At Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe in providing top-notch dental care with a focus on your overall health and well-being. As a general dentist, we offer a range of services designed to keep your teeth healthy, your smile beautiful, and your body thriving. 

With the latest technology and a personalized approach, we ensure that each visit is comfortable, efficient, and tailored to your specific needs. To get started on whatever dental treatments you need, call now to schedule a consultation.

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Healthy Teeth for Life with General Dental Care

Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry in Garden Ridge, TX, is pleased to offer comprehensive dental services for the whole family. We know it can be challenging to find a dentist for all your loved ones’ dental care needs, but Dr. Larry Dougherty is here to take care of your family’s oral health for life.

We are here to ensure all your family’s dental care needs are cared for in one location. Through our commitment to providing exceptional dentistry, we want to be your number-one dental partner in Texas. And that is why we offer numerous general dental care services.

Dental Cleanings and Preventive Care

At Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe that healthy gums and teeth start with preventive dentistry. Routine exams and professional cleanings help remove plaque and tartar buildup that brushing and flossing alone may miss. 

Preventive care isn’t just about keeping your teeth looking great, it also reduces your risk of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. By staying proactive, you can maintain a healthy, long-lasting smile and avoid more serious dental problems down the road.

Tooth Fillings

Cavities may start as minor dental issues, but if left untreated, they can progress into severe tooth decay or even tooth loss. Our team treats cavities with composite fillings, a tooth-colored material that blends seamlessly with your natural teeth. 

Composite fillings are durable, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing, allowing you to maintain a natural, confident smile while restoring the health and function of your tooth.

Periodontal (Gum) Care

Gum disease can silently affect your oral and overall health, but it can be managed and even reversed with early intervention. We provide scaling and root planing to gently remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline. 

Using precise and comfortable techniques, we target the deep pockets where bacteria hide, helping to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and support healthier gums for a stronger, more confident smile.

Tooth Extractions

Sometimes, a tooth is too damaged to restore with fillings or crowns. In these cases, a dental extraction may be the safest and most effective solution to relieve pain and protect your oral health. Our team ensures extractions are performed safely, comfortably, and with careful attention to healing. 

Removing problematic teeth can prevent infection, reduce discomfort, and allow for future restorative options such as dental implants or bridges.

Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and immediate care can make all the difference. Whether you’re experiencing a severe toothache, a broken tooth, or a knocked-out tooth, our emergency dentistry services provide fast, effective treatment to relieve pain and restore your smile. 

We prioritize urgent cases to ensure patients from Garden Ridge, San Antonio, and surrounding areas receive prompt attention when seconds truly matter.

If you want to protect your oral health and get the smile you have always wanted without risking comfort, then Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry is the place for you. Call now to schedule an appointment.

Why General Dentistry Matters in a Cosmetic Practice

At Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry, we understand that a stunning smile starts with a strong foundation. General dentistry is the cornerstone of oral health, ensuring that your teeth and gums are healthy before any cosmetic enhancements. Preventive care helps catch potential problems early, protecting both your natural teeth and the long-term results of cosmetic treatments.

Key benefits of general dentistry in a cosmetic practice include:

Advanced Technology for Precise, Comfortable Care

Dental technology is what sets dental offices apart in their precision. We use cutting-edge tools to provide you with the most accurate diagnostics and effective treatments.

iTero Digital Scanner with NIRI

Our iTero digital scanner captures fast, precise, and highly detailed 3D images of your teeth and gums. Using NIRI (Near-Infrared Imaging), we can detect:

Hidden decay
Cracks
Early signs of dental issues 

This technology allows for accurate treatment planning, quicker results, and a more comfortable experience without messy impressions.

Boosted Confidence

Pearl AI uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence to identify cavities and other dental concerns with remarkable accuracy. By analyzing your dental images, it can detect decay at its earliest stages—often before it’s visible to the naked eye. This means less invasive treatment, fewer surprises, and a higher likelihood of preserving your natural teeth.

