All posts by Dr. Charles Kimes

Missing Teeth? Partial Dentures Can Fix Your Smile

December 27, 2016Cosmetic DentistryDr. Charles Kimes

Modern dentistry has a number of solutions to help restore your smile to its pearly white gleam without the use of surgery or expensive orthodontic treatments. Partial dentures are one of the easiest ways to replace a missing tooth and they require little more than a few dental visits. If you’re looking for a simple way to improve your smile, here are a few reasons partial dentures may be the best solution for you.

Partial Dentures Let You Keep Your Teeth

Many people believe that dentures are only options for individuals missing the majority of their teeth. While this is the case for full dentures, partial dentures allow you to fill in the gap caused by missing teeth without removing the rest of your teeth. Instead, partial dentures make use of the surrounding teeth to anchor the apparatus in place. You’ll get a secure fit without having to rely solely on denture creams and adhesives.

Your Teeth Preserve the Structure of Your Jaw

When you have missing teeth, your surrounding teeth can shift into the gap, altering both your smile and the structure of your jaw. This shifting due to missing teeth can lead to bone loss in your jaw, and the larger the gap, the more bone loss you might experience. Using a partial denture will keep your existing teeth in the right position, reducing the movement and bone loss in your mouth.

Dentures Are More Affordable Than Implants

While dental implants offer a more permanent solution to missing teeth, partial dentures are much more affordable and can provide a stop-gap until you’re able to afford a full implant procedure. Best of all, you’ll be able to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

If you have missing teeth and are considering partial dentures as a way to improve your smile, contact Overland Park Dental online today or call us. Our south office can be reached at (913) 647-8700 and our north office at (913) 341-2380.

Implants – The Next Best Thing to Your Real Teeth

December 13, 2016Cosmetic DentistryDr. Charles Kimes

Missing teeth not only change your smile – they also change the structure of your mouth. While there are a number of ways to restore your smile, none are more effective than dental implants.These artificial teeth are the next best thing to your real teeth for several reasons. Overland Park Dental gives you the details here:

How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants offer a permanent solution to missing teeth. The implant procedure involves putting a small screw into the gum in the space where the tooth is missing. This screw acts much like your tooth’s natural roots and, after about one month, fixes itself into the bone securely. The top of the screw is then fitted with an abutment designed to match the rest of your teeth on color, size, and shape. After you get your implant, it requires minimal attention and maintenance.

Implants Improve the Health of Your Mouth

A missing tooth often causes the nearby teeth to shift, changing your bite and your smile. When an implant is placed, your smile is complete and your teeth will no longer move into the empty space. The implant stays in 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so your teeth always have the supportive structure to rely on.

Dental Implants Are Strong

Dental implants are stronger than you might initially think. This means they are going to perform just like your real teeth. Corn on the cob, ribs, and even taffy are things you can eat. All of the foods dentists tell you to be careful with when you have dentures are considered non-issues. Because the implants don’t move, you will also feel confident eating and talking in public without worrying about them slipping out of place as dentures can.

Implants Are Permanent

For the most part, dental implants are permanent. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), compared to traditional dental bridges that only last 10 years on average, dental implants can last a lifetime when properly cared for. Unless some freak accident occurs, the dental implants are not going anywhere. They are attached to an anchoring system on your jaw bone, so once put into place, you don’t have to worry about having them resized or replaced at any point in time.

Implants Don’t Harm Other Teeth

Unlike bridges, dental implants are installed on their own without requiring any reshaping of nearby teeth.The reshaping process damages teeth and weakens their structure. Dental implants provide a lasting solution to missing teeth without damaging your existing natural teeth.

No Cavities in Dental Implants

As an added bonus, cavities can’t occur in an implant replacement tooth. Of course, you’ll still have to see your dentist on a regular basis for cleaning and care of your gums and other teeth.

If you’re dissatisfied with a missing tooth and wish to explore a permanent solution, contact Overland Park Dental today for a consultation. To schedule an appointment, you can reach our south office at (913) 647-8700 or our north office at (913) 341-2380. Let us help you improve your smile.

