Bridges

Bridges are one of our specialties at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville. When people need extensive restorative work done, bridges allow multiple teeth to be restored at once. Depending on an individual patient’s needs, there are several forms a bridge might take.

A bridge is a prosthetic device made up of several crowns. The classic dental bridge was designed so that the crowns on its ends would be cemented over natural teeth, and there would be an additional artificial crown suspended between them. This design had the advantage of allowing patients to keep their natural tooth roots, which was good for the structure of their jaw and avoided lengthy surgical recoveries. However, it required the base crowns to be significantly reshaped, which is only ideal in circumstances in which those crowns would need to be replaced anyway.

Bridges can also be made in the form of partial dentures. These devices may clasp onto existing teeth, but they permit healthy intervening teeth to simply be left alone, instead of being extracted or reshaped. A partial denture may be supported by mini-implants. A bridge may also be supported by normally-sized implants if it is not meant to be removable.

Dr. Matthew Garrison operates at Garrison Family Dentistry, 14790 N. 169 Highway, Smithville, Missouri, 64089. To schedule an appointment, call 816-532-8778 or visit GarrisonDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Inlays/Onlays – What’s the difference?

Inlays/onlays are designed to add strength to damaged teeth while restoring their appearance. We use dental inlays and onlays to restore a tooth that is too damaged to repair with a filling but not damaged enough to need a crown. Dental inlays and onlays save the healthy portion of an injured tooth and provide strength and stability for normal chewing. We thought we would show you the difference between inlays and onlays.

What are Inlays?

An inlay is used when there is no damage to the cusps of the tooth so the inlay can be placed right on the tooth. Cusps are the bumpy structures on the biting surface of your back teeth. These oral appliances are made of tooth-colored materials like porcelain or composite resin. Inlays use your existing tooth as a base for the inlay; this will strengthen the tooth, restore its shape and prevent future damage.

What are Onlays?

Onlays, also known as partial dentures, are similar to inlays because they are both used to treat decay and damage. The only difference comes in the amount of damage and the area treated. Onlays are used when the damage is more extensive, extending to one or more cusps.

Inlays/onlays require two appointments to complete the procedure. During the first visit, the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made by the dentist and sent to a lab for fabrication. During your second appointment, the temporary sealant is removed. Dr. Garrison will then make sure that the device fits correctly. Once the fitting is complete, the inlay/onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished.

Bone Grafting

If you need restoration procedures, such as implants, you may first require bone grafting. In some situations, your jawbone may be too soft or not thick enough to support a dental implant. Bone loss in the jaw typically is caused by periodontal disease. That’s where bone grafting can help.

 

Dr. Matthew Garrison and his team at Garrison Family Dentistry have experience performing various types of oral surgery including bone grafts. The procedure involves removing small amounts of bone from another area of the body, such as the hip. Bone fragments can also be retrieved from an area of the mouth, which was drilled. In some cases, cadaver bone can be used.

 

After the bone is retrieved, it is placed on top of your existing bone in a procedure called grafting. The procedure builds up the bone in the jaw area and increases the chances of success when placing an implant or other type of restoration.

 

In addition to bone grafting, Garrison Family Dentistry also offers other types of oral surgery including extractions. We also offer cosmetic and preventative dentistry. If you are looking for outstanding customer service with an exemplary reputation, consider Garrison Family Dentistry.

 

For more information on bone grafting or any of our other services, please call our office at 816-532-8778 or visit us online at www.garrisondentistry.com. 

Veneers

If you think movie star smiles come from teeth whitening or straightening alone, you’d be wrong.  The real secret to a white, bright, flawless smile is porcelain veneers. At our Smithville, MO dental practice, we utilize dental veneers to completely change your smile.  The results have added up to some dramatically beautified smiles.  Many of us would love a close-up-ready, celebrity smile, but how can you be sure if porcelain veneers are the right option for you?

