Extrinsic Stains on Teeth

Extrinsic tooth stains are caused by certain lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking coffee, wine, and/or cola. They can also be caused by lack of oral hygiene. Extrinsic stains develop on the outside of tooth enamel, which makes them easier to remove than intrinsic stains. If you are lacking self-esteem because of the shade of your smile, visit Dr. Fredrick Shaw, DDS to discuss your whitening options.

Extrinsic stains occur on the outside of tooth enamel and may appear yellow or dark brown. These types of stains are usually the result of consuming foods and beverages that contain pigments, such as coffee, tea, or wine.  Extrinsic stains are typically easy to remove after a few whitening sessions. Depending on your preference, whitening can be done in the office or in the comfort of your own home.

If you have questions or concerns regarding extrinsic stains or teeth whitening, please give us a call. To learn about other services we provide at our practice, visit www.fredrickshawdds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491. 

Oral Conscious Sedation for Anxious Patients

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group is happy to offer oral conscious sedation to patients experiencing dental anxiety.  Some patients have had negative experiences with dental procedures that make them anxious, and others may have a sensitive gag reflex that has always made dental work dreadful.  Whatever the cause, our doctors at Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group do not want patients to delay treatment because of anxiety about the procedure.

Oral conscious sedation is administered by taking a pill orally before a procedure.  The medication is a light sedative and does not ‘knock out’ the patient, as they remain conscious.  Instead, the patient will remain in an extremely relaxed state.  When the dentist begins working, local anesthetic is still used at the site of the procedure.  The combination of oral conscious sedation and local anesthetic means the patient can stay relaxed and usually allows the dentist to complete more work in one session.  This can mean less dental appointments overall and of course a more pleasant experience for an anxious patient.

To learn more about our sedation options and all the services we provide at the practice, visit FrederickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Pain around Fillings

Fillings are an important part of repairing damaged teeth, but they may cause some sensitivity. A bit of soreness immediately following their placement is not uncommon, but if the pain lasts, or if the area around the filling becomes sensitive long after the placement, the patient should seek further treatment.

A filling may cause persistent pain after its placement if it was misshapen and either prevents the patient from biting down properly or doesn’t completely fill the cavity it was placed in. Both these problems are easy to correct but will not improve on their own. It could also be that the decay the filling was meant to restore went deep into the pulp of the tooth, in which case a root canal will be necessary to remove the infection.

If a tooth with a filling was originally comfortable but becomes painful later, it may be that a second crack has developed, allowing bacteria to infiltrate the pulp of the tooth. It is also possible that the seal holding a filling in place has cracked, which can happen as it ages. Bacteria can take up residence in a cracked seal, contributing to tooth decay around a filling. In these cases, a more extensive restoration may be necessary.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit FrederickShawDDS.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Loose Teeth

When patients are suffering from loose teeth, the services offered at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group are crucial to their recovery. A loose adult tooth is always a major problem, and the sooner it’s treated, the better.

Dentists distinguish between two kinds of occlusal trauma: primary, which is caused by mechanical damage, and secondary, which is caused by periodontal disease. Teeth that have slowly become loose over time have usually done so as a result of periodontal disease, which damages the jaw bone tissue as well as the gums. Some patients who lose the use of their back teeth attempt to compensate by chewing with their front teeth, but this pressure only serves to further push the remaining teeth out of place.

A periodontist must bring the gum infection under control before the patient’s teeth can be fixed. The recovery process usually involves the placement of a splint at some point, although it varies whether the splint will be permanent. To repair the damage to their jaw bone or prepare for an implant, a patient may need to receive a bone graft at our office.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit FrederickShawDDS.com and fill out a contact form.