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TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, but the acronym is commonly used to refer to disorders of the TMJs; these are hinge-like joints that allow purposeful movement of the lower jaw when chewing, yawning, or speaking. When these joints do not function properly, you may notice:
Missing teeth impact our lives in many ways. Chewing and eating healthy foods become more challenging with one or multiple missing teeth. Smiling and talking may feel difficult, making you self-conscious in your interactions with others.
Did you know that missing one or more teeth also impacts your oral health? Without a replacement, neighboring teeth will begin to drift into the ...
Congratulations! You chose 3-D printed dentures in Gretna, LA, for your smile, and now you're enjoying the benefits.
Now that you've invested in your smile, it's important to understand how to properly care for your new dentures so you can make the most of them and protect their longevity. The good news is that cleaning your 3-D printed dentures is the ...
Wisdom teeth, or “third molars,” are the last set of molars to emerge, usually appearing in the late teens or early twenties. For many patients, these teeth don’t have enough room to erupt properly, which can lead to pain, infection, misalignment, or damage to surrounding teeth. Understanding the wisdom teeth extraction procedure can help you feel more prepared and confident ...
If your partner is constantly complaining about your loud snoring, or if you wake up feeling just as tired as you did when you went to bed, you could have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Although many people dismiss snoring as “normal” or ignore the symptoms, the truth is that untreated sleep apnea can have serious health consequences.
And did you ...
The final weeks of the year are an ideal time to evaluate your year-end dental benefits in Gretna, LA. Many patients don’t realize how much of their coverage resets each January 1. By understanding your plan and preparing early, you can avoid losing unused benefits and ensure you’re ready for the care you need at NOLA Dentures, with Dr. Russell ...
Dentures are a valuable investment in your comfort, appearance, and oral health. Like any dental appliance, however, they require proper care to stay in great shape.
At NOLA Dentures in Gretna, LA, Dr. Russell Schafer and our caring team help patients protect their dentures through education, maintenance, and timely repairs. Here’s what you need to know about denture damage and how ...
There’s nothing worse than your partner snoring so loudly that you can’t get a good night’s sleep, but did you know that sometimes snoring can be a sign of an undiagnosed sleep disorder?
So, if you live in Gretna, New Orleans, or the surrounding area, what do you need to know about snoring and sleep apnea?
Let’s take a look.
Dentists recommend a tooth extraction in Gretna, LA, for a variety of reasons, including:
Fortunately, modern dentistry means dental extraction treatment and quality tooth replacement (as needed).
Some tooth extractions are straightforward, while others require surgical intervention. Regardless of the course, we ensure a numb ...
Want a smile so bright it could light up Bourbon Street? There’s nothing quite like that fresh, radiant glow after a teeth whitening in Gretna, LA. But now comes the important part: keeping your smile just as dazzling as the day you walked out of the dental office.
Here’s some teeth whitening aftercare tips to keep those freshly whitened teeth gleaming ...
A broken denture can disrupt your entire day, leaving you feeling vulnerable and self-conscious about your smile. Whether it happens while you’re eating, or you accidentally drop them on the bathroom floor, we want you to know we’re here for you.
At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, we understand the importance of repairing your denture promptly and returning to your busy ...
You wake up exhausted despite eight hours spent in bed. Your partner complains about loud snoring, and you find yourself nodding off during afternoon meetings. Sound familiar? You might be among the millions of Americans living with undiagnosed sleep apnea—a condition that's silently wreaking havoc on your health.
Sleep apnea isn't a one-size-fits-all condition:
Many parents wonder, “When should a child first see a dentist in Gretna, LA?” The answer might surprise you: by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting. While it may seem early, this initial visit is critical in building a strong foundation for lifelong oral health. Early dental care isn’t just about checking for ...
At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, I offer a wide range of services but specialize in dentures and make a lot of partials—RPDs in dentist speak.
I take great care in crafting these prosthetics, paying close attention to fit and aesthetics. As your dentist in New Orleans, I want you to love your new smile, so I offer partial ...
Do you snore or struggle with sleep apnea? More than just a noisy nuisance, sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects airflow and oxygen levels as you sleep. If left untreated, it can lead to fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, and even heart disease. Your dentist in New Orleans may be able to help! At NOLA Dentures and General ...
At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, we make quite a few new dentures for our patients in New Orleans. While a well-made denture can undoubtedly last for many years, eventually, dentures do wear out and have to be remade. One of the most common questions I get asked is “when is it time for a new set of dentures?” ...
Dental emergencies rarely call before dropping in on your day. They’re quite rude in this regard.
