Diagnodent

Cavities can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, especially when they reside in the grooves and pits of molars, but technological advancements have made detection of tooth decay easier than ever. While the traditional way to check for cavities involved looking for visual signs of decay, using dental X-rays and feeling for soft areas with a dental explorer, dentists can now use DIAGNOdent laser technology to detect even the smallest cavity. In Smithville, MO, Dr. Matthew Garrison uses this technology to provide superior dental services to his patients at Garrison Family Dentistry.

Because the wide use of fluoride in recent years has hardened the outer layer of enamel on our teeth, cavities have become smaller and harder to diagnose, but the DIAGNOdent fluorescent laser provides a revolutionary way to detect decay. By using this laser, Dr. Garrison can find decay that even dental X-rays and intraoral cameras at 30 times magnification can miss. The DIAGNOdent allows the dentist to catch cavities at their earliest stages by reading what’s going on underneath the surface of teeth and detecting even the smallest amount of decay.

Early detection with the DIAGNOdent radically improves the quality of dental health care that the dentist can provide because the technology allows him to preserve more of the patient’s tooth structure. When a cavity is caught early, it not only saves more of the tooth from decay; it also prevents the need for more radical dental treatments required for larger cavities.

Dr. Matthew Garrison employs state-of-the-art technology to provide superior dental care to his patients in Smithville, MO. For the best diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment by calling (816) 532-8778. For more information about Garrison Family Dentistry and its services, please visit 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.

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.

Screening for Oral Cancer

Being screened for oral cancer is an important part of maintaining your oral health and should be a regular part of your oral hygiene routine. At our practice in Smithville, MO, we take oral cancer seriously and are dedicated to keeping our patients safe with thorough screenings.

While everyone is at risk for oral cancer, certain factors can increase your risk in developing the disease. Lifestyle choices, such as heavy drinking or smoking, can greatly affect the health of tissues in the mouth, so it is especially important for you to receive regular screenings if you partake in these activities. If oral abnormalities are caught early, it will not only expand your treatment options, including less invasive and less radical treatments, but it will also increase your chances of beating oral cancer.

Screening for oral cancer can be done during routine checkups by Dr. Matthew Garrison, who uses ultraviolet light to help him spot abnormal tissue in your mouth. Abnormal tissue can then be tested to see if it is cancerous or not.

Oral cancer is a serious issue, and at our office, we strive to protect all our patients. To schedule an appointment, call (816) 532-8778. For more information, visit www.garrisondentistry.com.

Acid Reflux and Teeth

The enamel of your teeth is the thin, tough outer layer of your teeth. Enamel protects your teeth from daily activities like chewing, biting and grinding. The enamel of your teeth also protect against harmful temperatures and chemicals. Although enamel is a hard protector of your teeth, it can chip and crack. There are many factors that affect the health of your enamel, but one of the quickest ways to erode enamel comes from acid reflux disease.

If you suffer from consistent acid reflux, the health of your teeth probably isn’t one of the first things you’re thinking about. You’re probably reaching for an antacid or a glass of milk and moving on with your day. However, new research reveals how gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can severely damage your teeth thanks to an increase of acid in the mouth. The study concluded that acid reflux can ultimately lead to thin, sharp and pitted teeth.

GERD, better known as acid reflux disease, causes chronic heartburn. The stomach contents, including acid, leak into the esophagus and often work their way back up into the mouth, causing burning pain. The damage from acid reflux looks a lot like tooth wear because the acid dissolved the tooth surface directly, softening the surface. Once the surface is softened, it becomes worn down layer by layer. Once the enamel is eroded, it cannot come back. In that case, patients would need a crown, veneer or filling to replace their tooth.

If your teeth have been damaged by your condition, feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew Garrison to discuss your treatment options.

Overall Oral Health

Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, we aim to improve our patient’s overall oral health with proper dental education and encouraging them to visit us on a regular basis. Our team recommends patients visit us at least every six months for their routine cleaning and check-up, as this helps us find problems early and offer the best possible treatment. It improves our patient’s oral health and their health overall, as dental health can affect many different parts of the body.

During biannual visits, we will begin by examining your face and neck and checking your lymph nodes and jaw joints. We will also examine your gums, teeth, and the tissues inside your mouth. An oral cancer screening is also included in these routine dental visits. X-rays are often taken during the twice-yearly exams, though not always. We finish the appointment with a professional dental cleaning and recommendations for treatments if we notice any issues with your dental health.

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Matthew Garrison or Dr. Anna Jones by calling (816) 532-8778. You can also visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information!

NTI Night Guards

Here at Garrison Family Dentistry, we want our patients to have good oral health, and that starts with preventative care. One type of preventative care is through the use of night guards. Night guards are worn by patients who have a problem with grinding or clenching their teeth at night. While it may not seem like a serious problem, teeth grinding can lead to reduced tooth enamel, which weakens teeth. Teeth grinding may also cause severe headaches, jaw pain, and an irritation of the gums. Night guards help prevent these from occurring.

The benefits of night guards include the following:

• Protecting the patient’s teeth so they don’t weaken or crack from being worn down


• Saving patients money on future dental procedures


• Getting relief from headaches and jaw pain


• Eliminating partner disturbance while sleeping and grinding teeth

NTI Night Guards are made custom to the patient, so they fit comfortable and do not interrupt their sleep. Dr. Matthew Garrison or Dr. Anna Jones will start by making impressions of your teeth, those molds will be turned into our NTI Night Guards in less than 45 minutes. We tell our patients to wear their night guards every night while sleeping. Night guards last about 10 years with proper care.