My patient Vanessa came in to our office looking for a way to rejuvenate and brighten her smile. Vanessa had suffered from some severe cavities, and chronic dental problems had definitely left their mark on her smile.

When your tooth becomes infected with harmful bacteria, one of the first signs of infection that you may notice is dental discoloration. Dental enamel—the hard white outer surface of the tooth—is the first line of defense against infection. If the enamel wears away and becomes infected, it can become dark brown or black in spots.

As the infection moves through the tooth to the dentin and dental pulp, which lie below the dental enamel, the entire tooth can take on a darker, duller appearance. Once these dental infections are treated, you may still notice some residual staining and dental darkening.

The good news is that with modern cosmetic dentistry techniques our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists can drastically improve the appearance of teeth that appear duller or darker due to infection. If you natural enamel isn’t as white as you’d prefer, professional whitening treatments can lighten the appearance of your teeth. These treatments utilize hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to actually bleach teeth beyond their current level of whiteness.

If your teeth have been severely damaged, and dental bleaching treatments are not effective, you may benefit from cosmetic treatments that actually resurface the appearance of teeth. Dental veneers, because they completely resurface dental enamel, can correct even the most damaged dental enamel. Dental veneers may be especially useful if you experience both discoloration and pits or grooves in your enamel, because both of these problems can be corrected at once.

The first thing to do, no matter what your cosmetic concern, is to have your teeth assessed and treated for any infections. Once your teeth are healthy, our O’Fallon cosmetic dental office will help you reclaim your brilliantly white smile.

Losing a tooth is a traumatic experience, so when searching for a tooth replacement solution, you may be tempted to rush into a decision. The better course of action by far is to take your time, evaluate the benefits of different tooth replacement treatments, and then choose the solution that fits in with your life. Here we’ll review how to maintain a dental implant,

Dental implants are small titanium rods that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once the bone and titanium fuse together, the dental implant is capped with a natural-looking restoration. Dental implants, unlike dentures and dental bridges, are not removable for cleaning and maintenance. Rather, you care for your dental implant as you would care for your regular teeth. Our O’Fallon dental implant dentists recommend that you:

Brush and floss as least twice a day to clean plaque away and help prevent dental infections. It’s important also to see your dentist semi-annually for a professional dental cleaning. At this appointment your dentist will also access the health and stability of your implant.

Don’t chew on harmful substances. Dental implants are designed to be strong enough for you to eat and drink normally. Although you can enjoy all of your favorite foods and drinks, it’s still important to avoid chewing hard candies or ice. Both of these things can wear down your dental implants prematurely—they can even cause your restorations to crack or chip.

By following a few simple guidelines and keeping up with your dental health routine, you can help maintain your smile and dental implants for years to come. Before you choose a tooth replacement solution, take the time to discuss your situation and your options with a professional. Give our O’Fallon dental implant dentists a call for more information or to schedule an appointment—(636) 614-1217.

In our O’Fallon cosmetic dental office, we’ve found that many patients are looking for the same thing—a whiter, brighter smile. As teeth become stained and discolored through years of wear and tear, it’s only natural that many patients want to reclaim the young-looking, white teeth they remember. As we know the first step to achieving this white smile is diligent dental hygiene. Patients should brush and floss at least twice daily and maintain a schedule of regular dental appointments. But what if this isn’t enough?

If dental hygiene alone isn’t keeping your smile as sparkling as you’d like, it may be time to investigate teeth whitening products to rejuvenate dental enamel. What we commonly refer to as teeth whitening products are actually teeth bleaching products, because they use either hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to whiten teeth. These products do more than simply remove surface debris and plaque, they have the ability to whiten teeth beyond their natural, or base shade, of whiteness.

The effectiveness of a teeth bleaching product depends on the formulation of the whitening agent and the way that the product is applied. Over the counter whitening strips and gels utilize less potent bleach formulas. The goods news is that this means that these products can be used at home without dentist supervision. The bad news is that at-home strips and gels take longer to whiten teeth, and ultimately don’t provide the same level of whiteness.

Professional teeth whitening treatments, on the other hand, are administered in a dental office. Most patients see results after only one or two appointments. Professional bleaching is suitable for a wide variety of patients, and may be the only effective treatment for patients with persistent staining or tetracycline-darkened teeth.

Before you begin a whitening regimen, discuss your plans with your dentist. He or she can help you decide what bleaching treatment will work best for you situation. Give our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists a call if you have any questions—(636) 614-1217.

Our O’Fallon cosmetic dental office treats a wide variety of cosmetic issues, and offers a number of different cosmetic solutions for patients of all ages. What we’ve found, through years of treating patients, is that all patients want a whiter smile. In-office teeth bleaching treatments can be used alone or as the finishing touch on a complete smile makeover. Once you’ve whitened your smile, however, you’ll want to maintain it, which is why so many patients as the question, “why are my teeth becoming discolored in the first place?”

