Austin Laser Dentist - Helen Ragsdale DDS, 11615 Angus Rd Ste 101, Austin 78759, United States (US) - Phone: 512 346-4690

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Seven Restorative Dentistry Treatments for a Healthy Smile

A beautiful smile following restorative dentistry treatments in Austin, TX
A beautiful smile following restorative dentistry treatments in Austin, TX

A healthy smile is not only important for aesthetic reasons but also for overall health. Restorative dentistry (learn more about restorative dentistry here) is a field of medicine that focuses on restoring and repairing damaged teeth to their natural health, function, and appearance. 

Is your smile in need of repair? The team at Austin Laser Dentist can help. New and existing patients can schedule appointments with our restoration dentist in Austin, TX, at (512) 346-4690. And don’t forget to ask about our in-house dental plan!

In this blog, we explore the various restorative dentistry treatments available for a healthy smile. Understanding your options can help you make the healthiest choice for your smile, budget, and lifestyle.

White Fillings

Dental fillings are one of the most common restorative dentistry treatments. Dentists use them to repair cavities, worn dental enamel, and damaged teeth. 

Traditionally, dentists used metal fillings to restore teeth. Today, however, modern dentists use white fillings to seamlessly restore the function and appearance of teeth.

TMJ Treatment

The temporomandibular joint (often called the jaw joint) helps us open and close our mouths. This is important for:

  • – Speaking
  • – Chewing and eating
  • – Yawning

Overuse and prolonged tension on this joint can lead to pain and dysfunction, also known as a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Simple restorative dentistry solutions (like a custom-made night guard!) can protect the teeth and jaws against destructive TMDs.

Bruxism Treatment

Oftentimes, bruxism and TMDs go hand-in-hand. Bruxism is the unintentional clenching and grinding of the teeth, often while slumbering. This behavior can lead to or worsen a TMD. 

Similar to TMJ treatment, a personalized night guard can help cushion the teeth against bruxism. In turn, bruxism treatment may be the best way to prevent or manage a TMD.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are a restorative dentistry treatment that is ideal for restoring severely damaged teeth. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that a skilled dentist places over the damaged tooth to restore its function and appearance. 

Dental Bridges

As a restorative dentistry treatment, dental bridges can replace one or more missing teeth. Bridges secure their position in the mouth with the help of neighboring teeth or with surgically-implanted titanium posts.

Dentures

Dentures are perfect for addressing sporadic or total tooth loss. They come in full, partial, removable, and permanent options. Dentists custom-make dentures to fit comfortably in the mouth to help restore their patients’ chewing and speaking functions.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a small titanium post that a trained dental professional surgically inserts into the jawbone. The implant serves as an anchor for dental restorations, such as:

  • – Crowns
  • – Bridges
  • – Dentures

Implants provide a permanent solution for missing teeth and help maintain the structure of the jawbone.

Restorative Dentistry in Austin, TX

When it comes to restorative dentistry, you have options. So, come explore the possibilities with the team at Austin Laser Dentist! We can help you choose restorative treatments that benefit your health, smile, and budget.

Get started with our dentist in Austin, TX, by calling (512) 346-4690. Don’t have time to chat? No problem! Simply request an appointment online here.

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Three High-Quality Teeth Replacement Options to Complete Your Smile

A picture of dentures laying on a table to demonstrate teeth replacement options in Austin, TX

Tooth loss can drastically affect your life. From eating to smiling, missing teeth are problematic. Luckily, there are plenty of restorative dentistry solutions that serve as high-quality teeth replacement options.

At Austin Laser Dentist, we offer a wide range of teeth replacement solutions, including implant-supported restorations. If you’re ready to explore your restorative options, then contact Dr. Helen Ragsdale in Austin, TX, at (512) 346-4690 or online here.

In this blog post, we discuss three high-quality teeth replacement options to comfortably complete your smile. Whether you need to replace one, some, or all of your teeth, there is a suitable solution for you and your budget.

Dental Bridges for Teeth Replacement

A dental bridge commonly replaces one or more missing teeth in a row. There are many different kinds of bridges, including:

  • Traditional: Conventional bridges use dental crowns on two neighboring teeth to keep adjoining false teeth in place.
  • Cantilever: A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge. However, only one dental crown on a single abutting tooth is necessary to keep the appliance in place.
  • Maryland: This type of bridge uses two abutting teeth to secure its position in the mouth. However, these bridges use porcelain or metal framework rather than dental crowns to keep the appliance stable.
  • Implant-supported: Easily considered the most stable and successful teeth replacement solution, implant-supported restorations attach to a dental implant for long-lasting function and comfort.

Dentures for Teeth Replacement

Dentures come in both partial and complete forms, depending on how many missing teeth you have. Partial dentures can replace sporadically missing teeth, while complete (or full) dentures replace entire rows of teeth.

Dentures also come in removable and permanent options. Most patients are familiar with removable dentures, but implant-supported dentures are quickly becoming a standard teeth replacement solution.

Highly-trained professionals expertly craft dentures to enhance and complement your overall aesthetic and oral function. This means that a new set of dentures is entirely unique to you!

