SEDATION DENTISTRY

Did you know that Dr. Robinson has over 10 years experience in Sedation Dental techniques? He was one of the very first pioneers of this technique in the Lake Charles area!

Once you've experienced sedation dentistry, you'll probably never be afraid to go to the dentist again. Many people fear going to the dentist. We understand. Our sedation dentistry team provides a relaxed and comfortable new smile in as little as one or two visits.

Oral Sedation dentistry is the most common method used in the United States to calm a patients fears. It's easy.

Oral dental sedation creates a comfortable experience, and most patients don't even remember the visit; it is as if they slept through the treatment. One of the major benefits of oral (or I.V Sedation - see below) sedation dentistry is that people often feel like their dental procedure lasts only a few minutes, when in fact it might have taken hours to perform

Both oral and I.V. sedation dentistry maintains a level of consciousness in the patient for both safety and communication between the dentist and patient.

Intravenous Conscious Sedation (“IV sedation”) is when a drug, usually of the anti-anxiety type, is administered into the blood system during dental treatment. “Intravenous” means that the drug is put into a vein. An very small and thin needle is put into a vein close to the surface of the skin in either the arm or the back of your hand. It makes the entry into the vein, then is slid out leaving the soft plastic tube in place. The drugs are put in through that tube. The tube stays in place during the entire dental procedure.

Virtually any procedure can be done using Sedation Dentistry - safe and comfortable.

Call us if you have any other questions concerning Sedation Dentistry!

INVISALIGN - "Invisible Braces"

Invisalign® – A Nearly Invisible Tooth Realignment System
You may or may not know we’ve been providing orthodontic services in the office for more than five years now and recently have become certified in the Invisalign technique.

Invisalign is a way to straighten your teeth without braces. It uses a series of hard plastic, computer-designed mouthguard-like trays, each giving incremental movement towards the desired result.

If you’ve wanted to straighten your teeth, but haven’t wanted braces, you may want to look into Invisalign.

Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today. We look forward to providing you with the personal care you deserve.

CLEANING & PREVENTION - Exams, X-rays, & Home Care

Your first visit to our office will include a thorough dental exam by the dentist to order to make an initial assessment. A preventative plan will be put into action, where you will come in for regular check-ups that will include:

•    Cleaning and polishing: The cleaning will consist of removal of tartar, which has hardened on the teeth over time, along with the sticky plaque that has formed over the teeth. Plaque is a formation of bacteria and build up that will eventually cause inflammation. The instruments and technique we use will safely remove this build up. Followed up by polishing that removes stains and further removes anything that may have been missed in the cleaning.

•    Gum evaluation and treatment: Your gums and the bone supporting the teeth will be checked for disease.

•    Oral cancer screening: The lips, tongue, throat, neck and gums are examined for any possible signs of oral cancer.

•    X-rays: A full set of SAFE x-rays are performed and are crucial for giving the dentist information that is not always seen in the exam such as bone loss, development deviations, abscesses, teeth coming in at the wrong position, tumors and other issues hiding within the teeth and gums. Early detection is important in treating many oral health issues.

•    Investigation of existing work: Checking current crowns, bridges, fillings, etc. are done to check for any damage or need for replacement.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY - Fillings, Crowns, Whitening, Veneers

Cosmetic Dentistry can make your smile light up a room!

•    Whitening: Over time with habits such as smoking, consumption of coffee and other dark beverages and just normal wear and tear, teeth may lose their luster and begin to appear yellowed or stained. Whitening is an inexpensive and safe option to bring back their brightness. Whitening has become a very popular procedure for enhancing smiles.

Home whitening kits are typically the preferred way of whitening. With this option, the patient is responsible for using the solution consistently until they see the desired whiteness. Impressions are made of teeth so that the trays are custom fit for the patient. The whitening solution will be put into these trays and worn for specific periods of time. Wearing the trays periodically will help in maintaining the results once the desired whitening is achieved.

•    Crowns: There are times when your dentist will recommend crowns. A crown or cap is a metal and/or porcelain covering that is placed over the tooth surface, restoring strength and appearance. Crowns are needed when a filling is not enough to give tooth proper structure, to fix fractures, or lend support for bridges. Crowns improve the appearance and structure of the tooth.

Keep in mind that crowns typically consist of two appointments. Impressions are made and sent to a local laboratory in order to create the custom crowns. For placement, the tooth will be numbed in order to remove any existing decay and to shape the tooth for the new crown. A temporary crown will be placed on the tooth to protect it while the new one is being made. It is important that great care be taken with the temporary to avoid loosening. When the new crown arrives, the patient will return to the office for placement and fitting. Sensitivity may be experienced with the new crown, but should subside over time.

