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Baton Rouge 225.767.2273

Lafayette 337.456.5573

Mandeville 985.626.5030

Treating TMJ Disorders, Teeth Grinding, Infected Root Canals, and More – Baton Rouge

General dentistry is, in addition to consistent oral hygiene, the bedrock of optimal oral health.  It detects dental problems in their earliest stages, when they are most easily treated, and prevents common dental issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and developmental deficits.  At Bluebonnet Dental Care, our general dentistry practice frequently treats problems including infected root canals, TMJ disorders, and teeth grinding.  Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Mandeville are among the communities we serve.  Our team is dedicated to helping patients achieve and maintain the healthy, beautiful smiles they deserve.

Teeth Grinding Treatment
Infected Root Canals – Treatment Options
TMJ Disorder Treatment
Periodontal Care
Tooth Extractions
Dental Cleanings
Dental Emergencies

Teeth Grinding Treatment

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause a range of dental problems, including worn-down enamel, tooth sensitivity, and TMJ-disorder-related pain.  With proper treatment, teeth grinding and its symptoms can be minimized or eliminated altogether.  Bluebonnet Dental Care provides the following treatment options:

Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are worn overnight.  They act as a barrier between the upper and lower jaw, preventing grinding-related corrosion of the tooth enamel.

NTI Appliances

NTI appliances prevent grinding and clenching of the teeth by inhibiting the jaw’s nociceptive trigeminal reflexes, which allow the jaw to close.  The NTI appliance is a tiny acrylic splint which, when worn overnight, prevents grinding and jaw pain.

Stress-reduction Techniques

By reducing a patient’s stress – one of the primary causes of teeth grinding – we can often minimize or eliminate his or her grinding habit.  Breathing exercises, creative visualization, lifestyle changes, and other techniques can help to minimize stress.

Equilibration and Treatment for Malocclusion

Equilibration reshapes the bite, and occlusion treatment realigns it – necessary treatments when the tooth’s chewing surfaces are worn down and misaligned from teeth grinding.  Contact our Baton Rouge office for more information on these treatment options.

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Infected Root Canals – Treatment Options

Root canal therapy is performed when the tooth’s pulp – the soft tissue in the tooth’s root canal – becomes infected or badly damaged.  Sometimes referred to as a “root canal,” this treatment involves removing the decayed pulp and replacing it with durable dental-grade cement.  Root canal therapy prevents or delays the extraction of the tooth and prevents further damage to the tooth and underlying bone and gum structure. 

The Root Canal Procedure

The dentist begins by administering a local anesthetic (sedation dentistry may also be an option).  When the mouth is fully numb, he carefully removes the decayed pulp and thoroughly cleans the root canal.  He may place an antibiotic powder in the canal to prevent infection and allow the canal to drain.  Next, he fills the canal with dental cement.  Finally, he places a dental crown over the tooth.  With proper care, the results of root canal therapy can last for many years.

Contact Bluebonnet Dental Care to learn more about treatment for infected root canals.  We welcome patients from Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Mandeville, and surrounding areas. 

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TMJ Disorder Treatment

TMJ (“temporomandibular joint”) disorders affect the joints hinging the upper and lower jaw.  The symptoms of TMJ disorder can include jaw, head, and neck pain, migraines, bite problems, and worn-down teeth.  TMJ disorders are also characterized by a cycle of pain, muscle spasms, and joint imbalance where the joint meets the skull.  Bluebonnet Dental Care offers the following treatments to reduce both the causes and symptoms of a TMJ disorder:

Teeth Grinding Treatment

Preventing a patient from grinding his or her teeth is one of the first steps in treating TMJ disorder symptoms.  Bluebonnet Dental Care provides several advanced teeth grinding treatments.

Oral Surgery

In extremely severe TMJ disorder cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the joint and surrounding bone and jaw tissue.  Our team is dedicated to guiding patients throughout the TMJ disorder treatment process, including surgery and aftercare.

Contact Bluebonnet Dental Care if you believe you have a TMJ disorder.  We serve patients in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Mandeville, and surrounding areas. 

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Periodontal Care

Gum disease, or periodontitis – the gradual corrosion of the teeth and gums by bacteria in residual plaque – is treatable with timely dental care.  Bluebonnet Dental Care provides exceptional periodontal care to curb the disease’s progression.  If you have any of the symptoms of gum disease, including red, swollen, or painful gums, loose teeth, and persistent bad breath, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Tooth Extractions

When a tooth is badly damaged or decayed, sometimes the best solution is to remove the tooth.  Bluebonnet Dental Care provides tooth extraction services, as well as sedation dentistry to help minimize dental anxiety.  We also provide restorative dentistry and full mouth reconstructions, replacing missing teeth with dental implants, dental crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Dental Cleanings

Regular dental cleanings – once every six months for adults – are essential for the maintenance of one’s oral health.  Dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar, allow for the detection of such problems  as tooth decay and structural weakness in the teeth in their earliest, most treatable stages, and keep the mouth fresh and healthy.  To schedule your next dental cleaning, contact our office today.

Dental Emergencies

In the event of a dental emergency, we are here to help.  If you or a family member breaks a tooth or suffers another type of traumatic injury to the mouth, contact our office to arrange an emergency consultation.

Schedule TMJ / Root Canals / Teeth Grinding Treatment – Lafayette / Mandeville Areas

Bluebonnet Dental Care provides a range of general dentistry options to help keep our patients’ smiles healthy and beautiful.  Contact our office to learn more about treatment options for dental problems including root canals, TMJ disorders, and teeth grinding.  Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Mandeville are among the areas we serve.

Check out our Big Smile Makeover Winners!

The Bluebonnet Dental Care BIG SMILE MAKEOVER is a way for our doctors to give back to the community! It is an opportunity for you to receive a new smile. This year, Bluebonnet Dental Care selected FOUR winners instead of two! We would like to say thanks to the hundreds of entrants this year in our Big Smile Makeover contest. Also, we would like to congratulate our Four Big Smile Makeover winners: Antrice Johnson, Cory Campbell, Kathryn Farber and Stephanie Carver.

Click Here to see photos of our winners from this year as well as years past!

Contact Bluebonnet Dental Care to learn more about obtaining treatment for problems including infected root canals, TMJ disorders, and teeth grinding. Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Mandeville are among the communities we serve.

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