Our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists utilize a number of different treatment options and methods to rejuvenate our patients’ smiles.  One of the most versatile of these treatment options is probably cosmetic veneers. We use veneers to correct many different aesthetic dental problems, and they are always customized to complement the patient’s smile and natural teeth.

 

What are dental veneers?

 

Dental veneers are thin layers of porcelain. These porcelain pieces cover the outside of a patient’s tooth (or multiple teeth) to give the appearance of a white, smooth, unblemished tooth surface. Veneers are made of porcelain because porcelain refracts and reflects light similarly to dental enamel, and because porcelain is quite strong when it is bonded to natural enamel.

 

What can dental veneers do?

 

Cosmetic dentists use porcelain veneers to make teeth appear smoother, whiter, and younger. Here are some common ways that our O’fallon cosmetic dentists use dental veneers:

 

·      Veneers can resurface dull, stained, or pitted dental enamel

·      Veneers can close unsightly gaps between teeth

·      Veneers can make a smile appear straight and in proportion

·      Veneers can be used to resurface cracked or chipped teeth

·      Veneers can lengthen or widen the appearance of small teeth

 

As you can see, porcelain veneers can correct a number of cosmetic problems, and best of all they can correct multiple problems in just one or two visits. Say for example, that you’d like a whiter smile and to close gaps between your teeth. You may opt for dental veneers because you can accomplish both of these goals with one treatment, rather than going through years of braces.

 

Every patient needs to find a cosmetic treatment that works for him or her, uniquely. If you’ve been thinking about pursuing dental veneers, give our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists a call for more information at (636) 614-1217. When you schedule a consultation we can discuss your case in more detail and review the treatment timeline. 

Getting quality sleep is an essential component of maintaining overall health. When you sleep your body is able to repair itself and restore vital systems. Sleep apnea patients cannot get restful sleep because they suffer from obstructed nighttime breathing. Many patients stop breathing for extended periods of time at night, and they eventually choke or gasp awake once their oxygen levels dip dangerously low.

 

Untreated sleep apnea disorder can cause a variety of complications and illnesses. Chronic low-oxygen levels combined with poor sleep and elevated adrenaline and stress levels may cause patients to suffer from complications ranging from fatigue to heart disease.

 

Some initial sleep apnea problems are also symptoms or warning signs of the disorder. For example:

·      Fatigue

·      Chronic headaches

·      Memory and concentration problems

 

Over time, untreated sleep apnea begins to damage your overall health. Untreated sleep apnea sufferers are at a higher risk of suffering from:

·      Heart disease

·      Stroke

·      Depression

·      Systemic artery disease

·      Diabetes

·      Cognitive problems

·      High blood pressure

 

These conditions are obviously quite serious. The sooner sleep apnea is effectively treated the less likely it is that you’ll suffer from long-term complications of the disorder. Our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists are able to treat sleep apnea with unobtrusive, easy to use dental appliances. These appliances restore optimal nighttime breathing, reduce snoring, and help your body get the reparative sleep it needs.

 

If you’ve been suffering from disrupted sleep, chocking or gasping episodes at night, or daytime fatigue and headaches, sleep apnea may be the root problem. If you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms feel free to call our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists for more information or to schedule an appointment. You can schedule an appointment by clicking here or calling us at (636) 614-1217.

When my patient Lauren came in for her semi-annual visit she had just returned from a wonderful vacation. With a glowing tan, Lauren recounted that she had really enjoyed her trip, but she was so upset when she was flipping through her pictures at home. In ever picture, she complained, her teeth looked kind of yellow and worn down. With a wedding coming up in just a month, Lauren was very motivated whiten and brighten her smile.

 

Lauren’s cosmetic concerns are incredibly common. Our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists explained to her that as people age, their teeth inevitably age and change color as well. Some patients suffer from discoloration due to environmental factors, food, and drinks. Other patients suffer from yellow teeth become their enamel becomes thinner and exposes the darker inner-tooth. Luckily, we now have a variety of cosmetic treatments that can whiten dental enamel and restore a youthful looking smile.

 

Teeth whitening and bleaching treatments are popular among patients of all ages, because they are both quick and comfortable. Bleaching treatments whiten enamel by using hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. Professional, in-office treatments deliver stunning results in just one or two sessions.

 

Dental veneers—thin layers of porcelain that are affixed to the surface of teeth—are often used for patients for whom traditional teeth whitening treatments don’t work. Because dental veneers cover existing enamel, they can in essence resurface any cosmetic problem. Dental veneers can be custom shaded and shaped to fit a patient’s smile and blend with natural teeth.

