Missing Teeth? 5 Things You Need To Know About Dentures

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Categories: Dental Implants, Dentures, General Dentistry

implant dentures Florissant

Millions of Americans have lost one or more of their natural teeth. By one count, nearly seventy percent of adults have lost at least one. At Koch Park Dental in Florissant we offer several options to those patients interested in tooth replacement.

1. Dentures are not the only choice for missing teeth. Dental implants used alone or in combination with a partial denture is often a preferable option for patients. Whereas a removable appliance replaces only the visible parts of teeth, an implant replaces both the root and crown of a tooth. This has critical implications. Dental implants can prevent bone recession that typically occurs following tooth extractions. Dental implants can furnish patients the near-normal ability to chew and speak.

2. There is more than one type of denture. Most people are familiar with the removable denture that replaces a complete upper or lower arch. There are also partial dentures that are used for patients who have some remaining teeth. Partial dentures can be fixed in the mouth or detachable.

3. Even if you have worn dentures for a while, you may be a good candidate for implant-anchored dentures. The essential factor is whether you have enough bone to support an implant. Bone grafting can augment natural bone in some patients.

4. Regardless of your tooth replacement configuration—full dentures, partial dentures, or tooth implants—you still need to practice correct oral hygiene. Removable appliances should be cleaned daily.

5. Even if you have no natural teeth left, it’s indispensable that you have twice-yearly dental examination. Optimal oral health is an integral component of overall physical well-being. We will examine your mouth for indications of diseases like cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes.

At Koch Park Dental in Florrisant, we offer conventional dentures and also practice implant dentistry. Call our office to schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 7395

The Koch Park Dental Guide To Veneers

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers

porcelain veneers cost St. Louis

It’s easy to see why people love porcelain veneers. They correct a multitude of cosmetic flaws and deliver stunning results. You can get them at Koch Park Dental in Florissant.

A porcelain veneer is an extremely thin (about .5mm or 1/64 inch) shell that is permanently attached to the front of a tooth. They are custom made for each patient, and can cover chips, cracks, and stains. They can also improve the shape, size or length of a tooth.

While preparing a tooth for a veneer is less invasive than preparing a tooth for a crown, it is not a reversible procedure. A microscopically small amount of enamel must be removed to make room for the veneer. Thus, the tooth can never be restored to its original condition.

Veneers are usually placed on the most visible teeth –  center stage, so to speak. They are on display every time the patient opens their mouth. They’re great for teeth that are discolored, chipped or misshapen. They can transform your smile int one that is not only pleasing, but durable.

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, porcelain veneers are just one of our cosmetic dentistry procedures. We also offer dental implants and a full range of dental services. Call to schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 6807

Beautifying With Bonding

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

Florissant fix chipped tooth

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we can fix most tooth problems with cosmetic dentistry. Porcelain veneers and dental implants are among the better-known procedures. In this post we are going to talk about bonding, a relatively uncelebrated dental treatment that has been used successfully for decades.

The dental bonding procedure uses a resin material that is strong and natural looking. It is applied to the teeth while soft and putty-like, and then hardened with a special light. The material bonds with the tooth and can then be shaped and polished.

Dentists use bonding to repair problems caused by decay, chips, or cracks. Large spaces between healthy teeth can be filled with bonding material, and bonding can guard tooth roots if the gums have regressed.

Discolored teeth can also be lightened with bonding. Since bonding material is easily molded, teeth can be lengthened or re-shaped to more beautiful proportions. Bonding is often used as part of a total smile redesign.

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we use bonding and other cosmetic dentistry procedures to create beautiful smiles. We also offer dental implants and many other procedures. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 7308

Great Reasons to Floss Your Teeth

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

Three Great Reasons to Floss Your Teeth by Koch Park Dental - Martin L. Buchheit, DDS

Flossing is a bit of a chore. It takes a little extra time, and if you haven’t flossed in a while, it can even be painful. But it’s essential to your dental health, so it’s no wonder our team at Koch Park Dental in Florissant is constantly reminding our patients to ‘brush and floss!’