3 Reasons to Remove Wisdom Teeth over the Holidays

November 22, 2016Dental Health TipsDr. Charles Kimes

You’ve heard the song “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth”, but at GPS Dental, we have another take on it. “All I want for Christmas is to lose my back teeth.” We’re talking about your wisdom teeth. Christmas break is a great time to schedule wisdom teeth extractions for your student! Here are three great reasons why.

Use Your Insurance Benefits from This Year

Kids usually have several weeks of downtime and it’s also a great way to use up any leftover dental insurance benefits before they expire, especially since most plans are set up on a “use ‘em or lose ‘em” basis. Why wait till summer and let those benefits go to waste? Someone may need a crown or braces next year. Be smart and get the most out of your benefits.

The Holiday Break Allows for Recovery Time

Most kids are off for at least two weeks during the holiday break. This means it’s a great time to be able to sit back and recover from having the wisdom teeth removed. Whether they are having one, two, or all four removed, you won’t have to worry about them missing any school. This means they won’t get behind on any of their assignments, either.

It Won’t Interfere with Summer Vacations

Many people wait until the summer to schedule wisdom teeth removal. The biggest problem with this is that it often interferes with summer vacations. It can take a little bit of time to recuperate and there’s nothing worse than not being able to enjoy yourself at the beach or anywhere else you go during the summer.

If your child has wisdom teeth that need to come out, contact us online or call us at one of our two office locations. Our south office is (913) 647-8700 and our north office is (913) 341-2380.

The Benefits of Receiving a “One-Day” CEREC Crown

November 18, 2016Cosmetic DentistryDr. Charles Kimes

Although the term CEREC crown may still be somewhat unfamiliar to those outside of the dentistry field, today more and more people are becoming quite familiar with the term as the CEREC crown is quickly proving itself as a revolutionary new tool that has provided a convenient and effective solution for both dentists and patients alike.

Drawbacks of Conventional Crowns

A conventional dental crown, as many people already know, is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a damaged or decayed tooth, thus effectively covering the entirety of the tooth that is exposed above the gumline. The purpose of this crown is not only to improve the patient’s overall oral health by restoring and strengthening the tooth but to provide the patient with a smile that is aesthetically pleasing as well. While the conventional crown has helped many people over the years, the process of receiving one did not come without its drawbacks:

One such issue was that of time, as it would often take a matter of weeks for a finished crown to return from the dental lab. This typically required at least two separate appointments for the patient to receive the complete treatment.

Another source of problems for patients was the often cumbersome temporary crown. The temporary crown was fitted to provide the patient with aesthetic relief. Although the crown was successful in providing a temporary solution, it was also prone to breaking or falling out.

Get CEREC Crowns in One Appointment

However, thanks to the numerous advancements within the realm of dental technology, the process of receiving a CEREC crown requires only one appointment in which a patient will receive a permanent high-quality crown in a matter of a few hours. The CEREC crown, which stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, is achieved through the use of digital imaging. This allows the dentist to determine the exact specs of a crown, as opposed to simply relying on dental impressions. This cutting-edge process not only creates a crown that is effective and durable but due to the porcelain material used in the creation of the crown, the CEREC crown looks almost completely natural and can even be customized to match the exact shade of the patient’s teeth.

CEREC Crowns Are Covered by Insurance

Generally, the CEREC is around the same price range as the conventional crown, and most insurance providers offer a similar degree of coverage for a CEREC crown as they would to the conventional crown. However, keep in mind that coverage may vary due to the patient’s insurance provider as well as possible additional procedural expenses. While the CEREC crown remains a relatively unknown concept to some outside the realm of professional dentistry, this breakthrough in dental technology is quickly becoming a sought-after service by patients nationwide.

If you’d like to learn more about CEREC crowns, give Overland Park Dentistry a call at our south office (913) 647-8700 or our north office (913) 341-2380 and one of our friendly staff will answer your questions.

Your Dental Benefits May Expire Soon – Use ‘Em or Lose ‘Em!

October 19, 2016Dental Health TipsDr. Charles Kimes

As the year comes closer to its end, it’s the perfect time to assess whether you need any important dental work done.

