Ladd Dental Group

Dental Health Awareness Overview No matter what age, prevention is the key to maintaining good oral health. Knowing what particular dental problems you are at risk for developing and how you can reduce those risks will help you decide the most appropriate means to prevent dental problems. Susceptibility to various dental problems change as people age. Each person’s risk factors are unique. A thorough understanding of what they are is necessary to adequately reduce those risks.  "Tooth decay ( cavities ) is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood in the United States. Untreated tooth decay can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. About 1 of 5 (20%) children aged 5 to 11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth. 1 of 7 (13%) adolescents aged 12 to 19 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth. The percentage of children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years with untreated tooth decay...

Teeth Cleaning | Why it is Important  "Have you had a teeth cleaning this year? Professional dental cleanings aren’t just for keeping your smile bright; they can have a significant impact on your general health. Insufficient oral hygiene has been linked to several serious illnesses. Associated medical and dental issues include bone loss, cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancers, and many other problems. Brushing and flossing at home are essential, but to ensure teeth are healthy and thoroughly clean, you should schedule regular check-ups with your dentist and annual dental cleanings with your dental hygienist. Here are seven reasons professional cleanings are so important.  Your dental hygienist can remove most of the stains that dull and discolor your teeth , so you’ll be left with a brighter, whiter smile. Having your teeth cleaned can prevent gum disease, which leads to early tooth loss. In America alone, one person dies from oral cancer every hour, but many ...

Dental Implant Specialists   Looking for dental implant care in Central Indiana? You have come to the right place. LADD Dental Group has a variety of board certified dental implant specialists that want to give you the smile you have always dreamed of! Below you will find some videos and content regarding dental implants and our dental implant specialists .  Single tooth Implant -  Single-tooth implants can be used in people who are missing one or more teeth. An implant is surgically placed in an opening that your dentist makes in the jawbone. After the implant integrates (attaches) to your bone, it acts as a new "root" for the crown that will replace your missing tooth. A crown (cap), which is made to look like a natural tooth, is attached to the implant and fills the space left in the mouth by the missing tooth.  For this procedure to work, there must be enough bone in the jaw. The bone has to be strong enough to hold and support the implant. If there i...

Dental Surgery Specialists | LADD Dental Group   At LADD Dental Group , we are proud to offer comprehensive dental care to our patients. Below you will find a list of all of our dental surgery experts that are affiliated with LADD Dental Group. If you are experiencing dental pain or discomfort , give us a call today and experience the difference of specialty dental care !  Cameron Conkin, D.D.S; Oral Surgeon Dr. Conkin received his bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his dental degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, Memphis, Tennessee. Upon graduation, he began a career in the United States Navy and completed a general practice residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He practiced as a general dentist for the next two years, serving with and caring for Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He deployed to Iraq with the Marines in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dr. Conkin compl...

Children's Dental Health   " Cavities (also known as caries or tooth decay) are one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood in the United States. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Children who have poor oral health often  miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t. About 1 of 5 (20%) children aged 5 to 11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth . 1 1 of 7 (13%) adolescents aged 12 to 19 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth . 1 Children aged 5 to 19 years from low-income families are twice as likely (25%) to have cavities, compared with children from higher-income households (11%). 1 The good news is that  cavities are preventable. Fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third (33%) of cavities in the primary (baby) teeth. 2  Children living in communities with fluoridated tap water have fewer cavities...

Types of Sedation offered at LADD Dental Group   Nitrous Oxide Sedation - Nitrous oxide is an odorless gas that is being used for control of anxiety or uncomfortable procedures at  It is commonly known as laughing gas or happy gas . Nitrous oxide works immediately once it has been inhaled. The effects of nitrous oxide last for only one to two minutes after the mask has been removed. A child will be considered for nitrous oxide use based on his or her medical history, allergies, and the dental procedure that is requested. Below is a video explaining what the setup of a nitrous oxide case looks like!  Oral Conscious Sedation Oral sedation is generally used for a child undergoing a dental procedures and who will experience minimal to moderate sedation while still being conscious and maintaining cardiorespiratory function. Patients will be given an oral medication that is easy to swallow and safe. The precise dose will be determined by their unique weight,...

Myths About Root Canals   "The thought of a root canal may make you fearful or uneasy if you aren’t familiar with the procedure. There are common misconceptions that endodontic treatments such as root canals, cause pain and/or illness and should be avoided at all costs. The exact opposite is true. The pain, inconvenience and cost of avoiding endodontic treatment in favor of tooth extraction or a wait-and-see approach can be easily avoided. The longer you postpone treatment the more you risk the chance to save your tooth. Take the time to read the information on our website to find out what endodontists do to save teeth with minimal time and discomfort. Then address any remaining concerns or questions with your dentist or endodontist.  Myth 1:  Root canal treatment is painful . Decades ago that may have been the case, but with modern technology and anesthetics you won’t experience any more pain than if you went to have a cavity filled. The pain from a severe toothac...

Eating with New Dentures " Dentures are man-made appliances used to replace missing teeth and they're sometimes known as 'false teeth.'  Dentures  are made from plastic and molded to fit your mouth but they can feel uncomfortable and awkward for several weeks while you're getting used to them. You'll make more saliva, they'll slip around just a bit and you may have a few sore spots while your mouth is healing. Adjusting to life with dentures  may take some time while your facial muscles adapt to the new sensations, changes in your ability to taste some of your foods, plus you'll need to learn how to chew with dentures. Start slowly and choose soft foods that are easy to eat until your  dentures are settled in  and you feel comfortable eating solid foods again.  Tips for Eating with New Dentures   Start with a liquid diet that includes purees and soft foods such as applesauce, puddings, cooked cereals, chopped boile...

National Children's Dental Health Month | LADD Dental Group  National Children’s Dental Health Month is meant to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.  Why is this type of celebration—and year-round attention to children’s dental health--important ? Despite the fact that it’s almost entirely preventable, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children . The good news is there are safe and effective preventive measures that can protect teeth. Good oral hygiene practices such as thorough brushing with a fluoride toothpaste can help keep children from getting cavities. In addition, dental sealants and community water fluoridation are two other strategies that can h​elp prevent tooth decay.  This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, health care providers and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.  D...