Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is a common condition that usually doesn’t cause any serious problems for patients with strong immune systems. Oral thrush is more common in people with diabetes or those who were dentures, but it can also occur in children. If you are diagnosed with oral thrush, Dr. Fredrick Shaw may recommend antifungal mouth rinse. But before we discuss treatment, let’s discuss how oral thrush develops.

Small amounts of the candida fungus are in our mouths, digestive tracts, and skin. They are supposed to be there, but oral thrush occurs when a yeast infection develops on the inside of the mouth and causes the fungus to grow out of control. Thrush can be caused by a number of things, such as uncontrolled diabetes, cancer, dry mouth, or an HIV infection. If you experience pain when you swallow, a feeling of something caught in your throat, or a fever, you should schedule an appointment with us immediately so we can diagnose you and develop a treatment plan. You can reduce your risk of this condition by practicing proper oral hygiene, adding probiotics to your diet, and visiting us for oral checkups twice a year.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral thrush, 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. 

Dental Implants

The staff of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group replace teeth and restore patient smiles with dental implants. Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth.

An implant is placed over a series of appointments because of the healing time required.  Implants are titanium screws inserted through an incision in the gum. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly.

After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second minor procedure.  The doctor may need to expose the head of the implant by removing some gum tissue, and the crown will be screwed to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care will last for decades!

To learn more about dental implants and all the services we provide, visit FredrickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Oral Conscious Sedation

The staff of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group have seen many patients who experience some level of anxiety with each dental procedure or appointment. 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.  We understand why a dental appointment could be intimidating, but do not want to see patients delaying treatment because of these fears.  Oral conscious sedation is an option we recommend for patients experiencing dental anxiety.  

Oral conscious sedation is administered by taking a pill orally (usually Valium) before a procedure.  The light sedative relaxes the patient but does not ‘knock out’ the patient, as they remain conscious.  They are brought to an extremely relaxed state, and 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 makes a more pleasant experience for an anxious patient, and can even mean less dental appointments overall!

To learn more about oral conscious sedation and all the services we provide, visit FredrickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Tooth Extraction

Having a tooth extracted can seem like a scary process. You’re already aware that it involves cutting through the gum, removing the tooth with pliers, and sealing it up with sutures. Though this is true, Dr. Fredrick Shaw of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group is here to guide you through every step of the tooth extraction process, beginning with sedation options.

Once the patient and Dr. Shaw decide on a sedation option, the tooth extraction process will begin. There is little to no preparation for a tooth extraction, aside from the X-rays he will take before the day of surgery. Depending on whether the tooth is visible or impacted, the procedure will either be a simple extraction or a surgical extraction. A simple extraction requires a local anesthetic which numbs the area around the tooth, so the patient feels slight pressure, but no pain, while a surgical extraction requires the patient to remain unconscious during oral surgery.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth extraction, 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.

 

Fluoride

You may be familiar with fluoride if you received fluoride treatments as a child. Fluoride is known as nature’s cavity fighter because fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that protects tooth enamel. Every day, minerals are added to the teeth and lost, from the enamel layer due to the foods and beverages we consume, and the status of our oral care routine. Dr. Fredrick Shaw is more likely to recommend fluoride to cavity-prone children, but it can be recommended to cavity-prone adults as well.  

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and sugars in the mouth. Fluoride will be a routine part of an oral exam until a pediatric patient no longer requires them. In addition to topical fluoride that is found in the dental office, Fluoride can be found in the water we drink, the foods we eat, and in toothpaste and mouthwash. To discuss fluoride with Dr. Fredrick Shaw of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, schedule a consultation today.

If you have questions or concerns about preventive dental services or fluoride, 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.

 

Cosmetic Dental Services

When patients have teeth that are looking lackluster or a chip or fracture in his or her smile, Dr. Fredrick Shaw has a variety of cosmetic dental services to offer. Cosmetic dentistry is designed to aesthetically improve the smile while restoring teeth and gums. If you wish to enhance the overall appearance of your smile, schedule a consultation with Dr. Fredrick Shaw to discuss veneers, teeth whitening, dental bridges, dental implants, or more.

If you have stained, broken, or uneven teeth, cosmetic dental services can help restore them. Dr. Fredrick Shaw may suggest bleaching to make teeth whiter, repairing chips or rough spots with fillings that match your teeth or fill cavities with tooth-colored materials. Making subtle or major repairs such as these will leave patients feeling confident and comfortable with their smile makeover.

If you have questions or concerns about cosmetic dentistry, 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.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is the term for removing excess gum tissue from the surfaces of teeth.  The doctors of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group remove gum tissue from patient’s mouths for aesthetics and for function.  We see many patients unhappy with their smiles, and even patients without any damage to their teeth feel like their gums keep them from enjoying their ideal smile.  When gum tissue is removed for function it is typically for making room to affix a restoration, like a crown, to a tooth.

Whether a crown lengthening procedure is done for function or aesthetics, it is a simple in-office procedure. Local anesthetic is used while your dentist removes excess gum tissue with either a scalpel or laser tools.  If tissue is being removed for a restoration to fit you may only require tissue to be removed from a couple of teeth.  Some people have more gum tissue than others and it results in a gummy smile, which can be corrected throughout the entire mouth.  The result is a visually pleasing ratio of teeth to gums that creates an even smile! 

To learn more about crown lengthening 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.