Since dental emergencies can strike at any time, quick and decisive action is key to alleviating pain in the short term, preventing complications, and safeguarding long-term oral health. To ensure you’re prepared when time is of the essence, we’re taking a closer look at five ...
At NOLA Dentures, we understand that life’s challenges—a packed schedule, tight finances, or dental anxiety—can make keeping up with regular dental visits difficult. These obstacles, though real, should not prevent you from prioritizing your oral health.
If you’re feeling uneasy about the state of your smile or embarrassed about missing dental exams, rest assured that the fantastic NOLA Dentures team ...
Relocating to a new area can be an exciting adventure, but it can also be demanding as you get your family established with work, schools, doctors, and dentists. We want to take some of the stress out of your search for a new dentist in Gretna by offering some helpful tips for getting started.
A broken denture can be frustrating and upsetting, but you don’t have to live without your smile for long. At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, we specialize in quick and effective denture repairs that get you back to your normal routine in no time. Whether minor cracks or more extensive damage, our expert dental team provides effective solutions for all ...
Taking your child to a kid’s dentist is part of their overall care, and choosing the right dentist is just as important as selecting the right pediatrician. You want team members you can trust and a dentist who is always welcoming.
See the patient testimonials on our website to learn what others have to say about our team.
Missing teeth can destroy self-esteem and make it difficult to smile. Additionally, tooth loss can negatively impact your oral health today and in the future.
My dental office offers a wide range of tooth replacement options to restore your confidence and oral health. I also offer payment plans in-house to qualifying applicants and accept third-party financing through CareCredit and Sunbit ...
Did you know that millions of Americans have one or more missing teeth? Unfortunately, gaps in your smile can adversely affect your overall health and lower your self-esteem. That’s why the dental team at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry encourages everyone to consider their tooth replacement options.
Dental implants are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement because they boast ...
In a world where dental emergencies can strike at any moment, reliable emergency dentistry equals peace of mind. Whether you’ve got a sudden toothache, a loose crown, or a broken or knocked-out tooth, emergency dental care can relieve your pain and prevent further complications. Let’s explore the importance of emergency dentistry, common dental emergencies, and what to expect from a ...
Sometimes, it feels like things go wrong at the worst possible moment. Maybe you are about to leave for a long-awaited vacation, or one of your children is getting married soon. Whatever the reason, you don’t have time for broken dentures. Your smile is an integral part of who you are. At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, we understand ...
TMJ or TMD, when used in abbreviation, are common ways to describe disorders of the temporomandibular joints. These joints, located at the junction where the jaw connects to the skull, allow for eating, speaking, and yawning.
At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, I’m pleased to offer TMJ treatments and solutions in Gretna, LA.
TMJ may result from ...
We talk all the time about the importance of regular dental visits to oral health. And yes, regular cleanings and exams are paramount to strong long-term oral health.
However, maintaining a bright, healthy smile requires more than just regular dental cleanings. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, adopting healthy habits, and making smart lifestyle choices are also crucial to helping ...
A tooth that hurts when you bite down or keeps you up at night is extremely frustrating. Typically, this type of pain indicates your tooth is infected, and your Gretna dentist needs to treat the tooth as soon as possible to keep the infection from spreading. Sometimes, an infected tooth needs to be removed, so how can your dentist ensure ...
We offer a full range of dental care at Nola Dentures and General Dentistry. However, we specialize in dentures and tooth replacement. Our team understands denture fit and function and is always happy to share advice with our valued patients.
Let’s explore dentures—the dos and don’ts—to keep your prosthetic smile healthy and functional for longer.
Adjusting to tooth loss can be disorienting. One crucial decision you must make after tooth loss is addressing the areas vacated by lost teeth. Making this decision correctly and in a timely manner is vital to the health of your gums, jawbone, and remaining teeth. Left untreated, an area vacated by tooth loss can become infected, may permit the remaining ...
Cosmetic dentistry continues to gain in popularity, so if you don’t love the way your smile looks, you have options. One such option is dental bonding from the expert dental team at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry. Keep reading to learn more about how dental bonding can improve the look of your smile and raise your self-confidence!
Keeping your child's smile bright and healthy can be a challenge. Alongside good oral health practices, nutrition plays a vital role in preventing issues like cavities and gum disease and ensuring overall dental health.
Today, we're exploring the connection between what your child eats and drinks and their dental health.
Ensuring your children's short and long-term dental health ...
Whether the result of trauma or an unfortunate chomp during a meal, a chipped tooth can be very unnerving. While not all chips demand immediate attention, knowing when one represents an emergency is crucial for mitigating pain and further damage.