Low-Radiation Digital X-Rays

Our state-of-the-art digital X-rays provide crystal-clear imaging of your teeth, roots, and jawbone while minimizing your exposure to radiation. Compared to traditional film X-rays, digital technology is faster, safer, and allows our team to detect issues with greater precision like:

Cavities
Infections
Bone loss

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer can develop silently, so proactive detection is critical. Our oral cancer screenings use advanced tools and careful visual exams to identify early signs of oral cancer or precancerous conditions. Early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes and gives you peace of mind knowing your oral health is being closely monitored.

Airway-Aware Dentistry

At Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry, we take a comprehensive approach to your health, one that goes beyond teeth and gums. Airway-aware dentistry focuses on the relationship between your oral structures and your ability to breathe freely, especially during sleep.

Issues such as mouth breathing, snoring, or obstructive sleep apnea often stem from underlying problems with jaw alignment, tongue posture, or the shape of the dental arches.

By identifying these signs early—especially in teens and adults—we can tailor treatment plans that don’t just improve oral health, but also contribute to better sleep, energy, and overall wellness. Conditions like teeth grinding, chronic fatigue, and even headaches may be linked to airway obstruction.

When appropriate, we’ll incorporate airway-conscious strategies into your dental care. These might include adjustments in orthodontic planning, bite correction, or referrals to sleep specialists for further evaluation. Our goal is to support your health holistically, helping you and your family breathe, sleep, and live better, starting with your smile.

Your Comfort and Care Are Our Priority

We are committed to ensuring that your dental visits are as comfortable and efficient as possible. Whether you are visiting us for a routine checkup or need more advanced treatment, we are here to make sure you feel at ease. Our practice is designed for individuals who seek quality dental care, without the bustle of family appointments all at once.

Through our customized care and personalized treatment plans, we can ensure your comfort every step of the way.

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Smiles That Speak for Themselves

Our patients are at the heart of everything we do at Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry. Across Garden Ridge, San Antonio, and the surrounding communities, patients consistently share their experiences with our compassionate care, attention to detail, and life-changing results. 

From routine dental cleanings to full smile makeovers and dental implants, our team strives to deliver results that not only restore oral health but also boost confidence and improve quality of life.

Filling the Gap: A Comprehensive Overview of Dental Fillings

Cavities, or dental caries, often present symptoms such as tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks, visible holes or pits in your teeth, pain when biting down, or persistent toothaches. 

Sometimes, cavities can develop without noticeable symptoms, which is why regular dental checkups are crucial for early detection. Dr. Dougherty can identify cavities early during your routine dental exams, ensuring timely and effective treatment with tooth-colored fillings.

White tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite fillings, are made from a mixture of plastic resin and finely ground glass particles. This material is designed to match the natural color of your teeth, providing a more aesthetically pleasing and discreet solution compared to traditional metal fillings. 

Composite fillings are not only durable but also bond well with the natural tooth structure, offering a strong and long-lasting restoration. Dr. Dougherty prefers using tooth-colored fillings for their cosmetic and functional benefits.

With any dental treatment, you want your results to improve the appearance of your smile while also protecting your oral health. We color-match and customize all of our treatments to ensure natural-looking results that benefit every aspect of your life.

The process of getting a filling is generally painless, thanks to modern dental techniques and local anesthesia. We will numb the area around the affected tooth to ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure. 

You may feel slight pressure or vibrations as the decayed portion of the tooth is removed and the filling is placed. After the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some minor sensitivity, which usually subsides within a few days. Our team is committed to making your experience as pleasant and pain-free as possible.

If you suspect you have a cavity, it’s important to schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment can prevent the cavity from worsening and requiring more extensive treatment, such as a root canal or extraction. During your visit, Dr. Dougherty will examine your teeth, take any necessary X-rays, and discuss the best treatment options. 

Promptly addressing cavities can help preserve your oral health and prevent more serious dental issues in the future.

Ready to Transform Your Smile?

If you have more questions about dental fillings or need to schedule an appointment, contact Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry in Garden Ridge. Dr. Dougherty and his team are here to provide you with expert dental care and ensure your smile stays healthy and beautiful.

Call us at (210) 880-4120 to learn more about our services and book your appointment today. Let us help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health with our professional and compassionate care.

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