Many patients who are interested in transforming their smiles are actually wanting to improve multiple aspects of their smile. Some patients, for example, want to straighten their teeth and whiten dental enamel. Other patients need to fix a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth while they straighten crooked teeth. The fact is that very few people are born with white, straight, and perfectly proportioned teeth. The good news is that dental veneers are a versatile cosmetic option that can help you achieve your dream smile.

 

Our Sullivan cosmetic dentists are committed to helping patients find a cosmetic treatment that fits their budget, goals, and ideal timeline. Dental veneers are a useful option for many patients because they can be placed in just one or two visits, and they can rectify a variety of very common cosmetic problems all at once. Dental veneers can be used to fix:

 

·      Broken, cracked, or chipped teeth

·      Misaligned teeth

·      Dark or dull enamel

·      Oddly proportioned teeth

·      Pitted or poorly developed enamel

·      Crooked and crowded smiles

·      Large gaps in the smile

 

Veneers are thin layers of porcelain that are attached to teeth—essentially resurfacing the appearance of the outside of the tooth, and transforming the appearance of the smile. Because veneers are custom shaped and shaded they are crafted to blend with the patient’s natural teeth. Veneers can be used to lengthen or widen existing teeth, as well as resurface enamel.

 

Many patients choose veneers because veneers can rectify a number or problems in just one or two appointments. Patients, therefore, do not have to wait through years of orthodontic treatment, or multiple teeth whitening appointments to realize their dream smiles. If you or someone you know is considering porcelain veneers give our Sullivan cosmetic dentists a call for more information. As always we can be reached at (573) 321-4008, and we’re here to help!

A patient of mine, Ryan, came in for his regular appointment recently. His teeth were in pretty good shape, and for the most part he thought that his dental routine was going well. He did have one concern, however (which he almost didn’t even mention), his wife had told him that he was snoring throughout the night, and that sometimes it sounded like he was gasping for air. Ryan wanted to know if this could mean that his teeth were shifting around. I told him that his bite and dental alignment were the same, but that the symptoms he described could be the results of sleep apnea.

 

Sleep apnea is a chronic condition in which a patient experiences obstructed breathing in the night. Many patients actually stop breathing for seconds or minutes at a time. Sleep apnea patients often suffer from fatigue, concentration problems, and irritability because they are not getting sufficient quality sleep. As I was explaining this condition to Ryan he become visibly concerned, “Is sleep apnea dangerous?” he asked.

 

Sleep apnea, left untreated, causes chronically low oxygen levels, and may contribute to increased adrenaline and stress levels. As a result untreated sleep apnea patients have a higher risk of suffering from:

 

·      Painful headaches

·      Strokes

·      Heart disease

·      Diabetes

·      Hypertension

·      Respiratory problems

·      Memory impairment

 

Our Sullivan sleep apnea dentists were able to fit Ryan with a comfortable and effective dental appliance that allowed him to breathe normally at night. He started feeling better rested, more focused, and energized. And best of all, he knew that was no longer putting himself at risk for serious health problems down the road. Timely, effective sleep apnea treatment lowers the risk of long-term health complications, so if you think you or someone you know my be suffering from sleep apnea, give our Sullivan sleep apnea dentists a call for more information or to schedule an appointment— (573) 321-4008.

We all know that as we age our appearance changes.  Environmental and biological factors can make us look tired and worn down.  What many patients don’t readily acknowledge is that the same thing is true for your teeth! As dental enamel ages it becomes thinner and naturally becomes darker in appearance. Additionally, cumulative stains and discoloration over time can mar a patient’s smile. All of these cosmetic problems can cause your smile to look years older than it really is.

 

The good news is that we now have a variety of cosmetic treatments that can brighten your smile again. Depending on your oral health, cosmetic concerns, and dental goals, you may benefit from one of many teeth whitening treatments.

The most common way of whitening dental enamel is through competent and regular dental cleanings. Patients who floss and brush regularly can minimize staining and sometimes prevent serious discoloration. Professional cleanings actually remove stains and discoloring dental debris. If you’d like to keep a white smile, it’s critical see your dentist for semi-annual cleanings.

 

If you already have stained enamel teeth bleaching treatments—which use hydrogen and carbamide peroxide—can bleach enamel, often lightening it several shades. Our Sullivan cosmetic dentists offer in-office professional whitening treatments that are both fast and effective. This is a very popular option that suits a variety of cosmetic patients.

 

If your teeth do not respond to conventional teeth whitening treatments, you may benefit from dental veneers. Veneers actually cover existing enamel, which means that your can achieve a white smile regardless of the current shade of your teeth.

