expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Robert J. Edwards, DDS

Dentist | General Practice

Dr. Robert Edwards is a Dentist practicing in BATON ROUGE, LA. Dr. Edwards specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
15 years Experience
Dr. Robert J. Edwards, DDS
  • BATON ROUGE, LA
  • LSU School of Dentistry
  • Accepting new patients

Why are there red bumps on the bottom of my tongue?

Yes. This is a common place for oral cancer.

Can a gum graft move?

Yes, it can move. If you think the graft is moving, make a follow up appointment to see if it needs attention before it fails

Is bone grafting painful?

Depends on what type of bone grafting is being done. Placing grafting material after an extraction (socket preservation) is usually not painful. Ridge augmentation(expanding the READ MORE
Depends on what type of bone grafting is being done. Placing grafting material after an extraction (socket preservation) is usually not painful. Ridge augmentation(expanding the bone) is generally more uncomfortable.

How can I make my bone graft heal faster?

You generally can’t rush the biology. We use PRF in my office that decreases the healing time for soft tissue, but the bone needs time to turn over. General bone grafts take 3-4 READ MORE
You generally can’t rush the biology. We use PRF in my office that decreases the healing time for soft tissue, but the bone needs time to turn over. General bone grafts take 3-4 months to turn over. If we do sinus lifts, typical healing time is 6 months.

Can I get braces even if my teeth are straight?

Yes. I would see an orthodontist to see what the best treatment would be. We put Ortho on patients for other reasons than to just straighten teeth (close spaces, correct a bite, READ MORE
Yes. I would see an orthodontist to see what the best treatment would be. We put Ortho on patients for other reasons than to just straighten teeth (close spaces, correct a bite, prepare teeth for certain restorations, etc.

Can dental bonding fix crooked teeth?

Yes. “Dental bonding” can fix crooked teeth. I prefer Ortho or crowning teeth in extreme crowding cases.

How can I make my wisdom teeth heal faster?

Not much you can do on your end. Avoid grainy foods, rinse with warm salt water starting the day after. When I extract wisdom teeth, I generally place collagen or PRF plugs in READ MORE
Not much you can do on your end. Avoid grainy foods, rinse with warm salt water starting the day after. When I extract wisdom teeth, I generally place collagen or PRF plugs in the extraction sites and place sutures to get primary closure. Medicines like steroids, antibiotic rinses, antibiotics help the sites heal faster. Soreness is unavoidable after an extraction.

How long does teeth bonding last on front teeth?

This can vary from patient to patient. Lots of factors contribute to the longevity of the restorations. If you don’t have any back teeth, the front teeth take more abuse and generally READ MORE
This can vary from patient to patient. Lots of factors contribute to the longevity of the restorations. If you don’t have any back teeth, the front teeth take more abuse and generally don’t last as long. Larger fillings in the front tend to fail quicker than smaller fillings. Using the teeth to bite into foods like corn/apples/etc tend to decrease life of the filling.

Can you brush your teeth after scaling?

Yes. I would be cautious around the gum line.

Should I get an implant for a back molar?

Lots of missing information in your question. Implants are generally a good option to replace missing teeth.

Which is better metal partials or plastic partials?

I prefer metal partials, especially if you have no teeth in the back. Certain plastic partials are made of material where teeth can not be added to them and are very flexible which READ MORE
I prefer metal partials, especially if you have no teeth in the back. Certain plastic partials are made of material where teeth can not be added to them and are very flexible which can be more comfortable, but not as strong.

Can you drink coffee with partial dentures?

Yes. The partials will probably stain from the coffee. I would take them out and rinse with water/brush them after drinking a cup.

How long should you wear partial dentures each day?

You want to keep the teeth from shifting. I would wear them 8+ hours a day unless there is a problem with the fit of the partial. See your doctor if this is the case.

Which type of crown is best for back teeth?

Cast gold crowns or Zirconia (Porcelain crowns)

Can sealants cause cavities?

When done properly, sealants are meant to seal the grooves and prevent cavities.

What is the best mouthwash to use for periodontal disease?

Your dentist will be able to give you a prescription mouthrinse. Chlorohexadine works well for 2 weeks. It may cause staining of the teeth with prolong use.

Can wearing dentures cause receding gums?

Yes. Bone in our jaw is only there to support teeth. If there are no teeth, there is no reason for the bone to be present.

What type of anesthesia is used for a root canal?

There are several medicines that we use to numb the tooth. The most common are Lidocaine with epi and septocaine with epi.

Should I brush my teeth after using whitening trays?

You should brush your teeth before using the whitening trays and after using the trays.