Chipped teeth are typically the result of accidents during contact sports or a poorly-timed bite ...
There’s never a good time for a dental emergency, and we know that an emergency can cause stress and anxiety for you or your loved ones. That’s why we offer emergency dentistry at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry. Because there is a good chance your dental emergency could happen outside of regular business hours, it’s important to know what ...
If you have missing teeth and aren’t sure where to turn, consider the dental team at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry. Our caring and compassionate staff can put your mind at ease and discuss your options before creating a treatment plan that meets your approval. You may be a candidate for full or partial dentures, and in as little ...
There’s no more common dental procedure than a filling. But, even for the select few who’ve somehow avoided all dental imperfections, the thought of getting a filling probably doesn’t inspire much stress.
For this reason, we probably take these procedures a bit for granted. We’re here today to “fill” that knowledge gap!
When the ...
Your smile is important to you, and it’s only natural to want your teeth to be as beautiful as possible. If you’re missing some teeth, you may be a candidate for partial dentures, which can be a great option to help you regain your smile. At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, our goal is to give you the confidence ...
Sometimes, a patient's natural teeth cannot be saved and must be extracted. While an extraction addresses the discomfort caused by damaged teeth, it also creates a need to protect the surrounding gums and teeth and ensure the ability to speak, smile, bite, and chew food. Oftentimes, crowns, dental bridges, or partial dentures will do the trick.
Unfortunately, in some cases, ...
Tooth restorations, like dental fillings, are necessary to maintain optimal oral health.
Dental fillings are used to repair cavities, chips, and cracks in the teeth and can be used to fill gaps or protect a tooth's root from further damage. Fillings are called for in the event of a cavity or lesion on the surface of ...
Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them. Whether you slipped and fell, had a sporting accident, or bit down too hard on a piece of food, our emergency dentists in Gretna are here to help.
Not all dental emergencies have symptoms or pain, so we encourage you to call us if you notice anything ...
When brightening your smile, it is always best to do so under the supervision of your dentist. Additionally, only dentists offer prescription-grade teeth whitening systems for safe and superior results.
When you whiten on your own, you can never be sure the product is safe for your teeth and gums. And remember, what is safe for one person may cause sensitivity ...
There are various ways to repair a chipped tooth through restorative dentistry. The method your Gretna dentist chooses or recommends depends on the chip's size and the tooth's integrity.
In other words, minor chips require different restorative care than more pronounced dental damage.
Teeth chip for various reasons. Sometimes you bite into a hard object like ...
Our dentist in Gretna offers various denture options, including dentures-in-a-day. If you have missing teeth, dentures can restore your ability to eat your favorite foods, speak confidently, and smile without embarrassment. Dr. Schafer and our NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry team can help you have the smile you've always wanted!
We digitally design and fabricate one-day-dentures using our ...
Preventive and general dentistry in Gretna, LA, is crucial to long-term oral health, but they take two different approaches to oral care. Prevention is all about preemptive treatments designed to keep your teeth healthy. But general dentistry is all about maintenance or restoring oral health when an issue arises.
Most dental professionals recommend two preventive dental ...
Dental emergencies are inconvenient and often stressful, but they don't have to be when you have an emergency dentist to rely on. Dr. Shafer leaves availability in our schedule to accommodate patients with dental emergencies in Gretna so we can help get you feeling better and back to your normal schedule as soon as possible.
It's the week of your much-anticipated vacation. You're packed, you're excited, and you're ready to go when the unthinkable happens. Your denture in Gretna cracks! You can't go on vacation without teeth, so what can you do? You can call Nola Dentures and General Dentistry, where Dr. Russell Shafer can save the day and make same-day dentures for you.
Dentures of the past were bulky, complicated, and they didn’t always look natural. All of that has changed! We offer attractive and straightforward dentures in Gretna, LA, for those who want a modern and natural-looking smile.
For tooth loss, we offer a variety of denture types—and even denture repair.
Our denture options include:
For complete dentures, ...
Living with a mouthful of missing teeth isn’t ideal, especially if it’s painful or embarrassing. Fortunately, our team at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry offers permanent tooth-replacement options, like dental implants.
Our dental implants replace missing teeth with beautiful prosthetics that look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. Dr. Russell Schafer designs each patient’s smile with their preferences, oral health ...
There’s nothing more precious than a child’s smile, which is why it's so important it stays healthy and cavity-free. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) states that tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common chronic diseases that affect American children.
Cavities are tiny holes that form in the teeth from a buildup of plaque and bacteria. As the ...
