Dr. Mesa is from Mandeville, LA and a graduate of St. Pauls High School. He attended University of Colorado at Boulder for his undergraduate degree then studied dentistry at LSU School of Dentistry to receive his DDS. He was accepted into the Pediatric Dentistry Residency program at Childrens National Medical Center in Washington, DC, which is continuously ranked as one of the nations best pediatric hospitals. During his residency, he was selected to serve as the Chief Resident. He has received numerous leadership and honorary awards during his training and has even published a scientific research paper during his time in school. Dr. Mesa also has a strong desire to make a difference with patients with special needs. Having grown up with an older brother with autism and epilepsy, this is something that is very close to his heart. He has always been deeply committed to ensuring that the best possible dental treatment is extended and equally accessible to patients with special healthcare needs. When not taking care of your children, Dr. Tyler and his girlfriend, Kristin, love cooking, traveling, global dental outreach, and spending time outdoors with their fur babies, Luna and Louis.

We know Dr. Mesa is the associate our practice has been waiting for and we are so excited for him to be part of our family. We look forward to all of you meeting him and many years of him contributing to the success of our practice.

Sealants are a preventive measure recommended for permanent molars. There are times they are recommended for baby molars as well. Even if your child is very diligent about brushing and flossing, it is nearly impossible to clean the tiny grooves of these teeth. Food and bacteria get trapped and begin to cause decay. The sealant is a shaded plastic applied to the biting surface of these molars and help to keep them cavity free. The sealants, however, do not prevent decay between the teeth. Therefore, it is still very important to keep up with daily flossing.

It is recommended that your child get X-rays of the molar teeth once per year. This detects cavities developing between the teeth. There are also times when additional X-rays will be suggested. Some of these may include a Panorex or Periapical Films. These are needed to survey erupting teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment. In short, X-rays allow dentists to diagnose and treat conditions that cannot be detected during a clinical examination. When these problems or conditions are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable and affordable. At our office we also take special care to minimize the exposure of your child to radiation. Lead body aprons and shields help protect your child. Not to mention, today's equipment restricts the X-ray beam to the area of interest. This, along with our use of digital X-rays, assures that your child receives a minimal amount of radiation exposure.

The EZ-Pedo crown is a Zirconia crown. It is all white and is a great alternative to Stainless Steel Crowns. Zirconia is said to be the high-tech ceramic of the future. It is virtually indestructible, like no other dental material. This crown is very natural and esthetic. That means that most will not even know that it is there. 'With vibrant, natural beauty, EZ-Pedo crowns are making a revolutionary change in pediatric dentistry. Built for looks and engineered for success, our crowns are the perfect answer when a crown is required. But esthetics is a priority.' We have found that more insurance companies are covering this treatment option just as they would the Stainless Steel Crown. Dr. Brausell will let you know if this option is right for your child.

Baby teeth are important to your child's present and future dental health. They encourage normal development of the jaw, bones, and muscles. These teeth also save space for the permanent teeth and guide them into position. Some baby teeth do not fall out until a child is between 12 and 14 years of age. A Space Maintainer is used when a baby tooth is lost too soon. When this happens the teeth beside the empty space may drift into that space. Also, the teeth on the other jaw may move up or down to fill the gap. This takes away the space for the permanent teeth and can cause more extensive orthodontic treatment in the future. The Space Maintainer is used to hold open the empty space left by a lost tooth. This prevents movement of the remaining teeth until the permanent tooth takes its natural position in the jaw. This form of treatment is easier for the child and more affordable then trying to move the teeth back in place with orthodontic treatment later.

Sedation may be recommended for children with a level of anxiety that prevents good coping skills, those who are very young and do not understand how to cope in a cooperative fashion, or those requiring extensive dental treatment. Sedation can also be helpful for children with special needs. Sedation is used for a child 's safety and comfort during dental procedures. Sedation also promotes a better environment for providing dental care. Various medications can be used to sedate a child. Medicines will be selected based upon your child 's overall health, level of anxiety, and dental treatment recommendations. Dr. Brasuell uses conscious sedation effectively by following the sedation guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Brasuell will discuss sedation options and patient monitoring for the safety and comfort of your child. Some important details will be given to you prior to your visit that you should read through very thoroughly. A very important fact to remember is that your child will often perceive a parent 's anxiety which makes them more fearful. Please never use words that connect to fear of pain. Here at Dr. Brasuell 's office we do not say things like hurt, pinch, or shot. Your child, in most cases, is unaware of all that is involved and we do our best to keep it that way. If you have questions, please call and we can assist you with our 'child friendly' terms that are appropriate for your child 's dental visit. Always let us know if your child becomes ill. It may be necessary to reschedule your child 's visit. Also, make us aware if your child is taking any over-the-counter or prescribed medications.

We are especially interested in making all our patients feel right at home! We put your needs first to achieve efficient and comprehensive treatment. Our staff is trained and skilled, and we strive to provide energetic and fun-loving service to each patient. Each member of our team is CPR certified, and our office staff has years of experience in treating patients with the highest level of care. We strive to stay abreast of the latest in technological advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars.

We have a practice that creates a safe, fun, and rewarding atmosphere for both children and their parents. From the moment you step into the office you are surrounded by the jungle. The children will quickly find their way to the gaming area. There they will have the option of playing our touch screen games or relaxing and watching a movie. We even take requests for the movie. Our goal is to make the children feel comfortable and at home.

Your dental plan may not cover some preventative procedures that can save you money later, such as sealants or certain x-rays. This in no way means these treatments are unnecessary. Dr Brasuell can help you decide what treatments are best for your child. Dr Brasuell bases his recommendations on dental health, not insurance benefits.

As a courtesy to our patients, we will bill most insurance companies for services and allow 60 days for them to render payment. After this time you will be responsible for the balance. Your dental plan is designed to share in your dental care costs and may only cover a portion of your bill. It is meant to help you insure your investment in your child's dental health. We realize that understanding what your dental plan will cover can be difficult and we would be more than happy to answer any questions we can. Please keep in mind your coverage and benefits are ultimately between you and your insurance company. If at any time you have questions, please feel free to call our insurance coordinator.