Our Dental Services in Austin, TX
Click on the bullet points below to learn more about the specific services and technologies! When you roll over the words with your mouse and they change color, you know they're expandable.
Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry
A healthy and attractive smile can make life more beautiful. It can raise self-esteem, increase confidence, help you make better first impressions on others, and improve your personal and professional life. Sounds life changing, huh? That's because it truly can be! We are pleased to develop comprehensive dental treatment plans to help patients achieve and maintain smiles that maximize their personal health and appearance, including restorative and cosmetic procedures. Really, all treatment we provide could be considered "cosmetic" in nature because we want it to look natural and beautiful each and every time.
Ask us at your visit about the possibilities for your smile!
Restorative Dentistry
- Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings
Tooth-colored dental fillings, often called "composite fillings" or "filled resins," are a mixture of quartz or glass filler in a resin medium that makes a natural looking filling. The material is cured with a special light and the surface is shaped and polished, so the end result is a virtually undetectable restoration that feels natural in your mouth. Composites are strong and durable. Additionally, because these fillings are bonded to teeth instead of mechanically held in place, the process is more conservative in relation to tooth structure removal, therefore more healthy natural tooth is able to remain. This results in smaller fillings.
Back to Top ↑ - Porcelain Crowns
Dental crowns are often called "caps." They cover teeth to restore them to their appropriate shape and size after large fillings, fractures, or weakening forces such as intense grinding. In all these cases, crowns not only cover teeth but also provide added support. They can be used to attach fixed dental bridges, cover dental implants, restore seriously discolored or misshapen teeth, and even as a preventive measure to protect a tooth in danger of breaking. Crowns can be made of all-porcelain (ceramic) material, porcelain fused to metal, and gold alloys (high noble). Each restorative material has its advantages and disadvantages. We prefer porcelain because it is the most natural looking.
Back to Top ↑ - Fixed Dental Bridges
Dental bridges do exactly what their name implies: bridge gaps left by one or multiple missing teeth. The two teeth on either side of the gap to be bridged serve as anchor teeth, also called "abutment teeth." Each anchor tooth has a crown that attaches to the false tooth/teeth of the bridge. Fixed dental bridges can be supported by natural teeth with crowns on top, or by implant-supported crowns.
Back to Top ↑ - Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy)
The inside of each tooth contains soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels running from the root to the crown. A crack, deep cavity, or other injury to a tooth can cause the nerve to become damaged or diseased, allowing bacteria to enter the tooth and kill the living tissue. Without treatment, the resulting infection can cause pain, swelling and abscesses, loss of the diseased tooth, and eventually damage to the surrounding bone. With endodontic treatment, also called root canal therapy, we carefully remove the diseased tissue and nerve from the tooth and gently clean and seal the root canal to protect it from bacteria. If needed, medication or an antibiotic can also be used to control the spread of bacteria and stop infection. Finally, a crown is placed over the reshaped tooth to restore and strengthen it.
Back to Top ↑ - Dentures & Removable Partial Dentures
Dr. Lounsberry can determine the best of several options available for denture wearers. Complete dentures can be made and inserted in the mouth either immediately after the removal of remaining teeth (immediate dentures), or after the gums have healed for 6-8 weeks (conventional dentures). With immediate dentures, measurements are taken and models are made before the removal of teeth, for dentures ready to be worn immediately. Because gums and bones can shrink during healing, immediate dentures often need to be rebased or relined later to continue fitting properly. Once the mouth tissues have completely healed, a conventional denture can be prepared and placed. Some denture wearers are candidates for another option called an “overdenture,” which fits over some remaining natural teeth, crowns, and/or implants to provide additional stability and strength.
Removable partial dentures act as replacement for missing teeth similar to other dentures, they just fit around natural teeth still in the mouth.
Even with dentures, good dental hygiene and a balanced diet are very important to help keep the mouth healthy. Brush gums, tongue, and palate daily with a soft toothbrush to remove plaque and stimulate circulation. Dentures should also be brushed daily. Over time, dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced as they show signs of age and wear, or become loose. Sores and infections caused by ill-fitting dentures are not only uncomfortable, but they can also cause other health problems. Dentures are delicate, therefore they must be treated with care and properly stored when not being worn.
If desired, dentures can be fashioned to look like your natural teeth did, to minimize any change in your appearance. And, like millions of other denture wearers, after a little practice and patience, you too can eat foods you love, speak with greater ease, and smile with confidence again!
