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.

Periodontal Health

Caring for your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral health, but your gums also play an important role in your health, and proper care is crucial. Gum disease can be a serious detriment to your oral health and overall wellness, and at our office, Dr. Matthew Garrison provides the type of regular periodontal care and checkups you need to maintain peak health and prevent gum disease.

With periodontal disease responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontis. Periodontis can destroy your gum tissue and lead to tooth loss. Periodontis can even result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone, and heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, so come to Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO to receive periodontal cleanings and treatment. It is easier to prevent gum disease or treat it early on than to reverse the effects of periodontis. Call (816) 532-8778 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.garrisondentistry.com.

Sedation Dentistry

If just the thought of going to the dentist for a procedure brings on fear and anxiety, sedation dentistry is probably the right choice for you. Between 5 and 8 percent of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to dental phobia, but you don’t need to let your oral health suffer because of fear. At our office in Smithville, MO, we offer a safe environment where we can comfort anxious patients through both oral sedation and nitrous oxide.

Sedation is mainly used when a patient has a high level of anxiety or dental phobia, not because of pain. At Garrison Family Dentistry, we can sedate our patients through oral sedation or nitrous oxide. These methods will make sure you can tend to your oral health while avoiding the anxiety that accompanies visiting the dentist.

A common sedation method utilized in the dental industry is nitrous oxide (N20). Nitrous oxide works very rapidly, reaching the brain within 20 seconds. With this method, Dr. Matthew Garrison will place a small mask over your nose and ask you to breathe normally. Within a few short minutes, you will begin to feel the effects. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, and there is no “hangover” effect.

The other method utilized by our office is known as oral conscious sedation. It is as simple as taking an aspirin. It is utilized for patients with mild to moderate anxiety as it is not as powerful as other sedation methods. With oral sedation, your dentist will provide you with an oral sedative, such as valium. You will not be “knocked out,” but you will feel more relaxed.

To schedule an appointment with our office, call (816) 532-8778. For more information, visit www.garrisondentistry.com.

Teeth Whitening

Even with diligent brushing, flossing and cleaning, keeping your teeth white is harder than you might think. Despite proper oral care, constant exposure to food and drinks can cause your teeth to become dull and darken over time. Teeth whitening can help restore the color and gleam to your teeth, and at our office in Smithville, MO, we provide teeth whitening services that can restore your smile to a bright white state.

Teeth whitening services are becoming more and more popular, and as the demand for whiter teeth increases, patients are realizing that over-the-counter techniques just aren’t as effective as options offered by their dentist. At our office, whitening procedures are becoming one of the most requested services, and Dr. Matthew Harrison offers an effective way for his patients to meet their goals. The method that we use to whiten patients’ teeth is the take-home tray system. Using gentle, whitening gel applied in trays that are custom made to fit their teeth, patients can whiten their smile four to eight shades in only a couple sessions.

Whitening your teeth is an easy and dramatic way to improve the look of your smile. If you are looking to make your pearly whites white again, schedule an appointment with Garrison Family Dentistry by calling (816) 532-8778. For more information, visit www.garrisondentistry.com.

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.