All-in-One Implants

Dealing with missing teeth is a frustrating experience for many of our patients. They come to our practice looking for a permanent solution, and often choose to get all-in-one implants. These implants help patients replace multiple missing teeth, as opposed to just one. If you have teeth in a row that are missing, you can get them all replaced at the same time, with all-in-one implants.

Dr. Louis Cadena replaces missing teeth by installing a titanium implant into the jawbone of each missing tooth. This acts as a root for the tooth, which then allows a crown to be securely placed on top of it. With all-in-one implants, you will have multiple implants placed at one time.  After the implants have healed, you will then return to our office for your permanent crowns.

Here at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, we provide a permanent solution to multiple missing teeth, without having to choose dentures. When properly cared for, they can last a lifetime. You will feel confident knowing the crowns look just like your natural teeth, and that the implants are permanent. There’s no worry of them moving or falling out. Call our office to schedule a consultation for all-in-one implants.

Extraction Preservation for Healthy and Good Looking Teeth

Extracting teeth is often a necessary procedure to save oral health and to avoid spreading infection. But having a missing tooth is something that must be solved for various oral health reasons. Here at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, we offer several solutions for preserving the site of an extracted tooth.

Traditional implants, mini implants, and dental bridges are all options to replace a missing tooth. Traditional implants are a solution that can last a lifetime. It is a single tooth replacement, so no other teeth are altered in the process. This process takes course over a few months. Mini implants are great for smaller spaces and for creating more stable dentures. They also can usually be placed in one day. Dental bridges are an option where the teeth on either side of the missing tooth are used to create a “bridge”. The two teeth on either side are reshaped to fit crowns, and the replacement tooth is connected in the middle of them.

Choosing not to replace a missing tooth could result in damage to your jaw and facial structure. The jawbone will start to degenerate and change shape. This can cause your teeth to shift. Not only are shifted teeth an aesthetic problem, but it can create problems with biting, chewing, and speaking.

If you are missing a tooth and want to learn more about your options, contact Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX. To schedule an appointment, call (830) 775-3322 or visit our website, www.cadenadentistry.com. 

ZOOM! Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of many cosmetic dental services we provide here in our Del Rio, TX clinic. Patients come to us with discoloration or staining of their teeth, and can choose from a variety of whitening products. ZOOM! whitening is one of our more popular types of teeth whitening due to the fast results and that it is done in about an hour.

 

ZOOM! whitening works by first applying a whitening gel, then using a low intensity lamp to shine directly onto the teeth. The light helps activate the whitening gel, which then causes it to seep deep into the tooth enamel. It is a safe and effective process that only takes about an hour in our practice. Many patients get it done during their lunch break, and can go right back to work.

 

Patients often prefer ZOOM! whitening not just for the quick results, but because it doesn’t leave sensitivity or soreness of the gums — not to mention that it is long-lasting.

 

If you want to get your teeth whitened through our chair side procedure, schedule a ZOOM! whitening appointment today with our team here at Cadena Dentistry.

Rotary Endodontics

If you’ve had a root canal to save an infected tooth, it probably didn’t occur to you to ask what types of tools your dentist used. However, if your dentist used the old, manual file for removing the infection, the procedure may have been more nerve racking than if rotary endodontics technology was used. That’s why our team here at Cadena Dentistry uses these tools in our office in Del Rio, TX.

 

Providing a smoother, more comfortable experience during root canals, rotary endodontics technology gives your doctor the ability to remove the infected pulp in the inner root canal more quickly, more smoothly and with less chance of complications. These electric instruments prove superior to the traditional, stainless steel files. They are made of nickel titanium, which is much more flexible than stainless steel, so it can be inserted into the curved root canal without damaging the passageway.

 

In addition, the tools are much quieter, without the grinding noise that other tools produce, which can help with your nerves during the procedure. This is why both the doctor and patients prefer this technology. While the manual method works adequately at saving teeth during root canals, rotary endodontics tools are much less scary and are easier to use.

 

We prefer to use this technology at our office in Del Rio, TX because we always put our patients’ first and the tools are smoother, quicker and more consistent than the traditional method. To schedule an appointment, call our office in Del Rio, TX at (830) 775-3322. For more information, visitwww.cadenadentistry.com. 

