Less Noticeable Ceramic Braces Available at Garrison Family Dentistry

Straight teeth both look good and reduce oral complications. Braces are wonderful for straightening teeth. But traditional metal braces are not very nice looking and they make it obvious that you are straightening your teeth. This is why Garrison Family Dentistry provides their patients in the Smithville, MO area the option of ceramic braces. They are less noticeable and better looking!

Ceramic braces have translucent brackets so they blend in with your teeth. In certain cases, the wires may be able to be tooth colored to blend in well, also. In the past, ceramic braces would stain over time. But with the latest advances in ceramic braces, they are stain resistant, so they continue to look nice and blend in well for the duration of your straightening process.

As with any type of braces, a good oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing is required. Combined with regular cleanings from your dentist, the braces will look good for a long time.  When the process is complete, you will have an attractive smile!

The process for applying ceramic braces is the same as traditional braces. Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and come up with a step-by-step plan. The brackets are bonded to the front of your teeth and the wire is clipped in.

If you are interested in straightening your teeth but do not want a noticeable metallic smile, schedule a consultation with us at Garrison Family Dentistry at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

Digital X-Ray at Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO

The safety of our patients at Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO is of the most importance to us. This is why we like to use advanced technology in our practice and why we have implemented the digital x-ray.

The digital x-ray has many advantages over the standard x-ray systems of the past, and one of them is safety. The digital x-ray uses much less radiation than the standard x-ray systems. It is a much safer process for the patient now. The digital x-rays are also in fact, digital. So there is no more waiting for the images to be developed in a dark room. The images are instantly displayed onto a monitor. Within the computer are tools that allow us to take a closer look at the image than ever possible before. This makes it possible to catch changes that may have been overlooked by the naked eye. Being digitalized also means we can save the photo, email it, or print it however many times we would like. This is helpful for when a patient needs records, or needs to send the images to another doctor or an insurance company. This also makes it very easy for us to refer back to the images during your visits so we can quickly identify any changes.

For more information about the technology we use here at Garrison Family Dentistry of Smithville, MO, call us at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com. 

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.