Questions

Answers to Common Questions

We know you won't be smiling if your questions are left unanswered. So browse through these FAQs and let us know if there's more you need to know.

When I called your office over the weekend, you said Dr. Soileau was out of town teaching other dentist or judging a beauty pageant. What is this all about?

Dr. Soileau is a faculty member of the Institute of Oral Art and Design (IOAD) in Tampa, Florida and the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum (PAC~Live) in San Francisco. Here he teaches dentists from all over the world the techniques he uses in his practice. He is a member of the advisory board for genR8Tnext seminars and is a consultant for several technologies based dental manufacturers. He is a member of the ADDA, LDA, ADA, AGD, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He also lectures nationally and internationally on the use of digital photography and computer assistance for diagnosing, treatment planning, and performing comprehensive dental procedures. He is among the most sought after lecturers today.

When Dr. Soileau is not lecturing, he is a consultant to several pageant coaches and modeling agencies throughout the country. He has judged and worked with local and national Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss America, and Mrs. America contestants. His skill and expertise has gained the trust of pageant contestants, models, actors, and others whose smile is very important to them.

Can you show me a personalized example of how my smile can look, before I choose to undergo treatment?

This is the heart of our practice, helping people envision the possibilities of how their smile can look and function. We've invested in the very latest technology and materials to help you 'see' on your own face, what we can accomplish for you. By simply asking the right questions, taking various photos of your current smile, and keying in the correct input into the computer, we'll generate a graphic image that accurately demonstrates how your procedure will affect your mouth as well as your entire expression. It's a fun process, and produces excited smiles all around. It also gives us a starting point so that we can make changes on the computer until we have designed the perfect smile for YOU!

How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?

The time-span between check-ups can vary greatly with each individual, according to their current state of dental health. For example, an average, healthy adult person typically benefits from a professional cleaning and check up every six months. While twice daily brushing and daily flossing go a long way towards maintaining a healthy mouth, it’s wise to check for plaque that has hardened into tartar, requiring professional cleaning to avoid gingivitis. This is done with digital radiographs that are enhanced on the computer to show us any tarter. On the other hand, a person who has gingivitis may require more frequent visits to keep the situation under control and prevent further trouble. When you visit our office, we'll establish an appropriate visit plan for you based on the findings of our comprehensive examination.

What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?

Dr. Soileau is always available when something happens. Simply call our office and it will give you an emergency number that contacts Dr. Soileau directly. Be sure to leave your NAME, PHONE NUMBER, & WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. Dr. Soileau will call you back as soon as he can.

I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?

If your temporary crown comes off or breaks, carefully wrap up the piece(s), place it into a protective container, and call our office to schedule an appointment for Dr. Soileau to re-apply it as soon as possible. Under NO circumstances should you attempt to re-glue the crown or crown pieces back into position.

How can I have whiter teeth?

Bleaching is one of the most immediate, simplest, and safest ways to improve the impact of your smile! So, if you're interested in finding out what whitening could do for you, let us evaluate your potential based on the current color of your teeth, and the causes of any discoloration. The main causes of stained teeth are soft drinks, tea, coffee, and smoking. We will then need to polish your teeth since you cannot bleach through plaque. Impressions of your teeth are then taken and custom trays are made within a few days. The bleach is a form of peroxide and is completely safe. The bleaching process is complimentary, so what have you got to lose except the staining on your teeth!

My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. Should I be concerned?

Bleeding gums is never a good sign! However, the condition may or may not require professional attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by improper, rough, ·scrubbing· instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease.

If your problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods, or occurs every time you brush, it's likely to be the result of some level of gum disease, and we recommend you set up an evaluation appointment with Dr. Soileau. We specialize in helping patients arrest and successfully treat all stages of gum disease, through the use of our excellent non-surgical gum care procedures.

My breath has a terrible odor, even though I brush every day. What can I do about it?

Bad breath is actually very common even though most people do not like to talk about it. How we make it go away depends on what is causing it in the first place. It could be as simple as changing the way you brush your teeth and tongue. Or it may also include replacing some of the old dental work you have in your mouth. Sometimes the first sign of cavities around failing dental work is a bad taste and not necessarily pain. Come in and let us take a look and we will figure out what the cause is.

Crowns, Veneers, Onlays, Inlays & Partials…can you tell me more about these procedures?

With today's technology, materials, and advanced techniques, we have many options for restoring weak, broken, chipped, discolored, and/or missing teeth, bringing your smile back to it's original shape and function. The best choice for each tooth will depend on how much tooth is remaining after the decay or crack is removed, how well does it work with the tooth it chews against, and does it show in your smile. The basic option is a filling. We only use tooth colored fillings. This is the best choice if 80-90% of the tooth is healthy and you just have a small cavity or chip. The next choice would be a filling that the lab makes, ·lab made fillings·. If 50-80% of the tooth is missing or removed when the cavity is removed, the a filling done in the office may not be strong enough. In this situation, we let my ceramist make the filling out of porcelain. It is ten times stronger than a filling I can do in the office. If the tooth shows in your smile, then a porcelain veneer is your best choice. This is a thin leaf of porcelain that is permanently cemented to your tooth. It does not stain or lose it gloss. If almost all of the tooth is missing, then the best choice is a crown which covers the entire tooth in porcelain, This will make the tooth as strong as it was when it was perfectly healthy. For missing teeth, implants are your best choice. This is a titanium post that is placed where the tooth is missing to take the place of the root. A crown is then placed on the implant to replace the missing tooth. For more information on any of these procedures, please feel free to talk with Dr. Soileau during your visit.

