If your crooked teeth make you uncomfortable with your smile, but feel distressed at the thought of having metal braces, you should talk with your Overland Park, KS dentist about Invisalign. With Invisalign, you can discreetly correct your alignment flaws with clear plastic aligners, instead of an affixed bracket-and-wire appliance. At the end of your treatment, you can show off a smile that is free of flaws caused by overlaps and spaces. You should know that in addition to affecting the way you look, crooked teeth may interfere with your bite function. This will raise your potential risk for issues that can lead to TMJ dysfunction, and may cause excessive wear and tear to accumulate on certain teeth. (more…)
Reviewing The Health Of Your Teeth And Gums During A Checkup
Taking great care of your smile on a daily basis will provide you with key support against oral health troubles. When you put time and effort into brushing and flossing effectively, you can remove oral bacteria and food particles that might cause damage to your smile. While this daily support is needed, it should not replace regular dental exams with your Overland Park, KS dentist. At these exams, your dentist can closely and thoroughly examine your teeth and gums. You also receive a professional teeth cleaning that can help you remove tartar, something that is not removable through your daily care. Patients who attend these visits are less likely to suffer advanced issues with tooth decay, or gum disease. (more…)
Quiz: Why You Need To Worry About Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea
During a routine dental visit, you might be surprised at how many issues your Overland Park, KS dentist can address. Beyond focusing on the health of your teeth, and your gums, your dentist can also help with matters that affect your ability to sleep. If you experience chronic fatigue, have trouble concentrating throughout the day, and habitually snore, you should say so during a checkup. These problems are all symptoms a person can have if they are dealing with sleep apnea. When left untreated, sleep apnea can put you at risk for issues that affect your blood pressure, and other ongoing health troubles you may have. A custom appliance can be made to help you recover from sleep apnea. This oral insert can also be used to help you stop snoring at night. (more…)
Managing Dental Anxieties During Restorative Work
When a dental problem affects your smile, your Overland Park, KS dentist can provide restorative dental care that fully addresses the matter. The goal during any procedure that addresses something like tooth decay, or physical harm to a tooth, is to put a stop to discomfort, and make sure the tooth has lasting support. With that said, your dentist is also committed to providing a modern approach to care that takes a patient’s comfort into consideration. If you suffer from dental anxiety, the idea of being comfortable in the dentist’s chair may seem far-fetched. What you should know is that through sedation dentistry, you can feel at ease during a procedure. Dental sedation through nitrous oxide, or an oral sedative, can make a significant difference to someone who struggles with anxiety. (more…)
Show Off A Stunning Smile Thanks To Porcelain Veneers
Is one cosmetic dental procedure really enough to transform your smile? When you have porcelain veneers placed, you can cover up many different concerns, and make a remarkable improvement to how you look. Your veneers can be designed and placed over the span of just two appointments. Your first appointment is concentrated on preparatory work. This is an important step, as it involves taking measurements of your teeth – to look their best, veneers need to be a custom fit. Once your veneers are ready, they can be permanently bonded to your teeth. The reason so many people elect to have veneers placed is that they can hide many different problems. Your smile will look brighter, healthier, and more uniform once this cosmetic procedure is complete. (more…)
Stop Periodontal Problems Before Your Condition Worsens
When a person fails to take care of a periodontal problem in time, their condition will grow worse. Unfortunately, advanced gum disease can serve as a difficult threat to your oral health. One problem this condition causes is a heightened chance of tooth loss – complications from gum disease lead all other causes for adult tooth loss. Your periodontal troubles can start when a buildup of plaque and tartar at your gum line allow for an infection of these tissues. When the problem is identified by your dentist, they can perform an ultrasonic scaling and root planing. For those people whose problems are caught in time, this can reverse their condition. If your problems are more advanced, this can be the first step in a plan to provide ongoing support for your periodontal issues. (more…)
Selecting The Most Effective Means For Whitening Your Teeth
When you want to improve the color of your smile, selecting the right approach to treatment can mean the difference between a disappointing outcome, and amazing results. What option will best serve you? Many people have tried to fix stains by using over the counter whitening agents, but they have been disappointed by the results, as these products typically only remove surface stains. A professional whitening treatment can reach stains that are below the surface of teeth, so the changes you see are more dynamic. Your dentist can provide you with a whitening kit to take home, or you can schedule an appointment for an in-office treatment. (more…)
How Long Can I Wait Before Having My Cavity Treated?
Do you need to seek immediate help with a cavity, or can you hold off on treatment? When it comes to restorative dental work, you should understand that putting off care can put you at risk for developing worrying complications. If you have your cavity treated promptly, your dentist may determine that only a dental filling is required. If you continue to put off care until you experience dental pain, the necessary care may involve a root canal procedure. If you want to delay cavity care, be mindful of how much harm tooth decay can really do to you. A cavity can lead to the loss of your tooth, and it can lead to the spread of bacteria from your tooth’s root to your jawbone, and to other teeth! (more…)
How Invisalign Can Help You With Cosmetic Smile Issues
Cosmetic problems caused by poor dental alignment can leave people frustrated, and worried that the only way to make meaningful changes will be with metal braces. While these traditional braces can be necessary in some cases, many people who want to make cosmetic improvements can find that Invisalign can take care of their alignment concerns. With Invisalign aligners, patients can have a discreet approach to orthodontic work. Rather than a conspicuous bracket and wire appliance, you will use a sequence of clear aligners. They are difficult to notice, so you can wear them confidently. Because they are removable, they can also offer an added degree of convenience over metal braces. (more…)
Addressing TMJ Problems And Teeth Grinding
Problems with your jaw joints can lead to issues with your dental function, and several types of frustrating aches and pains. In some cases, patients fail to realize that their discomfort can be connected back to an oral health issue at all. If you have issues with chronic headaches, facial pain or sensitivity, or regular issues with neck pain, your problem could be with TMJ dysfunction. Your dentist can examine you, to determine if this is the case. A problem with your jaw can be addressed with a special oral appliance, which can relieve pressure on those joints, and help relieve your discomfort. It should be noted that if your TMJ troubles lead to a habit of grinding your teeth, leaving the problem untreated could result in serious dental damage. (more…)