 

Determining whether or not veneers are a sensible cosmetic option for you begins with understanding just what they are, which Dr. Matthew Garrison details during your first appointment.  Veneers are a thin ceramic shell that fits over the tooth and creates a new, customized smile surface. Each veneer is custom crafted according to an overall desired smile appearance.  We will take a mold of your teeth and have the veneers created at a third-party dental lab. Dr. Garrison uses this restorative treatment for patients who have significant tooth staining, cracked, gapped, misaligned or chipped teeth.

 

Smithville residents who visit the cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice are given comprehensive, one-on-one attention in determining which options are best for restoring and improving their smiles-- whether they’re seeking porcelain veneers or another one of Dr. Garrison’s services.

 

Give us a call at Garrison Family Dentistry for a consultation with Dr. Garrison to discuss porcelain veneers!

Dental Implants

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, patients have a lot of options. None of those options, however, are permanent like dental implants. Implants are widely considered the modern-day solution to missing teeth as they provide an aesthetically pleasing, permanent answer to a serious problem. We provide dental implant procedures to help our patients restore their smile and fix their bite after implant surgery.

 

When a patient loses a tooth, it is important to act quickly to fill the space. Apart from the cosmetic issues, patients who have missing teeth will often suffer from compromised chewing efficiency and tooth drifting. The space left behind from a missing tooth causes the other teeth to drift into that space which can lead to misaligned teeth. When teeth become misaligned, they become more difficult to clean, leaving unreachable pockets in the teeth that will collect bacteria. This will almost certainly lead to periodontal issues that will eventually lead to additional tooth loss if left untreated.

 

Receiving a dental implant is a surgical procedure and patients are put under a general anesthetic. A dental surgeon will make an incision into the patients gum line where they will insert the implant. The implant will be secured into the jawbone where it will need to sit for three to six months so the bone can grow around it, this process is called osseointegration. After the surgery, patients will visit us to receive a crown over the implant. This is done so the patient’s teeth do not drift and they can eat normally. Once the implant is secured, Dr. Garrison will place an abutment on top of the exposed implant that will support a permanent crown.  Dental implants are the only completely permanent solution to missing teeth.

Dental Crowns

We use dental crowns in order to create stronger teeth that function properly. Crowns are a great tool when a patient’s teeth become weak due to decay, cracks, discoloration and other issues.  A crown is essentially a “cap” that covers up your damaged tooth. Unlike removable devices such as dentures or a Snap-On-Smile’s, a crown can be used to improve appearance, shape or alignment.

 

Crowns are cemented onto existing teeth and should only be removed by the dentist. Dental crowns are used in many applications but mostly, they are used to protect a weak tooth from a fracture and to restore a fractured tooth.

 

Crowns are typically made from porcelain fused to metal or a full gold crown. A porcelain crown can be matched to the shade of your other teeth, allowing it to blend in and appear just as your natural teeth do. The process of installing a crown usually takes 2-3 visits. Dr. Matthew Garrison will start by reshaping the enamel of the broken tooth so the crown can be placed over it properly. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mold will be created of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. A temporary crown will be set in place so the teeth do not shift while the permanent crown is being created. Once the crown is completed, it will be put in place and bonded with cement to assure it stays in place.

 

If you are interested in a crown because you’ve broken, cracked or lost a tooth due to decay, come in for a consultation with Dr. Garrison. Call at 816-532-8706 or visit us at www.garrisondentistry.com to learn more about dental crowns. 

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are a great solution if you are looking to literally “bridge the gap” created by one or more missing teeth. We use dental bridges to restore smiles, improve talking and chewing abilities and help maintain the shape of your face. We utilize dental bridges to get your smiles back to its natural look.