Our NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry team understand the vital part your dentures play in your life. They allow you to eat comfortably, speak clearly, and put forth an appearance you're proud of. So when your dentures fail or break, we completely get the frustration our patient's experience.
Suddenly, they may feel like they don't want to leave home due to ...
Pretty much everyone knows that their dentist wants them to schedule routine dental cleanings, usually every six months. However, many patients are unclear why dental cleanings are so crucial to maintaining clean, healthy teeth and gums.
To help you understand why dental cleanings are an essential part of your oral hygiene routine, we've listed a few ...
Often, when our patients find out they have a cavity and need a dental filling, they’re immediately worried about how this filling will affect the look of their smile. Most of these patients think about traditional silver fillings that are visible in the mouth and wonder how they can possibly hide a metal filling when they smile.
While it’s true silver ...
Here at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, helping our patients care for their dentures is one of the main focuses of our dental practice. We recognize that many people with missing teeth rely on their dentures to perform basic daily tasks, such as speaking and eating, which is why we’ve devoted our name and so much of our time to ...
NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry provides comprehensive general dentistry of the highest quality. Our team is passionate about helping families achieve healthy, beautiful smiles that last a lifetime. Whether your child needs a filling or you require natural-looking dentures, our skilled and compassionate dentist in New Orleans can help!
Dr. Schafer and our dental care team ...
Many Americans sleep really badly. They toss and turn in the bed, wake up multiple times to go to the bathroom, and need a pot of coffee to help them function throughout the day. I am sure that the rise of coffee shops in the US in the past twenty years is directly related to how poorly we are sleeping. ...
Dental implants are a great treatment option for many patients to replace a missing tooth. A dental implant is an artificial titanium tooth root that is placed and the bone and either holds in a prosthesis which ...
After I place an implant in my patient’s mouth, I expect it to last for a long time. However, many patients think that implants should last forever no matter what happens. While implants are predictable and work well for many people, they can still break and they can still develop infections. While this might seem like an obvious point, ...
Most of my patients biggest concern after a dental procedure is what they should expect. This is understandable as everyone knows someone who was in pain for days or even weeks after a dental visit. Maybe it was a really tough root canal or a painful and infected tooth that needed to be removed. It might have even been ...
Dental implants have been true game changers in dentistry. Before implants became mainstream treatment, often times dentists would try to save every single tooth with all techniques available. Multiple different gum and root canal treatments would be done with the hopes of holding on to a tooth for as long as possible. With the advent of dental implants though, ...
We are a country, state, and city are struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. While it has affected our dental office, we have been fortunate that all of our families have been safe and healthy. We also know that many people have fared worse than we have. In this challenging time, Dr. Schafer and his team strive hard to keep all ...
I have patients who routinely get new cavities and it is frustrating for both them and for me. These patients might show up routinely for cleanings and brush and floss their teeth, but it seems like they cannot stop getting cavities. For my patients who routinely get cavities, not only does it affect their pocket books as it can become ...
One of the most common forms to treat patients who have lost all their teeth is to make dentures that fit around implants. Many times patients will request implants for their dentures but not realize that there are many different ways to accomplish this. If someone comes in wanting implants to help out their dentures, it might mean just a ...
As I’m a dentist, it is common for me to see patients who have a lot of cavities. Some of my patients come to me having not seen a dentist for years and have cavities on almost every tooth. Other patients are ones who routinely see me for cleanings, but at every check-up, a new cavity pops up. These people ...
When a person has to go through the process of losing either all or the majority of their teeth, it is a traumatic experience. Losing teeth is not just loss of a body party but may also be a loss of identity as teeth are an important part of our social identity. Thankfully, it is easy to get a smile ...
If a patient comes to me for the first time and has not had a cleaning in quite some time, often I see a lot of plaque and tartar build up along the gums. This build up can irritate the gums and bone around the teeth and cause an infection. Depending on the severity of the infection, my patient ...
People usually want whiter teeth as they are seen as healthier and prettier. Many people think the only way that they can improve their smile is through more invasive procedures such as veneers and crowns, but most patients whom I see are candidates for whitening .The wonderful part of whitening is that it is relatively straightforward process with current ...
Sometimes despite everyone’s best efforts, a tooth is lost. Maybe a cavity got so deep that the tooth could no longer be fixed predictably or perhaps it broke from trauma due to clenching and grinding. If it is a front tooth, most people will opt for a removable partial denture at least temporarily whereas if it is a single back ...
