Dr. Jim S. Caudill and his staff are very well trained and experienced. Dr. Caudill graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in 1974.This makes him the most experienced dentist in Hazard andmany of the surrounding counties. Dr. Caudill prides himself in providing complete dentistry in a clean, comfortable, and caring way.

Dr. Caudill is hooked on learning new procedures and new ways of doing things to bring the latest technical skills to Eastern Kentucky and has taken post-graduate courses in orthodontics, Invisalign, Lumineers, porcelain veneers, implants, periodontics (treating gum disease and loose teeth), Zoom Tooth Whitening, TMJ, and cosmetic bonding. Dr. Caudill has traveled as far away as Alaska, Florida, and Arizona to learn from the leading experts in the field of dentistry.

When Dr. Caudill is not doing dentistry or taking continuing education courses, he enjoys spending time with his four children and his grandchildren. He also enjoys boating, fishing, hiking, four wheeling, and swimming. One of Dr. Caudill's favorite past times is traveling to new places don't even get him started talking about his cruises!

We are committed to providing excellent patient care while maintaining services that are above the standard of care. At our office, we care about your comfort and satisfaction. We will go the extra mile for you and your oral health.

At Dr. Caudill's dental practice, we offer a wide range of dental procedures. Our dentist has decades of experience in the field and frequently trains with new technologies and techniques. We are proud to offer some of the most advanced services and technology in the Hazard, KY neighborhood, and surrounding areas. Paired with friendly and warm service, we are certainly one of the leading dental practices in Eastern Kentucky.

A preventive program is a joint cooperative effort between you and our team to preserve your natural teeth, gums, and bones of the oral area by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions. Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. Regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays are all part of an effective prevention program. Other great preventive treatments include sealants and fluoride.

Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry that encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth. This includes crowns, implants, or other substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function, and aesthetics of all of the structures and tissues.

Professional dental cleanings are necessary at least twice each year to maintain good oral health. Many people require a routine cleaning three or four times a year due to buildup of plaque and tartar. If you have been told you have periodontal (gum) disease, you're not alone. An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease.

Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious diseases that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost. Gum disease is a threat to your oral health. Research also points to possible health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth.

There are many reasons why adult teeth may need restorative treatment. The most common reason is decay, followed by fractured teeth, and old restorations needing replacement. If we recommend that a tooth with a cavity be treated and more than a few weeks pass after the initial diagnosis, the cavity will almost always get bigger and can cause pain. Once this happens, it will likely require more extensive and expensive treatment. The tooth may even have to be removed and replaced with a false (or artificial) tooth. If you have a cavity and it needs a restoration, there are different kinds of materials that may be used to restore the functionality of the tooth. Please remember that a tooth may need treatment before it causes pain. If a tooth causes pain, it may be able to be saved, but the treatment time and cost typically increase due to the complexity of the necessary procedures.

Orthodontic treatment corrects teeth and jaw alignment problems and involves the design and use of appliances such as braces, retainers, aligners, rubber bands, and headgears. If you have crowded or overlapping teeth, it makes them harder to clean which increases your chances of tooth decay, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss. With orthodontic treatment, you can improve the health of your teeth and start to smile with confidence!

Early intervention and treatment are preferred since the process is usually quicker and easier. Treatment can begin as early as six or seven, which is when some habits that are formed as a baby can begin to cause unwanted tooth movement. Orthodontic treatment is also available for adults, who can be treated with both fixed and removable appliances.

Pediatric dentistry is the branch of dentistry that deals with infants, children and adolescents including those patients with special care needs. Young ones need very different care than adults. Children should visit a dentist every six months. We like to catch anything when it is small and seeing the child every six months gives us the best chance to keep an eye out for any signs of early decay. Additionally, since teeth start coming and going, we like to have a history of each patient's dental development.

Root canal therapy is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay due to bacteria, multiple dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, trauma to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain, and/or lead to an abscess.

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, commonly called TMJ, are a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. We don't know for certain how many people have TMJ disorders, but some estimates suggest that over 10 million North Americans are affected. The condition appears to be more common in women than men. TMJ is referred to by different names such as TMD, TMJ disorder, and TMJ dysfunction.

For most people, pain in the area of the jaw joint or muscles does not signal a serious problem. Generally, discomfort from these conditions is occasional and temporary, often occurring in cycles. The pain eventually goes away with little or no treatment. Some people, however, develop significant, long-term symptoms.

AcquaBrite Deep Bleaching is the only recognized whitening technique that is so effective that it can often whiten even tetracycline-stained teeth in a short time. AcquaBrite whitening products can achieve these amazing results with little or no sensitivity at all.

