Delay Dental Treatment and Pay the Price

It’s important for people to remember that maintaining proper dental care habits not only reduces the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay, but can also put less of a dent in your wallet in the long run. Visiting the dentist twice a year and maintaining basic oral health is far less expensive than replacing a lost tooth or undergoing an extensive procedure to cure dental disease. Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Garrison can teach you the importance of oral health and help you sustain a healthy smile.

Taking care of oral health now can help you save money and avoid paying for expensive procedures later. One example of the cost of avoiding dental care is that oral health problems, if left unchecked, may lead to losing your teeth. Something that could be a simple fix, such as filling a cavity, may turn into receiving dental implants down the line because your tooth has become decayed and rotten.

If you have been avoiding the dentist, give us a call before your negligence gets worse and to discuss your insurance options. To learn more about the types of services we offer, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

What are Ceramic Braces?

Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Garrison offers a variety of options for straightening your teeth. It’s assumed that every adult who wants to straighten their teeth, most likely want to transform their smile with as little metal as possible. Ceramic braces are the same size and shape as metal braces, except that they have tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend into the teeth. Some even use tooth-colored wires to be less noticeable.

The fundamental difference of ceramic braces is simply the type of bracket that’s used. With ceramic braces, they are clear or tooth-colored (white), not metal. All conventional braces use a metal archwire that runs across your teeth that is held inside each tooth’s bracket via an elastic band. In the case of ceramic braces, a silver one is sometimes used. As a more esthetic alternative, a “frosted” or “esthetic” (white) one can be utilized instead, so it’s less obvious the patient is wearing them. Opting for ceramic braces tends to create a more pleasing, less conspicuous look for the patient’s dental appliance, especially from a distance.

If you are considering orthodontic treatment give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about the types of braces we offer, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

What to Expect Post-Op

Preparing for oral surgery can be a little nerve-wracking. Garrison Family Dentistry wants to make it a little easier on our patients by preparing them for what the period after surgery will be like.

Depending on the type of surgery you are having, your dentist may recommend painkillers or prescribe them to you. Take these as directed and before the anesthesia fully wears off. Ice pressed to the side of your face may also relieve pain, as well as reduce swelling.

When you first come out of surgery, there will most likely be gauze pads on the site of the surgery. This is to control bleeding and to promote the clotting of your blood. It is recommended that in order to reduce excess bleeding you relax for the rest of the day after surgery. Then for a few days, avoid any strenuous activity.

Make sure to drink plenty of water, but not through a straw, as the suction could start more bleeding. A diet of soft foods will be recommended until the healing process is a little further along. Smoking and other tobacco products should be avoided until the area is well healed.

Continue to brush your teeth around the site of the surgery, and brush your tongue.

For a full list of instructions for post-op, visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. For any questions or to schedule a consultation, give our Smithville, MO dental practice, Garrison Family Dentistry a call at 816-532-8778 or visit our website.

Tooth Colored Fillings

When you have a cavity, a filling ensures that your tooth is preserved from further decay and the risk of infection is minimized. In the past, fillings were primarily completed with dental amalgam, which was effective and economical but highly visible and unaesthetic. Thankfully, we now have a better solution available. 

Tooth colored fillings fill cavities while being virtually indistinguishable from your tooth enamel, even in easily visible portions of the mouth.  They also offer a number of material benefits that our Smithville, MO patients find favorable, including resistance to structural changes due to hot and cold temperatures, less sensitivity and long lasting integrity that may never require replacement.

To determine whether or not tooth colored fillings are the best option for you, we welcome you to visit our website www.garrisondentistry.com or call 816-532-8778 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Garrison.