Cerec Crowns

Too busy for two dental visits for a crown? That's why South Austin Dental Clinic offers same day crowns with no temporaries needed. CEREC is absolutely the fastest way to receive crowns and veneers. All this can be done in one visit, saving you time in your busy life.

Traditional crowns require two visits. During the first visit, the doctor takes impressions of teeth and reshapes the tooth to fit the new crown. Crowns are manufactured at laboratories and can take up to three weeks to create. During this period, patients are given temporary crowns to cover and protect the tooth. Patients must come in for a second visit to have their temporary crowns replaced with the permanent ones. In total, the process of receiving traditional crowns can take up to one month.

CEREC crown technology eliminates the need for a second appointment, allowing patients to receive their new crowns in a single appointment. How does it work? Utilizing CEREC technology, the crown is made immediately by a computer. Using a computer to fit and create the crown allows for a more precise fit and faster process. Made from a single piece of ceramic, CEREC crowns are extremely durable. At the end of the day, CEREC crowns allow for fewer appointments, higher quality crowns, and a happier patient! We now also feature e.max technology which provides you with the strongest, durable porcelain crown! e.max CEREC crowns have strength by utilizing specialized ceramic ovens to "bake" your crown to >1000 degrees Celcius. Proven, durable e.Max technology!

And keep in mind, if you are ever curious what your tooth looks like when Dr. Pham works on it, just ask him and he can use a camera to show you exactly what your tooth looks like in your mouth!

View our CEREC video on youtube!

Here are some videos of Dr. Pham explaining the CEREC procedure and the milling of your same-visit crowns:

Here's a more detailed explanation of the milling process using our CEREC technology:

And here is an explanation of the our special oven to heat e.max lithium disilicate porcelain crowns:

Dental Financing

We recognize that everyone has a different financial situation and that's why we work hard to find a solution so that you can obtain the dental care that you and your family deserve. Prior to your first appointment, we will collect insurance information and verify your eligibility and benefits for you! We accept ALL insurance plans that allow you to choose your own dentist. These insurance plans are typically termed P.P.O. insurance plans. To reduce your cost, we will gladly file to you insurance on your behalf. All claims are filed electronically for the most accurate information and turn around. All insurance estimates are based on information provided to us by your insurance and are not a guarantee of payment. Only after a claim is submitted and reviewed by your insurance company can final payment be determined. Our goal is to make insurance as easy as possible: prior to scheduling any treatment, we will provide you with breakdown of insurance coverage. For those looking for financing or more flexible payment options, we offer an interest free loan (up to 12 months) for 100% of your dental treatment with no down payment, no annual fees and no pre-payment penalties through Care Credit if you qualify. Click here for 0% interest Care Credit Loan.

Our Scheduling Services

We value your time and trust in our practice. We strive to remain on schedule so that you may return to the more important things in life. If you need to cancel or change an appointment, please provide us with a 48 hour notice so that we can accommodate other waiting patients. Missed appointments or repeated cancellations will incur cancellation fees. We know you are busy and will work with you to accommodate your schedule.

6 Month Braces In Austin

Most adults are unhappy with the appearance of their smiles. Crooked teeth make many people feel self-conscious, reserved, or even ashamed of their appearance... Now, adults all can smile bigger and brighter than ever after wearing braces for only six months! At South Austin Dentist office of Dr. Tuan Pham, we offer Adult Cosmetic Braces AKA as Six Month Smiles or Fast Braces and we utilizes clear braces to gently straighten teeth in an average time of only six months! By focusing on the teeth that show when you smile and not making significant bite changes, we can comfortably straighten your teeth and give you the attractive, pleasant smile you've always wanted.

For more information about Adult Cosmetic Clear Braces or Fast Braces, send us an email!

Please visit our Austin 6 Month Smiles website for more information about 6 month braces! By your next cleaning, you too can have the straight, beautiful teeth that you’ve always wanted.

Before

After - only 6 months later!

Can you tell she's wearing braces?

Have a beautiful smile in only 6 months! A new smile by your next cleaning!

