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21/Nov/2022

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is normally painless, you may not know you have it. Also referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth.

The sooner you treat gum disease the better. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning followed by daily brushing and flossing.

There are many successful treatment options available for gum disease of any stage – losing teeth doesn’t have to be an option. Our dental professionals will help decide which method of treatment is best for you, getting you your smile back to the way it once was.




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21/Nov/2022

Sealants are quick and easy tooth-colored plastic coated resin coatings designed to fill little grooves in your teeth to prohibit bacteria buildup. The process is quite simple. Your dentist will clean your teeth, then apply a solution that will allow the sealant to stick tightly to the tooth. The first dental sealant to be placed is usually on the fissure of the first permanent molar tooth, once the chewing surface of the tooth has erupted completely beyond the gum. Your dentist will then paint the sealant on in a liquid form that hardens in just about a minute, and that’s it! Best of all, studies have shown that sealants can reduce decay up to 70% and can last nearly a decade!




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21/Nov/2022

Tooth-colored fillings are made of porcelain, which is a mixture of plastic and glass that not only looks good, but is also better for your teeth. Today’s tooth-colored filling materials physically attach or bond to natural tooth surfaces. Tooth colored fillings are strong, yet flexible. They absorb and transfer force when you chew, just like natural teeth.

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the more visible areas of the teeth.

Composite fillings may not be permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.


Reasons For Composite Fillings:

Chipped teeth


Closing space between two teeth

Worn or decayed teeth


Cracked or broken teeth


Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove decay as necessary. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed. If the decay was near the nerve of the tooth, a special medication will be applied for added protection. The composite filling will then be precisely placed, shaped, and polished, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove decay as necessary. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed. If the decay was near the nerve of the tooth, a special medication will be applied for added protection. The composite filling will then be precisely placed, shaped, and polished, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.




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21/Nov/2022

Your regular exam will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Each regular exam includes a detailed teeth cleaning, in which we will clean, polish, and rinse your teeth to remove any tartar and plaque that have built up on the tooth’s surface.

We suggest visiting our office every six months to give yourself the chance to talk to the doctor about any questions you may have about your oral health. Regular exams are offered by appointment only, so please contact our practice today to schedule your next dental exam and teeth cleaning.

Immediately after a cleaning, your teeth may be more sensitive than usual due to the removal of tartar and plaque that once shielded your teeth. But in most scenarios, this sensitivity will pass within a day or two.


Regular exams are an important part of maintaining your oral health. During your regular exam, we will:

Check for any problems that you may not see or feel


Look for cavities or signs of tooth decay

Inspect your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease


Perform a thorough teeth cleaning




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21/Nov/2022

Conventional partial dentures and dentures can be difficult to wear, making chewing difficult. The discovery of implant technology and the birth of implant dentistry has revolutionized the way missing teeth and loose dentures have been treated. Dental implants improve quality of life by improving the way we chew and smile. Patients who wear dentures are able to get their teeth back with dental implants.

Dental implant success rates have steadily improved, upwards of nearly 96 percent. Standard dental implants as well as mini dental implants have been helping patients achieve their dental goals for years and have proven to stand the test of time.


Most dental implants are successful, and there are a few steps you can take to help ensure success and make your implant last.

Practice good oral hygiene – brush twice a day and floss once daily. Using interdental brushes, brushes that slide between teeth, can help clean the hard to reach areas around your implant.


Quit smoking – smoking can weaken the bone structure and can contribute to implant failure.


Visit your dentist – cleanings and exams every six months can help ensure your implant is in good condition, and that it stays that way.


Avoid chewing on hard foods – don’t chew on hard items such as ice and hard candy because they can break the crown and your natural teeth.



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21/Nov/2022

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.

Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!

Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable. They last many years, and can be tightened if affected by normal wear and tear.


Reasons For Dental Implants:

Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.


Restore a patient’s confident smile.


Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.


Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.


Restore or enhance facial tissues.


Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.


What Does Getting Dental Implants Involve?

X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself on to the bone for up to six months.

After a period of healing time, the artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor. After healing, the artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.

You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed. Dental implants can be cared for just like your natural teeth and good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will even further extend the life of your new implant.




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21/Nov/2022

If you suffer from dental disease, malnutrition, or genetic disorders, you may need your teeth extracted by a professional. Losing your permanent teeth may seem devastating but dentures provide a second chance at a wonderful smile!

Your facial structure and speech will improve once you are suited with complete dentures, and chewing food will become easy once again. Immediate dentures give you a full set of pseudo-teeth while you are waiting for your gums to heal and bone to realign. No matter what option you go with, we’ll ensure your replacement teeth are natural-looking and match your facial structure.

It’s possible you may not need a full set of dentures. Partial dentures can replace any amount of missing teeth necessary and fasten to your remaining teeth using clasps. Dentures have come a long way, as today’s dentures are natural-looking and comfortable. We offer many other solutions to your dental problems with partial dentures and mini dental implants.

We will customize your dentures to fit your unique bone structure and facial shape, that look and feel great! Once a full set of teeth is removed, the process for the gums to heal and the bone to realign will take up to 6 months. Having a full set of immediate dentures during this time would be an excellent option.



Full Dentures:

An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patients jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

And even if you wear full dentures, it’s important to visit your dentist regularly to maintain your overall oral health and get early warning of serious issues such as oral cancer.

