Cosmetic dentistry is all about working with what the patient has and improving it to enhance the overall appearance of the patient’s face and smile. For some patients this means simply correcting a broken tooth, or whitening dulling dental enamel. For other patients, however—like our patient Debra—cosmetic treatment involves completely transforming the patient’s smile.

 

Debra came to our Saint Louis cosmetic dentists with a number of concerns about her smile. Her dental enamel appeared dark and stained, she had a few chipped teeth, and her top teeth were crooked and misaligned. Debra was desperate for a cosmetic solution, but she wasn’t sure that it was even possible to transform her smile. Our cosmetic dentists explained to Debra that using porcelain veneers we could give her a smile makeover that would make her feel confident and take years off of the appearance of her teeth.

 

Dental veneers are thin, translucent layers of porcelain that are attached to existing teeth. These veneers recover the outer surface of the tooth—allowing cosmetic dentists to rectify a variety of aesthetic problems with one treatment. Dental veneers can:

 

·      Make cracked or chipped teeth appear whole

·      Close gaps between teeth

·      Whiten a dull smile

·      Reshape disproportioned teeth

·      Lengthen or widen an oddly shaped tooth

 

Debra ultimately chose dental veneers because she wouldn’t have to go through years of cosmetic treatment to realize her dream smile. For her this treatment was live changing. In just a few appointments we were able to transform Debra’s smile using dental veneers. She left our office with a white, straight, and natural-looking smile that she was proud to show off. Dental veneers are an incredibly versatile cosmetic treatment, suitable for many different patients and cosmetic concerns. Our Saint Louis cosmetic dentists can give your more information; just call (314) 332-1307.

We all feel better when we get a good, restful night’s sleep. Anything that disrupts your sleep—from a fire alarm in the middle of the night to jarring snoring—can keep you from getting a full restorative night’s sleep. Many patients with sleep apnea are suffering from constant fatigue, memory problems, and irritability due to poor quality sleep. These problems are obviously serious, and they become even scarier when we realize that over time these problems can compound and cause long-term health problems.

 

Sleep apnea can deprive the body of necessary oxygen. Some patients stop breathing for minutes at a time at night without even knowing it. Additionally, the increased stress and tension from sleep apnea can cause increased adrenaline levels. Consequently, sleep apnea may increase a patient’s risk for a variety of health problems in the future, including:

 

·      Severe headaches

·      Asthma and other respiratory problems

·      Hypertension

·      Heart disease

·      Stroke

·      Diabetes

·      Weight gain

·      Coronary artery disease

·      Memory problems

 

Sleep apnea complications are caused by oxygen deprivation, chronically disturbed sleep, or a combination of these two factors. Our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentists are able to diagnose your sleep apnea dysfunction and tailor treatment to meet your needs and restore optimal nighttime breathing.

 

Sleep apnea is treatable, and the sooner you seek a sleep apnea solution the less likely it is that you’ll suffer form long-term complications. Our office offers simple, non-invasive sleep apnea solutions—like dental appliances—to treat your condition easily and comfortably. Give our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentists a call if you have any questions or you’d like to schedule and appointment—(314) 332-1307.

Let’s face it, we aren’t all blessed enough to be born with a sparkling white, Hollywood smile. But to be honest, few people are—that’s why there are so many effective cosmetic dentistry treatments available for patients of all ages! If you’ve noticed that your smile is looking dull, dark, or dingy you should know that you have options. There’s no reason to live with a smile that you don’t love.

 

Now we can’t control all tooth discoloration—some staining is inevitable either from environmental factors or aging dental enamel. As we age our teeth naturally accumulate stains and dental enamel becomes thinner and consequently less white. Depending on your situation you may benefit from some of the following cosmetic treatments.

 

Teeth whitening: teeth whitening treatments remove stains and debris from dental enamel by cleaning the teeth thoroughly. Professional dental cleanings, scaling, and planing can all whiten the appearance of dental enamel. Daily oral hygienic maintenance is important for keeping a white smile, and a professional cleaning can further elevate your smile’s whiteness.

 

Teeth bleaching: teeth bleaching treatments utilize hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to bleach dental enamel. Professional teeth bleaching treatments are administered by our Saint Louis cosmetic dentists in-office, and we also offer take-home formulations to keep teeth sparkling.

 

Dental veneers: veneers are thin layers of porcelain that are affixed directly to teeth, effectively resurfacing the appearance of enamel. Veneers can be truly transformative; they are especially useful for patients with staining that is resistant to traditional whitening and bleaching methods.

