Comprehensive Dental Services From Dr. Kevin L. Ragsdale

Implants

Implants are titanium tooth-root-shaped structures that are placed in the upper jaw or lower jaw to replace a missing tooth, replace multiple missing teeth, or help stabilize and retain a partial denture or complete denture. Implants allow for removable (full dentures or partial dentures) or non-removable (crowns and bridges) treatment to be done. Dr. Ragsdale refers to two periodontists (gum specialists) with whom he has worked for over 20 years.

Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing

Periodontal scaling and root planing, also called or known as non-surgical periodontal/gum treatment or “deep cleaning,” is a program utilized to treat periodontal disease of various stages to prevent or aid in periodontal surgery. Our program is most commonly a three-visit program that is widely successful when done following our treatment and follow-up recommendations. Our program is done with anesthesia (either local or topical) and will clean above the gum line, below the gum line, on the tooth surfaces above the gum, and the root surfaces below the gumline removing food debris, plaque, calculus, and infected and inflamed gum tissue to get a clean, sterile environment for the gums to begin to get healthy. We also utilize antibiotics when needed, prescription mouth rinses, home care instructions, and any other special dental aides necessary to get your gums healthy and to keep them healthy.

Veneers

Veneers are thin porcelain or ceramic restorations bonded to the front surface of your teeth. They are used to change color and shape. Veneers can be used on teeth that are stained, discolored, uneven, chipped, oddly shaped, crooked, or with spaces between them. Veneers have a longer life expectancy and excellent color stability than bonding. Veneers usually require removing a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate them. However, there are instances when veneers can be done without any removal or altering of tooth structure (these are called no-prep veneers, an example of which are Lumineers.) Veneers can be done on all teeth except primary teeth and permanent molars. Biting and functional habits such as ice-chewing, hard candy chewing, fingernail biting, opening packages, and tearing fishing lines may not make the patient a candidate for veneers.

Crowns and Bridges

Crowns are used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal to strengthen the tooth because a root canal will make a tooth brittle and prone to fracture. It also will cover the tooth and keep it natural-looking since a root canal will cause a tooth to darken. Crowns are also indicated when decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, making it too large to fill. Crowns can also be used to repair teeth that are cracked or overfilled and prone to future breakage, possibly preventing more expensive, time-consuming treatment or potential tooth loss. Additionally, crowns can be used to cosmetically enhance a patient's smile, whether it involves one tooth or multiple teeth. Dr. Ragsdale has been utilizing CEREC technology since 2010 which allows our office to do crowns in one visit without the need for impressions, temporaries, and a second visit to deliver the crown.

Bridges are a non-removable dental treatment that can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. Bridges involve crowning the tooth or a group of teeth in front and back of the space needing to be closed. Bridges are done to restore function and support in the area where the teeth are missing. Bridges also protect the gum in the area of the missing tooth (teeth) and protect the teeth in front and back of the space from excessive bite pressure due to the loss of teeth in the space area. Additionally, bridges prevent teeth from shifting in front and the back of the space and in the opposing arch, which can lead to gum disease, tooth breakage or tooth loss, and possibly TMJ issues.

Cosmetic Fillings

Dr. Ragsdale has not used amalgam (silver) fillings in his practice since 1996. All materials for fillings and crowns are tooth-colored, so a patient gets the strength of tooth-colored materials and the beauty of tooth-colored fillings.

Teeth Whitening

We offer two levels of teeth whitening depending upon your budget, time involvement, particular stain/color of your teeth, and your desired whiteness. Traditional trays are worn overnight for two to four weeks. ZOOM in-office whitening… is the most popular. We offer this as a program. Our fee includes pre-treatment desensitizing gel, four ZOOM cycles, touch-up trays for the whitened teeth/arches, and one tube of touch-up gel.

Root Canals

Root canal therapy is a special treatment with a very high success rate. It involves removing the diseased tissue, halting the spread of infection, and restoring the healthy portion of the tooth. Root canal therapy is designed to save a problem tooth; before the procedure was developed and gained acceptance, the only alternative for treating a diseased tooth was extraction. Root canal therapy usually entails one to three visits. During the first visit, a small hole is drilled through the top of the tooth and into the inner chamber. Diseased tissue is removed, the inner chamber cleansed and disinfected, and the tiny canals reshaped. The cleansed chamber and canals are filled with an elastic material and medication to prevent infection. If necessary, the drilled hole is temporarily filled until a permanent seal is made with a crown.

Dentures

Dr. Ragsdale does both partial dentures and entire (complete) dentures. We utilize custom teeth, both in natural and cosmetic shades. We make dentures to fit the average mouth, over implants, and precision attachments.

We can also make complete or partial dentures for patients with existing complete or partial dentures. In addition, we can do immediate complete or partial dentures where teeth will be extracted. Then dentures are placed (delivered) immediately following the extractions, so there is no need to go without teeth. We can also extract the teeth and wait six to eight weeks before beginning the dentures. Still, there is no need to do this because the bite, facial muscles, chewing, speaking, and cosmetics can be replaced by utilizing immediate denture techniques.

We also offer acrylic partials to be utilized temporarily to allow for various therapeutic, extraction, or implant situations.

Snoring Treatment

We utilize Silent Nite treatment to treat snoring and mild cases of sleep apnea. This treatment is not meant to replace C-Pap treatment unless approved by a physician. The Silent Nite snoring treatment is 80 to 90 percent successful and is a simple process involving impressions and a return visit to receive the Silent Nite appliance.

Nightguard/Bruxing

We fabricate clear acrylic upper or lower mouthpieces to help minimize and eliminate the harmful effects of clenching, grinding, or bruxing. This can prevent tooth breakage, tooth loss, tooth mobility, muscle tenderness, ear pain, gum issues, and potentially more devastating TMJ symptoms. This is a simple process involving impressions and a return visit to receive the nightguard.