Tuesday, January 21, 2014

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.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

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.

Monday, December 23, 2013

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.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

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.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Extractions

We understand no one enjoys having a tooth extracted, but sometimes it is the best treatment option to correct a dental problem. For example, wisdom teeth often lead to problems, such as overcrowding or impaction.
 
Our dentists at Cadena Dentistry have a great deal of experience at performing extractions. In some cases, wisdom teeth don’t fit in the mouth as they should. This causes overcrowding, which can lead to misalignments. Prior to having orthodontic work done, the wisdom teeth may need to be extracted.
In addition to overcrowding, wisdom teeth may become impacted, which can also lead to dental problems. As the tooth is trying to break through the gum tissue, it may not be able to fully emerge. This can cause pain and problems cleaning around the tooth, which can lead to an infection.
If you do need an extraction, our dentists will educate you on the process and explain your options. Some people choose to go under general anesthesia, which means they are asleep for the procedure. Using only local anesthesia is also an option.
 
After the extraction, our staff and dentists will ensure you understand your post-operative instructions in order to reduce the chances of complications and promote healing. It’s natural to have questions if you are having a tooth extracted. We would be happy to walk you through the process and make it as easy as possible.
 
For more information on extractions or any of our services, please call Cadena Dentistry at (830) 775-3322.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Veneers

Dental veneers are thin ceramic shells that cover the tooth structure and create a more brilliant, beautiful smile. Many of our patients at Cadena Dentistry choose to have veneers placed on their teeth for a variety of reasons. They might cover teeth that are stained or misshapen or opt for veneers because they have gaps in their teeth or have teeth that are slightly misaligned.
 
Veneers are bonded securely over the teeth and match the other natural teeth, so they don’t appear obvious to anyone else. After the veneers have been bonded to your teeth, Dr. Louis Cadena recommends following these post-op instructions:
  • Eat soft foods for the first few days.
  • Don’t chew extremely hard foods like raw carrots, ice or candy, as the porcelain can start breaking away.
  • Brush and floss the teeth with the veneers, just like your other natural teeth.
  • Visit us at Cadena Dentistry every six months for a routine check-up and professional cleaning.
Veneers can last a long time if patients follow these important instructions. If the gum begins to recede, they should return to our dental office in Del Rio, TX for replacement veneers. This doesn’t usually happen for many years and is simply part of the aging process. To find out more about veneers, contact us today.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Sealants

Good oral hygiene is the first step to protecting your teeth and having less tooth decay, but sometimes it isn’t enough to have healthy teeth. Along with brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting our dental office every six months, we also provide dental sealants. They are especially useful for children who have their molars, which come in between 5 and 7 years of age, and again between 11 and 14 years of age.
 
Dental sealants protect the molars from cavities and tooth decay. The molars are most susceptible to cavities because they are chewed on most often, and decay because they are harder to reach with a toothbrush and dental floss. Dr. Louis Cadena can put a liquid sealant on these teeth that hardens and further protects to teeth from excessive decay. It can last about 10 years before needing to be applied again.
 
Patients of all ages visit us here at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX for dental sealants. It reduces the amount of work that needs to be done on the teeth over time and gives patients a healthy looking smile. Visit our website today to learn more about sealants or give us a call at 830-775-3322.