Do You Need A Tooth Extracted?

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Overland Park, KS dentist offers tooth extractions when necessary

In a recent blog, we discussed how CEREC crowns can repair your pearly whites after injury. This protects your teeth from further damage and risk of infection. If your smile has been harmed after an accident or health condition, your dentist will do their best to restore the tooth and keep the natural one. However, if the area cannot be treated, sometimes the best option is to extract it. In today’s blog, Family First Dental in Overland Parks, KS, is here to discuss what to expect when getting one of your pearly whites removed.

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When Is This Necessary

As mentioned above, your dentist will do their best to treat a tooth instead of removing it. There are some cases where extraction is the best option. If it is impacted or severely damaged, the most effective way to prevent discomfort and infection is to take it out. An impacted tooth means that it does not fully erupt. This often happens when your third molars begin to grow. Or if you have severe overcrowding issues, one of your pearly whites may be removed to efficiently straighten your smile. Severely decayed teeth may also be removed. Although root canal therapy can treat a deep cavity, if the condition of the tooth is poor, it may be removed.

During The Removal

First, the area will be thoroughly examined. X-rays may be taken beforehand to have a closer look at the damage. Then, the local area will be numbed for your comfort. If you are having a more extensive removal, such as several wisdom teeth being removed, a stronger form of sedation may be prescribed. An incision will be made, and the tooth will be gently extracted. The area will then be stitched, and gauze may be placed to reduce the bleeding. Be sure to have a friend or family member drive you home after your appointment.

After Your Extraction

Your aftercare instructions may vary depending on how many teeth have been removed. In general, you should avoid eating hard foods, drinking through straws, and consuming tobacco, as this can cause dry sockets. While you recover, you may experience some sensitivity in the area. Take painkillers as advised and call your dentist if you have any questions or concerns.

Once the area is healed, you can talk to your dentist about prosthetic replacement options. In some cases, removal is done to align teeth and the gap may not be noticed. However, if it is in a visible area of your smile, there may be an option of replacing it.

Schedule An Appointment Today

If you have been told you need a tooth removed, do not wait to schedule this treatment. Call Family First Dental in Overland Parks, KS, today at 913-381-2600.

Same-Day Crowns with CEREC

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busy mom overland park ks

Dental crowns have long been a staple in restorative dentistry, offering a solution for damaged or weakened teeth. Traditional crowns, however, often required multiple appointments and the inconvenience of temporary crowns while waiting for the permanent one. Enter CEREC crowns – a cutting-edge advancement that has revolutionized the crown placement process. In today’s blog, your Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS will explore when a crown is necessary and the benefits of a same-day crown.

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Snoring Could Signal Health Risks

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snoring couple

Snoring is often dismissed as a harmless nighttime noise, but for some, it may be a red flag indicating a potentially serious condition known as sleep apnea. Understanding the link between snoring and sleep apnea is crucial, as this sleep disorder can lead to various dangerous health conditions. Your Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS will delve into the connection and the potential risks associated with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

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Other Company Left You Behind? Invisalign® Can Help

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Are you scrambling to find a solution for your smile? Recently, one of the most popular mail order orthodontic companies declared bankruptcy, leaving many to wonder where their next phase of treatment will come from. This is a stressful situation for anyone involved, but thankfully, there is an answer. With clear aligner treatment from Invisalign®, you have the opportunity to continue your orthodontic treatment.

If you have been left behind by this mail order company, talk to Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS about your options in orthodontic treatment. This way, you can continue your care with a trusted provider and a reliable clear aligner business. Invisalign® uses advanced technology to bring you a more private solution for your orthodontic treatment, so if you are new to this process, reach out to learn more. No matter what stage of your alignment journey you currently find yourself, our team is here to help you to achieve a better smile!

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All-On-4 Implants Improve Your Smile

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Replace missing teeth with implants at family first dental

If you have missing teeth, you may not feel your best self. Having gaps in your smile can lower your confidence, make it difficult to eat your favorite foods, and cause other dental issues. At Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, we can offer you a permanent solution to restore your smile to its original health. Today’s blog is here to explain what to expect when going in for this procedure.

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Implants Are A Sturdy Solution

An implant is a permanent structure that is secured to the jawbone. For patients who are missing a tooth – or multiple in a row – you may already have a prosthetic such as a bridge or dentures. This is a good temporary solution, but taking these out every day can be a hassle. All-on-4 offers the benefits of filling gaps in your smile and restrengthening your jawbone, and you will no longer need to remove your prosthetic piece every night to clean.