 

Creating a bridge is quite simple. Dr. Garrison will create a base out of the existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. The existing teeth are reshaped to support the base of the bridge. After the abutments are created, a mold is cast of the area and sent to a dental lab. The lab uses the mold to manufacture a permanent bridge. Dr. Garrison will fit you with a temporary bridge in order to keep your teeth from shifting. The permanent bridge usually takes between 1-2 weeks to be created. During the second visit, Dr. Garrison will remove thetemporary bridge and the new permanent bridge will be checked and adjusted. The bridge will be placed on the abutments and an adhesive will be used to make sure the bridge is set.

 

Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge will make eating easier. We recommend that our patients eat soft foods immediately following the procedure, but after a couple days patients can resume their normal diet. You will also see improved speech with dental bridges. The gaps caused by missing teeth often make speech difficult, by filling in those spaces, patients will drastically improve speech.

 

If you are missing teeth and considering dental bridges, give us a call at 816-532-8706 or visit us at www.garrisondentistry.com to learn more about this unique restorative treatment method!

Cosmetic Dental Options

Cosmetic dentistry is a broad term that refers to various types of dental work that improves the general appearance of patient’s teeth, gums and bite. Procedures vary from small repairs such bonding and white fillings to a complete restorations like dental veneers. Dr. Matthew Garrison provides many options for patients hoping to restore their.

 

Whether patients need a major repair or just a subtle change, Dr. Caddell has the ability to treat each patient to fit their individual needs. Common procedures in cosmetic dentistry include:

• Whitening
• Bonding
• Crowns
• Veneers
• Dental bridges

Whitening is a common and popular way to whiten teeth quickly and effectively. Discoloration occurs in the enamel and can be caused by medication, coffee, tea and smoking. We provide a tray whitening system that uses custom-made trays, filled with a whitening gel to whiten teeth 4-8 shades in just a few days. Bonding and white filling is another procedure that can improve the cosmetic appeal of teeth. Using tooth-colored material, Dr. Garrison will fill in gaps or even change the color of teeth.

 

Outside of surgically placed dental implants, crowns have the longest life expectancy. A crown is essentially a “cap” that covers the damaged tooth; a crown can be used to improve appearance, shape or alignment. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are placed over the existing teeth to create a brand new smile. Dental bridges are a great option for patients who have lost one or more teeth. Bridges use existing teeth to create a bridge to cross the area where the tooth is missing. They are made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure they are strong and durable.

Digital X-Rays

Digital radiography is one of the most technologically advanced products available to the medical field today. While traditional systems are effective, there are many features of digital X-ray machines that help create a better overall image of your mouth. Not many dentists have taken advantage of this technology and are still utilizing traditional radiography technology.  We have recently implemented this technology into Garrison Family Dentistry, located in order to provide a better level of care to our patients.

 

Traditional X-ray systems are being surpassed by digital radiography technology. While this old technology was very effective for a number of years, it is slowly becoming nonexistent in the medical field. Digital X-Ray technology has many benefits:

• Safety – this technology is much safer for patients because they emit roughly 80 percent less radiation than traditional systems
• “Going Green” – instant imaging removes the need for harmful chemicals that are used to develop images
• High Quality – the images Dr. Garrison receives from this technology are much higher quality, allowing him diagnose previously unseen issues

While the radiation given off from the older systems is not necessarily dangerous, it is always risky to expose someone to radiation. Digital radiography has become a great resource for patients who want an effective X-ray without the negative effects that could come from radiation exposure.

 

Since Dr. Matthew Garrison doesn’t have to take time to develop images, your procedure time is considerably shorter. In addition, thanks to the improved, higher quality images provided by digital X-rays, Dr. Garrison is able to diagnose patients more effectively. Early detection is the best way for you to avoid potentially invasive, costly dental procedures that wouldn’t have been necessary if the symptoms were found earlier.

Oral Conscious Sedation

The idea of going to the dentist for a procedure brings on feelings of fear or anxiety in some people, but there are options to ease the anxiety. Between 5% and 8% of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to dental phobia.  We offer an extremely practical solution to dental phobia through sedation. We provide a safe environment with skilled staff members who are able to comfort you through various sedation methods.