Why now? Well, many dental insurance plans run on a calendar year cycle, with a yearly maximum of coverage earmarked for that time period, usually around $1,000 for most plans. And the unused remainder of those funds do not roll over to the next year. You either use it, or lose it.

Schedule Any Major Dental Work before the Year Ends

As we enter the final quarter of the year, now’s the time to take a moment and consider whether you need any major work done. If you’re aware of an issue, it makes far more sense to use up the rest of your 2016 coverage in October or November, than it does to start burning through your limit in January.

For instance, if you have aging crowns that are beginning to wear — five years is the standard period of service insurance expects — now’s a great time to talk to your dentist about having them replaced. You pay your monthly premiums; there’s no reason not to maximize the benefits of this procedure if you’re in need of a replacement.

Capitalize on Remaining Insurance Benefits – You’ve Already Paid for Them

And of course, smaller procedures are extremely important to your ongoing oral health. If you’ve already completed all the major procedures you needed earlier in the year, now’s the time to build your preventative oral health strategy. A teeth cleaning or simple filling now could save you from a root canal next year.

With the year quickly coming to a close, now’s the time to contact your insurance company to find out how much of your yearly maximum is left. Then, call Overland Park Dental’s south office at (913) 647-8700, or our north office at (913) 341-2380 to make an appointment today.

The Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth and Fun Candy-Free Options Too!

October 13, 2016Dental Health TipsDr. Charles Kimes

At Overland Park Dentistry, we want you to enjoy Halloween, including the candy that accompanies it. However, there are some candies that are worse than others for your teeth (particularly if you’re an adult with fillings, crowns, inlays or other expensive and vulnerable dental work in your mouth). In order to avoid dental damage this Halloween, follow these simple tips from Overland Park Dentistry:

Tips for Adults

We know you’re only human and will fall prey to your favorites, but stay away from sticky candy if you can. If you do eat something sticky or chewy, resist the urge to chew and try to suck on the candy instead. As an added bonus, the candy will last longer in your mouth and you’ll keep your teeth intact!

Top 10 Worst Candy for Your Teeth

Below is a list of the most dangerous candy for your teeth based on sugar content and sticky consistency:

Gummy Bears/Fruit Snacks
Candy Corn
Caramel Apple Pops
Sour Patch Kids
Now and Later
Jaw Breakers
Jolly Rancher
Milk Duds
Tootsie Rolls
Bit O’ Honey

Also, look out for hard candy and candy with nuts. Nuts and hard candy can crack a tooth or a filling while you’re chewing them. Plus, nuts will commonly get stuck in the grooves and pits of your teeth too. Sour candy has its own issues as well. On average, sour candies are more acidic than sweet candies. The acidity, combined with the sugar content, creates a very acidic environment in your mouth, which can permanently damage your enamel if you’re not careful. Your saliva will naturally return the pH in your mouth to neutral after eating these candies, but with sour candy it may take longer than the standard 30 minutes, leaving your teeth exposed to acid erosion.

Tips for Kids

For kids, it’s the amount of sugar in candy, and how long it’s left on their teeth that will cause problems. Sticky candy like caramels, hard candy, and taffy, are the worst for sticking to teeth for long periods of time. This allows the bacteria in your mouth to feed on the sugar that is stuck in your teeth for longer periods of time producing more acid. Both bacteria and acid weaken your teeth and may cause cavities.

The best advice, from a dental perspective, is to have the kids brush as soon as they are done eating the candy. If brushing isn’t convenient, at least rinsing with water or eating something like an apple to help physically remove some of the sticky candy residue is better than nothing. TIP-if your children are under five years old, don’t rely on them to brush their teeth thoroughly. They will need help to do a proper job of removing sticky candy.

Fun Halloween Candy Alternatives

While getting candy is fun, there’s no doubt that your kids (and all of the other trick-or-treaters) will receive plenty of it. Why not opt for more tooth-friendly candies, or something other than candy? Some great alternatives are sugar-free lollipops and hard candy, sugar-free gum, and even plain chocolate like Hershey’s Kisses, which wash away from teeth with normal saliva production.

