com or call 512-451-7491.

 

Wisdom Teeth: Complications and Warning Signs

We’ve all heard of it before, maybe even experienced its fury: “my wisdom teeth are coming in.” Nowadays, it’s a common trend for young adults to record themselves after getting their wisdom teeth removed. There’s the comic relief post-procedure and sharing the video on Youtube. Until a viewer feels an unfamiliar ache in their mouth and wonders what comes before the laughs, or even after them. Dr. Fredrick Shaw, DDS closely monitors the development of wisdom teeth in our young patients and is committed to preserving their overall oral health.

Wisdom teeth that do not have enough space to develop correctly can cause numerous problems in the mouth. Complications include the trapping of food and making an environment for cavities and disease to form, crowding or damaging neighboring teeth, and causing root damage (which is irreversible). As always, it is recommended that you see your dentist for regular checkups so that any issues involving the development of your wisdom teeth can be addressed as soon as possible.

You may need to get your wisdom teeth removed if you show signs of:

- Pain, aching, or tenderness

- Infection

- Cysts

- Tumors

- Damage to surrounding teeth

- Gum disease

- Tooth decay

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group is located on 1500 W 38th St., Suite 34, in Austin, TX 78731. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit fredrickshawdds.com or call 512-451-7491.

 

Senior Dental Care

Dr. Frederick Shoal of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group believes that living a healthy life is a happy one! Taking good care of your teeth prevents extreme treatment measures like extraction. Consistent dental care is even more important for senior citizens. All bones weaken with age. Your teeth are no exception! Patients over the age of sixty are at risk for extraction, tooth decay, and periodontal (gum) disease. When prosthodontic care becomes necessary, call our office in Austin, TX.

 

It’s common to struggle with physical activities as you age. This includes tasks like brushing and flossing. To avoid extraction and tooth decay, your Austin, TX, prosthodontist recommends a few strategies. First, invest in an electric toothbrush. These are great for providing a thorough cleaning with minimal physical effort. It’s perfect for older patients. Electric toothbrushes are a viable and affordable option. Look for them at your local grocery store or supermarket.

 

Reaching the back parts of your mouth is always a struggle. For senior patients, these areas suffer from neglect. This doesn’t have to be the case. Try elongating the toothbrush handle. Using materials around your house, like foam, rubber, or tongue depressors, attach these to the handle. Making it longer gives you the chance to really clean those back molars!

 

Another general tip from Dr. Shaw: purchase a soft-bristled toothbrush! These are gentler on your teeth and gums. This leads to less irritation and oral damage. Talk to your dentist or prosthodontist on the best brand of toothbrush for elderly patients.

 

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group is located in Austin, TX. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw, visit his website or call 512-451-7491.

Halitosis: (Un)beatable Bad Breath

Everyone has bad breath at one point or another. Maybe you just woke up or had a very garlicky meal. Only when your bad breath becomes constant should you take notice. That’s when you should contact Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group. You may be suffering from a condition called Halitosis, or chronic bad breath. Your Austin, TX, prosthodontist helps where mouthwashes and mints can’t!

 

There are a few possible causes of halitosis. The first and most common are dental problems. Bacteria love to gather in your mouth. When they are left unchecked, they lead to cavities and gum disease. Both conditions create various places for bacteria to fester. It also makes your mouth harder to keep clean. Food debris becomes unreachable! Both the dental conditions and the uncleaned mouth contribute to your halitosis. Your Austin, TX, prosthodontist recommends a professional dental cleaning. This gets your mouth back into tip-top shape. You might also receive a prescription for mouthwash. Remember, it’s important to follow a consistent dental routine. Always brush twice a day for two minutes. Floss at least once a day.

 

Your saliva plays a big role in oral health. It keeps your mouth moist while cleaning away bacteria. You also need it to remove debris from your teeth! Dry mouth and halitosis go hand-in-hand. Talk to your dental professional about dry mouth and possible treatments.

 

Chronic and acute conditions are also at fault. Be on the lookout for nose, throat, and mouth infections. This results in smelly mucus congregating in your mouth. Bacteria feed on this mucus, creating even worse breath. Certain infections require antibiotics. Talk to your primary care physician or doctor.

 

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group is located in Austin, TX. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw, visit his website or call 512-451-7491.

Dry Mouth

It may seem strange, but saliva is an important and necessary part of your mouth. If your throat feels dry constantly, you’re always thirsty, or you struggle to do simple tasks like eating, chewing and speaking, you’re likely suffering from Dry Mouth. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group. Dry mouth is a condition that shouldn’t be ignored. Learn more at our office in Austin, TX.

 

Besides eating and speaking, saliva keeps your mouth clean! It fights off dangerous oral bacteria. Saliva deficiency also causes extensive dental problems. You’re at a higher risk of plaque and tooth decay. Scheduling an appointment with your Austin, TX, prosthodontist allows for treatment and prevention.

 

At your appointment, Dr. Shaw first determines what is causing your dry mouth. Did you know that there are over 500 different medications that create dry mouth? Disclose any pharmaceuticals that you take daily or frequently. Even something as harmless as an allergy medication may be the culprit. Your dentist may recommend you talk to your doctor or primary care practitioner about switching to an alternative prescription. Another possible cause of dryness is certain autoimmune disorders. One of the main symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome is dryness. It’s a systemic disease that attacks your salivary glands. Consider other medical conditions too. Certain treatments, like chemotherapy, lead to dry mouth. The same goes for smoking.

 

Your treatment solely depends on you. It varies due to the cause of the dryness. A good way to reduce dry mouth is by eliminating sugary foods and drinks. Sugar naturally depletes your saliva. Try cutting back on drinks like coffee, tea, alcohol, and soda. Replace these with water. Upping your water intake is also necessary. There are also over-the-counter dry mouth medications. These are available in gel, mouthwash, and toothpaste forms.

 

Don’t hesitate to talk to your local prosthodontist. Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group is located in Austin, TX. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw, visit his website or call 512-451-7491.