Flossing is essential. You’ll never hear one of us say ‘don’t worry about the flossing.’ It just isn’t going to happen, and for two vital reasons:

1. Bad Breath

Bad breath is something we all worry about. It’s part of our ‘appearance,’ and we are all aware of how that can affect our relationships.

When we meet new people, meet with others in close quarters, or greet a partner, bad breath is on our mind. We worry about how bad breath affects first impressions.

It makes sense, then, that bad breath would be one of the things you might worry about.

Flossing is a great way to help you avoid bad breath.

Flossing helps prohibit plaque buildup between your teeth. It also helps flush out pockets of bacteria. Together, plaque and bacteria can create bad breath.

To limit your chances of being caught with bad breath, floss every day.

2. Cavities

When bacteria is allowed to concentrate on your teeth, tooth decay can occur. Plaque buildup is a concentration of bacteria. When plaque is allowed to remain between your teeth it gives bacteria a chance to destroy enamel and damage your teeth. Cavities are damage to your teeth caused by bacteria.

Flossing gets between your teeth where your brush can’t get and cleans away plaque buildup. It also loosens pockets of bacteria that can be removed with a quick rinse.

Flossing will help you keep plaque and bacteria from developing between your teeth.

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we guarantee that flossing is critical to your dental health! We recommend flossing every time you brush. At the very least, we encourage you to floss every day before you go to bed. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 7780

Extraction Is Not The End Game

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Categories: Dental Implants

dental implants http://www.kochparkdental.net/about-us/

Have you had a tooth extracted? Even if you don’t mind having a gap in your smile, the missing tooth root can cause problems of its own, and you should seriously consider a dental implant from Koch Park Dental in Florissant.

Problems With Extracted Teeth

First off, when a tooth is extracted, the surrounding bone recedes and shrinks. There is no tooth root requiring a blood supply, and the bone reacts accordingly.

People who have had numerous teeth extracted from the upper palette eventually develop a sunken-in look because they have lost a significant portion of their jawbone. It’s not a good look for anyone, because it makes you look a lot older.

Another problem is that the missing tooth may cause the surrounding teeth to shift. The remedy for misplaced teeth may involve months of treatment.

Fortunately, dental implants prevent both of these issues.

The Best Solution For An Extracted Tooth

A dental implant is a permanent, natural-looking tooth replacement that restores your smile while retaining the healthy bone and gum tissue at the tooth site. A stable titanium post is inserted into the jawbone. This is the actual implant. The bone fuses with the post to create a durable, sturdy foundation for the visible part of the restoration.

A piece called an abutment goes on top of the titanium post, and serves as a sort of platform for the final part, the crown.

Dental implants from Koch Park Dental in Florissant can make a huge difference in your life. Call us to learn more. We also offer general dentistry. Schedule your next cleaning and checkkup today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 8076

Behind The Scenes: Dental Crown Fabrication

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Categories: Dental Crowns

how a dental crown is made Florissant

This post looks at the complex process required to create a dental crown, like those provided by Koch Park Dental in Florissant.

Dental crowns can be constructed with metal, ceramic (porcelain), plastics, or varying combinations of these. We will describe the process used to create a porcelain crown, though the steps are similar to those used for other materials.

Modern porcelain crowns are a technological and artistic marvel that make reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry possible. The picture above shows three crowns attached to two implant posts. While the most advanced dental lab techs and ceramists can’t make a tooth as strong as Mother Nature, they are getting pretty darn close.

When one of our patients needs a crown, a dental assistant makes an impression of all the teeth. The impression is sent to a laboratory where the plaster teeth are separated. The individual tooth mold in need of restoration is scanned into a computer to have the perfect dimensions to send to the factory.

The technologically-advanced factory has a computerized machine that will then pour plaster into cylindrical molds, resulting in blanks. Once hardened, the process of making the tooth from the plaster blanks begins.