 

Cosmetic teeth whitening treatments are more varied and effective than ever before. If you’d like more information, or you want to discuss your situation with one of our Sullivan cosmetic dentists, give us a call at (573) 321-4008.

Last week I met with a patient, Mark, who had recently suffered severe tooth loss in an accident. Mark had lost three teeth, and he was worried about how he could repair his smile as quickly as possible. Mark’s job requires him to work with customers on a regular basis, and he found that with missing teeth he just wasn’t confident speaking to people anymore.

 

When I mentioned to Mark that our Sullivan dentures dentists may be able to help him he looked surprised. “But Doctor, I still have all of these teeth! How am I supposed to wear dentures?” Mark was thinking of complete dentures—dentures which replace all teeth on the upper or lower jawline—so he didn’t understand how dentures could work from someone wanting to replace three teeth. The truth is there are two types of dentures—partial and complete dentures.

 

Partial dentures are used when we are replacing teeth but there are still natural teeth along the gumline. Partial dentures are anchored by these natural teeth, allowing them to fit tightly and remain stable in the mouth. Partial dentures also keep natural teeth from shifting in the mouth after tooth loss.

 

Complete dentures replace all teeth on the upper or lower jaw line. Many of us think of complete dentures when we hear the word “denture,” and Mark was no exception. Complete dentures are custom-fitted to  the gums so that they can stay in place with adhesive.

 

Mark ended up using partial dentures to replace his missing teeth and he’s thrilled with the results. With a simple partial denture he is now able to smile and speak with ease—some of his customers have even complimented his refreshed smile! If or you someone you know may benefit from partial or complete dentures feel free to give our Sullivan dentures dentists a call to get more information— (573) 321-4008.

Sleep apnea is a devastating condition. Obstructed nighttime breathing can cause annoying problems for sleep apnea sufferers and their bed partners—snoring, restless tossing and turning, and choking and gasping at night. Even scarier, long-term oxygen deficiency due to sleep apnea can increase your risk for high blood pressure and diseases of the heart and arteries. The good news is that proactive, timely sleep apnea treatment can greatly reduce your risk of suffering long term complications, as well as restore a good night’s sleep for you and your partner! You can take control of your health by looking out for these key symptoms of sleep apnea:

 

Daytime Symptoms

• Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
• Concentration and memory problems
• Irritability

Nighttime Symptoms

• Disruptive snoring
• Restlessness during sleep—you may be tossing and turning and waking your partner up
• Chest pain
• Frequent heartburn feeling or sour taste in the mouth
• Obvious periods of stalled breathing—your partner may notice that you aren’t making regular breathing noises
• Waking up at night choking or gasping for air

Obviously these symptoms are annoying, sometimes even scary. If you see yourself or your partner in this list it’s time to act. Our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists can give you more information and help you get the treatment you need. Without effective treatment, sleep apnea can cause serious problems and keep you from feeling well-rested and refreshed. We’re here to help—give our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists a call at (573) 321-4008.

Dental phobia is quite common among new patients at Dr. Brace and Associates, but every once in awhile we see an incoming patient who honestly may not be able to muster the courage to undergo necessary dental treatment. Nancy was one such patient—she was so nervous about her procedure that she was rescheduling appointments, making silly excuses, and pacing around the office. I knew that if we could just get Nancy calmly into the dentist’s chair, she would ultimately be thrilled with her results and feel so much happier and healthier!

The answer for Nancy—and for many patients—was oral conscious sedation. Oral conscious sedation is a life-changing sedation option for many patients. By simply taking a pill you can relax and drift peacefully through your procedure without fear, anxiety, and pain.

With oral conscious sedation you’ll take a pill before treatment that relaxes you. Oral conscious sedation allows you to receive dental care without:

• Anxiety beforehand
• Experiencing pain or fear during the procedure
• Having to endure the distressing sound of dental drills
• Undergoing the risks of general anesthesia

The amazing thing about oral conscious sedation is that you are never actually asleep! During treatment you will be able to respond to questions and communicate with our Sullivan sedation dentists, but in all likelihood you won’t remember any of your procedure when you’re all done! Our patients often report that they remember coming into the dentist’s office and then the next thing they remember is resting at home with their dental work already completed.

Oral conscious sedation has helped numerous patients just like Nancy achieve healthy beautiful smiles. Our new patients may come in to the office with dental anxiety, but they leave reassured and relaxed thanks to our sedation techniques. If you or someone you know experiences debilitating dental anxiety give our Sullivan sedation dentists a call to get more information about your options—(573) 321-4008.

