Makeover Your Smile With Veneers

Patients are always asking the doctors at Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group about the latest cosmetic solutions for their teeth.  Some fixes are recommended just to repair damage or just to whiten, but veneers are the best way to give your smile a total makeover. Veneers are thin ceramic shells that bond directly to the surface of your teeth.  This gives you the opportunity to completely change the appearance of your smile and still look natural.  Patients with cosmetic issues like staining, cracked or chipped teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a dazzling smile with veneers.

A patient can have a brand new smile using veneers in two to three visits!  First, your dentist will discuss the shape and look you want for your new smile.  Then an impression of your teeth is taken in order to custom fit the final product to the surfaces of your teeth.  The impression is sent to a dental laboratory where your custom veneers will be fabricated, which may take up to two weeks.  On your final visit, the veneers are bonded to your teeth for you to wear and enjoy!

To learn more about veneers and all the services available at the practice, visit FredrickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Preventive Dentistry

Through preventive dental services provided by Dr. Fredrick Shaw, patients will avoid dental problems and save money, while having a clean and healthy smile. Preventive dentistry is the practice of caring for your teeth to keep them in optimal health. Dr. Fredrick Shaw helps patients avoid periodontal disease, bad breath, cavities, and tooth loss through professional cleanings and oral exams.

The goal of preventive dentistry is to reduce the negative impact of oral diseases and improve the quality of life for people who already have them. Dr. Fredrick Shaw may make nutritional suggestions such as reducing the amount of sugar in your diet to prevent cavities and/or screening for oral cancer. Through proper home care and regular dental visits, you will improve the health of your smile as well as your overall wellbeing.

If you have questions or concerns about preventive dental services, please give us a call. To learn more about services we provide at the practice, visit FredrickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Oral Appliances For Sleep Apnea

If you are suffering from sleep apnea and have yet to find relief should visit Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group and see if a COAT device is the solution to your sleep woes.  The most common treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine.  These work by forcefully pumping oxygen into the patient’s mask and up the nose.   CPAP machines are effective, but some patients find the mask uncomfortable or overwhelming.  Continuous open airway therapy (COAT) devices work by aligning the jaw stabilizing the mouth to preserve the openness of the airway.  This helps get maximum oxygen flow without a machine. 

We are happy to recommend oral appliances for patients who will benefit from this treatment.  These devices vary in size and design, but each style is meant to stabilize the jaw and control the tongue to keep the airway open.  A consultation is the only way to find out which type of device is the best fit for you.  If you have questions or concerns regarding sleep disorders, please give us a call. To learn more about sleep apnea and treatment, visit FredrickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

What Is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group can help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services we provide at the practice, visit FredrickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.