Dental Implants for Teeth Replacement

Perhaps the best teeth replacement option available to patients today is dental implants. These tiny, metal posts act like substitute tooth roots. As such, they are a remarkably stable and long-lasting way to permanently replace missing teeth.

However, dental implants do require oral surgery. These tiny, metal posts must be embedded into the jawbone to ensure proper fusion for optimal support. But, this fusion to the jawbone is what makes dental implants so successful. Indeed, experts estimate that tooth implants have a three-year survival rate of nearly 100% (dropping to only 98% after five years!). 

Not only are dental implants highly successful, but they are surprisingly versatile, too. Tooth implants can securely hold a range of restorations, including:

  • A single dental crown
  • A dental bridge
  • A full set of dentures

Explore Your Teeth Replacement Options in Austin, TX

Don’t let tooth loss control your life. Explore your high-quality teeth replacement options with our trusted dentist in Austin, TX. Schedule an appointment at Austin Laser Dentist online here, or talk to our team in person at (512) 346-4690 for scheduling and more!

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Four Ways to Fix a Cracked Tooth

a three-dimensional rendering of a what a cracked tooth looks like

A cracked tooth can be problematic. Not only can it be extremely painful, but it leaves your smile vulnerable to continued damage and dysfunction. Luckily, there are four easy ways to treat a cracked tooth with restorative dentistry treatments.

The longer you wait to fix a cracked tooth, the more likely it is to accrue irreparable damage. So, don’t wait–fix dental damage now at Austin Laser Dentist. Dr. Helen Ragsdale and her skilled team can help you repair broken teeth and prevent future issues with comprehensive treatments in Austin, TX. Call (512) 346-4690 or send us a message here to request your appointment now.

In this blog post, Dr. Ragsdale and her team reveal four ways to fix a cracked tooth. From least invasive to most invasive, these treatments may end up saving your smile and oral health.

Dental Bonding

Also called ‘tooth-colored fillings,’ dental bonding is an easy and effective way to repair minorly cracked teeth. The composite material of dental bonding works by filling in cracks, which prevents bacteria from infiltrating the tooth. Furthermore, it helps to reestablish the tooth’s structural integrity, which prevents more damage in the future.

Dental bonding may be the easiest and least expensive way to fix cracked teeth. But, time is of the essence, as delaying treatment may worsen the issue and necessitate more invasive treatments.

Dental Crowns

If a tooth is too damaged to repair with dental bonding, then dental crowns may be the next step. 

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap (or prosthetic) that encapsulates a compromised tooth. Dr. Ragsdale can use these caps to protect what is left of a damaged tooth while also fully restoring the tooth’s comfort and function. 

Not only that, but many crowns (like porcelain dental crowns) look remarkably like natural teeth, which can enhance your image and boost your self-esteem!

Root Canal Therapy

If a cracked tooth goes untreated for too long, then patients risk developing a painful root canal infection. And, once this happens, the only way to treat the infection and save the tooth is with root canal therapy.

This therapy removes the infection from inside a tooth before covering the tooth with a protective crown. Our Austin dentist can ensure your comfort with sedative options, such as:

  • Numbing gels
  • Local anesthesia
  • Nitrous oxide 
  • Oral conscious sedation

Tooth Extraction

Unfortunately, prolonged dental damage, disease, and dysfunction can result in irreparable damage. As a result, the only way to save your smile and overall health from devastating issues is to completely remove the compromised tooth. Failure to do so could result in a life-threatening infection, known as dental sepsis.

How do I pay for cracked-tooth treatment if I don’t have insurance?

At Austin Laser Dentist, we can help you pay for routine dental procedures, emergencies, and cosmetic treatments with our comprehensive in-house dental plans. Simply choose the plan that works best for you and your family, and get the high-caliber dental care you deserve! 

No more frustrating calls to seedy insurance companies. Just easy and effective care at an affordable price! Learn more about our in-house dental plans here.

Treat a Cracked Tooth in Austin, TX

Don’t let dental damage get worse–ask our Austin dentist how to fix a cracked tooth now. Patients can reach Austin Laser Dentist at (512) 346-4690, or they may send us a brief message here to schedule appointments.

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Five Treatment Options for Cavities

An illustration of a tooth and magnifying glass depicting a cross-sectional image of a tooth with cavities

Cavities (also called caries) are areas of decay that bore into vulnerable teeth. Typically, caries are the result of oral bacteria and the acidic waste that they produce. If left untreated, caries can spread wider and deeper, eventually leading to a painful root canal infection. Luckily, patients have several preventive and restorative options to combat or remediate cavities.

If you’re looking for gentle cavity treatment in Austin, TX, then look no further than Dr. Helen Ragsdale at Austin Laser Dentist. Together with her team, Dr. Ragsdale can help you treat dental decay, restore damaged teeth, and protect your smile with comprehensive cavity treatments. Call our dental office at (512) 346-4690 or contact us online to schedule your appointment now.

Meanwhile, let’s dive into ways that you can prevent or treat cavities. In this post, we give you five, effective ways to manage dental decay.