 

Sedation is mainly used when a patient has a high level of anxiety or dental phobia, not necessarily because of pain. Thanks to modern endodontic technology and advancements in dental care, once-invasive procedures can now be a simple and painless. Sedation dentistry techniques enable the patients who might otherwise avoid the dentist to receive dental treatment necessary for a healthy smile. We offer oral conscious sedation to our patients. We will provide you with an oral sedative such as “Valium” to ease your nerves. This is utilized for patients with mild to moderate anxiety as it is not as powerful as other sedation methods.  

 

With oral conscious sedation, anxious patients take a sedative pill such as Valium about an hour before their dental appointment to help them relax. When the patient gets to our office, Dr. Garrison may give more pills, depending on how well the first one worked. With oral conscious sedation, patients will not be “knocked out” and will be able to interact or react to any directives given by Dr. Garrison.

 

If you have dental phobia or have an invasive procedure coming up, contact us for more information about sedation. Call 816-532-8706 to schedule your appointment today. 

Braces

Misaligned or crooked teeth can make you feel self-conscious regardless of your age. At Garrison Family Dentistry, we offer options when it comes to braces and correcting misalignments. For instance, we are happy to offer 6 month adult braces, which may be a great choice in some situations.

If you have been hesitating to have misaligned teeth corrected because you did not want to wear braces for a year or two, 6 month adult braces are a great choice. Often adults are concerned with the cosmetic appearance of their teeth, not necessarily the position of the bite. 

 

The 6 month adult braces use memory wires made of nickel and titanium, along with state of the art brackets.  The braces are lighter than traditional braces, but work in the same way. Gentle pressure is gradually applied to the teeth to correct misalignments. The treatment only takes about five to seven months to complete.

 

In addition to 6 month adult braces, we also offer ceramic braces for patients of all ages. Ceramic braces use brackets, which are similar in size to traditional braces. The difference is ceramic braces use clear or tooth colored brackets instead of metal. Tooth colored wires can also be utilized, which makes ceramic braces, less noticeable than traditional metal braces.

 

Our team at Garrison Family Dentistry is proud to offer our patients exceptional dental services including orthodontics. For more information on braces or in order to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 816-532-8706.

Diagnodent

Treating dental cavities at their earliest stage is beneficial in order to preserve as much of the tooth structure as possible. The sooner cavities can be treated, the less likely there is for progression of tooth decay and complications. That’s why at Garrison Family Dentistry we offer our patients the Diagnodent.

 

The Diagnodent is a laser, which helps our dentists and hygienists identify cavities and decay, which are below the surface of the tooth. This advanced laser technology can diagnose hidden cavities, which may not be found through a visual exam or with x-rays.

 

Using advanced technology, such as the Diagnodent, provides us with a great diagnostic tool, which has a very high accuracy rate. The device measures fluorescence within the tooth. Normally, healthy teeth will not exhibit any fluorescence, and the scale rating on the device will be low. When decay is present, fluorescence is detected, which results in an elevated scale reading on the device.

At Garrison Family Dentistry, we strive to provide you with the best possible dental care utilizing the most advanced technology. We believe in providing personal attention in a state of the art facility for your entire family.

 

For more information on the Diagnodent laser or in order to schedule an appointment, please call Garrison family Dentistry at 816-532-8706.

Crown Lengthening

If you need a restorative procedure, such as a crown, you may need a crown lengthening performed first. At Garrison Family Dentistry, our dentists have extensive experience doing restorative procedures, such as crown lengthening.

 

Crown lengthening is a procedure, which involves removing some of the bone, gum tissue or both. In some instances, if you need to have a crown placed, not enough of the tooth structure may be exposed. By removing gum tissue or bone, more of the tooth is above the gum, which helps support the crown.

 

In addition to being performed to aid in the placement of a crown, the procedure may also be done for cosmetic reasons. In some cases, the teeth may appear short, which results in a “gummy” smile. In reality, the teeth may be normal length, but the excess gum tissue covers the teeth, which makes them look shorter. Crown lengthening can be performed in order to reveal more of the natural tooth and improve the smile.

