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.

 

How to Care for Dentures

The dentures we provide at Garrison Family Dentistry have allowed many of our patients to regain their bite, speech, and beautiful smiles. But dentures need to be cared for properly if they’re going to last and do any good. There are some differences between how to care for them and normal teeth that patients should be aware of.

Natural teeth produce their own film which protects them from being scratched by small minerals, such as those found in toothpaste. But dentures do not have this protection and must be cleaned with toothpaste which is specially made for them. Patients should also be sure to brush the entire denture, not just the bits which look like teeth. They should also continue to brush their gums and tongue.

Implant supported dentures are usually removed at night, and like other dentures, they should be kept moist whenever they are not in the mouth. Room-temperature water is usually a fine for dentures without exposed metal, although there are cleaning solutions available. Dentures should not, however, be kept in water hot enough to warp them. Whenever a denture stops fitting properly, patients should have it adjusted by a professional and not attempt to bend it themselves.

Drs. Matthew Garrison and Anna Jones operate 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.

Types of Dentures

For those who are missing some, most, or all of their teeth, dentures are a convenient and attractive option for replacement. Here at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, we are able to provide dentures that give you a smile that suits you perfectly.

Dentures are a new set of teeth that are able to be taken out. Whether all of the teeth are missing or just some of them, we have options for you. We offer full and partial dentures. We can also place them conventionally or immediately.

When teeth go missing, the jawline begins to deteriorate. This can make facial muscles sag and make a person appear older than they are. Dentures ensure an attractive smile, good facial structure, and the ability to chew through food.

Partial dentures are used when there are a few teeth left that can serve as a base for the dentures or when there are just a few teeth missing. Full dentures replace all of your teeth and are able to be applied conventionally or immediately for our patients’ convenience. The benefit to immediate dentures is that there will be no time spent without teeth (if extractions are necessary), however, in the future, they will need to be re-fit. When gums heal from extractions, they tend to shrink and change shape. Conventional dentures will be fit after the gums are healed.

If you are sporting a toothless grin, find out more about how dentures can help you! To schedule an appointment at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, call our office at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com.

Dentures

If you’re missing multiple teeth and want looking to replace them for a complete smile, dentures are a popular option for many patients in Smithville, MO. There are three different types of dentures available, and patients can choose between partial dentures or one of the two types of full dentures. Whichever you choose, you can rely on the experience and expertise of the Dr. Matthew Garrison of Garrison Family Dentistry to provide you with a solution that works for you. 

Conventional full dentures are one type of full dentures that are used after all of a patient’s teeth are removed, but only once the gum tissue has healed for a few months. During that healing time, the patient has no teeth in place. If you don’t like the idea of having no teeth for several months, you can receive immediate full dentures. For this type, Dr. Garrison takes measurements of the patient’s mouth prior to removing the teeth. Then when the teeth are removed at the next appointment, the dentures are immediately placed in the patient’s mouth. With this method, a follow-up visit is required so that the dentures can be refitted and tightened since the jawbone changes shape slightly as it heals with no teeth.

Partial dentures are commonly used when not all of a patient’s teeth need to be removed. They are similar to bridges, except that bridges are permanent and partial dentures are removable. Whichever type of dentures you get, they do take time getting used to since the flesh-colored base is placed over your gums, which can feel bulky or make your mouth feel crowded. However, as you train yourself, eating and talking will begin to feel more natural.

Whether you’ve already lost a significant amount of teeth or are in need of extractions, dentures are a popular option, and Dr. Matthew Garrison of Garrison Family Dentistry can help patients find which choice is best for them in Smithville, MO. To schedule an appointment, call (816) 532-8778. For more information about our practice and the other services we offer, visit www.garrisondentistry.com.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is one option, which can repair a cracked or damaged tooth. Crowns can be used when a filling alone will not correct the problem. A crown will look just like your own teeth and also restore function.