Night Guards

At our practice in Del Rio, TX, we see many patients who suffer from bruxism, a condition marked by teeth grinding or excessive clenching. Some of these people grind their teeth or clench their jaw consciously throughout the day, but an even greater number do so at night while sleeping. Many of our patients who grind at night do not even realize that they do it until the results of the behavior give the condition away. If you grind your teeth, you will often experience damage to your enamel, as well as jaw pain, headaches and gum irritation. To protect your teeth, you must seek treatment, and Cadena Dentistry, we find that night guards are the best way to prevent bruxism’s negative effects.

 

Similar to those worn by athletes, night guards provide a barrier between your top and bottom teeth when you sleep. By reducing wear to your teeth and making it harder for you to grind, your teeth will be healthier and you will feel better overall. We custom fit these night guards to make them as comfortable as possible. To fit you with a night guard, we will take an impression of your teeth to send to our dental lab for fabrication. Night guards created in a lab are very durable and can last for up to 10 years.

 

If you find yourself frequently waking up with headaches or pain in your jaw, it is very possible that you grind in your sleep. Often those who do not treat their bruxism end up with TMD, and they can even change the appearance of their face.

To diagnose and treat your night grinding, call 830-775-3322 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Louis Cadena. For more information, visitwww.cadenadentistry.com.  

Bad Breath

The topic of bad breath can be tough to confront, whether it’s yours or someone else’s. And, whether or not you know you have it, it’s always a good idea to take steps against bad breath—as they are often one in the same with good dental hygiene.

 

Most bad breath can be traced to a source in the oral cavity, whether it’s trapped food particles or potent beverage residue, bacterial and plaque buildup, unclean dental prosthetics, gum disease, or even cavities. Many of our patients here at Cadena Dentistry regularly ask us what they can do to prevent bad breath.  Besides completing all necessary dental work and consistently undergoing regular exams, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce bad breath on your own.

• Drink plenty of water: Drinking water helps flush away food and beverage residue. It also keeps your teeth and gums hydrated, which inhibits bacteria growth.
• Reduce intake of coffee and alcohol: Both substances can contribute to suborn breath and dehydration.
• Abstain from all tobacco products: Cigarettes, pipes and chewing tobacco all contribute to fouls breath and other periodontal issues that feed into the problem.
• Brush, floss and use alcohol-free mouthwash every day: Good oral hygiene controls bacteria and prevents a number of dental problems. Your at-home hygiene efforts are extremely important in keeping your smile beautiful and fresh.  

White Fillings

When teeth become decayed, they're often in need of a filling. Nowadays, most patients don’t want to have fillings that are obvious to others when talking, smiling or laughing. Here at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX we provide composite resin fillings, which are also known as white fillings.

 

These fillings are the same color as the patient’s tooth, so they aren’t obvious to anyone else. White fillings not only helps the patient protect their tooth from further decay, but feel more confident when they smile knowing no one knows it’s there.

 

White fillings have many benefits to patients that make them a great dental filling option:

• They are the same white color of the tooth being filled.
• White fillings can be blended to be any shade, regardless of the color of the tooth.
• They are not significantly more expensive than other fillings.
• White fillings are just as efficient in protecting teeth as alternatives.

It takes slightly longer for the process of white fillings than metal fillings because white fillings are blended to match our patient’s tooth. Otherwise, they look and feel like any other filling, allowing the patient to fill a cavity and protect their tooth from more serious problems. If you have a cavity and are in need of a filling, call us today at 830-775-3322 to see if you are a candidate for white fillings.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer screenings are one of many services we offer here at Cadena Dentistry. We provide these screenings during each dental check-up to look for early signs of oral cancer, which is usually treatable if found early. It only takes a few moments to complete and lets our patients get an early diagnosis for more successful treatment.

 

Approximately 41,000 people have been diagnosed with oral cancer in the United States in 2013 alone, according to the American Dental Association, so it is important to get screened. If you smoke or drink heavily, it is essential that you have regular oral cancer screenings.

 

The following steps are completed during oral cancer screenings:

1. An ultraviolet light is used to look inside the mouth and on the gums and tongue.

2. The outside of the face is inspected for sores, including the lips, cheeks and neck.

3. Sores and other spots are examined inside the mouth, including the cheeks, inner lips, gums and roof of the mouth.

 

Oral screenings are a part of dental hygiene exams and check-ups and take only about 5-10 minutes in total. If your doctor finds any unusual spots, a biopsy is taken of the tissue for further testing.