When I need to fix a tooth, sometimes the nerve is either infected or inflamed and it can no longer heal on its own. Usually, this happens when there is a deep cavity but it can also be from bad gum disease or trauma to the teeth such as by clenching and grinding. At this point, generally, there are three ...
Unfortunately there comes a time when I can no longer save a tooth. Either the infection is so bad that it will be difficult to fix predictably or the tooth is so broken that there is nothing left to fix. In these cases, I will remove the tooth, and we will discuss how to replace it. Often the best way ...
As a dentist, one of the most important decisions when treating a patient is what order to do dental treatment in. Not only do I need to consider how different dental diseases are affecting the mouth like cavities eating the enamel, gum disease hurting the bone, or clenching and grinding breaking the teeth, but also what are the esthetics of ...
I firmly believe that having a healthy mouth is an important part of having a healthy body. I also believe that helping children keep a healthy mouth is an important part of helping them grow up healthy. I find that many dental issues such as cavities show up in children and unfortunately the effects can be felt for ...
The most frequent reason that people avoid the dentist in my experience is that people are worried about being in pain. I would wager that the fear of the pain is actually worse than the pain itself. Dentistry is the only medical profession where almost every surgery is outside of an operating room, as well as ...
I think that most of my patients and most of the public knows the importance of oral hygiene. Even patients with no teeth still need to keep their mouth clean as gums can get infected even if no teeth are present. When I am doing a routine exam, I always like to ask my patient how often do ...
The most common medical treatment in the world is fixing cavities. The reason that we live in a world where sugar is cheap and common. That being said, for how common sugar is in our everyday lives, some people get cavities at high rates and eat little sugar whereas others eat a lot of sugar and get ...
Over a person’s lifetime, teeth will shift and move. This makes sense because we see that kids as they grow, their jaws grow with them. Humans have three sets of molars for this reason that come out when they a child (six-year molars), a young teen (twelve-year molars) and young adult (wisdom teeth). If all three sets of ...
A common procedure that I do is tooth whitening and it is one of my favorite things to do. Most of my patients desire whiter teeth because whiter teeth look better than brown teeth obviously. It is great seeing a patient whiten their teeth for a few months and see real results and have them be excited by ...
One of the most common infections that I treat is gum disease or periodontal disease. Often times I see it in patients who have not seen the dentist for many years and plaque and bacteria have built up in the mouth. Occasionally I see it in patients that see me routinely but part of their health has changed and ...
So everyone at some point in their life will likely grind their teeth and cause problems. I see it daily. I myself am guilty of grinding my teeth on a daily basis. The reasons that people grind are varied. Some grind during the day due to stress, bad ergonomics, or bad habits. Others grind during the night due ...
Mouth guards are wonderful and should be viewed similar to brushing teeth. The reason mouth guards are great is that they help protect teeth and can prevent expensive fracture. Mouth guards are akin to helmets on bicycles in that a person hopes never actually to need a helmet, but if they do, they are thankful. Much like ...
One of the most common procedures that I do is replace missing teeth through prosthetics. I replace teeth for one of three reasons: better chewing, better speaking, or better smiles. I find that for most of my patients the most important one of the three is having a better smile, but often people do not appreciate how important ...
When I meet a patient for the first time, my first question is often “any problems with your teeth?” and I get responses that range from “all is good” to “I have the worst teeth in the world.” Thankfully, most of the time when someone says “all is good” usually thing ...
The most common thing that most dental procedures have in common is the shot. The shot is probably the most dreaded part of the entire procedure for most of my patients; however, I would bet that most of my patients do not want to go without getting numb. I understand this fear: it is a fairly large-sized needle ...
I love fixing teeth. Fixing teeth is a pretty integral part of my job much like it is a part of all dentists job. Probably the hardest thing about being a dentist though is that each dentist has a different way to fix teeth. The joke goes that if three different dentists examine a patient, the patient will ...
One of the most useful tools that I have in my office is an x-ray or a radiograph. Radiographs allow me to see things that I cannot see such as small cavities, bone defects under gums, or wisdom teeth that have not come out into the mouth. Radiographs combined with visual and tactile senses allow me to do ...
One of the most common procedures that I do in my office is fillings. Fillings are essentially a surgical treatment of an infection on a tooth where I remove the infection/cavity and I replace the lost tooth part with either a white or silver filling. Much like every other surgery, the body will need time to heal, and ...
Dentures serve three purposes. They are meant to help people smile pretty, talk well, and chew better. Of the three things, I find that chewing better is the hardest part of the three activities to master. Chewing is certainly an important activity as it is vital to good health. Patients like to joke that by not chewing well ...