Q: How can teeth be straightened in only six months?
A: As an adult, your back teeth are in a stable and comfortable position: you bite and chew without problems right? So why spend 2-3 years moving the back teeth around, when we can just focus on your front teeth and provide you with a great smile in 6 months!

Q: Six months sounds good, but will I still have a mouth full of metal for the whole time?
A: No! This is nothing like the metal-mouth braces that you typically imagine. Using clear brackets and tooth colored wire, the braces are almost invisible. Many of our patients tell us that, even if their friends notice anything, they just think it's a retainer. Take a look - this young lady is wearing braces!austin 6 month braces

Q: Will it hurt?
A: Since we're moving teeth, it's normal to feel some tightness and soreness for a few days. But Advil/Ibuprofen works wonders. The soreness should be much less than you recalled if you have had braces as a kid.

Q: What about porcelain veneers?
A: Sure if porcelain veneers are what you want, then Dr. Tuan Pham can definitely help you out with that too. However there are some advantages to fast 6 month braces over veneers:
1. You will not have irreversible drilling done to your teeth.
2. If you wear your retainer, braces never will have to be redone.
3. Costs much less. A full mouth make over with veneers would cost 3-5x what 6 month braces would!

Q: Now what about Invisalign?
A: Certainly if you are interested in Invisalign, Dr. Tuan Pham can help you out also. He is a certified Invisalign provider. If your priority is absolute clear braces and you don't mind wearing them for 1 year, then Invisalign it is for you. However, if you want faster braces and more importantly, you don't fall under the criteria for predictive movements with Invisalign, then we recommend 6 month braces for you.

In any case, please call us at 512-301-2483 (BITE) for a free consultation, our contact our South Austin dentist team at our website.

Laser Gum Disease Treatment (LANAP & PERIOLASE)

Traditionally moderate or severe gum disease treatment (periodontitis) involved painful ossesous surgery consisting of shaving and cutting of your gums & bone. What causes periodontitis aka gum disease? Let me give you a good explanation:

I want you to floss your teeth and smell your floss. Sounds gross right? Well, actually smell it! If you did, you would notice that it smells bad. So why would it smell bad? It's because there is something on your teeth called plaque which is basically a mixture of food debris and bacteria. Think of it as gunk on your teeth. That's why brushing and flossing is important. If you do not brush and floss away the plaque, cavities and gum disease can occur. 75% of Americans statistically get periodontitis in their lifetime. Periodontitis is a disease process where the bone supporting your teeth are resorbed away over time. If left untreated, you will have loose teeth and eventually lose teeth and need dentures. Heard of the term "long in the tooth?" That term comes from gum disease because historically as people got older, they had untreated gum disease and they lost bone supporting their teeth and as time went by, the teeth appeared longer!

Well let's be honest. Most Americans don't have a daily flossing habit which is one of the major reasons for periodontitis and gum disease. Now think of anytime that you went to the dentist and got your teeth cleaned. There's scraping of your teeth or a buzzing water instrument right? Well, why do we use that if you can brush and floss away plaque? It's because if left unremoved, the plaque on your teeth forms something hard called calculus or tarter. Think of your sink and shower head. In Texas, we have hard water so we get calcium buildup. Think of plaque remaining on your teeth as hard water. It will form calcium buildup (calculus/tarter) and as the buildup gets deeper underneath your gums, it gets closer to the bone supporting your teeth and basically the body resorbs the bone away and that's when periodontitis occurs. If left untreated, deeper calculus and tarter occurs and resorption continues on until you have loose and wiggly teeth and ultimately, lose your teeth and need dentures!

So how can Dr. Pham at Circle C Dental treat progressive and severe periodontitis? Using the Periolase laser with the FDA approved LANAP protocol, we can naturally stimulate your body to grow new bone and gums lost due to gum disease. No other procedure offers these results: 90% of patients remain stable at 5 years. If you have loose or wiggly teeth or worry about losing teeth due to gum disease and periodontitis, let us know!

Currently VERY FEW dentists (only 5 in Austin) offer laser LANAP treatment and Dr. Pham is one!