 

The procedure is done comfortably using anesthesia. Small incisions are made in order for the gum tissue to be pulled away from the tooth. The gums are reshaped to create a more natural appearance.

For more information on crown lengthening or in order to make an appointment, please call Garrison Family Dentistry at 816-532-8706.

Intraoral Camera

At Garrison Family Dentistry, we use the most advanced technology to help as make an accurate diagnosis. That’s why we offer patients the intraoral camera. Not all dental problems can be detected through a visual exam alone. The intraoral camera is a small device, which is used in order to view areas of the mouth, which may not be visible through an exam or x-ray.

 

Since the camera is small, it is comfortable for patients. The intraoral camera is placed inside the patient’s mouth and can zoom in on areas of concern. Problems areas, such as cavities or decay, can be magnified, which allows dental issues to be identified sooner than through an exam.

 

The intraoral camera technology also allows us to transmit the images onto a monitor for you to view. This gives you the opportunity to see for yourself dental problems. Because you will see the dental issues firsthand, you will be able to take an active role in your treatment plan with a thorough understanding of the problem.

 

In addition to the intraoral camera, we also offer advanced technology, such as digital x-rays and sedation dentistry. Our dentists and staff are experienced in various areas of dental care including cosmetic, restorative and periodontics.

 

For more information on the intraoral camera or any of our services, please call Garrison Family Dentistry at 816-532-8706.

Bonding

Discolored, chipped and cracked teeth, can make you feel self-conscious when you smile. At Garrison Family Dentistry, we have years of experience improving smiles with procedures, such as bonding.

The process of bonding involves using a composite resin, which is applied to the tooth or teeth. The first step in the process includes making the surface of the tooth a little rougher. Next, a liquid is applied to the tooth, which allows the resin to adhere to the surface of the tooth. The resin is applied and molded into the proper shape. The resin is hardened with the help of a laser applied to the tooth. The last step involves polishing the tooth in order to create a natural appearance.

Bonding is a great option to improve the appearance of your teeth for several reasons. It is one of the least expensive cosmetic procedures. It can also often be completed in one visit. Often more than one tooth can be bonded at the same dental visit. Another advantage of bonding is the procedure often does not require any anesthesia.

We combine the most advanced technology with old fashioned values. We believe our patients are our greatest asset. Our dentists and staff, pride themselves with providing exceptional dental care for your entire family. For more information on bonding or any other cosmetic service, please call Garrison Family Dentistry at 816-532-8706.

Dentures

If you have missing teeth, you know how it can impact your life. Missing teeth can change the way you chew and interfere with your speech. Having missing teeth can also make you feel self-conscious about smiling. Dentures are one option for replacing missing teeth.

At Garrison Family Dentistry, we are happy to offer you options when it comes to dentures. We offer conventional and immediate full dentures, as well as partial dentures.

• Conventional Dentures: Depending on your situation, conventional dentures may be a great option to restore your smile and the function of your teeth. After your remaining teeth are extracted, the gums are given time to heal. When an allotted healing time has passed, your dentures will be placed.


• Immediate Dentures: In some cases, you may not need to wait for your dentures to be placed after extraction. Immediately after your teeth are extracted, your dentures are placed while your gums heal. Our dentists will determine if you are a good candidate for this type of denture.


• Partial Dentures: If you still have some natural teeth, which don’t require extraction, you may be a good candidate for partial dentures.

Our experienced and caring dentists at Garrison Family Dentistry offer a variety of dental care, such as cosmetic services including veneers, teeth whitening and bonding. Our services also include bone grafting, crowns, bridges, braces and periodontal care. We believe in providing our patients with individualized treatment plans and outstanding customer service.

For more information on dentures or any of our other services, please call Garrison Family Dentistry at 816-532-8706.

