Soft Tissue Graft

A soft tissue graft is a procedure that is performed to correct significant gum recession in a particular area of your mouth. Slight gum recession can usually be corrected by a few changes in your oral hygiene routine, but if the gums recede too far, you will need the help of a professional. In Lafayette, LA, the professional that patients trust for soft tissue grafting is Dr. T. Kirk Crane.

When your gingiva recedes, it exposes more of your tooth and increases your risk of infection and bacterial penetration. In addition, gum recession can lead to heightened sensitivity to hot and cold foods. If gum recession progresses to the point that the root is exposed, more serious problems can arise. Since the root is softer than the enamel of your teeth, it is much more vulnerable to bacteria, plaque, and caries.

To restore gums to optimal gingival level, soft tissue grafting is used. Soft tissue is either removed from the root of the mouth, repositioned from healthy areas of the teeth, or other sources are utilized to obtain the tissue needed for gum grafting. The procedure is fairly routine and has a high success rate.

If you’re gums are receding, it is important to correct it before more serious problems develop, and Dr. T. Kirk Crane can help restore your mouth’s health and functionality with soft tissue grafting in Lafayette, LA. Schedule an appointment by calling (337) 232-3873. For more information about the dentist and his services, visit www.drcranedental.com.  

CEREC Crowns

Crowns are used to protect and strengthen teeth that have become extremely weak, decayed or fractured. By covering your affected tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, dental crowns (sometimes called caps) can help reduce pain, save your tooth from needing to be extracted and keep your smile beautiful and functional. At our office in Lafayette, LA, we can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

Over time, as your teeth begin to weaken, they become more susceptible to problems, including decay, cracks and discoloration. Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where the tooth structure is compromised. At our practice, Dr. T. Kirk Crane uses CEREC restorations, which are made of compressed porcelain and stronger than the layered porcelain crowns created in a laboratory. In addition to being stronger and longer-wearing, CEREC restorations can also be created and installed in only one visit, unlike laboratory restorations, which can take weeks to complete and require a temporary crown or restoration to be placed in the meantime.

The placement procedure for a CEREC restoration is easy and doesn’t require you to bite on any goopy and uncomfortable impression material. First all the decay is removed from your teeth, and then Dr. Crane shapes the tooth in preparation for the digital 3D video impression that is taken with a digital camera. The camera is attached to a computer screen, which displays the 3D image, allowing the dentist to design the restoration in front of you. The CEREC machine creates the crown in about 15 minutes, and Dr. Crane adheres it to the abutment. The entire process, from design to installation, takes around an hour for each tooth.

To schedule an appointment with, call (337) 232-3873. For more information, please visit www.drcranedental.com.     

Bone Grafting in Lafayette, LA

Some patients do not have the proper amount of bone mass in their jaws to allow for the placement of dental implants. However, thanks to recent developments in bone grafting, people who would not have qualified a few years ago are now able to receive dental implants to complete their smiles and protect their oral health. In Lafayette, LA, our practice strives to help patients achieve their dental goals, and by performing bone grafting procedures, we can help patients receive the dental implants they need.

Bone grafting is a fairly common procedure that is performed by building up the jawbone with bone fragments to accommodate the dental implant. The bone used to graft to the area with too-little mass is usually take from the patient. Many times the bone is taken from another area of the mouth when the drilling takes place. The bone fragments are suctioned from the mouth and used for grafting. However, sometimes cadaver bones are also used. They are harvested by bone banks and are a very safe source.

Whether you need bone grafting or not, if you are looking to receive dental implants, Dr. T. Kirk Crane can make it happen. To schedule a consultation at our practice, call (337) 232-3873. For more information about our practice, visit www.drcranedental.com.    

Snap-On Smile in Lafayette, LA

If you’re looking to improve your teeth and increase your confidence, Snap-On Smile provides a way for you to makeover your smile without extensive dental procedures. This procedure can solve your teeth insecurities and help you feel great about the way you look in only two visits to our office in Lafayette, LA.

Without having to undergo extensive dental work, you can snap on a new smile with a custom set of teeth that fit right over your existing ones, covering up stains, chips, cracks and any crooked or missing teeth. During the first visit, you and Dr. T. Kirk Crane will pick the shade and style of your new smile, and then he will take an impression of your teeth for proper fitting. The Snap-On Smile is made with a light and durable resin to create a set of teeth that are strong yet still thin enough to snap onto your smile. You need only wait three weeks between appointments, and when your new smile is snapped on, you will be able to leave our office with a grin you will love to show off.

With Snap-On Smile, you will be able to eat and drink normally, and the cosmetic device can easily be removed for cleaning your natural teeth, for participating in sporting events and for sleep. Snap-On Smile can last for three to five years with proper care.

Schedule an appointment at by calling (337) 232-3873. For more information, visit www.drcranedental.com.   

A Healthy Smile is a Beautiful Smile with Dr. T. Kirk Crane

Regular checkups and dental cleanings are a part of any good oral hygiene routine, and at our practice, Dr. T. Kirk Crane provides dental care services of the highest quality to ensure that our patients’ smiles stay healthy year after year.

Plaque is a soft and sticky film of bacteria that can build up on your teeth despite regular brushing and flossing. Because teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances to strengthen and protect teeth, tartar or calcium deposits can also build up over time. Dental cleanings work to remove both plaque and tartar from the teeth. If it is not removed and is allowed to accumulate, bacteria will be provided a perfect environment and thrive on the gums and teeth, which can cause cavities, infection and gum disease.

While good for maintaining oral health between dentist visits, at-home brushing and cleaning are not enough to make sure teeth stay clean; regular dental cleanings are required. At our office, we can clean and polish your teeth, leaving the surface clean and smooth. The smoother the teeth, the more difficult it is for bacteria to stick to them and the more effective at-home brushing will be.

We recommend checkups and dental cleanings every six months for optimum oral health. To schedule an appointment in Lafayette, LA, call (337) 232-3873. For more information, visit www.drcranedental.com. 

The Benefits of Rotary Endodontics

If you’ve had root canal treatment to save an infected tooth, it probably didn’t occur to you to ask what types of tools your dentist used. But if your dentist used the old, manual file for removing the infected tissue, the procedure may have been pretty nerve wracking. Rotary endodontic tools, however, provide a much smoother, more comfortable experience during root canal procedures, which is why Dr. T. Kirk Crane chooses to rely on them to treat infected teeth in Lafayette, LA.   

Rotary endodontics allows the dentist to remove the infected pulp in the inner root canal more quickly, more smoothly and with less chance of complications. These electric instruments prove to be superior to the traditional, stainless steel files in a multitude of ways. This is because they are made of nickel titanium, which is much more flexible than stainless steel. Increased flexibility allows the tool to be inserted into the curved root canal without damaging the passageway.

The tools are also much quieter and do not produce a grinding noise like other tools. This helps to soothe patients’ nerves during the procedure. While the manual method can adequately save teeth during root canals, rotary endodontic tools are easier and preferred by both the dentist and his patients. 

To schedule an appointment, call (337) 232-3873 or (800) 773-0930. For more information, please visit www.drcranedental.com.