Why LANAP:

• 24-hour recovery time with minimal discomfort
• 95% of laser treated patients remain stable after five years
• Greater predictability for reattachment of gum tissue and bone regeneration
• Less time in dental chair. Typically takes two 2-hour visits
• Reduced risk of infection, decreased sensitivity and less bleeding
• Little to no gum recession
• Less invasive: no cutting, no sutures, and minimal bleeding
• Treats the whole mouth, not just single site defects
• Click here for our brochure with more detail!
• Click here for an animated demo.
• Click here forDr. Pham's Periolase video he made showing the laser in action

Wisdom Teeth & IV Sedation

Do you have painful and hurting wisdom teeth? Can't chew because your gums are swollen (pericoronitis)? Need your impacted wisdom teeth removed and want it to be comfortable and forgettable like it never happened?

Circle C Dental offers wisdom teeth removal with IV sedation. Using our digital panoramic x-ray machine, we can show you a digital image of your head and show you exactly where your wisdom teeth are. While this is typically a specialist procedure that requires a referral, Dr. David Burden offers conscious IV sedation (you are awake and can talk to us, but just do not remember anything) to provide a comfortable and forgettable wisdom teeth removal experience. Wisdom teeth can be removed at anytime, but the preferred time is in the late high school to early college years.

Call us with any questions! To read Dr. David Burden's bio, please visit here.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Do you suffer from sleep apnea? In the past, treatment for sleep apnea has been limited to painful, irreversible surgery and obtrusive CPAP masks and machines. We now offer a conservative, non-invasive treatment option for your sleep apnea.

A custom-designed oral appliance from Circle C Dental can help you breathe easier by opening up the air passage. Oral appliances work by pushing the lower jaw forward or preventing the tongue from blocking the airway, allowing you to breathe more easily during sleep. Benefits may include reduced snoring and more restful sleep.

Oral appliances are a great option for those suffering from mild sleep apnea, however, oral appliances can also be effective for those with moderate to severe sleep apnea. Whatever the case, Circle C Dental can help you find a solution for your sleep apnea that is comfortable and effective for you.

Please contact our South Austin dentist team to learn more.

Here's some more info from a handout that Dr. Pham created for patients to learn more about sleep apnea.

Are you tired all the time? Can’t sleep? Tried a CPAP machine & hate it? Spouse complains you snore too loud?

The American College of Physicians reports that 80-90% of people with sleep apnea are un-diagnosed, and a recent Swedish study reports 50% of women have mild-to-severe sleep apnea. If you are tired all the time, sleep physically for 8-9 hours and still feel tired, fall asleep often including while driving, feel irritable very often, snore very loudly and/or gasp for air during sleep, then you very likely have sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition where your body physically stops breathing during sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) where your airway physically closes & stops your breathing. Snoring very loudly is a common symptom.

Why is sleep apnea important to diagnose and treat?

• Increased risk of heart attack by 400-800% depending on study
• Increased risk of high blood pressure leading to increased risk of heart disease and artery calcifications
• Increased risk of depression by 40%
• Increased risk of death in sleep by 200%
• Increased risk of motor vehicle accident by 700%.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Sleep apnea is diagnosed with a sleep study. You visit a sleep study center and they evaluate your sleep. Your sleep study will tell you how restful your sleep is and provide you with an AHI score which tells you how often you stop breathing for at least 10 seconds per hour. Some people with severe sleep apnea have an AHI score of over 100!

How can we treat you if you have sleep apnea?

If you lay back and move your jaw forward, you will notice it is easier to breathe and also more difficult to snore. If your sleep study shows you have mild to moderate OSA, then we can treat you with a mouthpiece that gently advances your jaw forward, which in turn will decrease your snoring greatly and most importantly, allow you to breathe more freely, reducing or eliminating sleep apnea.

If your sleep apnea is severe, we can refer you to excellent sleep physicians or ENTs. Treatment for sleep apnea is important to your overall health & can save your life. You can dramatically improve your lifestyle with accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Dental Implants

Are you missing a tooth? Have a hole in your smile? Want to smile better and replace damaged and broken teeth? Have an old bridge that is broken or failing? Your answer may be a dental implant!