 

At Garrison Family Dentistry, we are happy to offer our patients a variety of dental care including crowns. The process of getting a crown starts by repairing the damaged tooth, which involves removing decay. The tooth is then prepared and shaped in order for the crown to fit. An impression is taken and sent to a laboratory for the crown to be made. While you wait for your permanent crown, you will be fitted for a temporary crown.

 

Dental crowns are usually made of materials including porcelain and ceramic. The color is matched to your other teeth. A crown is usually indistinguishable from your other teeth in appearance. It also functions the same as your natural teeth. Crowns are durable and made to last. With proper care, a crown can last for 15 years or more.

 

At Garrison Family Dentistry, we offer a variety of dental services including cosmetic, preventative and restorative services. Our staff strives to provide you with the best possible dental care in a comfortable environment.

Proper Oral Hygiene

Proper dental hygiene is important for overall health, oral preventative care, and to decrease the amount of cleanings and procedures dentists need to perform during bi-annual check-ups. At Garrison Family Dentistry, we make sure our patients understand the importance of maintaining dental hygiene and its effects on their oral health.

 

Dental hygiene always starts at home, by gently brushing and flossing the teeth twice a day. This keeps the teeth clean, removes tartar buildup that can lead to cavities or infection, and keeps the teeth looking white. It also helps freshen the breath and reduce the risk of gum disease. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months, or when the bristles become frayed. Good oral hygiene also includes limiting your intake of sugary foods and beverages that can prove harmful to your teeth.

 

Dr. Matthew Garrison and the rest of our team at Garrison Family Dentistry recommend dental check-ups every six months to keep the teeth clean. While dental hygiene requires regular brushing and flossing, a professional cleaning twice a year will provide even more preventative measures. This also gives us a chance to look for any potential problems, like finding a cavity that needs filled or seeing an erupting wisdom tooth that might need an extraction. Visit our dental practice today in Del Rio, TX, to learn more about proper dental hygiene.

Implant-Retained Dentures

Dentures provide a cost-effective way to replace many missing teeth, but they aren’t the most popular or comfortable option due to slipping and shifting. However, at Garrison Family Dentistry, we provide implant-retained dentures, which our patients can use to replace multiple teeth without the cost of many dental implants or the discomfort of traditional dentures.

Because dental implants hold the dentures in place, they do not require adhesives, pastes, sticky gum or powders. In addition, they allow patients to chew much easier than conventional dentures so that eating is enjoyable again! Overall, implant-retained dentures are secure and comfortable, and they save you from any embarrassing moments that loose dentures can cause. Implant-retained dentures are also desirable because they can help preserve the remaining bone in your jaw because dental implants serve as tooth root replacements in the jaw’s structure.

With lower dentures, you may only need two conventional dental implants to hold your dentures in place. Four mini dental implants are also an option. Mini implants require minimal surgery, and in many cases dentures can be attached immediately after surgery.

If you would like to see if implant-retained dentures are the right option for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Garrison at our office in Smithville, MO. Just call (816) 532-8778. For more information, visit www.garrisondentistry.com.

Full Mouth Rehabilitation

Here at Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, we keep our patients’ needs in mind when deciding what treatments and dental services we provide. This includes full mouth rehabilitation, as many of our patients have not one, but multiple problems with their dental health and smiles.

 

With full mouth reconstruction, patients choose from a variety of procedures performed in succession — ranging from dentures or implants to crowns and inlays — to give them a brand new smile.

Some of the common procedures our patients choose for their full mouth reconstruction include:

 

1. Dental fillings

2. Inlays and onlays

3. Dental bridges

4. Dental crowns

5. Dental implants

6. Dentures and partials

7. Root canals

8. Treatment for gum disease

9. Treatment for TMJ disorders

 

There are many reasons someone might choose a full mouth reconstruction. Examples include having had a trauma that caused loss or damage to several teeth, having severe decay or gum disease, or experiencing loss of tooth structure from extensive clenching and grinding of the teeth.

