Thank You For Your Testimonials!

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

“I fell on Thanksgiving and did a lot of damage to my teeth. I have been very nervous about the recovery process and everything involved, but from the moment I walked in the door, everyone here (the doctor and all his staff) has been friendly, genuine, and more than helpful! They are good about explaining everything to you and maintaining communication about the entire process. They have completely put me at ease. I would recommend them to anyone!” –Melinda

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at Shoal Creek Prosthodontic group, visit www.fredrickshawdds.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

In cases where there is severe decay or trauma, there needs to be a full mouth reconstruction. This is a process where all or most of a patient’s teeth need to be restored. At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, TX, we can perform a full mouth reconstruction to get patients back to optimal oral health and overall health.

Full mouth reconstruction may consist of repairing teeth, gums, and the jaw. X-rays and pictures will be taken of your smile to help us accurately diagnose you. We will then create a unique plan for you.

To restore teeth, we may want to implement crowns, bridges, inlays or onlays, implants, dentures, or porcelain veneers. We can also perform bone grafting for those who need restored bone tissue before implants. For restoring gums, we are able to implement gum disease treatment. We can also perform gum grafts.

When you restore the health and function of your mouth, you will find that your overall health will improve, as well. If you are in need of major dental work, be sure to set up an appointment with Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group. To reach our Austin, TX office, you can call us at (512) 451-7491 or visit our website, www.fredrickshawdds.com. 

Bone Grafting Options

When the parts of the jawbone are not large enough, it may keep implants from being an option. Because implants need a good amount of bone to successfully be inserted, at Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, TX, we are able to perform bone grafting. This helps patients who desire implants but first need a more built-up jawbone.

Bone grafting is the process of taking bone from another area of the mouth or body and placed in the area where the jawbone needs to be repaired. Some cases may use bone material from a bone bank; a very safe source. After the area is opened up and packed with the bone graft material, the area is allowed to heal for a few months before implants will be installed. During these months, the newly placed bone will heal and it will cause further regeneration of new bone. The end result will be a strong jawbone able to hold an implant for a lifetime.

Sinus augmentations and ridge expansions are very common bone grafts needed for dental implant placement. Some patients need their jawbone repaired because of degeneration after a lost tooth or some need it because they have low sinuses or naturally smaller jawbones.

If dental implants are your perfection option, talk to us about the implant process and bone grafting. To learn more, visit our website, www.fredrickshawdds.com. To set up an appointment in our Austin, TX office, call Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at (512) 451-7491. 

Dental Implant Failure

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. In fact, they are one of the most reliable long-term methods of tooth replacement. However, as with any other surgical procedure, there are a variety of internal and external factors that cause complications or even total failure of treatment. If this ever were to happen to you, Dr. Fredrick Shaw is here to assess the situation.

Osseointegration describes the formation of a direct functional and structural connection between a person’s bone and an artificial implant. There are two primary reasons for “later” implant failure after the osseointegration process has been successful. These include over-stressing implants with too much biting force or inflammatory disease of the gum tissues and/or bone around the implant. Prevention plays a tremendous role in avoiding implant failure. Once the implants are placed, it’s crucial to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Make sure you schedule regular dental cleanings to help keep the tissues around your implants healthy.

If you have questions about dental implants, please give us a call. To learn more about Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, TX, call us at 512-451-7491 or visit our website, www.fredrickshawdds.com. 

Invest In a Tongue Cleaner

Bad breath can have a negative impact on a person’s life, relationships, and self-esteem. It can also be an underlying cause for more serious oral health issues, such as gum disease. Dr. Fredrick Shaw recommends scheduling professional cleanings and oral exams twice a year as a preventive measure against serious gum conditions, however, in addition to using a toothbrush to clean your teeth, you can improve your mouth’s freshness by using a tongue cleaner.

Do yourself a favor and step in front of a mirror. Do you spot a coated tongue? If you do, tongue scraping may be helpful. Tongue scrapers, which are available in most drugstores in various shapes and sizes, have been deemed a way to reduce or eliminate bad breath. To use it, all you need to do is place the tongue scraper at the back of your tongue and gently bring it forward along your tongue, repeating as often as needed. Although there’s no harm in trying a tongue scraper to treat bad breath, you should remember that it’s just as important to practice good dental hygiene overall. Brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day, floss in between your teeth at least once a day, and rinse or gargle with mouthwash to help keep your breath fresh.

If you are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, TX, call us at 512-451-7491 or visit our website, www.fredrickshawdds.com. 

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Hundreds of different types of bacteria live on our teeth, gums, tongue and other crevices in the mouth. Some are helpful, but some can be harmful such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process. At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, we want our patients to know that good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay.

When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently – for example, if you frequently eat foods or drinks containing sugar and starches – the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. This will cause a white spot to appear if the minerals have been lost. When this happens, this is a sign of early decay.

You can help prevent tooth decay by following these tips:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.


• Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.


• Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.


• Visit us at Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group for professional cleanings and oral examination.

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, TX, call us at 512-451-7491 or visit our website, www.fredrickshawdds.com. 

Bad Oral Habits

Tooth sensitivity – also known as dentin hypersensitivity – affects the tooth or exposed root surfaces. If you experience discomfort when eating hot or cold beverages, you may be a victim of this condition. Tooth sensitivity can come and go over time. Sometimes the solution to relief is simply breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following tasks, Dr. Fredrick Shaw of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group suggests you do your best to break them.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will cause you pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, please give us a call. To learn more about Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, TX, call us at 512-451-7491 or visit our website, www.fredrickshawdds.com.