What To Know Before The Procedure

It is important to be well-informed about your options. Getting implants will take several appointments over the span of a few months. The first appointment is a consultation, where we will be sure that your jawbone is strong enough to support this permanent structure. Once this is determined, we will take an impression of your smile so that a lab can create the best pieces for you.

During the first surgery, you will be sedated before the remaining parts of the tooth are removed. Then the post will be secured. For all-on-4 implants, four of these posts will be secured. This will need time to fuse to your bone, so there will be a waiting period in between appointments. In the meantime, a temporary structure will be placed.

At the next appointment, the abutment and crown will be placed. For all-on-4 implants, the prosthetic piece that is secured in will be a denture. Now you can have a brand-new smile that will be permanent and secure.

Taking Care Of Yourself After Implants

The first few days after your surgery, you may experience soreness and some discomfort. This is a normal part of the healing process. If you feel extreme discomfort or pain, call your dentist.

Once healed, you can go about your normal life. There is no need to remove any prosthetics with an implant. Be sure to continue following a normal oral hygiene routine including brushing and flossing. Implants are there to restore missing teeth, so be sure to take care of your natural teeth as well. Visit your dentist twice a year for a checkup.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you’ve lost a significant number of teeth, speak with Dr. Cook about the possibility of All-On-4® implant dentures. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, today at 913-381-2600.

Caring For Your Gums Is Caring For Your Health

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Family First Dental can help treat your gum disease

At Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, we want all our patients to have a healthy smile. A healthy oral hygiene routine can prevent many health problems down the line. Today, we’re here to talk about one of these problems: gum disease. Also known as periodontitis, periodontal disease, or gingivitis, these phrases are all names for the same dental problem that can lead to tooth loss, gum inflammation, and many more problems.

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Preventing Gum Disease

Gum-related problems can cause physical health issues along with being a detriment to your oral health, which is why this is a major concern for dentists to watch out for. Those with gum disease are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular problems like heart attack or stroke.

The best defense against periodontitis is brushing and flossing regularly. By doing this, you eliminate the potential buildup of debris that can cause bacteria to grow in your mouth. Brushing alone does not do this, so be sure to floss daily as well to reach the areas in between your teeth. You should also visit your dentist twice a year, as these examinations can identify early signs of plaque buildup which leads to gum disease.

The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis. If you have red, swollen gums, bleed when you floss, or feel like you have bad breath even when brushing your teeth, you may be in the earliest stage of this problem. It is imperative that you see a dentist regularly, especially if you notice these symptoms. If caught early enough, there is a chance to treat this problem.

Treating Poor Periodontal Health

 If your gum problems were not caught in the early stages, there is still room to fix this problem. Each case will vary, but we can offer scaling and root planning to get a deep clean of the plaque and other build-up that is causing this situation.

Scaling, or Deep cleaning, varies from regular dental cleaning because we clean the areas underneath your gums.  This helps us remove harmful oral bacteria that lead to infection. In our office, we use ultrasonic and laser technology which allows us to break up plaque and tartar more effectively, and it is also more comfortable for the patient.

Root Planing is done during the same process of the deep cleaning. This part of the treatment encourages the gum tissue to reattach itself, preventing infection from spreading.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your dentist may recommend that you get these deep cleanings done in a few sessions to ensure that all the plaque is removed.

Schedule Your Appointment Today!

Don’t disregard your gum health! If you are experiencing early symptoms of gum disease, give us a call at Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, today at 913-381-2600.

Lasers Create Beautiful Gums

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Family First Lasers

A radiant smile not only adds to one’s physical appearance but also boosts confidence and leaves a lasting impression. Fortunately, our dental team utilizes the most advanced technology such as soft tissue lasers to promote optimal oral health. In this blog post, your experts at Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, discuss how lasers can create a more beautiful smile while also reducing the risk of gum disease.

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Still Need to Fill That Cavity?

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family first cavities

Are you putting off that cavity due to dental anxiety or maybe some other reason like finances? Waiting too long to take care of decay will cause it to spread deeper into the tooth. As the cavity gets bigger more extensive treatment may be needed and the risk of losing your tooth also increases. In today’s blog, your team of dental experts at Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, discusses ways to restore a damaged tooth.

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