Canker Sores

Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers, are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues in your mouth or at the base of your gums. Canker sores aren’t contagious but can be extremely painful and make chewing and drinking difficult.

The duration of a canker sore vary but they usually last anywhere from a couple days to a couple of weeks. Canker sores are a more oval shape and vary in size depending on the severity of it. Patients who are sensitive to certain foods can trigger canker sores along with anxiety, facial injuries, and a diet that lacks iron.

Teens and young adults are the most common demographic for canker sores and females are more likely to experience canker sores than males.

Although there is no exact cure for canker sores, rinsing your mouth a few times a day with warm water after meals and before bed helps. Avoiding sugary and acid foods are helpful and trying to keep stress to a minimum.

To learn more about canker sores and the 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.

Nutrition and Oral Care

The foods you eat play a big role in the health of your teeth and gums. A steady diet of nutrients, fruits, and veggies makes teeth stronger and helps to avoid gum disease. At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group we recommend patients avoid sugary and non-nutritious food to avoid tooth decay. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease.

Studies have shown that it is more difficult for the tissues in your mouth to resist infection when your body is not getting enough nutrients. People whose diet contains a lot of fat and sugar are at a higher risk of developing gum disease at a younger age.

Properly cleaning your teeth by brushing and flossing is important to avoiding gum disease and cavities. Outside of visiting Dr. Fredrick Shaw, DDS twice a year for a cleaning, drinking plenty of water and eating plenty of fruits and veggies will lower the risk of bad oral health.

To learn more about nutrition and the 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 Cancer Screening

An oral cancer screening is performed by Dr. Fredrick Shaw to to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. The goal of an oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer early and treat it.

Patients who regularly consume tobacco or alcohol put themselves at a higher risk for oral cancer, and a history of sun exposure is more likely to cause lip cancer. Treating oral cancer before it becomes an irreversible problem is crucial and patients should receive an oral cancer screening with our practice as a precaution.

The exam to test for oral cancer is painless and will consist of an ultraviolet light the dentist uses to examine the patient’s mouth and feel  for any lumps or abnormalities.

Lifestyle choices play a big role in the health of your mouth and the condition that your body is in. If you are a smoker or heavy drinker, make sure to get regular oral cancer screenings when you visit Dr. Fredrick Shaw.

To learn more about canker sores and the 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.

Tongue Care

Good oral hygiene begins with brushing and flossing your teeth, using fluoride, and avoiding as much as sugary and acidic foods as possible. It is also important to brush your tongue. Even though your tongue can’t develop cavities, it attracts bacteria that hide in the crevices and will stay there until brushed. The consequences of not brushing your tongue are bad breath and tooth damage.

There are a few ways to maintain good oral care of your tongue and the first one is a tongue scraper which can be found in most drug stores. These scrapers help to clear bacteria while improving the appearance and sensation of your tongue. Traditional toothbrushes will work just fine to clean your tongue as all you need to do is brush back and forth, side to side, and rinse with water. Over-brushing of the tongue can break the skin so once all the areas of the tongue have been brushed, simply rinse and you are good to go.

To learn more about canker sores and the 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.

Crowns Restore Smiles

Crowns are a common restorative option to repair teeth with a significant amount of decay or teeth that are chipped.  Before a tooth reaches the point of needed to be extracted or replaced with an implant, Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group can restore the tooth with a crown. The process of installing a crown is a standard and non-invasive procedure that can typically completed in two appointments.

The process of fitting a patient with a custom crown begins with the dentist removing any decay from the damaged tooth.  A crown fits over the tooth like a little cap, and to ensure a great fit for the crown, the dentist may need to contour the tooth that remains.  When the tooth has been prepared, an impression of the mouth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory for the custom product to be fabricated.  Once the custom crown is made, it is cemented into place by the dentist at a second appointment. 

To learn more about crowns 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.

Flossing Properly

At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, we want to see the families we provide for continue healthy oral care routines at home.  Regular flossing is essential to maintaining oral health and you should floss once a day, either before or after brushing. Remember these tips to floss effectively:

• A strand of dental floss about 18 inches long allows you to wrap the ends of the floss around a finger on each hand. This gives you excellent control over the portion of floss you are using.


• The proper technique to flossing is sliding the floss between the teeth and rubbing the floss back and forth up until you reach your gums.


•  Pushing at your gums too hard with floss can damage your gum line and isn’t necessary to floss properly. Gently rub the floss up to one gum, then down and back up towards the other.


•  As you move on to the next tooth, adjust the floss to expose an unused portion. Repeat this rubbing motion between each tooth and dispose of the floss once you are finished.