 

After consultation with our dentist Dr. Matthew Garrison, patients choose what procedures to receive for full mouth rehabilitation and reconstruction. Call Dr. Matthew Garrison at 816-532-8706 to learn more about your full mouth rehabilitation options.

Dr. Garrison on Smithville’s Decision to Stop Public Water Fluoridation

Dr. Garrison recently provided his expertise for Fox 4 news report on Smithville’s decision to stop fluoridation of the public water supply. Smithville, MO officials made the decision primarily as a cost-cutting measure, but as Dr. Garrison explains in the video report on Fox 4’s website, Smithville could end up paying for the choice with their oral health.

Since it was first implemented in the 1940s, fluoridation of drinking water has consistently shown to benefit public dental health, leading to less tooth decay, cavities and tooth loss. While fluoridation process does require additional cost to implement as a public practice, it saves community members a great deal of money in dental treatment. Per the CDC, every $1 invested in public water fluoridation saves roughly $38 in dental costs.

Comment and share your thoughts on this recent decision.  If you haven’t already, be sure to watch the report on Fox 4’s website: http://fox4kc.com/2013/03/19/budget-cuts-force-changes-to-smithvilles-water/

 

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/benefits/background.htm

Cosmetic Dentistry

For most of us, a smile plays a critical role in the impressions we give and take, the confidence we exude, and the way we feel throughout the day.  Depending upon how you feel about yours, a smile can be a serious asset or a source of apprehension.  That’s why cosmetic dentistry has been such a wise investment for many of our patients here at Garrison Family Dentistry.

Whether you’re seeking a basic improvement such as teeth whitening or a speedy orthodontic alignment, or a complete smile makeover with veneers, crown lengthening and more, we have the resources to get you closer to a smile you idealize.

Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, we know that when patients feel great about the look of their smile, they are all the more inspired to take excellent care of their smile.  Cosmetic dentistry is more than just an esthetic improvement; it’s a personal investment in confidence and oral health.

We offer a wide range of cosmetic dental services and invite you to visit for a consultation. We’ll help you assess the current state of your smile and discuss the options that will best suit your needs and desires.  For more information on our cosmetic dental services, please view our website and give us a call today.

Dental Implants

Are you familiar with dental implants? These restoratives are the closest you can get to the look and feel of a real tooth. Dental implants are strong, reliable, easy to maintain, and are also highly versatile.  Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, we use dental implants as a dependable solution to several smile concerns.

Since dental implants are placed directly into the jaw bone and provide the same stability you’d expect from natural tooth roots, they can be used to replace one or more missing, extracted, or severely damaged teeth.  Each implant can be topped with a custom fabricated crown that makes the restoration site virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your smile.  There’s no need to modify or disturb surrounding teeth to serve as a means of support, nor is there any external framework or components. Dental implants can also be used to solve the problem of denture instability, serving as a rooted component of traditional dentures. As a result, patients feel more confident, secure and comfortable as they eat, speak and smile.

If you’re considering dental implants to replace a tooth or if you’d like to transition into implant dentures, it’s a great time to visit us here at Garrison Family Dentistry. We are now offering $200 off implant treatments until June 1^st.  To learn more about this Spring Special and the dental implants we provide, please view our website and call us directly for details.

Digital X-Rays

Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, we’re committed to running a modern dental practice that is just as advanced as it is personable and friendly. We maintain a variety of dental technology that helps us provide you with better care. One example is our use of digital x-rays.

Digital x-rays offer a number of advantages over conventional dental film x-rays.  They process is a considerable safer as they emit 80% less radiation than film radiography methods.  The results are also more efficient, convenient and comprehensive.  The digital capture and display capabilities make it easy for us to zoom in an area of concern, plan procedures with greater precision, give you a better understanding of your current oral health, and easily share the results for insurance claim and patient record keeping purposes.

If you’re due for an exam or you’re ready to undergo a dental procedure at our practice, call us and ask how digital x-rays and our other capabilities can contribute to an optimal dental care experience.