Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to detect worn fillings and broken seals with a self-examination. However, a dental examination can usually detect damage to fillings in the early stages before too much damage has occurred. X-rays will reveal decay under fillings and between teeth that cannot be seen directly. A failed filling should be replaced immediately. Too many people make the mistake of waiting until a filling becomes painful before seeing the dentist. Regular dental exams can monitor your fillings to ensure that worn fillings and broken seals are discovered before further damage occurs to the tooth.
• X-rays
  Do you know that there are many beneficial uses of radiation?  One type of radiation, x-rays, are used extensively in the medical and dental professions to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions.  Dentists gain valuable information from x-rays to aid in keeping teeth healthy. Dental X-Rays Show Hidden Problems Dental x-rays are pictures [Read more …]
• Oral Cancer Screening
  A comprehensive examination is the foundation for empowering our patients to make informed decisions about their oral health.  In most cases, high-quality x-rays are a necessary part of the exam.  The comprehensive exam includes soft-tissue exam (cancer screening), periodontal exam (gum disease) and exam of the teeth.  We also need a comprehensive medical history and list of medications that you take.  The forms below are provided for your convenience.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  A periodontal cleaning is required when advanced symptoms of bacterial infection (periodontitis) are present or when hardened deposits have formed on the roots of teeth. Signs of periodontal disease include deep pockets, gums detached from the tooth, red, tender and swollen gums, loose teeth, bone loss, bad breath. The periodontal cleaning, commonly called “scaling and root planing” usually requires more than one appointment.

Restorative

• Fillings
  This material is a mix of acrylic resin and powdered glass-like particles. It can be used in front and back teeth to create natural-looking teeth. It has a low risk of leakage when bonded to enamel, but its bond strength is less when it is placed on or near the root where there is less or no enamel. It is strong and lasting in small-to-medium preparations. In comparison to amalgam fillings, composite fillings have a more natural appearance, cost more, are less strong against chewing forces, do not last as long as amalgam, and have a higher incidence of sensitivity following placement.
• Veneers
  Would you like to have the glamorous Hollywood smile? Ceramic veneers can give your smile a miraculous transformation in a few appointments. Veneers are thin ceramic facings which are bonded to the fronts of teeth. They can hide the imperfections of the teeth–making them appear straighter and more even, closing gaps, creating better shape, and changing color. The thin material has light-reflecting properties that give them that extremely lifelike quality. They are resistant to stain. The procedure may be done in only two appointments. At the first appointment, the teeth are prepared, usually by removing a small amount of tooth structure (particular to each case), then taking an impression, which is sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication. The veneers are bonded to the teeth at a follow-up appointment. Dr. Taylor will discuss how veneers could improve your particular smile, she will discuss the procedures that would be involved, and she can even show you how the final smile will look–before the decision is made.
• Crowns
  A dental crown is a type of dental restoration that is a tooth-shaped “cap” or cover that is placed over a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed.  It covers the tooth to restore its shape, size, strength and improve its appearance.
• Bridges
  The procedure for making a crown or a bridge takes two appointments. At the first appointment the tooth is shaped so that a restoration can fit over it. An impression is taken of this shape and sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication. While the crown or bridge is being made, the tooth is covered with a temporary crown made out of tooth-colored material. When the permanent restoration returns from the lab, it is adjusted and cemented on the tooth. Porcelain (tooth-colored) crowns and bridges are often chosen for their esthetics, but in some situations a gold crown or bridge might be an excellent choice. Dr. Taylor will evaluate the conditions presented in your dentition and your desires to make sure that you have a restoration that will please you for years to come.
• Dental Bonding
  Cosmetic dental bonding can resolve problems caused by chipped, cracked or broken teeth. It can also be used to reduce undesirable gaps between teeth. An experienced cosmetic dentist can correct those imperfections with dental bonding materials applied directly to the teeth. The dental bonding compound hardens on the teeth and provides an instant improvement to your smile.

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  Undiagnosed or untreated tooth decay of a tooth with a filling can develop into an infection of the dental pulp. The dental pulp is where the tooth’s nerve and blood supply are located. An infection of the dental pulp may require a root canal or maybe even require extraction of the tooth.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  Dental implants are stable and reliable. They are anchored into the upper or lower jaw where they bind with the bone in a process called osseointegration. Anchors will hold the replacement teeth solidly in place. Depending on the extent of tooth loss and other factors, replacement teeth will consist of a crown, bridge or dentures. Replacement teeth are custom-built to blend naturally with your existing teeth and to restore your smile.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  Missing teeth are embarrassing. They affect your appearance and self-esteem. Do you avoid smiling? Do you cover your mouth to hide missing teeth?  Do you worry that other people are unfairly judging you because you have missing teeth? If you have missing teeth, you may be a candidate for dental implants.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
• Tooth Extractions
• Bone Grafting
  However, even if you do not currently have a sufficient amount of usable bone, a bone grafting procedure may still allow you to receive dental implants. Your dentist can determine whether you have a sufficient amount of usable bone and, if not, whether a bone graft would resolve the issue.

General

• Teeth Whitening
  Often the difference between a good smile and a great smile is the whiteness of the teeth! When done properly, whitening is safe and effective. In addition, it is a simple process and inexpensive. Dr. Taylor is eager to help you get the effect you want in the safest manner–without tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  Cosmetic dentistry is dental care and treatment to improve the appearance of your teeth in order to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Many patients report a dramatic boost in self-esteem and self-confidence after a cosmetic dental procedure.
• General Dentistry
  Searching for a Cosmetic Dentist in Austin?  Though some dentists claim to be “cosmetic dentists,” this is not a specialty field recognized by the American Dental Association.  Most cosmetic dentistry procedures fall under the realm of General Dentistry.