The truth is dental enamel changes color for a variety of reasons. Some causes of staining are avoidable and some are just natural byproducts of aging. Here are some common causes of dental discoloration:

• eating and drinking—discoloring substances such as wine, cola, coffee, and tea can leave stains on white enamel.
• chewing or grinding—chronic bruxism—dental clenching and grinding—can cause small cracks in dental enamel. Eventually discoloring substances accumulate in these weak areas, causing dental stains.
• dental trauma—dental trauma or accident may cause your tooth to darken because it is no longer healthy.
• poor oral hygiene—plaque and tartar make dental enamel appear yellow or brown. If you are not cleaning plaque off of your daily and having professional cleanings for tartar control, you’ll notice that your teeth appear darker and dirty.
• tobacco use—both chewing and smoking tobacco can drastically change the color of dental enamel. To keep your smile sparkling white, avoid tobacco products!

If you want to maintain a bright, white smile you can take certain steps to avoid stains. Don’t use tobacco products, seek treatment for bruxism, and limit your use of staining substances. If you do find that your smile is still darker than you’d like it to be, know that there are cosmetic whitening options available to you. Give our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists a call for more information or to schedule an appointment—(636) 614-1217.

Sleep apnea is a pervasive and disruptive disorder that can contribute to a number of health complications. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused with soft oral tissue relax and fall into the airway during sleep. Sleep apnea patients may experience snoring, restlessness at night, and extreme fatigue and mood changes during the day. In extreme chronic cases sleep apnea can lead to anxiety, depression, and memory problems due to exhaustion.

The traditional treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP machine. The sleep apnea sufferer wears the CPAP machine over his or her mouth in the night. The CPAP mouthpiece delivers a forceful, steady stream of air into the patient’s airway, preventing the patient’s soft tissues from relaxing back into the throat and obstructing breathing.

Although CPAP machines are somewhat effective, patients often resist using them because the apparatuses are so cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear. Our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists understand that CPAP machines simply don’t cut it for many patients. That’s why we’re proud to offer an alternative to CPAP sleep apnea treatment.

Our office strives to treat sleep apnea with simple, comfortable oral appliances. Sleep apnea oral appliances are designed to fit into a patient’s mouth like a mouth guard or retainer. It is custom-fitted to the patient’s mouth, and designed to keep the jaw in proper alignment, thereby preventing soft tissues from obstructing airflow.

These appliances are FDA-approved, and many patients see results in just days or weeks. When you meet with our sleep apnea team, we determine whether or not you’re a candidate for CPAP-alternative sleep apnea treatment. If you could benefit from a sleep apnea mouth guard, we’ll explain your treatment plan in greater detail.

Give our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists a call for more information or to schedule an appointment. As always, we’re here to help—(636) 614-1217.

Our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists utilize a number of different treatment options and methods to rejuvenate our patients’ smiles.  One of the most versatile of these treatment options is probably cosmetic veneers. We use veneers to correct many different aesthetic dental problems, and they are always customized to complement the patient’s smile and natural teeth.

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are thin layers of porcelain. These porcelain pieces cover the outside of a patient’s tooth (or multiple teeth) to give the appearance of a white, smooth, unblemished tooth surface. Veneers are made of porcelain because porcelain refracts and reflects light similarly to dental enamel, and because porcelain is quite strong when it is bonded to natural enamel.

What can dental veneers do?

Cosmetic dentists use porcelain veneers to make teeth appear smoother, whiter, and younger. Here are some common ways that our O’fallon cosmetic dentists use dental veneers:

·      Veneers can resurface dull, stained, or pitted dental enamel

·      Veneers can close unsightly gaps between teeth

·      Veneers can make a smile appear straight and in proportion

·      Veneers can be used to resurface cracked or chipped teeth

·      Veneers can lengthen or widen the appearance of small teeth

As you can see, porcelain veneers can correct a number of cosmetic problems, and best of all they can correct multiple problems in just one or two visits. Say for example, that you’d like a whiter smile and to close gaps between your teeth. You may opt for dental veneers because you can accomplish both of these goals with one treatment, rather than going through years of braces.

Every patient needs to find a cosmetic treatment that works for him or her, uniquely. If you’ve been thinking about pursuing dental veneers, give our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists a call for more information at (636) 614-1217. When you schedule a consultation we can discuss your case in more detail and review the treatment timeline. 

Getting quality sleep is an essential component of maintaining overall health. When you sleep your body is able to repair itself and restore vital systems. Sleep apnea patients cannot get restful sleep because they suffer from obstructed nighttime breathing. Many patients stop breathing for extended periods of time at night, and they eventually choke or gasp awake once their oxygen levels dip dangerously low.

Untreated sleep apnea disorder can cause a variety of complications and illnesses. Chronic low-oxygen levels combined with poor sleep and elevated adrenaline and stress levels may cause patients to suffer from complications ranging from fatigue to heart disease.

