General Dentistry
Welcome to Town Square Dental in Castroville, Texas!
We provide an impressive range of dental services and can address the vast majority of your dental needs, whether you need restorative dental treatment, periodontal or orthodontic care, or are considering cosmetic dentistry.
No matter what type of general or specialized dental care you receive from us, we take your comfort and safety seriously. Our state-of-the-art facility has everything you need for a pleasant dental experience, including beverages in the waiting room, spacious treatment rooms, TVs on the ceiling for your entertainment during procedures, and UV light sterilization between patients. Nitrous oxide is available for fearful patients.
Preventive Dental Care Is Critical for Healthy Teeth & Gums
Our most popular preventive care services include dental cleanings and dental exams by our dentist and hygienist.
During your dental exam, X-rays are typically taken to identify the earliest signs of a dental problem, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or bone loss. Dr. Cindy Crews will review the X-rays, physically examine your teeth and gums, assess your jaw function and bite, as well as look for signs of oral cancer.
At Town Square Dental, we utilize the latest X-ray and other technology, including:
- Panoramic dental X-rays, in which a device rotates around your head to capture all your teeth and jawbone in a single image. This type of X-ray is used to identify impacted wisdom teeth, tumors, TMJ or other structural abnormalities, and to plan treatment for dental implants.
- Cephalometrix dental X-rays, also called “ceph X-rays,” provide a side view of the face and are used when a patient is considering orthodontic treatment or to identify issues with your airway.
- Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is used to create high-quality, 3D images of both hard and soft tissue in your mouth. A CBCT is used to plan dental implants, diagnose TMJ, and more.
- Intraoral dental scanners are handheld devices with a light that is used to scan areas within your mouth, resulting in a 3D impression for crowns, bridges, retainers, dentures, and more.
- Intraoral cameras are handheld devices used to capture photos and videos of a patient’s teeth and gums. These devices are used to aid in assessment and diagnosis, as well as patient education.
Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings are one of the most important and beneficial preventive care services offered by our office. Cleanings can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and bone loss. In addition, professional cleanings can even brighten your smile by removing minor stains. No matter how well you clean your teeth on your own, there are certain parts of your mouth that can only been seen and reached during a professional cleaning at your dental office.
Some patients need to schedule their cleanings twice a year, and others may need to have them three or four times a year. When appropriate, we will schedule your cleaning to coincide with a dental exam by Dr. Crews.
What to Expect at a Dental Cleaning
Knowing what to expect when you visit Town Square Dental for a dental cleaning can take some of the stress out of a visit to the dentist.
Once you are comfortably seated in one of our fully-equipped modern exam rooms, your hygienist will have you rinse with our antibacterial mouthwash, take your blood pressure, review any changes in your health history or surgeries since your last visit, and ask about any questions or concerns you have at this time. What happens next typically involves the following steps:
Your hygienist will examine the condition of your mouth and gums to diagnose any gum issues. At the same time, your hygienist will look for early signs of oral cancer, such as any suspicious spots or lesions.
After assessing the condition of your teeth and gums, your hygienist will determine which of the following types of cleanings you require:
- Routine Cleaning – for plaque and tartar removal above the gum line
- Deep Scaling and Cleaning – if there is plaque or tarter buildup below the gumline
- Scaling and Root Planing – when numbing is needed in order to conduct a more comprehensive removal of buildup and bacteria in gum pockets
If a routine cleaning is sufficient, your hygienist will proceed with the cleaning. If there are any concerns, the hygienist will speak to you about what may be needed for your dental health. Any financial obligation would be discussed before treatment is started, so you will be well informed.
Plaque and tartar removal will be conducted using professional dental instruments, including scalers like cavitron ultrasonic scaling devices.
Removing plaque and tartar regularly helps decrease the development of bacteria and decay.
Your teeth will be brushed with a polishing toothpaste and a high-powered polishing cup. This light abrasion will help to remove any remaining debris or other particles on or around your teeth. Your hygienist will then floss your teeth manually.
A laser light is focused briefly on your teeth, at the gum line, to kill any harmful bacteria in the mouth. This method is especially helpful at destroying difficult-to-treat oral bacteria.
A fluoride treatment can be applied in just minutes to the surfaces of your teeth. You will be asked to refrain from eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes after the treatment so that the fluoride can be fully absorbed.
This thin, protective coating is applied to the chewing surface of your molars (the teeth at the back of your mouth). It can drastically reduce the risk of tooth decay in those teeth in children and in adults prone to tooth decay.
Experienced Dentist in Castroville, TX
Have you had your teeth examined and cleaned in the last 6 months? If you are due for a professional exam and cleaning, call Town Square Dental in Castroville, Texas, at (830) 538-2236 to schedule your visit, or request an appointment now.