Mini Implants

Mini dental implants are an effective and durable alternative to traditional dental implants. While dental implants are useful for many dental problems, mini implants are used for restoring missing, broken or infected teeth in narrow areas. At Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX we utilize this alternative treatment for patients do not qualify for traditional dental implants.

 

Mini implants are about half the size in diameter of a regular dental implant and are composed of titanium. Since they are so small, mini implants are great for restoring small teeth, pre-molars and frontal teeth. One of the main functions of mini implants is for patients who lack the bone to support the larger size of conventional dental implants. Mini implants are also great when it comes to installing full upper or lower dentures. A series of mini implants, between four and six, will be places along the gum line and serve as the base of the denture.

 

Placement of mini dental implants is not surgical like traditional implants. The devices can be inserted right through the gum into the bone. Since the procedure is non-invasive, recovery time is much less than that of traditional dental implants. Dental implants need between three and six months to graft to the jawbone while mini implants can be completed in as little as one procedure. Mini implants are directly attached to the gum line rather than the jawbone.

 

To learn more about mini implants or to schedule a consultation with us at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, please call 830-775-3322.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a natural mineral found through the earth’s crust and is widely distributed in nature. We use fluoride to help prevent cavities. Many people do not know that fluoride is often added to drinking water to help reduce tooth decay. The American Dental Association, the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association have endorsed the use of fluoride in water supplies because of its effect on tooth decay.

 

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the entire tooth surface more resistant to acid attacks from the bacteria that live in the plaque on your teeth. Before fluoride is added to tooth products, it can be found in water, soil, air and rocks, among other places in nature.

 

Drinking water and tooth products such as toothpastes and rinses are the most common sources of fluoride, but the most effective source is found only in the office of a dental professional. As part of an oral hygiene routine, it is very effective in fighting tooth decay and pain in decaying areas. It can stop and even reverse cavities, and it even helps remineralize tooth enamel, rebuilding bonds as they begin to wear away.

 

If you are interested in fluoride treatment, ask about it Dr. Louis Cadena during your next appointment at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX. 

All-In-One Implants

Dealing with missing teeth is a frustrating experience for many of our patients. They come to our practice looking for a permanent solution, and often choose to get all-in-one implants. These implants help patients replace multiple missing teeth, as opposed to just one. If you have teeth in a row that are missing, you can get them all replaced at the same time, with all-in-one implants.

 

Dr. Louis Cadena replaces missing teeth by installing a titanium implant into the jawbone of each missing tooth. This acts as a root for the tooth, which then allows a crown to be securely placed on top of it. With all-in-one implants, you will have multiple implants placed at one time.  After the implants have healed, you will then return to our office for your permanent crowns.

 

Here at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, we provide a permanent solution to multiple missing teeth, without having to choose dentures. When properly cared for, they can last a lifetime. You will feel confident knowing the crowns look just like your natural teeth, and that the implants are permanent. There’s no worry of them moving or falling out. Call our office to schedule a consultation for all-in-one implants.

Dental Hygiene

Proper dental hygiene is important for overall health, oral preventative care, and to decrease the amount of cleanings and procedures dentists need to perform during bi-annual check-ups. At Cadena Dentistry, we make sure our patients understand the importance of maintaining dental hygiene and its effects on their oral health.

 

Dental hygiene always starts at home, by gently brushing and flossing the teeth twice a day. This keeps the teeth clean, removes tartar buildup that can lead to cavities or infection, and keeps the teeth looking white. It also helps freshen the breath and reduce the risk of gum disease. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months, or when the bristles become frayed. Good oral hygiene also includes limiting your intake of sugary foods and beverages that can prove harmful to your teeth.

 

Dr. Louis Cadena recommends dental check-ups every six months to keep the teeth clean. While dental hygiene requires regular brushing and flossing, a professional cleaning twice a year will provide even more preventative measures. This also gives us a chance to look for any potential problems, like finding a cavity that needs filled or seeing an erupting wisdom tooth that might need an extraction. Visit our dental practice today in Del Rio, TX, to learn more about proper dental hygiene.