What is a dental implant? If you are missing or losing a tooth, traditional methods of replacing teeth include: a partial denture (a denture that goes in and out of your mouth) and a bridge (3 crowns or caps attached to each other to replace the missing tooth). These two methods are considered older styles of treatment and can be done if requested, but the gold standard of tooth replacement now are dental implants.

A dental implant is a medical-grade titanium "screw" that is precisely placed into your jaw bone and once healed (typically 3 months for routine cases), a crown is placed on top to restore the missing tooth. The benefits of an implant include: very high reliability and success, natural feeling (you brush and floss this like a natural tooth) and excellent looks.

Many dental offices require that you visit another office or specialist for placement of dental implants, but at Circle C Dental, we can have the entire sequence from start to finish done here. Our team, including Dr. David Burden and Dr. Chad Orlich - a board certified periodontist (aka gum specialist), both can place dental implants for you with IV sedation should you request it! Please call us at 512-301-2483 (BITE) or contact us for a free consult regarding wisdom teeth!

Gum Grafting

What is gum grafting? Gum grafting is often done to replace missing gum tissue (think long looking teeth with roots showing) lost due to gum disease, aggressive brushing, and/or heavy grinding. Often times with recession and missing gum tissue, your teeth may be very sensitive to hot and cold and look quite ugly and unattractive. When you smile and see your gums, there's two types of gum tisse: keratinized and non-keratinized. Think of them as tough beef jerky gums and weak Kleenex-like gum tissue. When someone has recession and the roots of your teeth are exposed and therefore sensitive to hot and cold, the tough beef jerky-like gums have been worn away and are gone. Untreated gum recession will ultimately lead to more discomfort and eventual loss of teeth. By having a board certified gum specialist at Circle C Dental, we can restore your gums to health.

Dr. Chad Orlich (our board certified periodontist aka a gum specialist) can perform varying types of gum grafting to restore the lost gum tissue and make your teeth feel and look better. With Dr. Chad Orich here, you will not need the hassle of visiting another office and setting up more appointments. In addition, Dr. Orlich can also perform additional procedures like dental implant placement.

Invisalign Braces

Have you ever wanted braces but didn't like the look of metal? Invisalign is your answer. Invisalign is a quick, convenient way to straighten your smile. Invisalign uses a series of clear, comfortable, and custom-made aligners that are worn for most of the day and night to quickly move your teeth into a straight, attractive smile. Invisalign braces are completely transparent and nearly unnoticeable to others.

Carifree Cavity Treatment

Circle C Dental is proud to be 1 of 4 four dentists in Austin to offer CariFree cavity risk evaluation and treatment. With one simple and painless swab, we can evaluate your risk for cavities in just 1 minute! Tooth decay and cavities are caused by dental caries, a type of bacterial infection. The CariFree system uses a screening device to measure levels of cavity-causing bacteria on your teeth, then uses pH+ technology to neutralize decay-causing acids and dental caries. Your evaluation includes personalized recommendations to help you lower your risk of tooth decay and achieve healthy teeth for life. CariFree is an easy and cost-effective way to prevent the need for costly cavity-treatment procedures in the future. Make your appointment with our South Austin dentists for a CariFree cavity risk evaluation today!

Porcelain Veneers

If you want your teeth straight, whiter and looking natural without the time required for braces, then porcelain veneers maybe the perfect option for you. Porcelain veneers can provide you with the smile makeover you have always wanted. Porcelain veneers are an ideal way to correct crooked, chipped, or stained teeth. Veneers essentially use ceramic porcelain to cover the surface of teeth, giving the appearance of a bright, natural smile. Our Dentist team in South Austin can help you achieve your best smile in only three visits. You will begin the process with an assessment to determine which type of veneers are best for you. Your natural smile, face shape, and other aesthetic factors are all taken into account to get you the desired result. During the next visit, your teeth will be prepared for the placement of veneers. You will wear temporary veneers while your custom-made veneers are being crafted. At your final visit, your veneers will be placed and you will leave Circle C Dental with a new, beautiful smile!