 

Teeth whitening cosmetic treatment can take years off of the appearance of your smile. If your teeth are looking old and worn down, don’t hesitate to take action with cosmetic treatment. Give our Saint Louis cosmetic dentists a call if you have any questions—(314) 332-1307.

When a patient loses a tooth it can be a traumatic experience both physically and emotionally. Many patients feel less inclined to smile with missing teeth—they don’t feel confident about the way they look or speak. Additionally, missing teeth can lead to serious health complications. Patients with missing teeth may put neighboring, healthy teeth at risk, because they have to change the way they chew and bite, which causes wear, tear, and stress on healthy teeth and gums.

 

The good news is that if you’re missing one tooth or multiple teeth you have options to restore your smile and help you speak and smile confidently. One popular tooth replacement option is the denture. With complete our partial dentures you can have a natural-looking, functional smile again.

 

Complete Dentures: complete dentures are used when all of a patient’s teeth are missing. These dentures fit over the gum line and restore the appearance and functionality of a full set of teeth. Our Saint Louis Dentures dentists custom-fit complete dentures to adhere snugly and comfortably to your gums.

 

Partial Dentures: partial dentures are used when we are replacing teeth around an intact natural tooth. Partial dentures can be used in either the upper or lower jaw, and they are removable. Partial dentures are attached to adjacent natural teeth to prevent them from moving out of place (and also to prevent the natural teeth from moving).

 

Many patients prefer dentures because they are fairly easy to care for, and do not require surgery. Additionally, with modern technology both partial and complete dentures can look natural and blend with your existing teeth. If you or someone you know has suffered the loss of a tooth, give our Saint Louis denture dentists a call to learn more about complete and partial dentures, we’re here to help— (314) 332-1307.

Our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentists are treating more and more patients who are suffering from the dangerous condition sleep apnea. The surprising part? Most of those patients don’t even realize that sleep apnea is the cause of their problems! If you have the flu you have a fever, if you have an infected tooth you will most likely have chronic pain at the infection site—but if you’re suffering from sleep apnea you may experience a variety of confusing symptoms. Today I’m going to review some sleep apnea symptoms to look out for. If you experience any of these, talk to your dentist—the sooner you treat sleep apnea the less likely it is that you’ll suffer from irreversible complications.

 

So what should I be looking out for?

Some sleep apnea symptoms are more obvious—these symptoms are disruptive, sometimes even scary:

• Leg swelling
• Sweating and chest pain at night
• Choking or gasping during sleep

Other warning signs are more general symptoms of exhaustion:

• Chronic daytime sleepiness
• Irritability
• Memory problems
• Headaches—especially in the morning or night

Some other symptoms are disruptive for both the sleep apnea suffered and his or her bed partner:

• Loud snoring
• Restless tossing and turning at night
• Frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom

If or your partner suffers from any of these symptoms, feel free to give our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentists a call. We can answer your questions or schedule an appointment to get you on the track to sleeping soundly again! Call (314) 332-1307.

Going to the dentist is a scary proposition for many patients. Some people have negative memories from old dental experiences—may they dealt with a lot of pain during treatment, or as children they didn’t understand what was happening at the dentist’s office.  I understand that it can be difficult to motivate yourself to get to the dentist, which is why our Kirkwood sedation dentists actively work with patients to minimize their anxiety and help them get the treatment they need.

Oral conscious sedation is an innovative treatment option that effectively addresses dental anxiety, fear, and pain through every phase of treatment. With oral conscious sedation, you don’t have to deal with any IVs or intimidating machines. You will simply take a small pill before treatment to alleviate your anxiety. Many patients choose oral conscious sedation because it is straightforward, easy to undergo, and effective through every stage of treatment.  

Before Treatment

Before your procedure you will take a small pill. This pill will help you feel relaxed and a little drowsy going in to your appointment. Before treatment, when you are still aware and anxious, you won’t have to endure any sedation shots or IVs.

During Treatment

During your procedure, you will technically be awake—you’ll even be able to answer questions and respond to our dental team. You will feel relaxed and peaceful, and after your sedation takes effect, you may receive additional pain management and anti-anxiety remedies.  

After Your Procedure

Once your treatment is completed you will go home (with a trusted ride!) to rest and allow the sedative effects to wear off. You probably won’t remember anything about your procedure—most patients report that they find themselves relaxing at home, amazed that they drifted through their dental treatment without a care!

Oral conscious sedation is a good option for many patients who experience intense dental phobia.  This treatment option is effective and stress-free for patients. Give us a call if you any questions about oral conscious sedation, we’re here to help—(314) 332-1307 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (314) 332-1307      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Dentures are a tried and true tooth replacement solution. Although they have been used for years, the modern incarnations of dentures are more comfortable, natural looking, and long lasting than ever before. Unlike other tooth replacement options, such as dental implants, dentures require some special care to keep them looking and feeling good.

