At Desoto Dental Services our mission is to make a positive impact on the oral health of the populace of the mid-south area. We are dedicated to providing quality care that is accessible to most patients. Patient comfort is important to us and we make every effort to make their dental visits comfortable. Above all, we respect our patients' right to be an integral part of determining what treatment is rendered to restore and maintain their oral health.

The Diode Laser makes it possible to offer a number of soft tissue procedures with minimal or no anesthesia, rapid healing and no bleeding. Previously, these procedures were done with a scalpel and often required sutures. Some of the procedures available with the Diode Laser include:

in the past, when dentists have needed casts or models of the teeth, we have used an impression material in a tray to make a mould of the teeth that can have a dental stone (a kind of plaster) poured into it. This gives us stone casts or replicas of the teeth to use for study of the teeth and surrounding tissues. Impressions are also used to create accurate casts for dental laboratories to use in the fabrication of crowns, bridges, veneers, and removable partial dentures. with an intra-oral digital scanner, we can make a digital impression that is accurate enough for fabrication of crowns, bridges, veneers, and removable partial dentures. once the dental arch is scanned, the electronic file is uploaded to a dental laboratory for fabrication of dental prostheses. In many cases the patient is able to forego a mouth full of impression material. While this technique is appropriate for crowns, veneers, bridges and removable partials, it is not suitable for complete denture impressions.

For years, dentists have used x-ray images to diagnose tooth decay, periodontal bone loss, cysts, and tumors of the oral cavity. X-rays are also an important part of root canal treatment, and of implant treatment planning and placement. In the past, x-ray images were projected onto a film and developed before a diagnosis could be made. With traditional film x-rays there is a time lag before the image can be viewed.

With digital x-ray images, the image is projected onto a sensor and immediately available to view on a computer monitor, and exposure to radiation is decreased by well over 50% compared to traditional film x-ray techniques. At Desoto Dental Services, we utilize digital x-ray technology for our Panoramic x-ray and for our intra-oral images. This allows us to save time for you and reduce your exposure to radiation at the same time.

These are images that are produced with the sensor in the mouth. These images are used to see the areas between the teeth to detect decay, and to look at the area beyond the tip of the tooth root to diagnose pulpal abscess and to monitor root canal treatment.

These are images that are produced outside the mouth and display an image of the entire upper and lower jaws. These are used to detect un-erupted and erupting teeth, cysts and tumors of the bone, location of sinuses, and the position of nerves and blood vessels relative to teeth and potential surgical sites.

The practice recently incorporated CBCT, or 3D imaging into its arsenal of new digital technology. This technology enables a more precise three dimensional view of the teeth and the surrounding structures in the oral cavity. This provides the capacity to determine ideal placement of dental implants, the need (or not) for bone grafting prior to implant placement, the proximity of tooth roots and existing or potential implants to nerves, blood vessels, and sinus cavities. With a CBCT scan a computer generated guide or template can be produced that provides for optimal implant placement to support single crowns, bridges, or full arch restorations. We use the KaVo ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH OP 3D.

We employ digital photographs to document the condition of your teeth and of your smile both before and after treatment. The digital photograph is displayed on the computer monitor so that you can see what we are seeing, and thereby better understand the treatment that we recommend.

Dr. Powell is a 1986 graduate of the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. He engaged in private practice on the Mississippi Gulf Coast until his home and office were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005.

Dr. Powell is an active member of the American Dental Association and the Mississippi Dental Association. He has held membership in the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists,the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the Mississippi Dental Society and Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society. He has served as the President of the Mississippi Dental Association, President of the Mississippi Section of the American College of Dentists, Chairman of the Mississippi Dental Political Action Team and as a member of the American Dental Association Council on Communications. He also served as an associate editor of the Mississippi Dental Association Journal.

Dr. Powell has given presentations on restorative dental techniques, dental adhesive strengths, disaster preparedness, and dental ethics in San Francisco, California; Jackson, Mississippi; Biloxi, Mississippi; Memphis, Tennessee; Albany, New York; Miami, Florida; and South Jordan, Utah.

In the past several years, he has received instruction in dental implant placement, bone grafting, and incorporating computer generated templates for implant placement. Courses on restorative dentistry, removable prosthodontics, fixed prosthodontics and esthetic dentistry are included in his annual continuing education.He routinely surpasses the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners mandated minimum requirement for continuing education, including courses on prescribing opioid medications.

In addition to private practice at Desoto Dental Services Monday - Thursday, Dr. Powell provided dental care to inmates at one of the state's correctional facilities on Fridays from February 2016 until May 2019. In August of 2019, he returned to clinical instruction of Prosthodontics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry.

He presently resides in Southaven, Mississippi with his wife Laura, a 5th & 6th grade teacher at Sacred Heart School. He and Laura enjoy college athletic events, walking in the neighborhood, and hiking in the mountains. A licensed pilot, Dr. Powell flew his own airplanes until October of 2017.They have four children, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, in Florida, and in the Nashville, Tennessee area.

Hi, I'm Lori and I am the office manager here at Desoto Dental Services. I have worked in the dental field for 10 years, both chairside with the dentist, in the business part of the office and in education as a teacher of dental assistants at a local technical college. I am was employed here as a chair side assistant and front desk staff member. I am glad to be back and am looking forward to working with old and new patients.

I'm Amy and have been practicing dental hygiene in Mississippi and Tennessee since the summer of 2009. I am an honors graduate of the University of Tennessee where I received my Bachelor's in Dental Hygiene. I have a strong passion for educating patients and helping them obtain healthy teeth and gums. I look forward to meeting you and providing a very pleasant dental experience.