Some initial sleep apnea problems are also symptoms or warning signs of the disorder. For example:

·      Fatigue

·      Chronic headaches

·      Memory and concentration problems

Over time, untreated sleep apnea begins to damage your overall health. Untreated sleep apnea sufferers are at a higher risk of suffering from:

·      Heart disease

·      Stroke

·      Depression

·      Systemic artery disease

·      Diabetes

·      Cognitive problems

·      High blood pressure

These conditions are obviously quite serious. The sooner sleep apnea is effectively treated the less likely it is that you’ll suffer from long-term complications of the disorder. Our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists are able to treat sleep apnea with unobtrusive, easy to use dental appliances. These appliances restore optimal nighttime breathing, reduce snoring, and help your body get the reparative sleep it needs.

If you’ve been suffering from disrupted sleep, chocking or gasping episodes at night, or daytime fatigue and headaches, sleep apnea may be the root problem. If you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms feel free to call our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists for more information or to schedule an appointment. You can schedule an appointment by clicking here or calling us at (636) 614-1217.

When my patient Lauren came in for her semi-annual visit she had just returned from a wonderful vacation. With a glowing tan, Lauren recounted that she had really enjoyed her trip, but she was so upset when she was flipping through her pictures at home. In ever picture, she complained, her teeth looked kind of yellow and worn down. With a wedding coming up in just a month, Lauren was very motivated whiten and brighten her smile.

Lauren’s cosmetic concerns are incredibly common. Our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists explained to her that as people age, their teeth inevitably age and change color as well. Some patients suffer from discoloration due to environmental factors, food, and drinks. Other patients suffer from yellow teeth become their enamel becomes thinner and exposes the darker inner-tooth. Luckily, we now have a variety of cosmetic treatments that can whiten dental enamel and restore a youthful looking smile.

Teeth whitening and bleaching treatments are popular among patients of all ages, because they are both quick and comfortable. Bleaching treatments whiten enamel by using hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. Professional, in-office treatments deliver stunning results in just one or two sessions.

Dental veneers—thin layers of porcelain that are affixed to the surface of teeth—are often used for patients for whom traditional teeth whitening treatments don’t work. Because dental veneers cover existing enamel, they can in essence resurface any cosmetic problem. Dental veneers can be custom shaded and shaped to fit a patient’s smile and blend with natural teeth.

Lauren chose to pursue teeth bleaching treatments, and she is thrilled with the results. We were able to lighten her teeth several shades, and she was ready to flaunt her whiter, younger-looking smile in time for wedding pictures! If you’ve been considering cosmetic dentistry treatment, give our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists a call for more information—(636) 614-1217.

When many people think of dentures they picture an old lady with her teeth flapping out of her mouth. This picture is horribly outdated! And unfortunately it deters many patients from getting partial or complete dentures that could dramatically change their lives. With modern technology, dentures are more natural looking, and easier to use than ever before. Here I’m going to review some options our O'Fallon dentures dentists offer for patients suffering from tooth loss. Depending on your situation you may benefit from partial or complete dentures.

So What’s The Difference?

If you’re missing all of your teeth on either the top or lower jaw you may benefit from complete dentures. These dentures are fitted to your gums, and they stay in place with dental adhesive. With complete dentures you can regain the appearance of a complete smile along with the functionality of a full set of teeth.

If, on the other hand, you are missing some teeth, but you still have natural, healthy teeth on your jaw line, you may be able to use partial dentures. These dentures replace teeth with a smaller denture piece. Partial dentures are affixed to adjacent teeth. Natural teeth hold partial dentures in place, and simultaneously partial dentures keep teeth from shifting or moving along the gum line.

Both of these tooth-replacement options can help you feel more confident and happy with your smile. There’s not reason to go through life trying to hide your teeth—you have options with comfortable, modern dentures. Give our O’Fallon dentures dentists a call—we can answer all of your questions and get you on the way to your dream smile— (636) 614-1217.

You can’t control whether or not you have a chronic sleep apnea condition. However, as an informed patient you can control how disruptive your sleep apnea is on a day-to-day basis. Nobody knows your sleep habits better than you do—and if you take proactive steps to get the sleep apnea treatment you need, you can significantly reduce your complications from sleep apnea. So take charge of your health and look out for these common sleep apnea-associated problems. If you look at this list and think, “hey, that sounds like me,” let your dentist know!

Common chronic symptoms:

• Extreme daytime sleepiness
• Heartburn/sour taste in the mouth
• Nighttime restlessness and tossing and turning
• Frequent headaches
• Concentration problems
• Decreased memory
• Irritability

Nighttime sleep-apnea specific symptoms:

• Choking/gasping during sleep
• Swelling of the legs
• Chest pain at night
• Disruptive snoring
• Periods of obstructed breathing—your bed partner may even be able to hear that you are not breathing for a period of time
• Frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom

As you can see, some of these symptoms ostensibly point more directly to sleep apnea than others. Swelling of the legs, for instance, may be a result of a variety of troubling problems. Our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists can help you determine whether your symptoms are connected to sleep apnea breathing problems or another condition. Therefore, if you find yourself struggling with one or more of these symptoms it’s important to contact your dental health professional immediately so that you can get an accurate diagnosis. Feel free to give our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists a call if you have any questions or you’d like more information—(636) 614-1217.