 

Lauren chose to pursue teeth bleaching treatments, and she is thrilled with the results. We were able to lighten her teeth several shades, and she was ready to flaunt her whiter, younger-looking smile in time for wedding pictures! If you’ve been considering cosmetic dentistry treatment, give our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists a call for more information—(636) 614-1217.

When many people think of dentures they picture an old lady with her teeth flapping out of her mouth. This picture is horribly outdated! And unfortunately it deters many patients from getting partial or complete dentures that could dramatically change their lives. With modern technology, dentures are more natural looking, and easier to use than ever before. Here I’m going to review some options our O'Fallon dentures dentists offer for patients suffering from tooth loss. Depending on your situation you may benefit from partial or complete dentures.

 

So What’s The Difference?

 

If you’re missing all of your teeth on either the top or lower jaw you may benefit from complete dentures. These dentures are fitted to your gums, and they stay in place with dental adhesive. With complete dentures you can regain the appearance of a complete smile along with the functionality of a full set of teeth.

 

If, on the other hand, you are missing some teeth, but you still have natural, healthy teeth on your jaw line, you may be able to use partial dentures. These dentures replace teeth with a smaller denture piece. Partial dentures are affixed to adjacent teeth. Natural teeth hold partial dentures in place, and simultaneously partial dentures keep teeth from shifting or moving along the gum line.

 

Both of these tooth-replacement options can help you feel more confident and happy with your smile. There’s not reason to go through life trying to hide your teeth—you have options with comfortable, modern dentures. Give our O’Fallon dentures dentists a call—we can answer all of your questions and get you on the way to your dream smile— (636) 614-1217.

You can’t control whether or not you have a chronic sleep apnea condition. However, as an informed patient you can control how disruptive your sleep apnea is on a day-to-day basis. Nobody knows your sleep habits better than you do—and if you take proactive steps to get the sleep apnea treatment you need, you can significantly reduce your complications from sleep apnea. So take charge of your health and look out for these common sleep apnea-associated problems. If you look at this list and think, “hey, that sounds like me,” let your dentist know!

 

Common chronic symptoms:

• Extreme daytime sleepiness
• Heartburn/sour taste in the mouth
• Nighttime restlessness and tossing and turning
• Frequent headaches
• Concentration problems
• Decreased memory
• Irritability

Nighttime sleep-apnea specific symptoms:

• Choking/gasping during sleep
• Swelling of the legs
• Chest pain at night
• Disruptive snoring
• Periods of obstructed breathing—your bed partner may even be able to hear that you are not breathing for a period of time
• Frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom

As you can see, some of these symptoms ostensibly point more directly to sleep apnea than others. Swelling of the legs, for instance, may be a result of a variety of troubling problems. Our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists can help you determine whether your symptoms are connected to sleep apnea breathing problems or another condition. Therefore, if you find yourself struggling with one or more of these symptoms it’s important to contact your dental health professional immediately so that you can get an accurate diagnosis. Feel free to give our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists a call if you have any questions or you’d like more information—(636) 614-1217.

Fear of the dentist is one of the number one reasons that patients loss control of their dental health and end up with smiles that are both unhealthy and unattractive. As a dentist, I know that this fear is unnecessary and counterproductive, but it’s a reality for many people. Our O’Fallon sedation dentists empathize with this common problem, and we offer an innovative solution to help anxiety-prone patients get into the dentist’s chair—oral conscious sedation.

Oral conscious sedation isn’t nearly as complicated as it sounds. You simply take a small pill before treatment. Then during your procedure you are conscious—able to respond to questions and interact with our dental team—but you remain relaxed and pain-free. Although you’re never asleep, you probably won’t remember any of your procedure when you get home. Patients who underwent oral conscious sedation report that when they look back on their dental treatment they remember taking a sedative, arriving at the office, and then…nothing until they are relaxing at home post-care.

Oral conscious sedation is often referred to as “sleep dentistry.” However, this is largely a misnomer, because although it may feel like you slept through your appointment you are never actually asleep. In fact, many patients are excited about oral conscious sedation precisely because they never have to be unconscious and under general anesthesia.

Effective and regular dental care is vital to maintaining a healthy, functional smile for life. Fear and anxiety can become your greatest enemies and keep you from getting the care you need. Some patients feel trepidation about the idea of sedation dentistry—don’t hesitate to give our O’Fallon sedation dentists a call to get more information or talk about your specific situation in greater detail. We’re here for you—(636) 614-1217.

If you’ve been evaluating different tooth replacement options, you’ve probably noticed that there are a variety of different treatments available. Dental implants are surgically implanted into the jawbone to replace teeth, while dental bridges are kept in place because they are anchored to adjacent teeth. Dentures on the other hand sit on top of existing gum tissue. A flexible, custom-fitted acrylic gum form keeps your dentures in place.