1. Fluoride

Fluoride is an abundant mineral found in the natural world. Research proves that fluoride effectively remineralizes the enamel layer of our teeth. Subsequently, fluoride treatments are an ideal way to prevent cavities before they ever start.

But, surprisingly, fluoride doesn’t just prevent dental caries–it can reverse them, too. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), fluoride treatments may stop and reverse decay, making them a non-invasive alternative to other cavity treatments.

2. Dental Fillings

If fluoride treatments cannot keep cavities at bay, then dental fillings may be the next step. Our Austin dentist provides white fillings, which are a more aesthetically-pleasing option than silver (amalgam) fillings. 

Not only do dental fillings stop cavities in their tracks, but they also strengthen and protect teeth from further damage. As a result, dental fillings are a minimally-invasive way to enhance your smile for years to come.

3. Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped prosthetics that completely encapsulate severely weak or damaged teeth. As a cavity treatment, dental crowns provide the most support and protection for compromised teeth. However, dental crown treatment is more invasive than dental fillings. 

4. Root Canal Therapy

In some cases, a cavity bores so deeply into a tooth that it infiltrates and infects the sensitive pulp inside the root canal. When this happens, root canal therapy may be the only way to save the tooth from extraction. 

We know that you’ve probably heard horror stories about root canal therapy. But, the painful procedures of yesteryear are no longer applicable today. Dr. Ragsdale offers numerous numbing and sedative options to make this cavity treatment safer and more comfortable for patients.

5. Tooth Extraction

If a cavity destroys too much of a tooth’s natural structure, then it may not be possible to salvage it. A health-saving tooth extraction may be the only way to restore patients’ smiles without risking complications (like spreading the infection to the bloodstream).

Following tooth extractions, Dr. Ragsdale and her team are more than happy to discuss custom prosthetics to replace missing teeth, such as:

Cavity Treatment in Austin, TX

Don’t give cavities a chance to destroy your smile. At Austin Laser Dentist, we can help you pinpoint cavities earlier with cutting-edge, laser cavity detection. Schedule an appointment with our Austin dentist online, or call (512) 346-4690 for more information and booking.

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Need a dental crown? Here’s what you should know.

Modern dentistry has led to major improvements in our oral health. As a result, dental crowns are not as common as they once used to be. But, if you need restorative dentistry, then you might need to know what a dental crown is and why you might need it.

At Austin Laser Dentist, our skilled and compassionate dentist, Dr. Helen E. Ragsdale, has over 20 years of experience restoring patients’ smiles. If you need to repair your smile, then don’t delay–schedule your appointment now. Patients can reach us online here, or they may call our Austin, TX, dental office at (512) 346-4690.

If you need a dental crown to repair your smile, then keep reading. In this post, we reveal everything you need to know about this restorative procedure.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped prosthetic that covers weak, damaged, or otherwise compromised teeth. Dental crowns can also complete a dental implant or dental bridge for improved oral aesthetic and function.

Is a dental crown the same as a cap?

Yes. Dental professionals often use dental crown, tooth crown, cap, and tooth cap interchangeably. They all describe a tooth-shaped prosthetic designed to restore or complete a damaged smile.

What can a tooth cap fix?

Tooth caps are versatile because they can address numerous smile issues, including:

  • -Covering large cavities that cannot be filled with composite fillings
  • -Protecting weak, worn, or cracked teeth
  • -Restoring a tooth after a root canal
  • -Hiding dental flaws, like internal tooth discoloration
  • -Replacing missing teeth via dental bridge or implant

What are tooth crowns made of?

Dentists can create tooth crowns from several materials, including:

  • -Metal
  • -Porcelain-fused-to-metal
  • -Zirconia
  • -All-resin
  • -All-porcelain

At Austin Laser Dentist, we offer all-porcelain crowns. These crowns are remarkably strong and natural-looking compared to other options.

Does it hurt to get a dental crown?

The procedure for a dental crown should be completely pain-free. Our team guarantees patients’ comfort by using strong numbing agents along with local anesthesia. Subsequently, patients should only feel some light pressure during treatment.

How long does a porcelain crown last?

With proper care, a porcelain crown can last for 15 years. We recommend twice-daily brushing, once-daily flossing, and regular dental visits to keep porcelain crowns healthy and functional. We also recommend:

  • -Limiting alcohol and tobacco use
  • -Using scissors rather than teeth to open packaging
  • -Avoiding overly hard foods, like peanut brittle or ice

How much does a porcelain crown cost?

The cost of porcelain crowns is variable, but the average price is between $1,100 and $1,300 per crown. Of course, insurance coverage can help cover some or all of the related costs. However, our patients have another payment option: an in-house dental plan.

What is an in-house dental plan?

Our in-house dental plans are an alternative to dental insurance. With basic and premium packages, our patients can choose the plans that work best for their lifestyles and budgets. No more deductibles or prior authorizations–just easy and affordable dental care.

Ask Us About Our Dental Caps and In-house Dental Plans Today

Whether you want to explore in-house dental plans or seek restorative dentistry, our team can help you get the accessible and affordable dental care that you deserve. Contact our Austin, TX, dental office today at (512) 346-4690 or send us a message here to get started.