Teeth Whitening in South Austin

Over time, teeth become naturally darker in shade. Other factors, like exposure to coffee, tea, and certain foods and medications can also stain the surface of teeth, affecting the color and clarity of your smile. Our South Austin dental clinic offers multiple options to help you achieve your whitest and brightest smile! Circle C Dental has a teeth-whitening option that will work for you. We offer both in-office extreme bleaching and custom tray take home options. Both methods are safe and easy. Our friendly dental staff can help you decide which route is best for you based on your time, budget, and desired result. From natural white to the extreme-white Hollywood look; we can whiten your teeth at Circle C Dental!

Cosmetic Dentistry

From minor tooth adjustments to dramatic makeovers, we offer a variety of cosmetic dental services to help you achieve a your best smile. Metal and silver are a thing of the past at our South Austin dental clinic. We offer modern cosmetic dental treatments in a comfortable, luxurious setting.

Our goal is to provide you with modern, high-quality cosmetic dentistry services. At Circle C Dental we know that your smile is an investment, and you can feel confident knowing you’ll walk out of our office with a beautiful smile that will last for years. Cosmetic dentistry can be accomplished via many methods including tooth-colored bonding, porcelain veneers, in-office whitening, adult cosmetic and clear braces, crowns or caps, dental implants, gum grafting and much more! We also offer root canals (endodontics), wisdom teeth removal, implant services and much more.

Cleanings & Care

Preventative medicine is always the best medicine! Our South Austin dental team recommends that you have routine cleanings and exams, so that not only will your smile be whiter and brighter, but should anything occur with your teeth, we will see it at an early stage and be able to do conservative dental work. Routine cleanings help you to maintain optimal oral heath and a white, bright smile, but are also a very important part of your overall health. Dental cleanings are designed not only to polish your teeth, but also to remove debris that you may have missed while brushing and flossing. During your exam, Dr. Pham will check for signs of dental problems. Regular cleanings ensure that dental problems are diagnosed at an early stage so that we are able to do the most conservative dental work possible. Scheduling regular professional dental cleanings for you and your family will save you time and money in the long run. What is included with dental cleanings at Circle C Dental? Routine dental cleaning appointments are scheduled for one hour and include the following:

• Review of medical history, insurance, and medications
• Comprehensive digital x-rays
• Oral cancer screening exam
• Periodontal (gum) exam and cavity check
• TMJ disease exam
• Measuring the color of your teeth and performing a cosmetic exam
• A very thorough and meticulous cleaning of the teeth and the areas below the gums with the gentle use of hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers. An anti-septic medication is sometimes gently irrigated below the gum line to remove any of the free-floating harmful bacteria.
• Stain removal and polish.
• Oral hygiene instructions if needed
• Discussion regarding your specific dental health
• Free tooth brush

Dental Sealants

All children are prone to cavities. Aside from encouraging regular brushing and flossing, sealants are one of the most preventative, cost-effective things parents can do to protect their child's teeth from cavities. Best of all, sealants are simple, painless and shot-free!

Dental sealants are a protective plastic coating placed on the chewing surfaces of back molars to stop plaque and decay from forming. Sealants protect molars by creating a barrier between the tooth and decay-causing bacteria. Sealants can also prevent very mild decay from progressing. If you want a good visual of what a sealant is imagine two mountains next to each other. Those mountains have peaks and valleys. Now run your tongue around your teeth. You feel sharp points on your teeth right? Those are like mountain tops. And just like mountain tops that come to valleys, our teeth have deep valleys called grooves. Some grooves are very deep and when you brush your teeth, the bristles of your tooth brush do not reach the bottom of the valleys. If they don't, food, debris, bacteria, plaque, etc accumulate in those grooves and eventually cause cavities. Sealants fill in the deep grooves to prevent food and bacteria to settle into the grooves and thereby prevent cavities!

Children become candidates for sealants as soon as their adult molars come in (usually between ages 6-12). Sealants typically last 2-4 years and are maintained during routine dental check-ups. Make an appointment with Circle C Dental today and get your child started on the road to excellent dental health for life.