Your dentures were made to fit you precisely and, if they are cared for properly, they do not change shape. But you may sometimes find that they can become loose due to natural changes in the gums and bone supporting them. As the jawbone begins to shrink, so do the gums.
If you find your dentures no longer fit properly, see your dentist as soon as possible so adjustments can be made. Trying to change the fit of your dentures yourself can damage them and make them unrepairable so this would be a costly experiment!
Ill-fitting dentures repaired at home can also irritate the gums, tongue and cheeks.
In an emergency, you could use denture adhesives to keep the dentures stable until you are able to see the dentist.


Partial Dentures:

Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth still remain. Partial dentures can be very stable, especially when supported by natural teeth on either side. And because they are removable, it’s easy to keep clean.

A removable partial denture or bridge usually consists of replacement teeth attached to gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by metal framework to hold the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. A fixed bridge replaces one or more teeth by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. This “bridge” is then cemented into place.

Missing teeth can also speed up bone loss and put the health of your gums and remaining teeth at risk. In order to prevent these issues from occurring, it is important to replace missing teeth quickly.

Partial dentures are an excellent and cost effective solution if you need to replace multiple missing teeth. At your initial consultation, your dentist will let you know whether partial dentures can be an effective tooth replacement option for you.


Overdentures

People with multiple or all of their teeth missing typically have complete or partial dentures; this treatment option is called Overdentures.

Overdentures are replacement teeth retained by dental implants. Overdentures were developed to help both partial and fully edentulous patients regain a quality of life, which most likely has been missing since they lost their teeth.

Overdentures offer a variety of advantages as compared to conventional dentures. While some of these advantages are purely cosmetic, all of these can affect your quality of life, making you happier and healthier.

An implant-retained overdenture can help stop the deterioration of your natural facial contours. Keeping this bone alive and stimulated is the only way to halt the resorption that naturally occurs in areas where your natural teeth have been lost.


Denture Reline

New dentures will typically fit your mouth securely as they have been designed specifically for your gums. However as time goes on, your gum tissues will change and the fit of the denture will become more loose and more prone to movement inside your mouth. Having the denture professionally relined will help keep everything both secure and functional.


Soft Reline

Some patients are unable to wear ordinary dentures because of tender gums or sore spots. You may recommended reline the denture with a material that stays pliable for one to two years before needing replacement. Such a material is much less likely to give the patient sore spots than the standard hard reline acrylic. Patients experiencing these problems may also consider a more permanent solution of implant retained dentures.


Temporary Reline

If dentures haven’t been serviced in a long time, a patient’s gums may be red, swollen, or misshapen. This creates problems in taking impressions for a new hard or soft reline and may lead to a denture that would extend or enhance the problem.

A temporary, medicated reline material may be recommended to allow the inflammation to subside. This reline makes the denture fit much more tightly, and is usually soft and pliable. After a few weeks, the gums return to a more normal state. The patient is then ready for his or her new denture.




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17/May/2019

Bolivar Smiles Dentistry offers same-day CEREC® dental crowns, so patients who damage or lose a crown may be able to get a custom, permanent dental crown placed later that same day. Our same-day crowns are made of durable zirconia, which helps them stay in great shape for several years. Replacing a damaged or missing crown as quickly as possible is crucial for protecting the tooth from harmful bacteria and possible dental trauma, so if you believe you need a crown replaced, please get in touch with our office as soon as possible.

When a significant amount of a tooth has been lost from decay or injury, but still worth saving – a crown may be in your best interest. A crown fortifies and restores damaged teeth, letting them function and look just like natural teeth.

When a tooth is beyond repair or missing completely, a dental implant with a crown is widely considered to be the best solution. The next best thing is often a three-unit fixed bridge which uses your natural teeth on either side of the gap. Longer bridges can be used to span longer gaps.

Crowns and bridges are made by a dental technician that uses the mold of your teeth to determine the exact shape and size of the restoration. The process usually only takes a few weeks to create to help you look your best with your new smile.

The longevity of a crown or bridge depends mostly on the dental health and hygiene habits of the patient. Routine exams and cleanings as well as brushing and flossing regularly will help keep your smile looking great for years to come.


A Crown or Bridge Can Help in Many Different Scenarios

A crown can cover and secure a tooth that has cracked or chipped


A dental bridge will fill in spaces caused by lost or extracted teeth


A darkened or discolored tooth will look bright and polished after a crown is added


A crown will shore up a tooth that is vulnerable after root canal therapy




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17/May/2019

Mini Dental Implants are a fast, yet very effective way to stabilize your dentures or to replace your missing teeth. The mini dental implant procedure is only minimally invasive and can be done quickly.

The mini dental implant procedure is a much less involved process than the conventional dental implants. For this reason, the procedure can usually be completed in as little as one dental appointment.

In addition to saving time in the dental office, you will have far less discomfort following this procedure due to its minimally involved nature.

Because the mini dental implants are so time efficient, we are able to perform these procedures at a fraction of the cost normally associated with larger conventional implants.

Mini dental implants are also more comfortable while requiring less healing time and fewer visits to the doctor.


Benefits of Mini Dental Implants:

Simple and non-invasive procedure


Restored confidence with speaking and eating


Anchoring for dentures or crowns & bridges

Immediate results


Improved attractiveness of your smile


Preserves bone and facial structure




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Our team always strives to provide the most efficient and effective dental services while still taking the time to ensure that every patient is well-informed when it comes to their oral health and treatment.

CONTACT OUR OFFICE

Address:
1300 N. Oakland Ave, Ste. B. Bolivar, MO 65613

Phone:
(417) 512-5073

Email:
bolivarsmiles@gmail.com

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