Teeth Whitening Options

Even with consistent brushing and good oral care, teeth can lose their color. Today, patients have many options when it comes to teeth whitening that include over-the-counter options, prescription methods and in-office procedures. We offer various types of whitening options for our patients. Whitening your teeth is an excellent way to restore their natural color quickly and effectively. For your convenience, we offer options when it comes to whitening your teeth.

 

We proudly offer ZOOM! Whitening. ZOOM! Whitening is the combination of gel and light treatment, the program is designed to whiten teeth quickly and effectively. It works by breaking down hydrogen peroxide and oxygen; it then enters the enamel and dentin bleaching colored substances white. The light treatment supports the activation of the hydrogen peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth providing a cleaner, whiter smile.

 

KoR Deep Bleaching works by restoring your teeth’s ability to absorb oxygen. The oxygen from its bleaching gel is absorbed deeply into the tooth, dissolving stain molecules. This system utilizes custom fitted bleaching trays that fit onto the teeth comfortably. After the trays are created, Dr. Cadena will apply an in-office conditioning pre-bleaching solution to the trays that will sit for 40 minutes. Patients will then be given solution to bleach at home for the next 14 days. Within 7-10 days, you will notice a significant improvement in the color of your teeth.

 

After the 14 days of in-home bleaching, the KoR Deep Bleaching System is completed with a final visit in the dental office. If you want to whiten your teeth with us, give us a call at 830-775-3322 today!

Dental Hygiene

Proper dental hygiene is important for overall health, oral preventative care, and to decrease the amount of cleanings and procedures dentists need to perform during bi-annual check-ups. At Cadena Dentistry, we make sure our patients understand the importance of maintaining dental hygiene and its effects on their oral health.

 

Dental hygiene always starts at home, by gently brushing and flossing the teeth twice a day. This keeps the teeth clean, removes tartar buildup that can lead to cavities or infection, and keeps the teeth looking white. It also helps freshen the breath and reduce the risk of gum disease. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months, or when the bristles become frayed. Good oral hygiene also includes limiting your intake of sugary foods and beverages that can prove harmful to your teeth.

 

Dr. Louis Cadena recommends dental check-ups every six months to keep the teeth clean. While dental hygiene requires regular brushing and flossing, a professional cleaning twice a year will provide even more preventative measures. This also gives us a chance to look for any potential problems, like finding a cavity that needs filled or seeing an erupting wisdom tooth that might need an extraction. Visit our dental practice today in Del Rio, TX, to learn more about proper dental hygiene.

Extraction Site Preservation

Extraction site preservation is the term used for planning ahead and involves what will be done once a tooth has been extracted. If a front tooth or molar is removed, it leaves the teeth susceptible to shifting. This happens when the jawbone begins degenerating due to the loss of the tooth and root, where it changes shape during the healing process. As this happens, other nearby teeth begin shifting and can cause misalignment and bite problems. Dr. Louis Cadena makes sure to prevent this complication through extraction site preservation.

 

Here is a brief overview of how extraction site preservation works:

 

1. Dr. Cadena informs the patient of the problem with their extraction site.

2. He goes over their options, such as a bridge, partial denture or dental implant.

3. Planning begins for the replacement treatment even before the extraction is completed.

4. As soon as the tooth is removed and begins healing, the dentist prepares the preservation of the extraction site.

 

By following these simple steps, our patients preserve their extraction site so they avoid complications as a result of the missing tooth. This is not necessary when wisdom teeth are removed because they are located in the very back of the mouth.

 

Call Cadena Dentistry at 830-775-3322 to schedule an appointment for an extraction site preservation

TMJ

TMJ disorders cause considerable pain and discomfort to our patients, which is why our dentist Dr. Louis Cadena provides treatment for TMJ. The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is located between the temporal bone in the skull and the lower part of the jaw, called the mandible. It is the joint responsible for letting patients chew and speak, and open or close their mouth. If a patient struggles from a TMJ disorder, or TMD, it can cause pain and discomfort in a variety of ways.

 

Symptoms of TMJ include pain when opening the mouth, headaches or ear pain, teeth grinding and clenching at night, hearing popping or clicking sounds when opening the mouth, or having a jaw that gets stuck while the mouth is opened or closed.

 

Treatments for TMJ, such as medications for the pain, night guards, and oral appliances, help treat the side effects and provide relief for the jaw. Surgery is also available in more severe cases.