Back to Top ↑ - Dental Implants
A dental implant is a small titanium post that serves as a replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth, and a dental implant restoration is the replacement tooth/crown that goes on top of the post. Dental implants can be placed in both the upper and lower jaws and, tha nks to the biocompatible properties of titanium, they fuse with the jaw bone to become a solid anchor for replacement teeth. Implants can be used as solutions for replacing single or multiple missing teeth, and there are a number of reasons to consider them. Without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink and cause bone loss. Not only is bone loss unhealthy, but jawbone shrinkage can also make you look older than you are. One of the best reasons of all is that dental implants function like natural teeth! Contact us for more information.
Back to Top ↑ - Porcelain Veneers
For a dramatic smile makeover, porcelain veneers can totally change the appearance of your teeth to give you the smile of your dreams! Veneers are thin, custom-made casings applied to the front side of teeth to change their shape, color, or general appearance in practically any way you desire. After consulting with you about your treatment options, Dr. Lounsberry will create a model based on the smile makeover look of your choice. We will send the model to a dental technician in a lab who will then make your actual veneers with durable, tooth-colored materials that will look and feel natural in your mouth.
When veneers are applied, a small amount of tooth enamel usually needs to be removed to fit the veneers onto the teeth. For this reason, veneers are typically an irreversible treatment so it is important to be prepared for a permanent improvement in the look and feel of your smile!
Back to Top ↑ - Snap-On Smile®
Snap-On Smile® is an inexpensive alternative to permanent cosmetic dental treatments, such as porcelain veneers. Snap-On Smile’s tagline is “A Patented Multi-Purpose Restorative Appliance™,” and its patent was given in recognition of its benefit of attaching to teeth – literally snapping on – without the need for drilling or adhesives, or any invasive preparation or procedures at all. Snap-On Smile appliances are made of a special resin, which is strong yet flexible, resistant to stain, and it polishes well for a sleek and attractive finish. This material is formed into thin, removable smile appliances that come in 18 different smile designs and 23 color shades. There is a Smile Style Guide to help patients choose the design and shade of teeth that will maximize the potential of their individual smiles. The design and shade chosen by you and Dr. Lounsberry is then customized to fit your mouth.
Back to Top ↑ - Professional Teeth Whitening Options
ZOOM!® One-Hour Teeth Whitening
ZOOM!® is a one-visit, usually one-hour teeth whitening system that is great for busy patients! A high intensity light, sometimes referred to as a laser whitening light, is used to enhance the effectiveness of the bleach. The bleaching agent used, however, is the most important element of the process. Before the whitening, a rubber shield is placed or a special gel is applied to protect the gums. Desensitizers can be applied, as well, to minimize tooth sensitivity. We think you will be impressed by the results that can be achieved by ZOOM! in only an hour!
Take-Home Tray Whitening
Take-home teeth whitening trays are custom made to fit your mouth and enable you to whiten your teeth in the convenience of your own home. The whitening gel given is made from a lower concentration of peroxide, which allows it to remain safely on your teeth longer (sometimes overnight). Take-home tray whitening can achieve the same stain-free look as ZOOM! whitening, it just takes a little longer.
Invisalign® Aligner Therapy Orthodontics – Watch a Video!
If you are dissatisfied with the position of your teeth but do not want to spend years wearing conventional metal braces, consider Invisalign®—the clear alternative to metal braces. With a series of clear aligners that are switched out approximately every two weeks, Invisalign repositions teeth step by step. The biocompatible thermoplastic aligners are comfortable for the sensitive tissues of your gums and cheeks, and patients really appreciate the ability to remove them when eating, brushing, and flossing. Click “PLAY” in the image above and to the left to choose from video stories about real patients whose lives have been changed by Invisalign! In order to view the video window, you will need pop-ups enabled.
Invisalign’s transparent aligners are so subtle that people probably will not notice you are wearing braces. What they will notice is your straight smile afterwards! Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors so we can create a custom Invisalign plan for your individual orthodontic needs!
Sleep Apnea & Snoring
If you or someone you love suffers from snoring that cannot be attributed to allergies, a sinus infection, or the common cold, that snoring could indicate a more serious condition. During sleep, the muscles in the mouth, jaw, and throat naturally relax. However, for the millions of Americans who have obstructive sleep apnea, these muscles become so relaxed that they collapse and obstruct the airway, making it difficult to breathe. The decreased flow of oxygen caused by sleep apnea usually results in sudden, repeated awakenings throughout the night and an overall poor quality of sleep. Excess weight around the neck, shoulders, and chest can also compress the airway, disrupting normal breathing and sleeping patterns.
