Exam Room in Lufkin, TX

At the office of Richard D. Byler, D.D.S., we offer a range of comprehensive and cosmetic dental services to patients of all ages. Dr. Byler has the expertise and knowledge needed to provide every patient with the care they deserve. With a warm and welcoming environment, our patients feel comfortable and can ask any questions they may have about their dental treatment.

Services we offer include, but are not limited to:

Routine Dental Cleaning

We suggest that every patient should come in for a dental cleaning every 6 months or as recommended by Dr. Byler. During the cleaning, our registered dental hygienist will remove plaque and tarter build up from your teeth leaving behind a bright and polished smile. In addition, our hygienist will educate you on how to maintain your smile and therefore your oral health between visits. We also offer digital x-rays for higher quality images & care.

Cosmetic Dentistry

We offer a wide range of cosmetic dental services that allow our patients to achieve the smile they have always dreamed about. We are able to enhance your smile in a variety of ways; including porcelain veneers, resin veneers, natural-looking tooth-colored fillings, and teeth whitening.

Crowns and Bridges

Crowns are necessary when a tooth is severely damaged or has suffered from advanced decay and cannot be fixed with bonded filling material. Crowns cover the remaining tooth and restore its function, strength, and esthetics. Several crown material options are available including non-metal crowns. Dr. Byler will discuss these on an individual basis depending on the area of the mouth that needs to be restored.

Bridges can be utilized when tooth loss occurs due to gum disease, decay, or injury. The loss of the tooth can create greater problems for your dental health if it is not corrected. The teeth next to the missing tooth (or teeth) can begin to move and result in pain, discomfort, and can look unsightly. With bridges, Dr. Byler will close any gaps in your mouth. The bridge looks and acts just like natural teeth, is permanently cemented, and helps to maintain the position of the rest of your teeth.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

In the past few years, most silver restorations have been replaced with tooth-colored fillings, resulting in a smile you can be proud of, and which looks completely natural. Dr. Byler will discuss restorative options with you and recommend what is best for your individual situation.

Endodontic Therapy (Root Canals)

Root canal therapy is needed when a cavity has reached the pulp of a tooth causing an infection of the nerve, or when severe trauma has affected the tooth. Regular checkups with your dentist helps to avoid and prevent the need for endodontic therapy. But once the pulp has become infected, it must be treated to avoid further issues since it cannot heal by itself. Some signs that a pulp is infected include sensitivity to hot or cold foods or liquids, pain, swelling, or even a bad taste in the mouth. For some patients no symptoms are obvious and they are unaware a problem even exists until they are seen by their dentist for an exam.

When endodontic therapy is performed, your dentist will clean out the infected pulp, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. Once the area has been disinfected, the canals of the tooth are filled with a special material to prevent further infections, and help in the healing of the tooth. Sometimes a core build-up, bonded post, and crown are necessary for restoring a tooth to function.

Teeth Whitening

Do you wish you had a brighter, more radiant smile? Then professional teeth whitening may be right for you! Teeth whitening can remove certain stains from:

  • Tea, coffee, wine, and soda
  • Certain medications
  • The natural aging process
  • Tobacco use
  • Fluorosis

Soon after starting treatment you will start to see a whiter and brighter smile. Schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Byler to see if you're a candidate for teeth whitening!

Implant Restoration

When it comes to the restoration of implants, our team is the one to trust to get the job done right and maintain your beautiful smile. We work with experienced oral surgeons and an expert dental laboratory to achieve a natural look and feel to your implants.

Dentures

Complete dentures are used to replace a person's teeth when they are all missing. Removable dentures are designed to restore the health, function, and beauty of your smile. They are crafted to fit your individual mouth comfortably and snugly. When in place, dentures can:

  • Help restore your ability to eat and speak
  • Replace your missing teeth
  • Prevent facial sagging
  • Improve the appearance of your smile
  • Dentures can be attached to implants for added stability

We can create and place your custom complete dentures in just a few visits. Your dentures will be made to look and feel like natural teeth so that you can feel confident every time you smile. We invite you to call our office today if you are missing teeth to learn more about the benefits of dentures.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a great agent used to help prevent tooth decay. It is naturally present in different amounts in almost all foods and water supplies. Benefits of using fluoride have been well known for over 50 years and are supported by many health and professional organizations.

Works in two ways:

As a topical fluoride it helps to strengthen the patient's teeth once they have erupted by getting into the outer surface of the tooth enamel, helping to make the teeth more resistant to decay. We gain topical fluoride by using fluoride containing dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and gels.

Systemic fluoride strengthens teeth that have erupted, and those that are still developing under the gums. Systemic fluoride is gained from most foods and our water supply. It is also available as a supplement in drop or gel form and can be prescribed by your dentist or physician. Usually, fluoride drops are recommended for infants, and tablets are best suited for children up through the teen years.

Emergency Services

Dental emergencies can be very frightening and often painful. Prompt treatment is generally required to alleviate pain and ensure the patient's oral and overall health. If you're dealing with a dental emergency, call us immediately at 936-634-3431 and we will schedule you in as soon as possible. Should you call during after hours, call our regular number and our voicemail will inform you of how to get in touch with us.