Do I really have to floss every day? Is it really necessary to be so meticulous?

A little regular flossing goes a long way, and is truly critical for your overall oral health. It loosens food particles in tight spaces that your toothbrush cannot reach; it gets rid of plaque buildup that toothbrushes alone cannot remove; and it exercises your gum tissues. All of which is necessary to avoid gum disease. So, just think of daily flossing as the finishing touch after brushing—insurance for your smile’s future.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. Can you help me?

Dr. Soileau has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of unsightly braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping may be all that is needed. If they are rotated or crowed, a clear retainer can be used to straighten them out instead of braces. For teeth that are really worn or crooked, or if the color is not perfect after bleaching, then porcelain veneers may be the best choice. This is a thin leaf of porcelain that is permanently cemented to your teeth. This is the best way as it gives you total control over how your smile will look when we are finished. Dr. Soileau has porcelain veneers on his front teeth and loves them.

I had my front teeth fixed a few years ago and now it doesn't look as good as when it was first done. Why? And what is the difference between bonding and veneers?

While I can't tell you for sure with out examining your teeth, you probably had BONDING placed on your front teeth. Bonding is a great way to treat a smile that is not quite perfect. It is done by placing tooth colored filling material on your front teeth and sculpting it so it looks like you natural teeth. It is done in one visit and usually doesn't cost very much. The problem is that this material is VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE. It is not as strong as your natural teeth and is prone to chipping and breaking. It is also porous. This means that is will quickly lose its shine and appear dull. It will also soak up stain very fast. It is a fine method of fixing your smile, but should be viewed as temporary for about 5 years. A more permanent method is the use of PORCELAIN VENEERS. This is a thin leaf of porcelain that is permanently cemented to your front teeth. The teeth are slightly prepared and an impression of the prepared teeth are sent to a master ceramist. My ceramist sculpts and colors the veneers so they look absolutely perfect. No one will be able to tell these are not your natural teeth. While these are being made in the lab you will have temporaries on your teeth that will look just like the permanent veneers. The veneers are as strong as your natural teeth and feel perfectly natural. They do not soak up stain and will keep their gloss over time. They should last 10-30 years depending on your bite and the foods you eat. Because there is a lab involved, they do cost more then BONDING, but the results are 10 times better.

Do you accept referrals?

We love referrals-- from other dental offices as well as from happy, satisfied patients. We see it as an honor for you to trust us enough to recommend us to someone who is a friend.

Is there a way I can ask Dr. Soileau questions directly?

We encourage our patients to have open, direct communication with Dr. Soileau. Therefore, he’s available daily to answer your questions either via e-mail or voice mail. Depending on office traffic and the complexity of your questions, he strives to respond within 24 hours.

What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?

You'll never have so much fun in a dental office as you will at ours. How do we know? Because we have fun! And it's contagious. We love turning plain, everyday expressions into beautiful smiles. Our expertise in this area is legendary. Just ask us about the poster-sized real-life examples you'll see all over our walls. We see our office as an art gallery of our work as much as a dental office. We never see more than 8-10 patients a day so we are never rushed. We apologize in advance if the music is too loud. Can't have a party without loud music! So come on in and visit us, and see for yourself.

What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

Our entire practice team is well-versed in state-of-the-art sanitation techniques designed to ensure patient safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and face masks to prevent passing germs, but includes a state-of-the-art sanitation center. If this is an area of concern for you, just ask for a tour. You'll not only be impressed, but reassured: your safety is a top priority.

I really don't like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?

We understand that many people have concerns about having their teeth worked on. So, we strive to create a relaxing atmosphere. We all have a contagious attitude of enjoying our work that's hard to beat. Plus, our entire staff is trained to be alert and aware of your concerns, so that we can make your visit as comfortable as possible. Of course, for extreme anxiety and/or complex procedures, we do offer local anesthesia or oral sedation as well.

I'm a new patient. Can I get copies of any forms that you need me to complete, prior to my visit?

We’re happy to provide you with all the necessary new patient forms prior to your first appointment. Simply click on the “New Patient Information” icon in the margin, and choose the appropriate forms from the listing provided. From there, you can quickly print the forms you need. If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you’ll find that we provide a free download version for your convenience. Or if you prefer, just call our office and we will mail them to you.

144 Coolidge Blvd. Suite D • Lafayette, LA 70503
Phone (337) 234-3551 • Fax (337) 234-5389

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