Tag Archives: dental implant

Cosmetic Dental Options to Enhance Your Smile

January 26, 2021Cosmetic Dentistrydental bonding, dental crown, dental implant, invisible braces, professional teeth whiteningDr. Charles R. Kimes

Goodbye 2020 … HELLO 2021!!

2020 Is finally over and it’s the dawn of a new day, and while 2020 wasn’t the year many of us hoped it would be, with 2021 comes the promise and encouragement of a fresh, new start! How do cosmetic dental options fit into New Year Resolutions? Let’s dive in…

For many of us, a fresh start can mean a multitude of things; maybe 2021 will be the year you receive that big job opportunity that you’ve worked so hard for, or maybe 2021 will be the year that you finally realize your fitness goals and attain that toned physique that you’ve been dreaming of.

Indeed, having a set list of new year’s resolutions is a fantastic way to start off a new year. However, in this article, we would like to discuss an equally as important, but very personal goal that you might want to consider accomplishing this year as well.

Don’t Hide Your Smile

While it might not come as a big surprise to hear that there are many people unhappy with their smile, what you may not know is that one third of Americans today, report being dissatisfied or even self-conscious about their teeth! Regardless, whether it’s the color, shape, or alignment of your teeth; if your smile is not up to par, it can certainly be a major source of embarrassment or anxiety.

If you or anyone you know of struggles with such a dilemma, then perhaps 2021 is the year to change that. In this article we will discuss the numerous cosmetic dental options and procedures that we offer at Overland Park Dentistry, and how these procedures can help you enjoy 2021 with a smile!

Cosmetic Dentistry Options: The Six to Fix!

Although “cosmetic dentistry” is sometimes written off as strictly appearance-based dentistry, in fact it is something of an umbrella term. Cosmetic Dentistry encompasses multiple procedures, which are performed for a wide variety of different purposes. These purposes, (while cosmetic in nature) can improve one’s oral heath, and overall quality of life, not to mention boost self-confidence.

In the section below, we list six different cosmetic dental options, and how they can help enhance and improve your smile.

1. Professional Teeth Whitening

As you may have read in our previous blogs, professional teeth whitening is a relatively simple procedure that is performed to diminish any staining or discoloration that your teeth may have. As we age, our teeth sustain a certain amount of wear tear over the years which will give them a worn-down, dull appearance. However, by having your teeth professionally whitened, you can reverse this process and restore your smile to its youthful glory!

2. Invisalign Invisible Braces

As one of the premier services provided by Overland Park Dentistry, Invisalign is an innovative new technology that has changed many of the tried-and-true methods in both dentistry and orthodontics. Invisalign are transparent custom fitted aligners that are designed to straighten and ultimately realign your teeth. The purpose of the Invisalign device is not only to improve the aesthetic appearance of your teeth, but also to correct any jaw alignment issues or irregularities, such as underbite, overbite, crossbite, and more.

3. Porcelain Veneers

Despite a seemingly simplistic appearance, dental veneers are designed for the complex task of not only creating a seemingly pristine smile, but to simultaneously shield your teeth from hazardous outside elements as well. Appearing as a clear, soft, porcelain covering, veneers can be fitted on your upper and lower teeth, thereby creating a sort of protective skin that surrounds the outer layer of your teeth.

4. Dental Implants

While not a treatment that is typically associated with cosmetic dentistry, it’s obvious that implants can provide significant cosmetic improvement to your smile if you are missing a tooth. Typically made from titanium, dental implants are screw-like devices which are attached to the crown via a connector and can be designed to support single or multiple crowns, ultimately resulting in a sturdy replacement that looks and functions like natural teeth.

Related Article: Tooth Replacement with Dental Implants

5. Dental Crowns

Dental crowns (or fillings) are not necessarily applied for strictly cosmetic purposes; however, you cannot deny the cosmetic benefits that a dental crown can provide. As you probably know, a crown is a composite cap that is fitted over a damaged or decayed tooth after it has been treated and sealed; this completes treatment of a large cavity, root canal or dental implant. Designed to resemble the tooth’s previous appearance, a crown is created to restore the tooth cosmetically, and protect it from incurring any future damage.

Related Article: Reasons You May Need a Dental Crown

6. Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is an easy and relatively inexpensive procedure in which a composite resin is applied to a damaged or decayed tooth, ultimately to repair and restore the tooth to its former self. While bonding is generally used to repair chips and cracks in teeth, it can also be done to fill in troublesome gaps, close spaces between teeth, and reshape teeth.