Another option is to give away small toys, like bouncy balls, fake tattoos, vampire teeth, window clings and more! Visit your neighborhood dollar store for more great ideas.

One other great idea is to encourage your kids to give some of their candy away to shelters, or our military personnel in foreign countries. What a great way to thank them and boost their morale by sending a literal “taste of home” to those brave (and homesick) men and women serving our country! Click this link to find out how easy it is: Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops

No matter what your little ghouls and boys do this year, the team at Overland Park Dentistry wishes you a safe and fun Halloween! Please call us if you have any questions about candy, teeth, or tooth care. Call our south office at (913) 647-8700 or our north office at (913) 341-2380.

Dental Sealants – What Are They and Do You Need Them?

September 22, 2016Dental Health TipsDr. Charles Kimes

Preventative Dentistry is crucial for keeping your teeth in tip-top shape for a lifetime. There are many treatments that fall under the heading of Preventative Dentistry, including regular cleanings, fluoride treatments, and oral cancer screening s, to name a few. The perfect combination of treatments is different for everyone, but one thing that almost every patient can benefit from is dental sealants. Here is some helpful information about dental sealants from the team at Overland Park Dental:

Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities

Sealants are made of a plastic material that is brushed onto the teeth (particularly the chewing surfaces of the back teeth) that hardens and acts as a barrier to shield teeth from plaque and acid. Dental sealants are especially helpful for protecting the hard-to-reach places that regular brushing and flossing may not clean thoroughly.

Sealants Work for Kids and Adults

Sealants work for all ages. While sealants are especially helpful for children and teens to prevent early tooth decay, they are also a great option for adults. Cavity prevention is good for everybody!

Sealants Last a Long Time

Because dental sealants are formulated to be used on the parts of teeth that are primarily used for chewing, the material they are made of is extremely strong. They are durable and long-lasting. In most cases, the sealants that your dentist applies will last for years before needing to be replaced. As with all dental work, the dentist will check the sealants for any cracks at your regular checkups and replace them as needed.

If you would like to keep your teeth healthy for many years to come, be sure to take good care of them with preventative dentistry and regular cleanings.

To schedule an appointment or find out more about our preventative dentistry options, give us a call at our South Overland Park office at (913) 647-8700 or our North Overland Park office at (913) 341-2380. We will be pleased to help you with your dentistry needs!

What You Need to Know About Oral Cancer Screenings

September 15, 2016Dental Health TipsDr. Charles Kimes

Over 48,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Of those, approximately 9,500 will die within a year, and nearly half (43%) will die within five years, says the Oral Cancer Foundation. While there are absolutely lifestyle changes that can help you prevent oral cancer to begin with, if you have the disease, early detection and treatment are the keys to surviving. That’s why at Overland Park Dental we perform an oral cancer screening as a part of each checkup.

Mild Symptoms Make It Hard to Detect

One of the main reasons oral cancer is so deadly is that its symptoms are easy to overlook. A patch in the mouth, a recurring or persistent sore, and even chronic hoarseness are easy to attribute to other causes. It’s important that you see your dentist at least once (and preferably twice) per year for a comprehensive oral cancer screenings. At Overland Park Dental, we strive to have the latest technology available to bring you the best in oral health care.

What You Can Do to Prevent Oral Cancer

If you do not have oral cancer currently, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of succumbing to this potentially deadly disease:

Stop using tobacco. If you are smoking or chewing tobacco, talk to your physician about ways to quit. Tobacco usage is a risk factor for several types of cancer, including oral cancer.

Cut back on your drinking. Alcohol use is another risk factor for developing oral cancer. This is particularly true if you smoke as well.

Get vaccinated against HPV. Ask your doctor whether you are a candidate for getting the HPV vaccine. Some of the strains of HPV that it can prevent can turn into oral cancer, so vaccination might help prevent certain strains.

Finally, be sure to keep up with your dental appointments. If you notice anything amiss in your mouth (raised tissue, a sore that doesn’t heal, hoarseness, a lump or bump), make an appointment to get it checked immediately. Otherwise, just show up for your routine visits for your recommended cancer screenings.