Bone Grafting

Dental implants are an excellent option to replace a missing tooth. In some cases, before you can have an implant, you may need to have bone grafting surgery. At Garrison Family Dentistry, we offer our patients the latest advances in bone grafting.

Bone grafting may be needed in order to build up the jawbone before an implant is placed. There are two types of bone grafting surgery, which may be performed depending on the extent of grafting needed. For example, in some cases, large changes to the dental ridge may be needed. In other instances, bone grafting may be needed to ensure there is enough bone to cover the sides of the implant.

In many cases, bone fragments are taken from another area of the body and transplanted onto the existing jawbone. Bone from a tissue bank or mineral bone substitutes can also be used. Bone grafting makes the jawbone better able to support an implant, which increases the success of the procedure.

At Garrison Family Dentistry, we offer preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental services for your entire family. We strive to provide you with the best possible dental care and the most advanced technology.

For more information on bone grafting, or in order to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 816-532-8706.

White Fillings

When teeth become decayed, they're often in need of a filling. Nowadays, most patients don’t want to have fillings that are obvious to others when talking, smiling or laughing. Here at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, OH we provide composite resin fillings, which are also known as white fillings.

These fillings are the same color as the patient’s tooth, so they aren’t obvious to anyone else. White fillings not only helps the patient protect their tooth from further decay, but feel more confident when they smile knowing no one knows it’s there.

White fillings have many benefits to patients that make them a great dental filling option:

·         They are the same white color of the tooth being filled.

·         White fillings can be blended to be any shade, regardless of the color of the tooth.

·         They are not significantly more expensive than other fillings.

·         White fillings are just as efficient in protecting teeth as alternatives.

It takes slightly longer for the process of white fillings than metal fillings because white fillings are blended to match our patient’s tooth. Otherwise, they look and feel like any other filling, allowing the patient to fill a cavity and protect their tooth from more serious problems. If you have a cavity and are in need of a filling, call us today at 816-532-8706 to see if you are a candidate for white fillings.

Crowns

Crowns are one of many services we provide in Smithville, MO. Dr. Matthew Garrison provides dental crowns to our patients who need to protect their teeth, whether they are weakened from decay or a previous root canal.

Crowns are custom made to fit over the tooth and are bonded to fit securely. While they are not a permanent solution, they can last 10-15 years with good care and maintenance. Crowns are brushed and flossed daily, just like natural teeth, and patients can eat normally with them.

Here at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithfield, MO, we provide crowns for a variety of purposes. Some patients have weakened teeth that are susceptible to breaking because of tooth decay or a root canal. They need a crown to protect the tooth and keep it. Other patients have staining or do not like the appearance of a particular tooth, and choose to get a porcelain crown to cover it. Whatever the reason, we are happy to provide a crown in 2-3 short dental visits. Give us a call if you have any questions about dental crowns and how they are performed. When you call, ask us about our complimentary X-rays with a new patient exam.

Night Guards

Night guards are an essential piece of orthodontic equipment worn by our patients who have problems with teeth grinding or clenching their teeth while they sleep. Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, we have many young and old patients with signs of teeth grinding. These signs include waking up with headaches, jaw soreness or the enamel on their teeth wearing down. We offer a special type of night guard, called an NTI night guard.

There are a variety of reasons our patients need a night guard, including the following:

1) Children or adults who play contact sports and need to protect their teeth.

2)People who grind or clench their teeth at night.

3)Children or adults with TMJ or TMD, which increase the risk of teeth grinding.

4)Patients that are experiencing jaw or head pain as a result of teeth grinding.

The NTI night guard is FDA approved and is custom made for the patient. Dr. Matthew Garrison takes impressions of the teeth and has a night guard made to fit comfortably in the patient’s mouth. It helps protect their teeth while they sleep and helps patients find relief for head, neck, ear or jaw pain. If you are in the Smithville, OH area want to find out if a night guard might be of benefit to you, call us directly at (816) 532-8706.