A finished smile in profile, photographed at Kerst & Caskey Family Dentistry in Shreveport.

Your teeth, examined as one system.

Comprehensive, relationship-based family dentistry on Line Avenue in Shreveport. Dr. Jeffrey Kerst and Dr. Gary Caskey bring over 50 years of combined experience to every exam.

Line Avenue, Shreveport 50+

years of combined experience, and fellowships in three international honor societies of dentistry.

Fellowships and leadership held by our doctors

The Pankey InstituteDirector, Dr. KerstAmerican College of DentistsFellow, Dr. KerstInternational College of DentistsFellow, Dr. KerstPierre Fauchard AcademyFellows, both doctorsLouisiana Dental AssociationDirector, Dr. Kerst
The Kerst & Caskey Family Dentistry sign at 8789 Line Avenue, Shreveport.
The front desk at Kerst & Caskey Family Dentistry.

A first visit here is 60 to 90 minutes. Teeth, gums, bite and jaw joints are examined as one connected system, and care is planned over time, not tooth by tooth.

It is how we want to be treated, so it is how we treat you.

Office tour

8789 Line Avenue, Shreveport.

A single-story brick office on Line Avenue, with parking at the front door. These are the rooms you will actually sit in.

★★★★★
Since my first visit many years ago (circa 2010) when I had a dental emergency, Dr. Caskey and the entire team have consistently provided outstanding care with genuine compassion and professionalism. My entire family has become life-long patients, and I would recommend this dentist and team to anyone. Tim GilmoreGoogle review
The waiting room at Kerst & Caskey, with armchairs and an aquarium.
Waiting-room chairs beneath two colorful paintings.
A quiet seating corner beside the aquarium.
A treatment room with a window, a dental chair and a framed painting.
Dr. Jeffrey Kerst, wearing loupes, working behind a glass shield.
2024
Dr. Kerst earned The Pankey Institute’s Mastery in Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry.

Meet your dentists

Dr. Jeffrey Kerst, DDS

A Director and Platinum Alumnus of The Pankey Institute, one of the most respected advanced dental education organizations in North America. He speaks nationally to dental students and early-career dentists on aesthetic dentistry, TMJ disorders, occlusion and leadership.

  • Director, The Pankey InstituteA Platinum Alumnus, having completed the Institute’s full multi-year curriculum, plus its Mastery of Occlusal Equilibration and TMD & Orofacial Pain Focus curriculum.
  • Fellow of three honor societiesThe American College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the International College of Dentists.
  • Director, Louisiana Dental AssociationServes on the Board of the state association.
  • LSU School of Dentistry, 2019Graduated with honors in Leadership, and received the Louisiana Dental Association’s Outstanding Senior Dental Student Award.

And Dr. Caskey, in private practice since 1983.

Born and raised in Shreveport, Dr. Gary Caskey has cared for families across Shreveport, Bossier City and the Ark-La-Tex for more than four decades. His focus is family dentistry, restorative dentistry and the comprehensive exam.

Dr. Jeffrey Kerst, DDS, smiling, in a blue checked shirt.
Comprehensive, restorative & aesthetic dentistry

Dr. Jeffrey Kerst, DDS

Graduated from LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans with honors in Leadership and the Louisiana Dental Association’s Outstanding Senior Dental Student Award. A Director and Platinum Alumnus of The Pankey Institute, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the International College of Dentists, and a Director of the Louisiana Dental Association.

Off the clock: Grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is an Eagle Scout. Spent four years as an NCAA / NISOA collegiate soccer referee.

LSU School of Dentistry, 2019

Dr. Gary Caskey, DDS, smiling, in navy scrubs.
Family, restorative & comprehensive dentistry

Dr. Gary Caskey, DDS

Born and raised in Shreveport: Captain Shreve High School, Louisiana Tech, then LSU School of Dentistry. In private practice since 1983. A Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, a former Director of the Louisiana Dental Association, and more than two decades on the editorial board of its Journal.

Off the clock: A licensed pilot who has flown his own plane as far east as Key West and as far west as Anchorage, Alaska.

LSU School of Dentistry, 1983

In the same building: Dr. Allison Haynie Kerst, a board-certified orthodontist, at Kerst Orthodontics.

Dentistry in Shreveport, LA

For the whole family, under one roof.

Preventive, children’s, restorative and cosmetic dentistry, full mouth rehabilitation, TMJ treatment and sleep apnea appliances, for adults and children.