Because dentures sit on top of the teeth and are removable, they require some denture-specific cleaning in order to keep them fresh. By following some basic denture hygiene tips you can enjoy functional, beautiful dentures for years to come. Here are some cleaning tips our O’Fallon dentures dentists generally recommend:

Remember to Rinse

Make sure to rinse your dentures after eating and anytime you’re about to put them back into your mouth.

 

Keep Your Gum Tissue and Natural Teeth Clean

After you take out your dentures, take the time to clean your mouth as well as your dentures. Brush your gums and oral tissues to remove and debris that might have been trapped by dentures during the day.

 

Soak Dentures

You should be cleaning your dentures with a dental cleaner at least once day—giving them a good scrub with a soft-bristled brush. It is equally important that you then soak your dentures in specially formulated dentures solution. The exception is dentures with metal parts that could corrode—your dentist will give you special instructions to clean metal dentures.

 

See Your Dentist!

Semi-annual regular professional cleanings will keep your mouth and natural tissues clean and healthy. These cleanings are also an ideal time for your dentist to assess the fit and functionality of your dentures.

 

By following a few simple rules you can keep your dentures clean and comfortable for years to come. Give our O'Fallon dentures dentists a call for more information or to schedule an appointment—(636) 614-1217.

When a patient loses a tooth, it’s important to replace the tooth quickly both for aesthetic and health reasons. My patient Tony knows this all too well. Seven years ago, Tony lost a tooth in an accident. He procrastinated on getting treatment, and eventually he found that that he was suffering the consequences.

A missing tooth destabilizes the entire structure of the mouth and neighboring teeth. When a patient loses a tooth, the resulting hole in the jaw bone can actually cause the bone to disintegrate and neighboring teeth may shift around. Over time this can lead to a host of very serious health problems, not to mention many patients end up hiding their smiles from the world.

One tooth replacement option—dental implants—aims to combat these problems head on.  Dental implants are titanium rods that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. They fill the hole left by a missing tooth, and thanks to a process called osseointegration, the titanium actually bonds with the natural bone. Consequently, dental implant roots provide a stable foundation for the porcelain crown that is attached on top.

Dental implants are unique among tooth replacement options because they actually mimic the natural structure of teeth. The titanium rod serves as the tooth root—maintaining bone strength and density. Dental implants are easy to care for, patients simply brush and floss normally. Additionally, dental implants are a long-term tooth replacement option—with diligent care they can last for up to twenty years.

Although it’s important to replace teeth for aesthetic reasons, it’s equally important to maintain the health of your overall smile. Our O’Fallon dental implant dentists have helped numerous patients enjoy healthy smiles even after the trauma of tooth loss. Tony was able to benefit from dental implants after having some reconstructive surgeries. Now he can enjoy his favorite foods again—and he promises that he will never put off necessary dental care again! If you have any questions about tooth replacement options please give our O’Fallon dental implant dentists a call at (636) 614-1217.

First of all, welcome to the new dental blog for the O’Fallon Dental Partnership! I will be updating this blog as a way to keep in contact with our patients and people looking for additional information on dental services. These blog posts will explain advances in dental technology, and keep you up to date on what’s happening in our practice. Check back often for new content and to see my answers to many common dental questions.

This inaugural blog post is inspired by a talk I had recently with one of my patients—Cheryl. Cheryl had suffered for years with teeth that were stained and discolored from tetracycline. When a child with developing adult teeth uses the antibiotic tetracycline he or she can develop dark, stained permanent teeth. This type of staining is notoriously difficult to treat—tetracycline stained teeth are resistant to many conventional forms of teeth whitening and bleaching.

Cheryl wanted to revitalize her smile and whiten her teeth, so I told her she could be a good candidate for dental veneers. Because tetracycline stains are permanently embedded in the dental enamel, Cheryl assumed that she didn’t’ have options for whitening her teeth. However, our O’Fallon Cosmetic Dentists revitalized Cheryl’s smile with stunning porcelain veneers.

Dental veneers are thin layers of porcelain that are affixed directly to the dental enamel. They are incredibly versatile, and can be used to fix a variety of cosmetic problems. Porcelain veneers mimic the aesthetic of natural enamel—they refract and reflect light like real teeth do. Consequently, patients end up with brilliantly white, natural-looking teeth.

Cheryl was thrilled with her results—she now has a smile that she’s proud to show off! Tetracycline stained teeth can negatively affect a patient’s self-esteem. If you or someone you know is living with these unsightly stains, please know that our O’Fallon Cosmetic Dentist Office can help you. Give us a call if you have any questions or you’d like to discuss teeth whitening or veneers in more detail—just call (636) 614-1217.

Please check back soon for new blog posts!