Beyond the snoring and all those restless nights, the effects of obstructive sleep apnea can pose a number of serious health risks. Sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, so it is important to recognize and treat symptoms before the condition worsens.
General Dentistry
General dentistry involves diagnosis and treatment of general conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and jaw. General dentists can care for the overall oral health of patients of all ages, and at Balcones Family Dental our arms are open to everyone in your family from age 1 to 121!
We believe prevention should be the primary goal, so we aim to identify and treat problems before they grow to be serious, often painful and expensive. Regular checkups with us (generally every six months) combined with proper home care result in a healthier mouth and a healthier life.
Routine Cleanings & Preventive Care
- Consultations & Dental Exams
- Dental Cleanings
- Digital X-rays (Less Radiation Exposure)
- Small areas of decay between teeth or below existing restorations
- Deep cavities
- Infections in the jaw bones
- Deep gum disease
- Abscesses or cysts
- Developmental abnormalities
- Some types of tumors
Digital x-rays are comfortable for you and faster than traditional x-rays, with the images available to be viewed on a computer or TV screen in seconds. Digital x-rays are also safe and can even be used during pregnancy. Some studies cite that they emit up to 90% less radiation! With no chemical processing needed, digital x-rays are easy on you and the environment, too.
X-rays, also known as radiographs, are commonly used in dental exams of patients of all ages. Many problems with teeth and the surrounding tissues cannot be seen by the naked eye. An x-ray is needed to reveal:
Back to Top ↑ - Intraoral Camera
Like digital x-rays, digital photographs with our intraoral camera are a diagnostic and patient education tool we think you will appreciate. Using the camera, we can give you a “tour” of your mouth on a TV or computer screen. This shows you what we see, guiding you through your diagnosis and treatment options.
Back to Top ↑ - Laser-Assisted Early Cavity Detection with Diagnodent®
Since identifying and filling cavities are two of the most basic, important services we provide patients, we use Diagnodent® laser technology. This technology precisely detects tooth decay in its early stages, many times before it can be recognized by other means. Fillings for cavities that are caught sooner can often be smaller, which allows us to use minimally invasive filling techniques and preserve more natural tooth.
Back to Top ↑ - Dental Sealants
Diligent oral hygiene is essential for preventing cavities, but toothbrushes cannot always reach down into the deepest crevices of teeth. Dental sealants can compensate for this with a resin material that bonds into the grooves of teeth, creating a barrier against food particles, plaque, and acidic food and drink. Sealants can last up to 10 years before needing to be replaced, and children and adults alike can benefit from their protection.
Back to Top ↑ - Custom Athletic Mouthguards
- Drug-Free Headache Prevention (Nightguard)
Traditional theories have linked tension-type headaches (TTH) to muscle contraction and tightness in the jaw, scalp, neck, and shoulders. A small, comfortable biteguard worn at night, called an NTI, can work to reduce the intensity of clenching and teeth grinding, which is also called bruxism. This FDA-approved mouthpiece fits securely on either your upper or lower front teeth while you sleep, creating exclusive contact between your incisors (the eight teeth in the front of your mouth with straight edges) and preventing your molars from touching or grinding. This enables the muscles of your jaw, head, and neck to relax, subsequently allowing you to find the relief you seek from your headaches and/or jaw pain – without drugs! Visit NTI’s website to learn more.
Periodontal (Gum) Care
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults over age 35. Gum disease ranges from gingivitis to the various forms and stages of periodontitis, and the prevalence of gum disease increases with age because teeth wear down and become more sensitive as time passes, gums naturally recede, and medications can affect oral health.
- Warning Signs of Gum Disease
If your gums feel tender or sore, or if they look red and swollen, you may have gum disease. Other warning signs include bleeding and/or receding gums, pain or sensitivity in your teeth (and even loose teeth caused by weakening gum fibers or bone loss), and persistent bad breath. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss as well as various serious health problems.
Back to Top ↑ - Treatment for Gum Disease
If you have any degree of gum disease, we want to help. Gum disease used to require surgery more often than not. While gum surgery is still an option and sometimes needed, many cases are now treated with less invasive techniques first, including deep dental cleanings, local antibiotics, and special mouth rinses.