By calling Cadena Dentistry at 830-775-3322 today, you have the opportunity to start experiencing relief from your TMJ disorder.

Protective Mouth Guards

Protective mouth guards are offered here in our Cadena Dentistry dental practice as a way to protect our patients from damage to their teeth. Athletes and children are in special need of mouth guards while playing contact sports, because this puts them at great risk for dental damage. This can be very costly and frustrating when they are having to repair their teeth. Sports like football, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, hockey and soccer all require the players to wear protective mouth guards.

At Cadena Dentistry, we encourage patients to get protective mouth guards for the following benefits:

• They are custom-made, so they fit comfortably.
• Are long-lasting.
• Prevent chipped and broken teeth.
• Prevent permanent nerve damage.
• Prevent loss of teeth.
• Save money from expensive dental procedures.

While there are mouth guards sold in sports supply stores, they are factory made and don’t fit most people. With protective mouth guards made by Dr. Louis Cadena, they are custom made based on impressions of the patient’s teeth, so they fit perfectly and are meant to last. Visit us in Del Rio, TX to get your custom mouth guards.

Night Guards

If you find yourself waking up in the morning with headache, teeth or jaw pain, it might be due to a condition called bruxism. Otherwise known as teeth grinding, bruxism is caused by involuntary grinding of your teeth at night while you sleep. Since you’re sleeping, it isn’t possible to prevent it, except by wearing night guards provided by us here at Cadena Dentistry.

 

Night guards are custom made to fit around the teeth, so they don’t get in the way of proper sleep. The night guard keeps the top and bottom teeth separated by the barrier, in order to prevent clenching and grinding of our patient’s teeth. It is not only an excellent way to prevent the pain patients feel when waking up, but to protect the enamel and structure of their teeth. Consistent grinding starts to wear away at the enamel, weakening the tooth structure.

 

Teeth grinding can also be very noisy and prevent their spouse from sleeping properly. Night guards can take a little getting used to, but before too long, our patients hardly notice them. If you have noticed that you are grinding your teeth, visit Dr. Louis Cadena in Del Rio, TX to discuss the benefits of night guards.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is one option, which can repair a cracked or damaged tooth. Crowns can be used when a filling alone will not correct the problem. A crown will look just like your own teeth and also restore function.

 

Cadena Dentistry is happy to offer our patients a variety of dental care including crowns. The process of getting a crown starts by repairing the damaged tooth, which involves removing decay. The tooth is then prepared and shaped in order for the crown to fit. An impression is taken and sent to a laboratory for the crown to be made. While you wait for your permanent crown, you will be fitted for a temporary crown.

 

Dental crowns are usually made of materials including porcelain and ceramic. The color is matched to your other teeth. A crown is usually indistinguishable from your other teeth in appearance. It also functions the same as your natural teeth. Crowns are durable and made to last. With proper care, a crown can last for 15 years or more.

 

At Cadena Dentistry, we offer a variety of dental services including cosmetic, preventative and restorative services. Our staff strives to provide you with the best possible dental care in a comfortable environment.

 

For more information on crowns or any of our other services, please call our office at (830) 775-3322.

Dentures

If you have missing teeth, you know how it can interfere with your speech and chewing. Having missing teeth can also cause the structure of your face to change. In addition to physical issues caused by missing teeth, it can lead to decreased self-esteem or self-consciousness.

 

At Cadena Dentistry, we offer solutions for replacing missing teeth including dentures. Conventional dentures involve having the teeth extracted and giving the gums time to heal. After healing takes place, dentures are placed.

 

In addition to conventional dentures, we also offer immediate dentures. This option involves placing the dentures immediately after the teeth are extracted. One benefit of immediate dentures is you don’t have to wait for your dentures to be placed. The dentists at Cadena Dentistry will evaluate your situation and determine if immediate dentures are right for you. If you still have some remaining teeth, which don’t need to be extracted, partial dentures may also be a good option.

 

Dentures may take a little time to get used to. In most cases, dentures are a comfortable option for replacing missing teeth. It’s also important patients take proper care of their dentures. Maintaining good oral hygiene is still essential if you have dentures.

 

Our dentists and staff at Cadena Dentistry are experienced in various areas of dentistry including cosmetic, preventative and restorative services. For more information on dentures or any of our services, please call Cadena Dentistry at (830) 775-3322.