Unfortunately, everything eventually breaks and wears out. It does not matter how much money is spent on it or how good of care is taken, everything has a finite lifespan. Unfortunately, dentures are the same way. About once every other day I have a patient who has broken a denture, and it almost never happens at a good time. Also ...
As per the name of my office, NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, I enjoy doing dentures and I do quite a few of them. While I think that I make a pretty darn good denture, dentures, in reality, are not natural teeth. No matter how pretty or tight I make a conventional denture, it will still not feel as comfortable ...
Unfortunately, sometimes my patients lose a tooth. The tooth either gets lost because of cavities, gum disease, or trauma. The worst teeth that get lost are the ones where the patient has tried to do everything to save the tooth from root canals and crowns to gum surgery and despite all this effort the tooth just does not survive. ...
One of the most important aspects of a denture is the smile. People typically get dentures because they want to have their smile improved, but one of the biggest concerns that my patients have is they want the right teeth for their mouth. Everyone seems to have a story about someone who has teeth that are way too small ...
About two or three times a week, I’ll have a patient come to my office with the need of fixing their old denture. The denture has worked well for many years and still has the smile that is needed, but it no longer fits as well as it used to. Certainly, one option is to make a new denture, ...
One of the most common questions that I get from patients is “Will I need denture adhesive?” Denture adhesive is a weird subject to most dentists because we are not taught about it in dental school and there is very little to no education on the subject even from the manufacturers. As I make quite a few dentures and ...
One of the most common concerns that patients have when coming to NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry is they want their smile fixed. Fixing smiles is one of the key foundations of dentistry along with keeping the mouth healthy, ensuring good chewing, and speaking well. Unfortunately, often times when smiles need to get fixed it is because the teeth are ...
At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, Dr. Schafer strives to offer the highest level of care for his patients by keeping up with the latest technology. One of the newest services that Dr. Schafer offers at our New Orleans office is making 3d printed dentures from our in-office 3d printers. We offer this service because it helps many of ...
In the previous two blog posts, I’ve discussed various dental insurance terms that carriers use to help you better understand dental benefits. Probably though, the most frustrating thing that most patients and dentists experience with carriers is denials of benefits. Unfortunately, dental insurance companies lose money each time they pay out a claim and some of them have departments and ...
In our last blog post, we covered an overview of dental benefits from the differences between HMO and PPO as well as what typical PPO plans cover. In this post, I would like to cover some routine terminology that the different carriers use as these terms are important to understanding dental benefits. By understanding these different terms that are used, ...
At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, one of the most frequent discussions in our office is about a person’s dental insurance or dental benefits. This series of blog posts will be about using 3rd parties to help cover the cost of dentistry from describing what they are to common terminology used by the companies and common problems that occur. ...
We can injure our smile three different ways. We can get cavities which is a bacterial infection that causes break down of the teeth. We can get gum disease which is an infection and swelling around the bone that supports the teeth. We can also grind and clench our teeth in ways that are destructive causing teeth to fracture and ...
Clenching and grinding also known as parafunctional activity or bruxism by dentists is generally broken up into two different types: clenching while sleeping and clenching while awake. While both can wear and break teeth, they are caused by different factors. Generally, night time clenching and grinding is difficult to stop because we are sleeping and we cannot control what we ...
Your family’s dental cleanings in our Gretna, LA dental office are customized to meet each individual’s needs. In order to determine what type of dental cleaning you will need, an exam with Dr. Russell Schafer, including a check of the gums, will determine if excessive amounts of tartar or periodontal disease are present. We want to be sure to ...
At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, we work hard to help our patients get to good health. Whether that is as simple as a regular 6-month cleaning or as complicated as fixing every tooth, we want our patients to feel proud of their smile. One of the most common questions that we have in our office is how to ...
Unfortunately, one of the most common ways I meet a patient is when their denture broke and they need it fixed. It also rarely happens at a convenient time such as a long holiday week where the owner will have no one around to interact with. When your denture breaks, first and foremost, please do not use super glue to ...
If it’s time for your next dental cleaning and you live in the Gretna, LA area, you might be searching for the perfect dentist to look after your family. At NOLA Dentures & General Dentistry, we customize your dental cleaning based on your needs.
An evaluation with Dr. Russell Schafer will help us ...
I have yet to meet a patient who does not want whiter teeth. While people do not want fake white teeth for the most part, I feel that tooth whitening is not used as often as it should be to make people love their smiles more as well as to help people maintain their smiles. To understand whitening, I want ...
Young kids who learn good oral hygiene habits at home will have a better chance of keeping their smiles healthy and comfortable as adults. At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, we provide comprehensive family dentistry in Gretna, LA, which includes helping parents take care of heir children’s teeth at home.