Maintaining dentures is simply a matter of cleaning your dentures and your mouth and natural teeth appropriately. In order for your dentures to fit well and feel comfortable, your gum tissue and natural teeth must be healthy as well. Here are some recommendations from our Saint Louis dentures dentists:

·       After you eat, remove your dentures and take the time to rinse them out. This will help to flush out particles of food that were trapped by your dentures, so they won’t irritate your gums or contribute to infection.

·       Once a day clean your dentures with a denture cleaner. Don’t use harsh or abrasive tools; a simple soft-bristled brush will suffice. Just as it’s important to clean your teeth twice a day, you have to thoroughly clean your dentures at least once a day.

·       Soak your dentures in mild dentures solution overnight. If your dentures have metal parts you should check with your dentist to determine the best way to store your dentures overnight.

If you choose to pursue dentures as a tooth replacement solution, our Saint Louis dentures dentists can help you understand how to care for your specific dentures. The important thing to know is that by incorporating only a few simple hygienic steps you can maintain your dentures for years. Give us a call for more information or to schedule an appointment at (314) 332-1307, we’re here to help you enjoy a happy, healthy smile!

Last week I met with a regular patient of mine, Tricia. Tricia recently experienced a dental trauma, in which she lost three teeth. Tricia considered a number of tooth replacement options, weighing the pros and cons of each. One treatment she was particularly excited about was dental implant therapy.

A dental implant is an innovative tooth replacement option that actually mimics the natural feel and structure of teeth. Dental implants are comprised of three parts that together allow a patient to enjoy an attractive and functional smile.

The Root: this part of the dental implant is made of titanium or titanium alloy. The dental implant root is surgically implanted into the jawbone in phase of one of the treatment process. These titanium screws replace the tooth root, providing a strong foundation for the abutment and dental restoration.

Abutment: this portion of the implant connects the implant root to the dental crown. The abutment allows the crown to fit securely on the dental implant root, and it contributes to the exceptional stability and longevity of dental implants.

Crown: this part of the dental implant resembles a natural tooth. It is secured to the abutment in phase two of the dental implants process. The crown is made of porcelain or composite resin, and it will blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.

After considering her options, Tricia chose to replace her teeth with durable dental implants. She is thrilled with the results—she can now eat her favorite foods and smile with confidence again. Our Kirkwood dental implant dentists designed Tricia’s implant to fit her specific smile, for a natural-looking result. If you’d like more information about dental implants, or if you have any questions about tooth replacement options in general, don’t hesitate to give our Kirkwood dental implant dentists a call—(314) 332-1307.

Welcome to our new dental blog! I’ll be using this space to discuss innovative developments in dental technology, provide more information on what’s happening in our practice, and answer common patient questions. As you consider your dental options, I hope that you’ll find this is a useful resource.

This first blog post is devoted to a hugely popular cosmetic concern for many patients—how to get (and keep) white teeth. I’d like to briefly discuss how teeth become discolored in the first place, and then review some ways to combat dark, dingy dental enamel.

First, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no “right” level of whiteness for dental enamel. Different patients naturally have different shades of dental enamel—some people are born with teeth that have a slightly yellower tint, for example. Therefore, when evaluating your own smile, remember that teeth bleaching treatments can actually whiten enamel beyond its natural white. So if you feel like your teeth were never brilliantly white, bleaching may be an option to explore.

Additionally, there are foods and drinks that discolor dental enamel. Some common culprits include tea, coffee, red wine and soft drinks. Both chewing tobacco and smoking tobacco also stain teeth. It’s best to enjoy discoloring drinks in moderation, and avoid tobacco all together in order to minimize staining. You can also brush or rinse directly after consuming staining substances.

It seems that more patients than ever are looking to rejuvenate their teeth and brighten their smiles. Luckily, teeth bleaching treatments are fast, non-invasive, and effective. Our St. Louis County Cosmetic Dentist Office offers a variety of teeth whitening and bleaching treatments that can be administered in-office or at home.

Working with a professional dentist to whiten your smile is the best way to ensure that you get stunning results. With a cosmetic dentist’s help, you can achieve a natural-looking, brilliant smile— avoiding a “too white” fake looking smile and tooth sensitivity. Our Kirkwood cosmetic dentists are here to answer any questions you may have about tooth discoloration and teeth whitening options. Don’t hesitate to give us a call— (314) 332-1307.

Please check back soon!