Bone Grafting

In some cases, our patients do not have the proper amount of bone mass in their jaw to allow for the placement of dental implants. However, thanks to recent developments in bone grafting, people who would not have qualified a few years ago can now receive dental implants. In Del Rio, TX office, Dr. Louis Cadena, Dr. Valerie Cadena Vargas and Dr. Jerome Gibson perform bone grafting to increase the amount of bone in his patients’ jaw to allow for future implants.

 

There are several bone grafting techniques, but they can all be grouped into two types. The first type of bone grafting is the most extensive type and is performed only by an oral surgeon. Always done as a surgery separate from dental implant placement, this first type of grafting makes large changes to the shape and size of the dental ridge for the sake of implants, which are usually not implanted until several months later.

 

The second type of bone grafting is usually performed if the jaw has enough bone for implant placement but not enough to completely cover the sides of the implant. These grafts are usually small and performed when dental implants are placed.

 

Whether you need bone grafting or not, if you’re looking to receive dental implants, we can make it happen. To schedule an appointment, call our office in Del Rio, TX at (830) 775-3322. For more information, visit www.cadenadentistry.com.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a severe oral health problem that affects about 10% of the population.  Although the infection begins as a minor inflammation, it can quickly escalate into tooth loss, hard tissue damage, and have an effect on your overall systemic health. 

 

Fortunately, it is easy to prevent periodontal disease with diligent oral care.  At Cadena Dentistry, we always remind our patients to brush twice a day, floss and schedule appointments for bi-annual cleanings and exams.  In the event you do find yourself with periodontal disease, it’s important to catch it in its earliest stages.

 

If you notice any of the following signs of periodontal disease developing, schedule an appointment with us at Cadena Dentistry so you can be proactive about your oral health:

• Bleeding gums during or after brushing and flossing your teeth
• Swollen, tender or sore gums
• Gums that appear to be receding from your teeth
• Bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth, even after brushing
• Loose teeth or teeth that can be physically moved in the gum bed
• Changes in your bite alignment
• Lack of stability in any restoratives or prosthetic dental work

Extractions

Your third and final molars to emerge are your wisdom teeth, which usually come in when you are between 17 and 25 years old. While many people do not experience problems with these new teeth, many others find that theirs must be removed. If your mouth does not have enough room for these molars to come in, a wisdom tooth extraction is necessary, and at our office in Del Rio, TX, Dr. Louis Cadena can determine whether a wisdom tooth extraction is the best course of action for you.

 

Wisdom teeth are usually removed because they become impacted, which means that the tooth does not have enough room to come in straight through the gums and instead emerges at an angle. This can cause pain, damage to the jaw and a more crooked smile. Additionally, the site of impaction can become a bacterial hotspot since impacted wisdom teeth are hard to clean.

 

Wisdom teeth extractions can range from removing a single tooth to removing all four teeth at once. Dr. Cadena will let you know what he thinks is best for you. For the procedure, he will use either a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate you while the teeth are extracted. The tooth will then be accessed through an incision in the gums and wiggled until it is loose enough to be lifted out. If the tooth is too deeply embedded to be removed this way, it will be broken up into pieces before being removed.

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.  

Extractions

Extractions are needed for multiple reasons: to avoid getting a root canal, to remove wisdom teeth that are pushing against other teeth, or to remove an impacted and infected tooth. Here at Radiance Dental, we provide extractions for patients that need to get a tooth removed. It is not a difficult process and is done under anesthesia, so no pain is experienced. We do ask that patients have a ride home following the anesthesia, as it is not safe for them to drive.

 

After the extractions are completed by Dr. Louis Cadena, it is important that patients follow these tips:

 

1. Only eat soft foods for the first few days following the surgery, such as yogurt, pudding and mashed potatoes.

2. Don’t use a straw when drinking liquids.

3. Avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the tooth was extracted.

4. Avoid smoking cigarettes, as the sucking motion can pull the blood clot.

5. Call our office if excessive pain or bleeding is experienced.

 

You may notice some minor bleeding at the extraction site, which is temporary. An ice pack works wonders for any lingering pain.

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.

Orthodontic Options

Thanks to advances in orthodontic technology, patients no longer have to feel embarrassed or self-conscious because they wear braces. Patients also don’t have to wear braces for over a year to get the best results. We offer our patients many orthodontic options when it comes to straightening teeth.