•    Veneers: Porcelain veneers are a beautiful option for creating the smile you’ve always wanted. Veneers consist of very thin sheets of porcelain that are attached to the front of the teeth, improving shape, size and color.

On the first step of the process, the existing teeth are buffed and shaped and an impression is taken. The specific color that will be used is also chosen. On the second step, bonding adhesive will be used to attach the veneer to the teeth and a light beam will set the adhesive.

•    White Fillings: Previously, silver or gold fillings were used. Now Composite resins can be used. The fillings are used to fix teeth that have been damaged by decay and fractures. The affected portion of the tooth will be removed and that portion will be replaced with composite filling. They are attractive since they match existing teeth and will last for years to come.

Fillings can be done during one appointment and anesthesia is necessary in order to allow the dentist to remove decay and apply medication to further protect nerve endings. Filling is shaped and smoothed to ensure tooth is its authentic look and feel. Patients should be prepared to notice some temporary temperature sensitivity for a period of time after fillings are done.

Don’t wait any longer. Call today for an appointment and get closer to a healthy, beautiful smile!

PERIODONTAL DISEASE - Diagnosis, Treatment, & Care

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is something that effects a large portion of the population. It is a disease that causes pockets or spaces in the gum tissue, allowing bacteria to enter. The build up of plaque causes the gums to become inflammed and form these pockets. Normal brushing cannot reach this build up and over time,  and if left untreated, the pockets continue to get deeper. Symptoms may include bad breath, red and puffy gums, bleeding gums and loose or sensitive teeth.

•    Diagnosis: Gingivitis is the beginning stages of periodontal disease. Bleeding when brushing is a sign of this, as is inflammation and tenderness. We will measure between the tooth and gums to measure the depth of any pockets that may be present.

•    Treatment: Gingivitis and periodontal disease must be treated to prevent further destruction of teeth, gums, bone, eventually even leading to tooth loss. Depending on the extent of the disease, a deep cleaning and scaling will be recommended and will typically be done with local numbing. When the build up has been removed from below the gum line, over time the tissue will heal, causing the pockets to get smaller.

•    Maintenance: Follow-up appointments will be recommended to keep an eye on the healing progress. If improvement is not seen over time, a visit to a periodontist specialist may be in order. Medicated rinses, consistent flossing and using an electric toothbrush are some of the home treatments suggested as well.

RESTORATIONS - Implants, Root Canals, Bridges, Dentures

Restoring your beautiful smile!

Preventative measures will always need to part of a general oral health plan. In circumstances where damage has already been done however, more intensive procedures may be needed to bring teeth back to their healthy appearance and operation. Our staff will keep you informed on the options that will relieve pain, repair damage, improve your bite and get you back to normal function and look.

•    Implants: Dental implants are used to replace teeth that have been lost. Through a surgical procedure, these artificial roots and teeth are placed directly into the bone.

•    Root Canals: A root canal may be needed to relieve severe pain or sensitivity caused by extensive decay. Many times an infection is present. The affected tissue needs to be removed, and the nerve canal reshaped and filled with a special material and finally sealed and crowned to help prevent future infection.

•    Bridges: Another way to replace lost teeth, this permanent fixture is typically made of porcelain on top of metal that fits over existing teeth. Bridges are the solution to many of the same issues that implants are used for, and another option for patients, depending on their particular needs and circumstances.
They can last for years with proper care.

•    Dentures & Partial Dentures: Dentures are a removable option to replace missing teeth. They can be full appliances or partial. Natural, existing teeth may need to be prepared for dentures to fit properly. Sometimes having to be first removed and given a chance to heal before new dentures are placed. Immediate dentures are prepared in advance and immediately put in once the teeth are removed. However, adjustments for comfort and fit may need to be made once healing takes place, again possibly taking several appointments.

After proper fit has been achieved, dentures may take some getting used to, but over time a patient’s smile is enhanced with easy-to-care for dentures.

WISDOM TEETH - Problems & Removal

Wisdom teeth — the third molars in the very back of your mouth — often do not have room to grow properly and thus cause problems.

Wisdom teeth can grow at various angles in the jaw, sometimes even horizontally. Some wisdom teeth only partially emerge through the gums. Other times, they remain completely hidden. Wisdom teeth that aren't able to emerge normally become impacted, or trapped, within your jaw. This often leads to pain, crowding of the teeth (leading to "crooked" teeth) and other adverse affects to your dental health and pretty smile.

If you have your Wisdom Teeth please call us to set an appointment and we will be happy to check your oral health.