Periodontal disease is another name for gum disease. It occurs when plaque and bacteria become trapped beneath the gum line and can lead to a long list of dental health complications. It’s important to see your dentist in St. Louis as soon as possible if you believe you’re suffering from periodontal disease to prevent complications.

Watch this video to learn more about how periodontal disease starts and how it impacts your teeth. Dentists and periodontists can use many different techniques to treat periodontal disease, but it is easiest to resolve in its early stages. Make an appointment with your dentist if your gums become tender or swollen, or if they bleed easily. Without treatment, periodontal disease can cause pain, bad breath, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

Tooth loss is a common problem seen by dentists, but it’s not unavoidable. There are many things you can do to prevent tooth loss and avoid the complications and inconveniences that come with it, such as needing dentures. Seeing your dentist serving St. Louis for regular check-ups is one of the most important things you can do to protect your teeth. These tips will also help.

Start by sticking to a good oral hygiene routine every day. Brush your teeth at least twice and floss at least once daily. Talk to your dentist about using a rinse that can further protect your teeth, such as one that discourages gum disease. Avoid using your teeth to cut or tear non-food items or to open things like twist caps. Talk to your dentist if you have a chronic condition that could impact your oral health, like diabetes or hypertension, to find out if you need to have more regular cleanings. Eat a healthy diet that’s low in sugar and stop any tobacco use. Report any changes in your oral health to your dentist right away, as early treatment of dental problems is almost always easier and more effective.

Do you hesitate to show off your smile? Do you wish that your teeth were whiter or straighter or shaped differently? If so, help is available with cosmetic dentistry. There are many different procedures dentists can perform, from veneers to same day crowns, to change the look of your smile and correct the imperfections that have been bothering you. If you want a smile makeover, schedule an appointment with your dentist serving St. Louis . Here’s a look at some of the procedures he or she may suggest.

Veneers

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic that are bonded to your teeth surfaces to change how they look. Veneers can be used to correct many complaints about your teeth, including size, shape, spacing, chips, and severe discoloration. To attach veneers, your dentist will etch the surfaces of the teeth being treated and cement the veneers in place for long-lasting results. Getting veneers involves little to no discomfort, and many people have the procedure without anesthesia.

Crowns

If you have a large cavity in a tooth, your dentist will need to remove a substantial portion of the tooth to extract the decay. When that happens, you may be left with a tooth that is severely misshapen and smaller than the rest of your teeth. Crowns can help resolve this problem. A crown is a porcelain cap that is placed over the tooth to restore its appearance. Crowns can be made to match the shape and color of your healthy teeth so that the results are completely natural. While this procedure used to be time-consuming and required multiple dentist visits, same day crowns are now available.

Whitening

Thanks to coffee, tea, berries, red wine, and other staining foods and drinks, tooth discoloration is a common complaint. Whitening can strip the stains from the surfaces of your teeth so you can enjoy a bright, white smile again. Teeth whitening can be performed in-office or at home with dramatic results. Be sure to follow your dentist’s recommendations after whitening to avoid re-staining your teeth.

Same-day dental implants do much more than improve the aesthetics of your smile. They can actually improve your quality of life.

When you are missing teeth, the new gaps in your room allow the surrounding teeth to tilt and to drift out of their correct alignment. This negatively affects the bite and makes it more difficult to talk and to chew. It also leaves you more susceptible to tooth decay and periodontal disease.

If you are missing one or more teeth, you should talk to your oral surgeon in St. Louis about same-day dental implants and how they can give you back a beautiful and functional smile. Check out this video to learn more.

If you are missing teeth, you might not like the idea of waiting months for the dental implant procedure to be complete. Luckily, same-day dental implants give you the results you want without all of the hassle. Keep reading to learn more about All-On-4 dental implants and how they can help you restore the look and feel of your smile:

All-On-4 Provides More Reliable Results than Dentures

Although dentures can improve the way a patient talks and chews, they are not usually reliable enough to restore its full function. All-On-4 dental implants utilize the newest technology to replace these teeth with a full dental bridge that is properly supported with just four dental implants. Instead of dentures that move around in your mouth, these dental implants keep your new bridge in place so you can use your teeth the way you were meant to use them.

Minimal Downtime

Unlike traditional dental implants, the All-On-4 system does not have a long and drawn out healing process. With just four dental implants, your jawbone heals much faster, which allows you to continue your daily activities. After just a few weeks, you should be able to continue eating your favorite foods.