While traditional braces are the most commonly used, there are other treatment options available.

 

One of the most effective options available is clear braces. These braces are made from ceramic and provide a certain degree of transparency in order to mimic the color of your natural teeth, this makes them less visible. They are as effective as traditional braces and function the same way. Clear braces are also designed so that they will not stain or discolor the teeth over the period of their use.

 

Invisalign is considered the most technologically advanced orthodontic option for aligning teeth. This technology uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that gradually straighten teeth. Invisalign is worn a minimum of 22 hours per days, patients will take them out to eat, brush and floss. Not only does Invisalign allow patients to have a great look while straightening their teeth, it also allows for a great smile after. Because the aligners are removable, patients are able to brush and floss just as they would if they had no braces at all.

 

We also offer traditional braces for patients looking to correct bite problems while straightening their teeth. These braces are made of strong metal alloys and are considered the smallest and most comfortable option. While they do take the longest of all the orthodontic options made available by Dr. Cadena, they are the most effective when it comes to aligning teeth and correcting bite problems.

 

We offer all these different options for you. We want to make sure you’ve got the smile you’ve always wanted, so call us today if you’re interested in aligning your smile quickly and effectively! 

Mini Implants

Mini Implants

Patients with missing teeth often visit us here at Cadena Dentistry looking for a permanent solution. Dental implants are the only permanent option for replacing missing teeth, where a metal (titanium) post is implanted into the jawbone, which then grows and heals around the post.

 

Our dental practice also offers mini implants, which are a smaller and less expensive version of traditional implants. They are just as effective, but the treatment goes much more quickly.

The procedure for mini implants in our Del Rio, TX dental office is as follows:

 

1. The patient first visits us for x-rays and to get an impression made of a nearby natural tooth. This is done to have an abutment made for the top of the implant.

2. On the patient’s return appointment, our dentist, Dr. Louis Cadena, installs the metal post through their gums and into the jawbone.

3. The abutment is bonded to the top of the post during the same appointment.

4. Patients can start eating normal food the same day if they wish.

 

With mini implants, the process goes more quickly and patients appreciate that they can resume normal eating right away. If you want to replace a tooth with a mini implant, call dentist Dr. Louis Cadena at 830-775-3322.

Whitening and Bleaching

Whitening and Bleaching

If you are not happy with the staining or discoloration of your teeth, our dentist Dr. Louis Cadena has a variety of options for you. Instead of just providing our patients with one type of whitening and bleaching, we have several options available to our patients. This includes using the tray whitening system, a deep bleaching tray whitening product (KoR whitening), and ZOOM! chairside whitening.

 

The first whitening product offered in our Del Rio, TX dental practice is the tray whitening system. With this product, we use impressions of the patient’s teeth to create custom, reusable whitening trays. They are filled with whitening gel and placed over the teeth in the office, followed by home treatment over several days.

 

Another tray whitening product we have is a newer product called KoR whitening. KoR whitening also uses custom trays, except the result is permanent with most of our patients. Patients wear the trays and use the whitening gel only at night while they sleep for about two weeks. This permanently bleaches their teeth.

 

Finally, we provide in-office whitening through ZOOM!, which combines a strong whitening gel and a low intensity lamp. This whitening is all done chairside and is complete in about an hour.

Call Cadena Dentistry at 830-775-3322 to book your appointment for any of these whitening and bleaching options.

Clear Braces

Clear Braces

Here at Cadena Dentistry, we want our patients to have a choice in orthodontic care, which is why we offer clear braces. As opposed to traditional braces that have shiny metal brackets and wires, clear braces are made using ceramic brackets, and are virtually translucent. They sit on each tooth just like with regular braces, but are far less conspicuous. Most people don’t know a patient is wearing braces until they are up close. The wires between the brackets are still necessary, but not as noticeable.

 

Patients receive the following benefits by choosing clear braces:

• The ceramic brackets are designed to not stain the teeth.
• They are mostly invisible and less conspicuous to others
• Patients wearing clear braces have more confidence with orthodontic treatment
• Adults have the advantage of not being embarrassed by having braces

Clear braces are used more often on upper teeth than lower teeth since they are slightly larger than metal brackets used in traditional braces. They are ideal for patients with gaps or alignment issues mostly on their upper set of teeth.

 

Visit Dr. Louis Cadena in Del Rio, TX to learn more about clear braces.