The difference with Deep Bleaching is the results. Follow our Deep Bleaching guidelines, and your teeth will whiten beyond any other bleaching technique. Deep Bleaching works by revitalizing the tooth's own ability to absorb oxygen. Oxygen from AcquaBrite bleaching products is absorbed into the tooth and breaks down large dark stain molecules to small white particles. The results are amazing.

Implant dentistry is the most advanced therapy available to replace missing teeth. Dental implant restorations generally look, feel, and act like natural teeth. Dental implants may offer you important advantages compared to other treatment options. Improved health and enhanced appearance may both lead to greater self-confidence and a better quality of life. Ask us today if you are a candidate for dental implants. Benefits include improved quality of life and enhanced appearance.

Our practice is committed to bringing the safest and highest quality of care to our patients. The installation of our new digital X-ray system continues that commitment. Using the state-of-the-art DEXIS system enables us to provide greatly improved diagnostic capabilities to our patients while significantly lessening their exposure to radiation by up to 80 percent over the old film X-rays. We know this will be very important to many patients.

While traditional film X-rays have been the standard for diagnosing dental problems for the past 90 years, digital X-rays offer substantial benefits over film. Our patients find that the x-ray process is more comfortable than film. Digital x-rays are also a real time-saver over the old technology.

Digital X-ray technology also enables our patients to see their dental condition for themselves. The digital X-ray image is instantly displayed on a large computer screen and can be enhanced and magnified to show conditions such as cavities or structural weaknesses in teeth. It's a wonderful tool for helping patients fully understand their treatment options.

The Odyssey 2.4G Diode Laser from Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc. represents the latest diode laser technology available for soft tissue modification and preventive care. Featuring a unique fiber management system and the newest innovation, a wireless power control, the Odyssey 2.4G is the most efficient soft tissue laser in dentistry today.

Powering the design of the Odyssey 2.4G Diode Laser is a passion for better dentistry made possible through the use of the most sophisticated, precise, and minimally invasive technology available. The Odyssey 2.4G Diode Laser now enables dentists to easily and safely perform many soft tissue procedures that previously required referral to a specialist. The Odyssey 2.4G Diode Laser reduces postoperative healing time and yields fewer post-operative complications including instances of infection. It is used for minor surgical procedures, eliminating bacteria from the area during the procedure. Stitches are rarely needed for laser wounds and many soft tissue procedures around the gum tissue can be completed without anesthesia for greater patient acceptance and comfort.

Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible, custom-molded aligners. Invisalign uses breakthrough technology that lets you have the smile you've always wanted without the hassle of braces. By using a series of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth with fast results. The course of treatment involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks, moving your teeth into straighter positions step-by-step, until you have a more beautiful smile. And unlike braces, these clear aligners can be removed while you eat and brush your teeth as usual.

An average Invisalign course of treatment takes about a year. You'll see us every 6 to 8 weeks for adjustments and to check progress. At regular intervals, you'll receive a new set of custom-molded clear aligners to continue the straightening process. The total number of clear aligners is specific to you, determined by us for your course of treatment. Since Invisalign is practically invisible, there's no unwarranted attention to your mouth. In fact, very few people will notice at all - unless you tell them.

The MDI System consists of a miniature implant that acts like the root of your tooth with a retaining fixture incorporated into the base of your denture. The head of the implant is shaped like a ball, and the retaining fixture acts like a socket that contains a rubber O-ring. The O-ring snaps over the ball when the dentures are seated and holds the denture at a predetermined level of force. When seated, the denture rests gently on the gum tissue. The implant fixtures allow for micro-mobility while withstanding natural lifting forces.

Placement of the implants is accomplished quickly and easily in a process performed in our office, with local anesthesia or light sedation to help make you more comfortable. Using a precise, controlled, minimally invasive surgical technique, MDI Implants are placed into the jawbone. The heads of the implants protrude from the gum tissue and provide a strong, solid foundation for securing your dentures. It is a one-step procedure that involves minimally invasive surgery, no sutures, and a much shorter healing time.

Discover your permanently white, straight, natural-looking, beautiful smile with pain-free LUMINEERS. With ultra-thin, custom-designed LUMINEERS, your LUMINEERS Dentist can give you the beautiful smile you've always dreamed of, and unlike traditional veneers, LUMINEERS are minimally invasive. invasive. Benefit from: no shots, no pain*; no drilling of sensitive tooth structure*; custom-designed for your smile; proven to last over 20 years**; backed by a limited lifetime warranty and reversibility.