Related Article: Teeth Bonding: What You Need to Know!

A New Year, A New You!

With an entire new year in front of us, 2021 has the potential to be whatever you want it to be! So, if you find yourself feeling self-conscious about your smile, why not make this the year for a change?

Please contact our offices at Overland Park Dentistry, so we can help keep you smiling all year long!

Local dentist, Dr. Charles R. Kimes, DDS, and his team at Overland Park Dentistry look forward to having the opportunity to care for you and your family with preventative, restorative or cosmetic dentistry. To schedule your dental appointment with your Overland Park Dentist, contact us at our south Overland Park office at (913) 647-8700 or our north Overland Park office at (913) 341-2380.

Missing Tooth: What are my options for tooth replacement?

December 3, 2019Restorative Dentistrydental implant, dentures, fixed partial denture, removable partial dentureDr. Charles R. Kimes

As you probably realize, your teeth play a vital role in your daily life both in a practical and aesthetic sense. While a person’s natural teeth are certainly strong and durable, in time teeth will age and may slowly begin to deteriorate if they’re not cared for properly.

While this may seem far-fetched, falling into poor dental hygiene habits can be very easy to do and a very difficult habit to break; unfortunately, when this happens, it’s a slippery slope from there. Although the prospect of losing one tooth might not seem like that big of a deal remember, if one tooth is lost then others are likely to follow, as well as a barrage of additional oral health problems, such as Periodontal disease. Read why oral hygiene is such a big deal HERE.

Don’t forget that your lack of oral hygiene can also lead to other disease in your body. Check out one of our previous blogs about The Consequences of Poor Oral Health.

Therefore, if you have one missing tooth or several, we strongly recommend that you seek treatment and consider tooth replacement options before things get any worse!

Three Options for Tooth Replacement to Consider

There are three primary options for replacing missing or damaged teeth. While each option can certainly provide a great solution in the correct circumstances, your dentist will certainly have the expertise to determine which of these options is best for you. Keep in mind, while all three of these options are considered separate procedures, it is not uncommon for two or more these procedures to be utilized and combined, depending on a patient’s specific needs.

Options for Tooth Replacement: Full Denture

It’s certainly no secret that dentures are stereo typically associated with the elderly, but are one of the first options for tooth replacement that come to mind. While the word “denture” doesn’t necessarily elicit the most positive reaction, trust us when we say that dentures are not exactly what they are perceived to be. Unlike the cumbersome, ill-fitting dentures of yesteryear, the modern full or complete denture is generally comprised of acrylic material and is customized to be fitted firmly and seamlessly to your upper and or lower jaws. As one could expect, the full denture is designed for individuals who have lost the majority of their natural teeth, thereby requiring extensive replacements.

Options for Tooth Replacement: Removable Partial Denture

Contrasting with the afore mentioned full set of dentures, a removable partial denture (RPD) or half denture is a plate-like device that is designed to replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. Economically friendly and easy to maintain, the RPD is fitted to attach to your natural tooth or dental implant (see below) and can be easily adjusted to maximize its effectiveness. While the RPD remains the most widespread partial denture used, a fixed partial denture or fixed bridge may also be employed if the patient desires. Similar to the fixed bridge, the fixed partial denture cannot be removed, thus better resembling the look and feel of natural teeth making it one of the go-to options for tooth replacement.

Options for Tooth Replacement: Dental Implants

As perhaps the most popular and sought-after of all options for tooth replacement on this list, modern dental implants have recently caught fire among the general public and continue to receive critical acclaim among the dental community. Acting as an artificial tooth root, a dental implant is fitted within your jawbone, thus creating a base for the crown to be held in place. These screw-like devices are attached to the crown via a connector and can be designed to support the crown, ultimately resulting in a sturdy replacement that looks and functions like a natural tooth! In addition to replacing a single tooth, dental implants can work in conjunction with the fixed partial dentures mentioned previously, if there isn’t a natural tooth present to support the device.

Related Article: Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Options for Tooth Replacement: Don’t Delay!

Although it might not seem like THAT big of a deal, missing teeth and related oral health problems are not something to sleep on! Much like falling dominoes, if you lose one tooth others are much more likely to follow, so please consider these tooth replacement options, and come see Dr. Kimes and his team at Overland Park Dentistry before its too late!

