Prosthodontics and Cleft Palate

Not everybody who gets an artificial tooth is replacing one that fell out; some people are getting teeth where there hadn’t been any previously. At the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, we work closely with other doctors to care for children with facial deformities such as cleft palates. These patients will need several procedures over the course of their development to be able to enjoy the full use of their jaws.

When a part of the upper palate was missing at birth, the teeth may come in misaligned even after initial corrective surgery. They may be difficult to speak or eat with or to keep clean. Orthodontic therapy is often required to move them out of the way in preparation for an implant. Once orthodontic therapy is complete, the patient may need a larger bone graft to fill in the gap in their jaw bone and create something for an implant to anchor to. The new bone material may be taken from another part of the patient’s mouth or be made of material taken from a donor or synthesized in a laboratory. The process of integrating new tissue will take some months, during which a patient may wear a temporary denture.

Once the new bone tissue is integrated, an implant post may be placed. For a single tooth, this process could also take a few months, after which an artificial crown may be loaded onto it. Another option is to make a permanent partial denture or bridge, which may be desirable if more than one tooth needs to be restored. Having a full set of teeth will greatly improve a patient’s oral health, as well as their self-confidence and quality of life.

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 Frederick Shaw DDS and fill out a contact form.

 

Adults with Baby Teeth

Are you an adult who still has some baby teeth? It’s unusual, but not an unknown situation. At the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Texas, we extract and replace teeth that are compromised for whatever reason. Baby teeth in an adult mouth could certainly be a problem cosmetically, not to mention for hygiene and bite comfort, so we thought we should explore the situation more.

When permanent teeth push through, they cause the roots of the baby teeth to dissolve. Normally, the baby teeth fall out immediately before the emergence of a permanent tooth; when they don’t we call them “retained deciduous teeth.” Sometimes, the permanent tooth emerged in a radically different location than its baby counterpart, resulting in the patient having two sets of the same tooth. This would lead to overcrowding and the one that gets stuck in back would be very difficult to brush. The typical treatment is to extract the baby tooth and refer the patient for orthodontic treatment.

Sometimes, there simply is no adult tooth coming in. A small percentage of people are congenitally missing certain teeth, usually the upper lateral incisors. Many people dislike having a mix of baby and adult teeth, which is why they may want to get the baby tooth extracted and replaced with an implant or denture. Some orthodontic work may also be required to make room for an adult-sized crown, but we can provide a variety of restoration options.

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 Frederick Shaw DDS and fill out a contact form.

 

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.

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.

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.

 

Crowns

Dental crowns are placed like a little cap on top of a tooth.  Crowns are used to protect teeth that are cracked, chipped, stained or so decayed that a filling wouldn’t restore the tooth up to strength.  Your dentist can tell you if a cap is the right solution for a decayed or damaged tooth.

When you need a crown, it can typically be completed within three appointments. First, your dentist will drill out any remaining decay and may need to perform minor contouring the existing tooth to ensure the crown will fit perfectly over it.  An impression is then taken of the tooth to use as a mold for the crown, and the crown is manufactured in a dental lab. Your dentist may have temporary crowns available to wear while you wait for your custom crown.

On your final visit, the crown is bonded over the top of the tooth and should blend in with the surrounding teeth. Once the crown is placed it should be cared for like your own tooth. If you think anyone in your family would benefit from a dental crown please contact us.

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 are Inlays and Onlays?

The Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin offers the full range of dental restorations. The most basic means of restoring a cavity is with a filling; for full-mouth restorations, we use conventional dentures. One step above fillings are inlays and onlays. Also known as partial crown, these are restorations to the biting surface of the tooth.

The differences between inlays and onlays are how much of the tooth’s surface they replace and which parts they cover. Onlays are slightly larger and cover the cusps of the crown, which are the pointy bits surrounding the indentation of a molar or premolar. After the decayed part of the tooth has been removed, Dr. Shaw will make an impression of the patient’s mouth to use as the basis for designing a new inlay or onlay. The impression is sent to a dental manufacturer who mills the restoration out of porcelain. If the patient prefers, plastic and glass resins or gold can also be used as materials for this type of restoration (or for many other types, as well).

After a few weeks, the new inlay/onlay will be ready for insertion. During the waiting period, patients can be given temporary restorations. The new, custom-fitted inlay/only will be cemented over the tooth, returning optimal bite function and appearance.

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