With Opalescence Xtra Boost, you will have whiter teeth before you leave our office. This product is so advanced; it does not require a laser or light for activation. Through enhanced chemical activation, we can now whiten your teeth without the bothersome heat or harmful ultraviolet rays. The product simply activates itself as it sits on your teeth. It's simple. It's easy. And in about an hour, you'll have noticeably whiter teeth.

We will take impressions of your teeth that will allow custom trays to be made for your bleaching procedure. The Opalescence gel is placed in thin, comfortable trays and fitted over your teeth. As you whiten your teeth, carbamide peroxide is broken down, and oxygen enters the enamel and dentin. This bleaches out the discolored areas. The structure of the tooth is not changed. The color of the tooth is simply made lighter.

Introducing Treswhite by Opalescence, the easiest, fastest, and the best-tasting way to put the white back in your smile. Whitening your teeth has never been easier. Treswhite's innovative, pre-loaded whitening trays are simply inserted onto your teeth for a comfortable fit. The thin membrane tray adheres to the teeth and remains securely in place for the 60 minute wear time. Yes, only 60 minutes, once a day. It's that easy.

The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe, effective, and fast - very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. Zoom! Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results. The speed and convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of wearing trays and gradual whitening makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.

The Zoom! Take-Home Whitening System just might be the fastest way to whiten teeth outside of a dentist's office. It's safe, fast, and effective. Teeth can be dramatically whiter in just three nights. Zoom! Take-Home is perfect for multi-taskers and people on the go. The Zoom! Take-Home Whitening System gives patients the power to whiten practically anywhere. This revolutionary patent-pending gel whitens teeth an average of six shades in three nights. The Zoom! Take-Home Whitening System utilizes custom made whitening trays. The trays are worn for four to eight hours, either during the day or at night. Most will see satisfying results within three applications, but each Zoom! Weekender Kit contains enough supplies for six applications.

You may not realize it, but even the tiniest spot of decay can mean trouble for your teeth. That's why we take such care to identify and fill cavities: it's the key to preventing all kinds of trouble down the road. In the past, diligent decay identification has required lengthy poking and prodding sessions. Unfortunately, even the best of such methods of decay detection is only 50% to 75% successful. Cavities can hide inside little fissures that occur on most back teeth. Further, mechanical exploratory methods typically find only those cavities that are equal to or larger than the probe head. For all of these reasons, we've recently invested in DIAGNOdent: a revolutionary new means of detecting cavities that gives us incredibly accurate and thorough information.

DIAGNOdent technology inspects your teeth using a simple laser diode, comparing reflection wavelength to a known healthy baseline wavelength, thus uncovering decay. The process is simple. First, we direct the laser onto a healthy enamel tooth surface to provide the benchmark reading. Then, we move the diode around your mouth, shining the laser into all suspect areas. As the laser pulses into grooves, fissures, and cracks, it reflects a specific wavelength of fluorescent light. At the same time, this light is measured by receptors, converted to an acoustic signal, evaluated electronically to reveal a value between one and 100, and displayed on a screen. Whenever the laser encounters a discrepancy between a tooth surface and the healthy baseline value, it stimulates emission of a different fluorescent light wavelength. A reading of 10-20 indicates that there has been some enamel softening, indicating a potential problem area that merits close monitoring. A reading of 21-100 indicates a definite area of decay requiring an immediate filling.

There is very little risk in dental X-rays. We are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. Lead aprons and high-speed film are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation.

Parents should take their children to the dentist regularly, beginning with the eruption of the first tooth. Then we can recommend a specific program of brushing, flossing, and other treatments for parents to supervise and teach to their children. These home treatments, when added to regular dental visits and a balanced diet, will help give your child a lifetime of healthy habits.

YES. Because our patients love us, they often refer their friends and family because they want to see them receive the same level of care. We are proud of the confidence our patients have placed in us by being a referral only based practice.

In order to treat each and every patient, as an individual with unique dental needs it is vital to completely assess their current oral health. We perform an oral cancer screening; we look at muscles and joints that open and close the mouth. We will look at your teeth, and your gums and bone that hold the teeth (the periodontium). We then take photos and x-rays when necessary. With this information, we can determine the type of treatment that is right for you.

The most important part of brushing your teeth is the technique used. Toothpaste is important for what it supplies: fluoride and tartar control. Be careful of the whitening brands because some are abrasive and they can remove enamel from teeth.

After testing numerous brushes, we have concluded that electric, if used, is the best. We usually recommend electric toothbrushes because of their design, ease of use, and availability. There are numerous models on the market that work well. If you have a question about a specific brand, please ask us.

We realize that even though dental care has come a long way in terms of patient comfort, there are still those with concerns and fears. Dental care should not be an unpleasant experience, so we provide a full array of options for those patients. We offer several techniques to help you relax so please ask us about the different methods we offer.