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.

Veneers vs. Crown

Veneers and crowns are both reliable restorative solutions that protect the structure of a tooth while refinishing its surface to create a strong, reliable and beautiful smile esthetic. However, veneers and crowns have many differences with regard to their purpose, placement and function.

 

Veneers: Veneers are most frequently used as a cosmetic smile solution. They can be used use refinish the surface of a tooth and correct teeth that are too narrow or short, and cover-up stains, small chips and cracks. While a single veneer can be used to refinish an individual tooth, multiple veneers are most often used to refinish the most visible teeth and provide a smile makeover that’s fully customized and idealized. Like crowns, veneers are comprised of a thin porcelain shells that are fabricated from an impression of the existing tooth site. Veneers are usually much thinner than crowns, but the existing tooth structure will need to be slightly modified for permanent bonding and placement.

 

Crowns: Crowns may be used for cosmetic purposes, but they’re most frequently used to restore the surface of a tooth due to a fracture, severe chip, deep cavity, or following a root canal or other procedure that calls for the modification of the tooth.  Like veneers, crowns are custom fabricated to perfectly restore the appearance of a tooth, in addition to protecting its structure.  Crowns are frequently created from porcelain or ceramic, but they may also be formed from gold, porcelain fused to metal or other material.

Intraoral Camera

Correct patient diagnosis and treatment is the most important function of an effective, state-of-the-art dental practice. The intraoral camera is the latest in a long line of technologically advanced equipment that has been introduced to the dental field in recent years. It delivers incredibly sharp, clear images that enhance our dentists ability to properly diagnose and treat patients. We are now using this technology at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX in order to properly diagnose and treat our patients.

 

The innovative imaging software that accompanies the intraoral camera is perfect for viewing the nooks and crannies missed by X-rays. While the camera snaps crystal-clear images throughout the mouth, the software allows the doctors to manipulate the image to see different angles and zoom in on an otherwise static image. The camera also takes videos that can be streamed to a bedside monitor. Patients are able to view their procedure in real-time. Our dentists are able to clearly explain what the problem is and how they can best treat it together.

 

We have decided to adopt this technology in order to better diagnose and treat our patients. When our doctors use the intraoral camera, they are able to reach places that an X-ray cannot. While X-rays are extremely effective for locating cavities and decay, the doctors are able to see things they would never be able to see through the use of the intraoral camera. Although a traditional visual inspection of the teeth may have sufficed in the past, technology has made it possible for dentists and patients to reap many more benefits from each health exam.

 

To take advantage of this innovative imaging tool, visit our websitewww.cadenadentistry.com or call 830-775-3322 to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled dentists!

Digital Panorex X-Rays

We work hard to provide our patients with the most technologically advanced treatment options available. One of the best tools we utilize is the Digital Panorex system that takes incredible 360 degree images of your teeth, head, sinuses and bones. Our Del Rio, TX area patients are enjoying the benefits from having their periodontal issues caught earlier rather than later. By catching small issues before they become big problems, we are able to provide the best care possible.

 

With this technology, we are able to view the full structure of your head. This is great because we are now able to see any potential problems more clearly. We will also be able to see whether or not your mouth and jaw is functioning correctly. The Panorex is capable of viewing specific structural problems, infections and asymmetry any asymmetry in the area. 

 

If you haven’t had a Panorex X-Ray before, you’re going to be surprised how simple and safe it is. We’ll give you a lead apron to protect from the radiation (digital X-rays emit up to 80% less radiation than traditional systems), but you’ll be standing rather than sitting. A camera will rotate in a half circle around your head, starting at one side of the jaw and ending at the other. The imaging only takes a couple of seconds and the images are available immediately. Our staff does not need to wait for the images to print anymore, saving you time and also saving the environment.

 

If you’re looking for a thorough exam and cleaning in the Del Rio, TX area, you can make an appointment with one of our dentists by calling 830-775-3322. Their dental expertise and commitment to proper patient care has given our team a great reputation amongst their peers, and the community.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that often goes unnoticed because it has very few signs and symptoms. Thanks to advances in dental technology,  we are able perform oral cancer screenings during your routine visits at Cadena Dentistry.

 

Patients who use tobacco and drink alcohol regularly are at a greatly increased risk for oral cancer. While drinking and tobacco use are most often associated with oral cancer, there is a new demographic developing in the field; oral cancer is now being connected to human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. Oral cancer can appear anywhere in the oral cavity but it is most often found:

• On the lips
• On or under the tongue
• On the roof of the mouth
• Back of the throat
• The inside of the cheek

It is very important for everyone to have an oral cancer screening at least once a year. Our skilled dental team is now able to incorporate oral cancer screenings into regular check-ups and cleanings. During this quick procedure, the doctor will inspect your nose, mouth and throat. He will also examine the skin on the head and neck regions, feeling for lumps in the neck area as well.

 

The ability to detect oral cancer early is a great tool for our team of doctors. They are able to identify and pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its evolution. Individuals who have regular cleanings at least twice a year are much more likely to have potential problems detected early as their oral condition is documented with each visit. If you haven’t had an oral cancer screening recently, or ever, contact us at 830-775-3322 to schedule an appointment for this important preventative screening.