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

Sleep Apnea and the Heart

Sleep apnea is not only a serious medical condition, but left untreated it can lead to a plethora of other health issues and is dangerous for the heart.  A patient with sleep apnea does not breathe properly during sleep, resulting in low oxygen levels throughout the entire body. Breathing supplies lungs with oxygen but also the rest of the body.  When there is a lack of oxygen, the part of the heart responsible for moving oxygenated blood to the organs and extremities is forced to work extra hard.  This can cause an enlarged heart and eventually heart failure.

Those living with untreated sleep apnea are at a higher risk of developing irregular heartbeats, and also have a higher risk for a stroke and heart attack.  Men with untreated sleep apnea are actually living with double the risk for a stroke.  If you have yet to find a solution for sleep apnea, please visit Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group for a consultation.

To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we offer, visit FrederickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

What is a Bone Graft?

Bone grafting has become a routine throughout medicine because of how it helps bodies heal.  A bone graft procedure consists of harvesting bone material from a healthy part of a patient’s body, and transferring it to a site that needs reinforcement. When a dental patient needs an implant to replace a lost or damaged tooth, a bone graft is used to strengthen the jaw. At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group we perform bone grafts for patients to prepare them for a permanent tooth replacement.

If tooth loss or gum disease has left a portion of the jaw bone vulnerable, a replacement tooth cannot be placed until the jaw bone is strong enough to receive the implant. The doctor will harvest bone material from another part of the patient’s mouth and graft it to the jaw bone. This gives the deficient bone a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the site. The healing process can take several months, and should be monitored by a dentist until the bone is strong enough to handle the placement of an implant.

To learn more about bone grafting 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.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is primarily used to treat receding gums, especially where tooth has been exposed. When plaque and bacteria build up at the gum line, the gums start to pull away from the teeth and stretch, forming little pockets around the buildup. Even when these little pockets are cleaned out, they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede.  The doctors of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group can help you correct this by repairing deficient gums with a gum graft. 

A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the graft.  Gum grafting can be performed when receding gums become unsightly, or to cover teeth that have been exposed by receding gums and become much more sensitive.  If you think you could benefit from a gum graft, please contact us.

To learn more about gum grafting 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.

Scaling and Root Planing

Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease and is fortunately easy to treat.  However, when left untreated it progresses into periodontitis, which causes permanent damage.  Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group offers scaling and root planing, two parts of a deep-cleaning procedure meant to stop gum disease in its tracks.

Scaling and root planing is a simple and non-invasive procedure done in the office.  It begins with scaling, the term for the dentist removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the tooth all the way down to the gums. Depending on the case, a dentist may recommend completing this process over two appointments, and a patient may request local anesthetic.  This is followed by root planing, which means minor contouring to the surface of the tooth near the root.  When gums have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to, new growth of tissue is encouraged and gums heal giving the patient a clean slate against gum disease.

 

To learn more about scaling root planing, 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.

The Importance of Regular Cleanings

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group encourages patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for biannual professional cleanings.  The Academy of General Dentistry recommends you have a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months. Even when you regularly brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional.

It’s important to see a professional regularly to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be neglecting an area in the mouth or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine. At a cleaning, a hygienist uses professional tools to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria build-up from your teeth that is too tough to remove on your own.  The teeth above and below the gum line are both thoroughly cleaned with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist. If you need your teeth cleaned, don’t wait any longer!

To learn more about 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.

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.

Veneers

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group can give you the opportunity to totally makeover your mouth with veneers! Veneers are made from a thin ceramic shell and fit over your existing teeth, allowing you to completely change the appearance of your smile.  Patients with cosmetic issues like staining, cracked or chipped teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a dazzling smile with veneers.

Patients can have a new smile using veneers in as little as two visits. First, the dentist will discuss the shape and look you want for your new smile.  Once your teeth are prepared for the treatment, an impression of your teeth is taken. This impression is sent to a dental laboratory to make the final product.  Ask us about temporary cosmetic options for you to wear for the two weeks it may take for the custom product to be fabricated. On your final visit, the veneers are bonded to the surface of your teeth for you to wear home and wear forever!

Veneers let you make a dramatic change to the appearance of your smile and still look natural.  To learn more about out veneers 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.

What is Crown Lengthening?

At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, we have a dental solution for every patient.  Some patients are in need of extractions and implants, but there are still a lot of ways to save a damaged tooth before it would need to be extracted.  If a cavity occurs close to the gum line, or decay expands to a larger portion of the tooth, patients may think a crown can’t be placed to save the tooth.  A crown lengthening procedure can correct this issue.

Crown lengthening is a standard procedure performed to expose a larger surface area of the tooth at the gum line.  A dentist removes excess gum tissue, exposing more of the tooth and creating a surface a crown could be fit.  This is just one method we utilize to save damaged teeth, and wherever your cavity or issue has occurred, we can help.