If you’ve ever lost a tooth you know how disruptive and embarrassing it can be. Getting an attractive, functional tooth replacement option is only part of the solution. After you have a successful tooth replacement restoration you have to be able to keep that tooth replacement healthy and beautiful for years to come.

Dentures are an incredibly popular tooth replacement option, because they are expedient and fairly easy to wear.  Dentures are comprised of natural-looking dental restorations that sit on top of the gum line. They are held in place by a flexible base that fits securely over your natural gum tissue. Because dentures are removable (meaning they are not surgically implanted like dental implants) they require some specialized care to keep them clean and looking attractive.

Here are some tips from our Sullivan dentures dentists about how to maintain your dentures:

·       Rinse your dentures after meals

·       Clean your mouth before reinserting dentures

·       Thoroughly clean you dentures with denture cleaner daily

·       Soak your dentures overnight—most dentures need to stay moist to retain their shape

·       Always rinse your dentures thoroughly after removing them from overnight solution

·       Maintain a regular schedule of semi-annual professional dental cleanings. Your dentist will be able to assess the health of your natural teeth as well as your dentures, and recommend any necessary changes to your maintenance routine.

If you’ve been considering receiving dentures, our Sullivan dentures dentists can help you understand your options and how dentures would work for you. During your consultation we can give you a better idea of what type of dentures you’d benefit from and how you would care for them. Give us a call for more information—we’re here to help!

Without a doubt, losing a tooth can be one of the most devastating and disruptive experiences a patient must endure. Tooth loss can take a serious toll on a patient’s oral health and self-esteem. Although patients have a variety of tooth replacement options, today I’d like to talk about an increasingly popular treatment option—dental implants.

Dental implants are unique because of something called osseointegration. Osseointegration is the process by which titanium bonds to natural bone. Osseointegration has revolutionized prosthetics. Dental implants are titanium roots that replace missing teeth. They are then capped with natural-looking crowns, allowing patients to enjoy beautiful and functional smiles.

Here are just some of the benefits that dental implants provide:

Maintain bone density: when a patient loses a tooth, they risk losing jaw bone strength and density. A missing tooth can destabilize neighboring teeth, and the jawbone can actually begin to disintegrate as a result. Dental implants help prevent that disintegration because the titanium root fills the space where the tooth used to be, keeping the bone healthy and strong.

Natural maintenance: patients can care for dental implants the same way they care for their natural teeth. With diligent flossing and brushing some dental implants can last as long as twenty years. Dental implants truly look and feel like natural teeth.

When a patient loses a tooth, they want to replace it as efficiently as possible. Our Sullivan dental implant dentists have helped numerous patients feel confident about their smiles again. The best way to determine which tooth replacement option is right for you is to discuss your situation with a dental professional. Give our Sullivan dental implant dentists a call if you have any questions about tooth loss or your dental options—(573) 321-4008.

Welcome to the first post of our practice’s new dental blog! This blog is a dedicated space where I can answer common dental questions and keep you up to date on recent dental developments. I hope this space will be a useful resource for you as you gather information about different dental treatments.

Today I’m going to be tackling a cosmetic issue that many of my patients bring up—teeth whitening and teeth bleaching treatments. It’s no secret that a whiter smile can make you appear young and vibrant. An increasing number of patients are turning to teeth whitening cosmetic dentistry to take years off of their smiles.

When it comes to whitening and brightening your teeth, you have a number of options to choose from.

Teeth whitening procedures are treatments that whiten the smile by removing dental debris and plaque buildup. Technically, common products like toothpaste and mouthwash are teeth whitening treatments. Additionally, professional dental scaling and polishing can rejuvenate your smile. Plaque buildup can make dental enamel look dull and yellow, so removing plaque and tartar can give you a whiter smile.

Teeth bleaching treatments (often called teeth whitening in everyday vernacular) use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to actually bleach dental enamel. There treatments can be formulated for at-home or in-office use. Professional teeth bleaching products are enormously effective. Unlike teeth whitening treatments, teeth bleaching formulations have the ability to remove tough stains and whiten enamel beyond its natural shade. If you have persistent stains, or your dental enamel is naturally yellower or darker in color, you may want to explore teeth bleaching options.

Our Sullivan Cosmetic Dentists utilize both teeth whitening and bleaching treatments to rejuvenate dull smiles. The best way to determine whether teeth whitening and bleaching can help you is to speak with a dental professional about your concerns and cosmetic goals. You can reach our Sullivan Cosmetic Dentist Office by calling (573) 321-4008—we’re here to help!

Please check back soon for new posts!