Are You a Dental Implant Candidate?

October 22, 2019Restorative Dentistrydental implant, missing tooth replacementDr. Charles R. Kimes

Dental Implants: An Ancient Solution for The Modern World!

As a child, losing a tooth often coincides with a visit from the Tooth Fairy, along with the exciting prospect of finding a shiny coin (or crisp bill) under your pillow the next morning. Unfortunately, much like Santa and the Easter Bunny, once you reach adulthood, visits from the Tooth Fairy seem to no longer apply, thus losing a tooth just means a whole lot of trouble! Fortunately, your friends at Overland Park Dentistry are here to help you in such a situation. And while we may not be the Tooth Fairy, we do have something special that that is certain to get you smiling again; something known as dental implants!

While dental implants have recently come into vogue amongst the general public, dental implants have actually been around for much much longer than that. Recently, archaeologists have actually unearthed evidence of ancient dental implants used by the Mayan civilization around approximately 600 AD! That’s right, the practice of replacing missing teeth has been employed for much longer than most people realize, and while today’s dentists might not use seashells to replace missing teeth, (as the ancient Mayans did) we trust that you will find your custom-fitted replacements more than satisfactory!

Dental Implants: What Are They?

Beneath your gumline you have what are called roots. Your roots act as a tooth’s life source by connecting the pulp and blood vessels to your jaw, while simultaneously keeping the tooth anchored securely within its socket. However, if a tooth is destroyed, then it is necessary to not only replace the tooth itself, (which is known as a crown) but also to find a means of anchoring the tooth in place. Therefore, acting as artificial tooth roots, a dental implant is fitted within your jawbone, creating a base for the crown to be held in place. These screw-like devices are attached to the crown via a connector and can be designed to support multiple crowns, ultimately resulting in a sturdy replacement that looks and functions like natural teeth. Dental implants are unquestionably the most effective method of tooth replacement available, and if you meet the candidacy requirements, dental implants are generally your most viable option. But, are you a dental implant candidate?

Dental Implants: Candidacy Requirements

Although dental implants are often an ideal solution, it’s important to realize that implants are not for everyone and there is a certain criterion that you must meet to be a dental implant candidate.

Listed below are some of the following requirements for candidacy:

First and foremost, to be a dental implant candidate, it is important to be in good oral health. While you may have sustained a broken tooth, (hence the need for a replacement) if the surrounding gum tissue has remained healthy enough to sustain the minor surgery needed to insert the implant then you’re in the clear! While gingivitis is a relatively common condition that causes the gums to become slightly irritated or inflamed, if left untreated it can eventually lead to periodontitis or gum disease. Periodontitis is an infection of the gum tissue, and like any infection is prone to spread and worsen over time. If you have developed periodontitis, you should seek treatment prior to receiving implants or any cosmetic procedures as this condition can be very serious.
Another requirement to be a dental implant candidate is that the patient has to have a healthy, fully developed jawbone. If you have suffered from previous mandible ailments such periodontitis or oral cancer, there is a possibility that you may have sustained bone loss and therefore may require a bone graft prior to receiving dental implants. Additionally, if the patient is a juvenile and has not stopped growing, implants should not be employed until the jaw fully develops.
While it may sound silly or trivial at first, a final but equally as important candidacy qualification, is the understanding that the implanted teeth must receive exceptional care from you the patient. Although tough and very durable, dental implants DO have limits and CAN fail if neglected or improperly managed. While routine visits to your dentist are certainly important in ensuring the success of your implants, it is imperative that you practice daily oral hygiene; including brushing 2 to 3 times a day and flossing regularly. Additionally, if you are a smoker or struggle with substance abuse, it is highly advised that you discontinue use and resolve such addictions before receiving dental implant treatment.

Dental Implants: Tooth Replacement Done Right!

From the rudimentary replacement methods first employed by the ancient Mayans, to the state-of-the-art technology used by Dr. Kimes and his staff today, replacing missing teeth has always been important. Therefore, if you have a broken or missing tooth, there’s no need to suffer when there’s a fantastic solution that has helped people for many years and can certainly help you. Don’t wait; contact our offices at Overland Park Dentistry and let’s see if you are a dental implant candidate if that is an effective course of treatment for you!