Optimal Oral Health in Port Arthur, TX

In our office we make every effort to stay up to date with new technology and changes in the dental profession. We are proud to offer our patients digital x-rays with every cleaning and comprehensive exam.

We also have a Cone Beam Computed Tomography system (CBCT). This allows our doctors to view the oral cavity in 3D to aid in earlier diagnosis of tooth infections, visualization of impacted wisdom teeth, and comprehensive evaluation of dental bone levels for implant placement.

In 2021, we purchased a dental laser. This tool aids our doctors in treatment of periodontal disease, cosmetic gingival procedures, biopsies, and allows select fillings to be completed without the need for anesthesia.

Our latest technology investment was an intra oral scanner. This allows our doctors to complete crowns, bridges and implant restorations without the need for a traditional impression. Impressions can often cause patients to gag and feel discomfort. This new tool sends our dental labs exact scans of the
patient’s oral cavity without the discomfort.

A “regular” cleaning is recommended for all patients every 6 months. At this appointment, X-rays may be updated, your teeth will be cleaned by our dental hygienists, and the dentist will provide a full exam to check for any cavities or other oral conditions.

A deep cleaning is scheduled for patients that have Periodontal disease. Periodontal disease leads to heavy plaque and calculus (calcified plaque) build-up beneath the gum tissue. If not removed, bone loss can occur around teeth, leading to mobility and potential tooth loss. At a deep cleaning appointment, you will receive anesthesia for comfort, and all plaque and calculus existing beneath the gum line will be
removed. In some cases, we will use our dental laser to sterilize deep gum pockets to promote healing.

An implant is a Titanium post that is placed within bone in a space where a tooth is missing. The post then integrates within your natural bone – giving it strength and rigidity. At Smiles By Design, we can restore a single tooth or a full arch with dental implants. All work can be done at our office- from bone grafting and implant placement to restoration.

Both Dr. Bartlett and Dr. Fuston are happy to see your whole family! We like to establish a dental home for children as early as possible to help them feel comfortable coming to the dentist and practice prevention. As soon as the first baby tooth erupts in a child’s mouth, they are welcome for their first visit. Both Dr. Bartlett and Dr. Fuston provide dental treatments such as; fillings, baby root canals and crowns, space maintainers, and extractions for children. We encourage children to maintain a 6 month visit schedule to have their teeth cleaned and fluoride applied to the teeth.

Dental anxiety is very common. Dr. Bartlett and Dr. Fuston are both committed to making your
experience comfortable and free of stress. Both doctors are Nitrous Oxide certified (laughing gas) and able to provide you with this extra comfort during dental procedures.

Smiles By Design utilizes the KOR whitening system. For patients interested in whitening their teeth, custom whitening trays will be made. We then offer both at-home and in-office bleaching – depending on the patient’s unique needs.

Traditional bracket and wire braces are not performed in our office. However, both of our doctors are Invisalign certified. We offer clear aligner therapy to adult patients meeting our treatment requirements.

Smiles by Design accepts all dental insurance plans but is not “in-network” with any companies. Our office team is happy to file claims to your insurance on your behalf. Prior to dental work, we will present you with a treatment plan that includes projected coverage by your insurance and any “out of pocket” expenses.

Preventive treatment is very important to us at Smiles by Design. We encourage adults and children (age 12 months and up) to see the dentist every 6 months. Biannual visits allow us to professionally clean your teeth and to update X-rays to check for decay and other dental issues. For children, we recommend fluoride varnish during their check-ups to help protect their teeth from decay. Once a child’s permanent teeth erupt, we can place sealants on permanent teeth to block out the chewing surface from getting cavities. 

For adults, one preventive service that we recommend is a nocturnal orthotic or “nightguard” for our patients that struggle with clenching and grinding their teeth at night. 

Both Dr. Bartlett and Dr. Fuston are happy to treat all members of your family- even the little ones! Both of our doctors are parents themselves and know how important it is to establish a “Dental home”. Our goal is to avoid childhood fears of the dentist that carry into adulthood. We practice the “tell- show- do” method. We take time to explain or “tell” your child what will happen at their appointment. We then “show” our instruments to the child and allow them to hold and touch them to see that they are not scary. Finally, we “do” the treatment.

Both doctors are certified to administer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) if the child requires extra help during the appointment. 

Our excellent office manager, Kim Soto, will be able to assist you with any questions regarding payment plans in our office. Patients can pick up an application for CareCredit before leaving their appointment, if needed. 

Dental emergencies are very important to us. Please contact our front office immediately if you are experiencing swelling or pain with a tooth. We do our best to see all emergency patients on the same day. 

If an emergency arises after hours, we have an emergency number where you can leave a voicemail for one of our doctors to call you back.

Your first dental visit is all about getting to know each other and your unique dental needs. We will take X-rays and examine your mouth to develop a comprehensive treatment plan together.