Here are 3 ways to keep little ones engaged:
Well-crafted night guards are a thing of beauty to me, and I love making them. Unfortunately, so many night guards or what we dentists call occlusal guards are poorly made that they are often given a bad rap. In order to have a great night guard, I feel that there are three steps. First, it must fit to ...
Wanting a white smile well into your adult years is expected, especially with the existence of social media and online photographs that will follow you forever. Having a bright smile makes a great first impression and projects the image of health and confidence.
We offer professional teeth whitening in our Gretna, LA dental office, and here is what you ...
Healthcare costs are rising and saving money is essential to most modern families. We all have to live on a budget. As your family dentistry practice in Gretna, LA, we want to tell you the secret to save money at the dentist.
Many people avoid dental care because they don’t see the need for a dental cleaning and exam ...
If you ask any dentist in the 70056 area of Louisiana about how tooth loss impacts patients, they will likely have a lot to say about why it is essential to save teeth whenever possible. They will likely also mention how important it is to replace missing teeth with a bridge, dental implant, or denture to protect the oral health ...
Dental decay is one of the most common diseases in adults and children. While it is preventable, today’s sugary diets combined with inadequate dental care still means that most people will need a filling in our Gretna, LA dental office at some point during their lives.
Dental fillings stabilize your teeth in a few ways.
When you ...
The existence of cavities has plagued humans since the beginning of history. While we understand some of what causes them, recent research uncovers more about the actual microbes that contribute to decay – primarily, fungus and bacteria. When we eat, microbes form on the teeth, and the food particles left behind from food and drinks feeds the microbes and promotes ...
When searching for a dentist for yourself or your family, it can feel like a big decision, and it is! Your dentist is an important member of your healthcare team. With so many choices, how do you choose someone who will give you the best care and that you can trust?
Here are 3 tips to choose the right dentist in ...
It’s tough to imagine that your little one-year-old requires a trip to the dental office, but this is an important step in developing a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. The American Academy of Pediatric dentistry backs this recommendation. Early exams rule out any early dental problems, and also give us an opportunity to help your little one grow accustomed ...
Have you recently made a trip to the dentist and received a clean bill of health, but you feel unhappy with the appearance or comfort of your smile? You are not alone!
Recently, the American Dental Association updated the definition of oral health to include some less obvious characteristics about your smile.
If you examine your smile closely in the mirror, you probably see that they each have a unique size and shape. This is because each tooth has a purpose that is best served by their structure.
Incisors – “The cutters,” or incisors, are the front four teeth that have a sharp edge. These are your lettuce-cutting and ...
At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, we take pride in helping our patients love their mouth. We do not say that lightly. Your smile is how you present yourself to the world. We see many patients each month who have not liked their smiles for years as well as plenty who want to keep their smiles great. While everyone’s ...
If your grandparents or parents had dentures, you might shy away from choosing them to replace your missing teeth. Dentures of the past shifted, fell, and looked pretty fake, making it obvious that you have dentures and making it difficult to enjoy a meal with friends without worrying about a denture malfunction.
No one wants this level of stress on a ...
Many people miss the importance of a complete smile until they face tooth loss or dental extractions. Since we treat a number of patients with missing teeth at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, we intimately understand the impact tooth loss can have on your quality of life.
We believe you should feel great about the way you ...
A recent article in New Scientist highlights a recent discovery about an ice age filling discovered in Italy made out of a natural, ancient form of asphalt. Hiding that filling when you smile would be difficult!
Fortunately, when you seek family dentistry in the Gretna, LA area, you can count on a much more attractive and painless option. We offer ...
A teeth grinding habit can quickly age your teeth and cause jaw problems. You may also suffer from fractured teeth and the appearance of your smile can deteriorate. Millions of Americans suffer from a teeth grinding habit. We offer night guards in our Gretna, LA dental office, so that you can enjoy a healthy and comfortable smile.
Has it been too long since your teeth felt clean and fresh? Even if you missed a cleaning or two, we are here to help restore your oral health!
There is no reason to feel ashamed of missing a few dental appointments. We know that life often gets in the way of taking care of ourselves.
We welcome you to get back ...
Dental decay begins with acidity from bacteria, which feeds on food particles left behind after eating. Researchers recently started to explore the relationship between dental caries (decay), bacteria, and other microorganisms present in the mouth during the decay process.
Not all bacteria are bad, of course. You have probably seen talk of probiotics and gut health in the news. As it ...
You might be stressed about money or have such a busy schedule that making your regular dental appointments poses a challenge.