If you’d like to schedule a checkup, call us at our south Overland Park office at (913) 647-8700 or our north Overland Park office at (913) 341-2380.

Lumineers: The Noninvasive Veneer for Teeth

August 24, 2016Cosmetic DentistryDr. Charles Kimes

Teeth imperfections may cause many people to hide their smiles. Whether cracks, chips, stains or other issues affect an individual’s teeth, a dental professional at Overland Park Dental can easily address those issues. If you’re looking to regain confidence through your smile, Lumineers are noninvasive veneers that make for great looking teeth. Our patients tell us there are many things they like about Lumineers. Here are just a few of the biggest benefits.

Lumineers Can Correct Many Teeth Imperfections

Made from thin porcelain, each veneer goes over the already existing. As a result, these versatile veneers can correct numerous imperfections. Teeth can be reshaped, tooth size altered, and the veneers themselves can cover discoloration with a new, natural-looking surface. No grinding or drilling of the teeth is necessary. Lumineers are simply laid on top of the bad teeth and cover them up.

Lumineers Last for Decades

In addition to versatility, Lumineers also have durability. These veneers can last decades when cared for properly. You can eat your favorite foods with confidence and not worry about your teeth at all. If you grind your teeth, you may need to wear a mouth guard at night to prevent damage just as you would with your original teeth.

Pain-Free Easy Application

Hesitation about the application procedure may arise, but individuals may rest assured knowing that the Lumineers application takes place without painful drilling or grinding-down of teeth. In addition, numbing shots are not necessary. A mold is taken of the teeth to ensure correct fit, and at Overland Park Dental, temporary veneers are applied so individuals can already begin enjoying their new smiles before the permanent veneers are bonded to the teeth.

Lumineers Don’t Hurt Your Natural Teeth

Permanent changes are always a little scary, but with Lumineers, you don’t have to worry. If you ever change your mind after having the procedure, your natural teeth are still underneath unharmed. You could go back to your natural teeth because they are still intact. We have yet to see a patient want to go back, however.

No one should feel the need to hide a smile due to teeth insecurities, and Lumineers can help bring back that confidence. The team at Overland Park Dentistry is here to answer any questions that you may have about Lumineers.

Just give us a call at (913) 647-8700 for our South Overland Park office and (913) 341-2380 for our North Overland Park office and we’ll be glad to answer all of your questions.

The Benefits of Wearing a Mouth Guard – Dental Health for the Active

August 15, 2016Dental Health TipsDr. Charles Kimes

When playing sports, padding, helmets and protective gear are a must to prevent injury and ensure a happy, safe experience. But there’s one piece of equipment that is arguably among the most important, and yet is most often forgotten: the mouth guard. At Overland Park Dental, we frequently see tooth and mouth injuries due to lack of protective mouth guards. We encourage all of our patients active in sports to get mouth guards. We’d much rather fit you for a mouth guard than fix broken teeth.

Two Thirds of Children Don’t Wear Mouth Guards While Playing Sports

According to the American Dental Association, mouth guards can prevent up to 200,000 oral injuries annually. But 67% of parents report that their children do not wear them while playing sports. This is unfortunate, because without mouth guards, your chances of injuring your teeth becomes 60 times more likely.

Related Read: Tooth-Friendly Summer Snacks

Mouth Guards Prevent Permanent Damage to Teeth

Wearing a mouth guard is a necessity if you want to avoid permanent damage to your teeth during a game, especially sports with a lot of player-to-player contact such as hockey or football. A mouth guard serves as a cushion around your teeth. In the case of impact, it absorbs shock and deflects excessive impact, reducing the chances of teeth being broken or dislodged. They can even prevent damage to other areas in the mouth. Painful bitten lips or tongues are much less likely with a mouth guard. It even protects against jaw fractures, helping you to stay in the game.

We Can Create Custom Mouth Guards for the Best Fit

The best kind of mouth guard is one that’s properly shaped to your teeth for a personalized fit. These mouth guards provide the best protection possible. Overland Park Dental is skilled in crafting custom mouth guards for a wide range of ages, so contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our goal is not only to help you save on expensive dental work, but also to keep you happy, active and pain-free.