A More Affordable Option

Another benefit of opting for All-On-4 dental implants to replace missing teeth is the reduced cost of the procedure. Since you only need four implants, you do not have to pay as much as you would the traditional dental implant treatment. This allows you to restore the function and aesthetic appeal to your mouth on your budget.

More of a Choice for the Patient

The All-On-4 dental implant procedure gives you a much bigger say in the final look and feel of your implants. You can either decide on a fixed option or a removable option. The fixed option offers the most durability and the most natural feeling when you chew. The removable option is a little bit easier to keep clean. Talk to your oral surgeon in St. Louis about which option will work the best for you.

Whenever possible, a dentist will do everything he or she can to save a patient’s natural teeth. Sometimes losing on or more teeth is unavoidable, though. Thanks to new advancements in dental technology like same-day dental implants and dentures, patients now have more access to quality replacement teeth than ever before. Keep reading to find out why you should consider replacing these missing teeth:

New Teeth Increase the Function of the Mouth

Even missing one tooth can mess up the overall function of your bite. If you want to restore function to your mouth to make it easier to talk and to chew, you should consider replacement teeth solutions like same-day dental implants or dentures. These new teeth can work together with your natural teeth to restore the function of your bite.

New Teeth Help You Maintain Your Original Facial Structure

Over time, missing teeth might start to change the shape of your face. If you do not want your cheeks to sink in around the areas where you are missing teeth, it is important to look into some replacement options. Talk to your oral surgeon in St. Louis about your missing teeth and which replacement option will do the most for you to help you maintain your facial structure.

New Teeth Restore the Aesthetics of Your Smile

Even one missing tooth could have a negative impact on the aesthetics of your smile. If you are embarrassed about showing off your teeth, it might be time to think about replacement options like same-day dental implants. Your dentist can match the dental crowns to the color of your teeth to help you get a smile of which you can be proud.

New Teeth Help Surrounding Teeth

When you lose teeth, the surrounding teeth could start to suffer. Huge pockets in your gums create a lot of space in which plaque and bacteria could develop. If you do not get replacement teeth, this leaves your surrounding teeth and gums susceptible to decay and periodontal disease.

If you are missing one tooth, your St. Louis dentist can use an all-ceramic crown on a dental implant to instantly restore the look and feel of your natural smile.

These implants serve as both a root and a replacement tooth to help you get the optimal function for your mouth. Unlike traditional dental implants, though, this option is put in as a single unit so you can get fast results, a reduced treatment time, and less pain. With the proper care, these all-ceramic crowns on dental implants provide lifelong results.

This kind of dental implant procedure takes much less time to heal, which allows you to return to your normal activities shortly after you get the treatment. The dentist will install the implant and attach the new dental crown as soon as the implant fuses with the jawbone. You can expect natural-looking results that help you restore normal mouth functions.

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There’s no reason to suffer in silence with a smile you’re not proud to flash. Your dentist can offer a range of cosmetic dentistry solutions to help you achieve your best-ever grin. Watch this video to learn more about the treatments your dentist serving St. Louis may provide.

If you don’t like the shape or color of your teeth, veneers could be the solution. Dentists use veneers to address issues with tooth size, shape, and color. If you have missing teeth, same-day dental implants could help. Teeth whitening, crowns, and bonding are all examples of other procedures cosmetic dentist can use to improve the appearance of your smile. The results of most cosmetic dentistry treatments can last indefinitely with minor special care.

Whether you have a single missing tooth or need to replace several teeth, dental implants can be a great alternative to dentures. Your dentist roots dental implants into your jaw using a structure that functions like a tooth root, to create a natural result that doesn’t slip or require special care like dentures. Talk to your dentist serving St. Louis about whether dental implants are the right tooth restoration method for you. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth. They consist of a post that is placed into your jaw to mimic a tooth root, an abutment, and a crown. The abutment is screwed onto the post and acts as an anchor for the crown. Dentists can craft the crown to closely match the shape and color of your remaining teeth for a natural appearance.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

For patients, dental implants provide a long list of benefits over other tooth restoration methods. Because implants are placed directly into the jaw, there is no risk of a poor fit or slippage, as may occur with dentures. Dental implants don’t require any special care and can be brushed and flossed like your natural teeth. Because implants don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support, as bridges do, they don’t damage healthy teeth.

What Are Same Day Dental Implants?

Getting dental implants used to require multiple appointments and take six months or longer. With same-day dental implants, your dentist can complete the entire procedure in a single office visit, which saves you both time and money. Same-day dental implants offer the same great benefits as traditional implants in a fraction of the time, meaning you could be one dentist visit away from restoring your beautiful smile.