Understanding Your Dental Implant Options

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Getting dental implants in St. Louis, MO, is exciting! However, which type of dental implants you need will depend on your situation and oral health. But for now, let’s go over the different types of dental implants and when they are used. Then, we’ll talk about some of your dental implant options.

The Three Types of Dental Implants

These are three types of dental implants.

Endosteal – This type of dental implant is the most commonly used. Endosteal implants are titanium posts that are implanted into your jaw and are what replace your tooth’s root. These can only be used when you have enough jawbone to support an implant.

Subperiosteal – This dental implant is placed on the top of your jawbone but under your gums. Subperiosteal implants are only used when you don’t have enough jawbone to support an implant.

Zygomatic – This dental implant is only used when you have significant bone loss in your upper jaw. It’s a difficult procedure that is only used as a last resort because it must be placed in your cheekbone.

Popular Dental Implant Options

Your dentist in St. Louis, MO, will review your dental implant options with you. There are single-tooth replacement implants. Then, depending on your needs, you might need or want an entire mouth of dental implants and that could mean a single implant for each tooth. Or you might opt for all-on-4 implants. These are implants that consist of only four strategically placed implants. Those four implants will hold an entire arch of teeth in place.

Other popular options include implant-supported bridges, snap-in dentures, implant overdentures, and more. Your dentist will make a recommendation based on your wants, needs, and budget.

Are You Looking for a Reputable Dentist in St. Louis, MO?

If you want to talk with a dentist about getting dental implants, please Contact Smile Now STL to schedule a consultation. We would love to show you just how easy and cost-effective dental implants can be.

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5 Things You Can Do to Stop Your Teeth From Getting Stained

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Stains form on teeth naturally over time. The food you eat, the beverages you drink, and everyday habits you have can all cause stains on your teeth. Working with your dentist in St. Louis, MO and maintaining clean teeth can help. If you want to have beautiful, white teeth, there are many things you can do to prevent your tooth enamel from becoming stained.

1. Prioritize Oral Hygiene at Home

Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Floss once daily. When brushing, brush for two minutes at a time. You can time yourself, or use an electric toothbrush with an automatic timer.

2. See the Dentist Regularly

See your dentist twice annually for dental cleanings and care. The dentist will get rid of plaque and tartar buildup that push against your tooth enamel, causing stains.

3. Stay Hydrated and Swish With Water After Eating

The foods you eat can cause stains over time. Saliva helps keep your teeth clean, so stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Swish with water after eating to help wash away foods on your teeth.

4. Don’t Use Tobacco Products

Tobacco products can cause stains and do permanent damage to your teeth. Avoid using any tobacco products, including cigarettes.

5. Consider Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening from the dentist can turn your teeth several shades whiter. Teeth whitening lasts for years and can be accomplished in one quick visit to the dentist. Get your teeth whitened to see the results!

Make Your Next Dental Appointment

When was the last time you went to your dentist for a dental checkup in St. Louis, MO? If it’s been more than six months, call your dentist at Smile Now STL to make your next appointment. Seeing the dentist can help you maintain healthy, clean teeth.

Bone Loss and Your Teeth

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As a person ages, one of the things they often worry about is osteoporosis. This is a condition where bones weaken and break easily. Osteoporosis can be cause by a variety of reasons, including as a side effect of certain prescription medications. But bone loss in the jaw can also be brought on by oral health problems. Whatever the reason, it’s helpful for you and your dentist in St. Louis, MO to discuss your bone loss and how it affects your teeth.

Causes of Bone Loss

There are other kinds of reasons for bone loss in addition to the ones mentioned above. They include gum disease, tooth extraction without replacement and aging. The problem is that when teeth are lost, the bone that once supported them starts to break down because it is no longer receiving the pressure it needs to stay strong. You may know that exercise that involves impact strengthens bones. It’s the same principle at work in your jaw. Over time, this can create gaps that affect the alignment of your remaining teeth. You may know that exercise that involves impact strengthens bones. It’s the same principle at work in your jaw.

Preventing Bone Loss

Bone loss is largely preventable. One of the most effective ways to prevent or slow down bone loss is by replacing missing teeth with dental implants. Unlike dentures or bridges, implants act as artificial tooth roots, stimulating the bone and preventing further deterioration. Dental implants in St. Louis, MO are surgically placed into the jawbone and fuse with the bone over time, providing a long-lasting and stable foundation for replacement teeth.

If you’re a senior, chances are you are due for a dental exam. During the exam, your dentist can determine the amount—if any—of bone loss you have in your jaw. From there, a viable treatment plan can be formulated.

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Restorative Dentistry Procedures to Fix Your Injured Tooth

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An injured tooth can be a painful problem to have. Your dentist in St. Louis MO can fix your problem using restorative dentistry procedures. Restorative dentistry is a category of dentistry that can correct damage and strengthen your tooth enamel for everyday use.