A natural-looking smile restored at Kerst & Caskey.

Restorative dentistry & implants

Fillings, crowns, bridges and implant crowns, keeping your own teeth wherever possible. Implants are planned and restored here and placed by a trusted local specialist.

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A close view of healthy upper front teeth.

Exams, cleanings & gum care

A cleaning every six months for most adults and children, using the EMS Airflow (Guided Biofilm Therapy) with traditional scaling, and periodontal care for gum disease.

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A mother holding her smiling baby.

Children’s dentistry

A first visit by the first birthday, fluoride and sealants, and gentle fillings with voice control rather than medication.

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A full, even smile after a smile remake at Kerst & Caskey.

Full mouth rehabilitation

Worn, broken or missing teeth and a bite that no longer works, rebuilt as one multi-disciplinary plan rather than one tooth at a time.

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A patient laughing, photographed at Kerst & Caskey.

Dentures

Custom-made to replace the lost teeth and the gum around them, so you can chew, speak and smile comfortably again.

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A smile after porcelain veneers with Dr. Jeffrey Kerst.

Veneers, whitening & bonding

Porcelain veneers planned with a digital smile design, whitening in the office or at home, and bonding and contouring for chips and gaps.

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How we do it differently.

Implants, restored here

Single teeth, bridges and full-arch All-on-X restorations, typically four to six implants per arch, on FDA-cleared systems including ZimVie and Straumann.

No same-day implants

A staged protocol with healing time between extraction and placement, for predictable bone integration and a bite designed to last.

Veneers built on the bite

Lithium disilicate or feldspathic porcelain, with the occlusion balanced before any porcelain is placed. Typically two to three visits.

Kind to gums

Guided Biofilm Therapy removes plaque and stain comfortably and helps manage periodontal disease, including bone loss.

TMJ & sleep apnea

Jaw pain, headaches, grinding? Start with a diagnosis.

Over 190 different conditions count as TMJ disorders, and most respond to conservative, non-surgical care: custom night guards, occlusal appliances and bite adjustment. Surgery is rarely needed, and same-day relief is available at the first visit. For mild-to-moderate sleep apnea, we also fit oral appliances as an alternative to CPAP.

  1. A clinical exam of the muscles, range of motion and joints
  2. Occlusal analysis of how your teeth meet and move
  3. BioJVA screening, and in-office CBCT when 3D imaging is needed
  4. Photographs and records to measure progress over time
Clear 3D-printed night guards made for TMJ treatment.
A 3D-printed night guard, made for TMJ treatment.

Technology

Better tools, and a dentist still in charge.

Artificial intelligence and 3D imaging are tools, not replacements for clinical judgment. We use what we trust, understand its limits, and keep the clinician as the one making decisions.

In-office CBCT

Cone beam 3D imaging of the jaw joints, implant sites and complex cases, at far lower radiation than a medical CT, with results the same day.

BioJVA

Joint Vibration Analysis: small sensors measure how each jaw joint vibrates as you open and close. Non-invasive, and under five minutes.

Overjet AI x-ray analysis

FDA-cleared software that helps find cavities and measure bone loss on radiographs. The dentist still makes every decision.

EMS Airflow

Guided Biofilm Therapy for cleanings and periodontal care, comfortable and efficient.

Digital smile design

A 3D mock-up of the proposed result, so shape, length and proportion are agreed before any tooth is changed.

SprintRay 3D printing

3D printing with SprintRay printers, one of the ways we put new technology to work.

Intraoral cameras

Clear, enlarged images of what the dentist is looking at, on a screen you can see.

Digital radiographs

Digital x-rays as part of every comprehensive new-patient exam.

Children’s dentistry

A dental home from the very first tooth.

The first visit should come by the first birthday, or as soon as the first tooth erupts. It is relaxed and playful, because a child who is happy at the dentist grows up with better dental health.

  1. Check-ups, cleanings and the first visit
  2. Fluoride and sealants, backed by scientific data
  3. Gentle fillings, with voice control rather than medication
  4. Growth and development monitoring as the jaws change

If a child needs sedation or care beyond our scope, we refer to board-certified pediatric dentists in the area.

A toddler in a blue shirt sitting in a dental chair at Kerst & Caskey.
First visits are about getting to know the chair.

New patients welcome

Your first visit is a real examination.