To learn more about crown lengthening and all the services we provide, visit FrederickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw at Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Bone Grafting

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group performs bone grafts for patients who need dental implants but have a weakened jaw bone.  If tooth loss or gum disease has left a portion of the jaw vulnerable, it will weaken over time. When a patient needs a replacement tooth the jaw bone needs to be strong enough to handle the placement of the implant, and a bone graft reinforces the weakened jaw.

There are synthetic options for bone grafts, but a dental graft is usually obtained from a different spot in the patient’s own mouth. This gives the injured or deficient bone a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the site.  The healing process can take several months, and your jaw is monitored by your dentist until it heals enough to handle the placement of an implant.

To learn more about bone grafting 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.

Intrinsic Stains

At the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, we provide cosmetic treatments for our patients suffering from tooth discoloration. However, there is an important distinction to be made between stains that are caused by external factors and those caused by intrinsic factors which require the attention of a prosthodontist like Dr. Shaw.

Stains on the outside of a tooth may be due to long-term exposure to dark liquids and removed through whitening procedures. But if the stain is caused by damage on the inside, scouring the outside will make little difference. Intrinsic stains can be caused by an excessive amount of fluoride exposure, which the government has recently moved to correct, but they are usually due to trauma.

Dr. Shaw will need to use our advanced imaging tools to assess whether there is an active infection which poses a threat to the patient’s health. In those cases, doctor and patient will need to discuss treatment options such as a root canal or outright replacement of the crown. If the stain is due to an old injury or infection, adjusting the internal structure of the tooth may not be necessary, and the stain can be concealed through veneers or bonding.

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.

 

Cleaning Fixed Bridges

When we provide patients with replacement teeth at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, we hope that they will maintain the proper oral hygiene regimen to make their new teeth last. But there are many types of tooth replacements, and different techniques may have to be used. Let’s take a look at fixed bridges.

When a bridge is cemented to pontic teeth or supported by implants, the main concern is cleaning the area beneath the bridge. When bridges are supported by the surrounding teeth, the most common cleaning method is to thread a strand of floss under the bridge and loop it around. The patient will then slide the floss along each tooth surface and rub it along the underside of the bridge with a back-and-forth motion. The looping may be accomplished with a threader, such as the ones used with orthodontics, or with specialty floss that has a stiffened portion.

Implant supported bridges may be cleaned similarly, but the larger spaces beneath the bridge may also make the use of a proxy brush desirable. (Proxy brushes are the little ones shaped like Christmas trees.) Electric toothbrushes and Waterpiks are also now being manufactured with special tips for cleaning implants.

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.

 

What is an Intraoral Camera?

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group takes pride in offering the best dental care and the latest dental technology to our patients.  The intraoral camera is an exciting tool that allows the mouth to be seen from angles that were previously impossible. The tiny camera’s view is also projected onto a monitor, making the same angle of the mouth visible to both doctor and patient at the same time.

The intraoral camera helps you and your dentist better see and understand what is happening to your oral health. These detailed views can help you identify a specific area or issue to your dentist, and help your dentist plan a targeted treatment. This exciting change to a typical dental visit promotes a better understanding of any changes to your oral health. An added bonus to using this technology in our practice is capturing images needed for insurance companies to accept procedures.

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

Thank You For Your Testimonials!

At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, our staff appreciates feedback because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Sheri for this 5-star review, but would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

“I have been seeing Dr. Shaw for years for everything - hypoplasia surgery at 30 calls for lots of dental visits at 60! I am so grateful to this man for the things that he has accomplished for my very difficult case, and I have referred numerous friends and colleagues to him. My adult children still see only him! His staff is amazing and Tanya is a must-know! I would give him 20 stars if I could.”

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about 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.

Easing Dental Phobia

As specialists in tooth restorations, Dr. Shaw and the staff of the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group see many patients who need extensive dental work. Although everything we do is meant to spare patients pain in the long-term, we understand that many people have a fear of the dentist and want to make sure our patients are as comfortable as possible.

We offer oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide to keep patients calm and free of pain while they undergo procedures. These forms of sedation don’t require needles and allow the patient to remain conscious but in a state of deep relaxation or euphoria. They are commonly used during extractions and implant placement. Patients may wish to arrange a signal with the staff prior to undergoing treatment to alert them if they are uncomfortable with a deep cleaning. We also strive to ensure that patients fully understand the treatments we are providing to them and that they are able to maintain their post-op instructions.

Besides fearing a procedure will be painful, patients may also be concerned about having missing teeth while undergoing extensive restorations. In fact, there are usually temporary crowns or immediate dentures available for patients to wear during the healing process. Lastly, for patients who suffer from general anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy from a psychologist has been proven to be effective at reducing dental phobia.

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.