Whether you have a cavity or a broken tooth, restorative dentistry can help fix the problem. If you’re missing a tooth, restorative dentistry can replace it. Below, we’ve discussed three restorative dentistry procedures that can help fix your teeth.

1. Cavity Fillings

A cavity is a pit that forms in your tooth enamel. Cavities happen because of tooth decay caused by bacteria, sugary foods, and poor oral hygiene habits. Cavities can be painful, and if not addressed quickly, can lead to a dental infection.

Cavity fillings can fix this problem. Fillings fill the hole and stop dental decay from continuing. Cavity fillings can save the tooth. If you have a painful toothache, you might have a cavity. We can help.

2. Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a protective cover placed over the tooth to seal and protect broken teeth. If your tooth has a crack or a break, a dental crown can help fix the problem.

3. Dental Implants

If you’re missing a tooth, a dental implant can restore your smile by filling the hole. Dental implants make talking and chewing easier as well.

Do you need restorative dentistry in St. Louis, MO? The professionals at Smile Now STL can help. To get started repairing or replacing your injured tooth, contact us to make an appointment.

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Three Top Reasons to Choose a General Dentistry Practice

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While every dentist is dedicated to helping patients achieve a confident, happy smile, there is much more to competent dentistry than appearance. If you want your smile to be genuine and lasting, you will want to choose your dentist based on experience and expertise in all facets of dentistry, including basic tooth care and oral health, restorative procedures, and cosmetic dentistry.

We Focus on Basic Tooth Care

At Smiles for Sharing in St. Louis, Mo., Dr. Tom O’Connor and our team are “old school professionals” who concentrate on caring for your teeth and gums, addressing problems when necessary, and using modern techniques to restore or improve function and appearance when warranted. From regular tooth examinations, cleaning, and fillings to extractions, implants, and advanced restorative techniques, including whitening or gum and tooth contouring, our practice is dedicated to assessing your needs and listening to your desires.

We Have Experience Dealing with Complex Oral Health Issues

Boasting more than 45 years of experience, our team specializes in advanced dental care for complex needs. Our patients trust us to deal with the negative effects of tooth loss, decay, misaligned teeth, and the wide variety of other dental problems that cause both visual and functional issues.

We Focus on Cosmetic Improvement

Cosmetic dental enhancement is a major component of our service. We strive to provide quality aesthetic appeal, whether we fill cavities with white tooth-colored resin or install implants to replace missing teeth or crowns. If teeth are severely discolored but healthy, we offer effective cosmetic whitening services.

Our comprehensive, personalized services are grounded on in-house 3D imaging, Cone Beam CT, and patient-specific anatomical reconstruction and image fusion that map a patient’s dental implant surgery and achieve lasting results. Why settle for less than the best?

Schedule an Appointment

Our desire at Smiles for Sharing is to ensure that you can face the present and the future with confidence and the knowledge that you have the best possible smile that can be achieved through modern dentistry. Contact us now to arrange a consultation with a member of our team.

Experience Counts When Choosing a Dentist

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At Smile Now STL, we spend time with each new client to determine exactly what you expect. We pay attention to your personal wants and desires. We let you tell us what is most important when it comes to your teeth and your smile.

Our goal is to offerquality cosmetic and restorative dentistry to residents of the St. Louis area, and we understand that you want high-quality performance. It’s your mouth, after all!

Over time, the mouth, teeth and gums can be adversely affected by a number of different factors — age, wear and tear, disease, diet, lack of proper care, and other health issues. Many patients have good reasons for not wanting to smile.

But if your wish is to restore your oral health and instill not only a new look but a new attitude toward life, Dr. O’Connor and the team at Smile Now STL can be the answer to your prayers. We specialize in cosmetic and restorative dentistry that has the ability to change your life for the better.

How Do We Do This?

First, we perform a thorough examination to determine the current health of your teeth and gums, and to identify any underlying issues that may exist. The we listen to you — we ask about your desires, and your expectations, your overall health, and your habits.

Depending on the condition of your existing teeth, we talk about the need for cosmetic dental intervention, repairs to existing teeth, the need for extractions and possible implants, other restorative measures, and the need for whitening or veneers to improve your smile.

Then, we determine a plan of action based on your wants, your time frame, your age and lifestyle, our experience, and our assessment of what is needed and/or possible to improve your oral health and the appearance of your teeth and smile. We will also honestly discuss your budget and an estimated time frame to complete the work.

Then, we leave the decision in your hands. We will be ready toschedule your appointment whenever you’re ready. We like to think of restorative and cosmetic dentistry as a team effort, and we welcome you to our team.