At NOLA Dentures & General Dentistry, our dentist, Dr. Russell Schafer, completely understands. That is why we make it easy for our patients to get the routine care they need to stay healthy.
We offer evening hours, ...
One of the things Dr. Russell Schafer loves about dentistry is helping children develop healthy habits early in life so that they can enjoy healthy, comfortable smiles and better overall health.
If you are looking for a dentist to provide outstanding and gentle children’s dentistry for your child, we invite you to join our dental family at Nola Dentures and General ...
Choosing a dentist is an important decision for your family. Having a dentist that focuses on preventive dentistry can make a difference in the future of your oral health and wellness. If you are searching for family dentistry in Gretna, LA, you can count on Dr. Russell Schafer to give each member of your family the detailed, customized, and ...
When a person is ready to transition to dentures, one of the most common questions is how long will they need to wait before they can get new teeth. Many people cannot be without a smile for any period of time either due to their job or fear of embarrassment, we make immediate dentures also known as healing dentures. Healing ...
If you are in New Orleans and need dentures, we can help. Dentures are a big part of what we do in our dental practice. Dr. Russell Schafer sees hundreds of denture patients each year and has a gift for creating dentures that look and feel great for our patients – something not every dentist is able to do effectively!
If ...
I probably hear the comment, “No offense, but I hate dentists” at least twice per day, and I understand it. Going to the dentist can be a stressful experience. Dentistry is probably the only branch of medicine with a large surgical focus that does not routinely knock people out but rather just does local anesthesia or numbing to ...
Teeth are pretty easy to understand: what they do and how to care for them. They give you a smile and allow you to chew, and we take care of them by brushing, flossing, and avoiding sweets.
I think that most people and most of my patients understand that their gums are important to keep healthy but don't understand much beyond ...
As the third part of my series on problems with different removable prosthetics (aka dentures), I’m going to focus on the most common type of prosthesis: partial dentures. Partials are great for many people because it can replace a missing tooth and give a person back some of their bite while being lower cost than other options. ...
As last week’s blog was about common issues with an upper denture, this week I will focus on how to make your lower better. The lower denture is a constant headache for both patients and dentists. The lower denture has little to no suction, it can be moved around easily by the tongue, lips, and cheeks, and ...
One of the main complaints I get from patients who are wearing dentures constantly is that they feel sore or uncomfortable. I get so many concerns that I felt it a good idea to write a blog about what may be making your dentures uncomfortable and how we can go about fixing them. As upper full dentures, lower ...
Dentures are a double edge sword in that I can make them look good as teeth but it’s difficult to make them feel as good as teeth. Most people who have never worn dentures don’t understand this fully, but I’m sure any of my readers who are currently wearing a set of dentures know what I’m talking about. The reason ...
Probably one of the most common questions that I get asked is “What is the best toothpaste to use?” This question makes sense as almost everyone believes that brushing with toothpaste is an important part of preventing cavities and other dental problems. However, a quick Google search of toothpaste finds ten plus pages of brands and types from the common ...
So for the past two blogs, I’ve discussed what causes cavities which is bacteria producing acid after eating carbohydrates. In this article, I wanted to discuss how to prevent cavities. As the old axiom goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure, prevention of cavities is much cheaper than actually fixing cavities. Most people understand the ...
As a continuation of my series on cavities, today I want to talk about sugar. Many people know that sugar causes cavities. Sugar is the food that the bugs eat and is turned into acid which causes cavities. Sugar is to ...
I believe that most doctors are in the business of putting themselves out of business. We want to see our patients healthy and happy. I enjoy telling my patients that their teeth look good and that they can see me for ...
You probably know that you should see a dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning. At these appointments your teeth are cleaned and polished, maybe some x-ray films are taken, and a dentist does an exam. Then the dentist or hygienist usually gives a lecture saying that you should floss ...
One thing that all patients with false teeth have in common with dentists is a conflicted relationship with dentures. For both groups, the first experiences with these glorified pieces of plastic are usually not very good. Many dental students curse having to make dentures much like many new denture wearers curse their first set initially. Some dentists are ...
When patients first meet me, the most common greeting that I hear is "I hate dentists." I am told this at least once a day. I think it's the only occasion in modern society that it's perfectly acceptable to tell someone you hate him within the one minute of meeting him. It's so ubiquitous in my profession that ...
I love being a dentist. It's as simple as that. I get to wake up each morning, drink a cup of Community Coffee with chicory, and come to my office to help people day in and day out improve their lives and their health. In truth, I'm a people person who loves to work with his ...