New-patient comprehensive exams take 60 to 90 minutes, with one-on-one time with Dr. Kerst or Dr. Caskey. Patients of all ages are welcome.

  1. Digital x-rays and a comprehensive oral evaluation
  2. An occlusal evaluation of your bite and jaw joints
  3. An oral cancer screening
  4. Intraoral camera images and AI-assisted x-ray analysis
The single-story brick office of Kerst & Caskey Family Dentistry, with parking in front.
8789 Line Avenue, Shreveport. Parking is right at the door.

Insurance

We are out-of-network and fee-for-service, and we file all private PPO dental plans on your behalf. For most PPO plans, a typical patient pays the same out of pocket as at an in-network office, or sometimes less.

Not being contracted means nobody tells us how long your appointment can be, or which materials and labs to use.

No insurance? The membership plan.

An annual subscription covering two routine cleanings, four exams, all annual x-rays and an oral cancer screening, plus discounts on any other treatment during the year.

No deductibles, no annual maximums, no claims to file.

Pay your bill

Existing patients can pay online. Choose your dentist:

Questions about a bill? Call (318) 865-1600.

Rated 5.0 out of 5 on Google

In our patients’ own words.

★★★★★
Dr. Kerst is truly the best of the best! I cannot recommend him highly enough. Not only is he an exceptional dentist, but he is also a genuinely kind and caring person. He and his entire staff consistently go above and beyond to make every visit a great experience. Sara MooreGoogle review
★★★★★
Dr. Kerst is a true gem. He is kind, honest, professional, and keeps his office updated with the latest developments and technology involving dental care. He is personable and takes his time, to answer questions and educate his patients. Tammie BenoitGoogle review
★★★★★
Always great service at Dr. Kerst’s office. Love Jennifer our dental hygienist and love the front desk staff. Full service office and very pleasant. Efficient and easy to work with. Kate YoungGoogle review
★★★★★
My family all see Dr. Jeffrey Kerst and now my kids will be seeing Dr. Allison Kerst for orthodontia. The employees are like a family and they treat my family like their own! Lindsey GaskinsGoogle review
★★★★★
Dr. Kerst has been incredible with my family. He and his team are incredibly dedicated to their patients, and I will forever appreciate the kindness and attention to detail that he provided when I had to get a dental implant. Michael M.Birdeye review
★★★★★
Dr. Kerst and his hygienist are great! Always kind, welcoming, and thorough! lyndsey batesGoogle review

Common questions

What people ask before they book.

How often should I get a cleaning?

Every six months for most healthy adults and children. Patients with gum disease need periodontal therapy to manage it. Our hygienists use the EMS Airflow system (Guided Biofilm Therapy) to remove plaque and stain, together with traditional scaling.

Do you accept my dental insurance?

We are an out-of-network, fee-for-service practice, not contracted with any insurance company. We file all private PPO dental plans on your behalf, and for most PPO plans a typical patient pays the same out of pocket as at an in-network office, or sometimes less.

I do not have dental insurance. What are my options?

Our in-house membership plan is an annual subscription covering two routine cleanings, four exams, all annual x-rays and an oral cancer screening, with discounts on any other treatment during the year. No deductibles, no annual maximums and no claims to file.

Do I need a referral to see Dr. Kerst for TMJ?

No. We see TMJ patients directly. If you have had imaging or a TMJ workup elsewhere, bring those records to your first visit.

Do you do same-day implants?

No. We follow a staged protocol with healing time between extraction and implant placement, which allows predictable bone integration and bite design.

When should my child first see a dentist?

By the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth coming in. The first visit is relaxed and playful, and designed to make the dental office a familiar place.

Does insurance cover porcelain veneers?

Usually not, because veneers are classed as cosmetic. When a veneer replaces a structurally compromised tooth, some plans provide partial coverage, and we file the claim for any portion that may be covered.

Do you have a CBCT scanner in the office?

Yes. We use in-office cone beam CT for 3D imaging of the jaw joints, dental implant planning and complex restorative cases, and the images are available the same day.

Visit us

Look for the brick sign on Line Avenue.

Hours
Monday
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Book a new patient visit, and we will call you back.

Tell us a little about what you need and our team will contact you to confirm a time. If you are in pain, please call instead. Please do not send private health information through this form.

Prefer to pick a time yourself? Book online.

✓ Accepting new patients ✓ PPO claims filed for you ✓ Membership plan