Periodontal Health

 Periodontal (gum) diseases is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and bones surrounding teeth. Left untreated, it can eventually lead to tooth loss and other health problems. Periodontal disease often starts out as bacteria in plaque causing the surrounding teeth to become inflamed. It most commonly shows up in the form of gingivitis and periodontitis. If you have severe periodontitis or loose and wiggly teeth, please view our information about severe periodontitis treatment:

Luckily, gum disease is highly preventable and Circle C Dental can help you to achieve your best overall dental health. Imagine your teeth as a house and your gums as the foundation. Without a strong foundation, you cannot have a sturdy house; without healthy gums, you cannot have healthy teeth. At Circle C Dental, we routinely check and measure the health of your gums. Should any issues appear, we will be sure to inform you about the best periodontal treatment options available.

Here's a video of our dental hygienist Heather discussing flossing technique:

Sedation

According to many polls, millions of Americans are afraid of the dentist. Many people avoid dental care at all costs, even when they are in pain or experiencing discomfort! To prevent dental problems from going untreated and create a better experience for all patients, Circle C Dentistry offers safe, effective, and comfortable sedation treatments to reduce fear and anxiety about visiting the dentist. No one should allow fear and anxiety to stand in the way of receiving necessary dental treatment. At Circle C Dental, we can safely prescribe you pills to help you relax while receiving treatment. The use of sedative medications can help make you more comfortable so the dentist and his team can work more effectively, accomplishing more in less time. Sedation treatment can also prevent stress after your visit by allowing you to remember very little about the visit, minimizing the possibility of remembering the sounds and smells of the dental office. Circle C Dental offers multiple options for sedative dentistry. Please contact our South Austin dental team or make an appointment to discuss the best option for you.

Magnification and Lighting

Circle C Dental is pleased to offer the most cutting edge technology to ensure that you receive the best, highest quality care available. You won’t find the harsh lighting and bright lamps that other dental offices use to examine patient’s teeth at our South Austin dental office. Each one of our team members including Dr. Pham, the dental hygienists and the dental assistants use special technology to ensure that our dental work is precise and efficient.

Dr. Pham wears magnification (3.5x magnification to see your teeth in high resolution and detail) and an ultra bright LED headlight when examining patient’s teeth. With teeth magnified multiple times and a direct beam of light shining on the tooth, Dr. Pham can best see and diagnose your teeth. Ambient room light simply won't work for the level of dentistry that Dr. Pham does!

Digital X-Rays

Digital X-Rays are an important part of a dental exam and are required for all new patients. X-rays can expose a variety of dental issues including tooth decay and tartar buildup, impacted teeth, and bone loss related to periodontal gum disease. Circle C Dental uses digital X-Rays -- we feature both digital intra-oral sensors and digital panoramic sensors to view your entire jaw -- to help us diagnose and determine the best dental treatment for you.

Digital X-Rays (and we use top of the line Gendex GXS-700 sensors) offer benefits for both the patient and the practitioner. Digital X-rays are faster and more comfortable than traditional film X-Rays. 90 percent less radiation means that digital X-rays are safer for patients. And, because there is no need for film or processing, digital X-rays provide a clear image almost instantly. At Circle C Dental you can expect convenient, professional dental care from start to finish.

In addition, if you are ever curious what your teeth look like, we have cameras that can show you what your teeth look like in your mouth. It can be quite eye opening!

Green Dental Office

Circle C Dental in South Austin is an environmentally concerned dental office. Every day, we do our best to minimize our negative impact on Texas and the world. We've reduced energy consumption in our office to 40 percent of 1999 standards. Circle C Dentistry has engaged in environmentally responsible practices from the beginning. We used only local materials in the construction of our office, and all of our materials were recycled during construction. Our office incorporates modern innovations that improve efficiency and effectiveness while reducing the amount of waste and pollution in the environment. We have adopted the philosophy of conservation into every aspect of our practice at Circle C Dental. We are the premiere green and environmentally friendly dental office in South Austin.