The machine then takes the scanned data from the impression and begins sculpting out the contours found in the scan. The finished tooth is not to scale, being 20% to 30% larger than required. This enlargement is to allow for material shrinkage that will later occur.

The machine then dips the plastered tooth into liquid ceramic. The ceramic hardens and gives the tooth a glossy, natural finish that is indistinguishable from a genuine tooth. The machine then starts a new process of orienting the tooth with others. This time, ceramic powder is poured into new molds over the plaster tooth. The molds are put on a rod and then plunged into a water-filled chamber. Once the chamber lid is closed, water pressure increases, solidifying each ceramic tooth.

The restoration is then chiseled to perfectly match the plastered tooth that is inside. This tooth becomes the ceramic shell of the crown and is easily lifted off the plastered tooth.

This shell, or coping, will then be exposed to a high temperature for increased strength. It also shrinks to the proper size when exposed to the high temperature. Once finished, a plastic replica of the original tooth is created from the computer scan. The new shell is then tested for precise fitting over the tooth.

The shell then leaves the factory for the lab, where layers of colored porcelain are painted on it. A skilled ceramist may apply up to 15 layers of porcelain to perfectly match the variations in the surrounding teeth. This labor-intensive process accounts for much of the cost of a high-quality crown.

The crown is then fired to making the porcelain more condensed throughout. More hand contouring follows, as necessary, and then is finished with a clear, ceramic gloss.

All of this work results in a terrific crown for one of our patients!

If you have a broken tooth or old, unattractive crown, or want specifics about smile transformations, call Koch Park Dental in Florissant to find out about dental crowns. We also offer many general dentistry services.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 7085

Think A Missing Back Tooth Is No Big Deal?

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants

dental implants Florissant

Most people are uncomfortable with a missing tooth in the front of their mouth. It isn’t fair, but a gaping hole in a smile has negative connotations for adults in most social circles. At Koch Park Dental in Florrisant, we have a solution.

A person who loses a front tooth usually makes a plan for a dental restoration ASAP. And few dental patients forego a temporary denture while awaiting a permanent restoration.

When a person loses a back tooth, on the other hand, they are more likely to leave the gap. “You can’t really see it when I smile, right? I have another molar back there, I can chew with that one.” If the tooth had been hurting, sometimes they are so relieved that the pain is gone, they consider the extraction the final step.

This attitude is unfortunate. There can be serious consequences if you’re missing a back tooth.

Bone Recession

Since we can’t see the bone that anchors our tooth roots, we don’t often consider its condition. The health of our jawbone plays an essential role in overall oral health. When a tooth is extracted, the bone at the extraction site shrinks and recedes over time. Since a dental implant replaces the tooth root (as well as the visible part), it maintains the health of the bone. In so doing, it also protects the bone for the adjacent teeth.

The jawbone is the foundation of the lower face. If it shrinks and recedes, everything that sits on top of it will follow suit. An individual with bone recession will eventually get that “sunken in” look that can make them look a lot older than they really are. A permanent dental implant, unlike a dental bridge, maintains the structure of the face.

Shifting Teeth

Another risk is shifting teeth. If teeth adjacent to the extraction site start moving, it can generate a domino effect. The unopposed tooth on the opposite arch can also move, though it generally moves outward from the bone (over-eruption).

In addition to esthetic ramifications, teeth that are displaced in danger of periodontal disease, decay, TMJ pain, or bite problems. There will also be extra stress on the teeth that take over the chewing functions—compromising their strength as well.

A Smart Investment In Oral Health (And You’ll Look Better, Too!)

Investing in a dental implant could be far less expensive than treating the dental problems mentioned previously. To find out more about them call us at Koch Park Dental in Florissant. We also offer general dentistry. Schedule an appointment today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 8080

Why Is Dry Mouth Risky For Your Teeth?

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

Why Is Dry Mouth Dangerous For Florissant Dental Patients?In this blog post from Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we are going to talk about dry mouth, an unpleasant condition that can actually affect your dental health.

Reduction of saliva flow resulting in a dry mouth is a common issue, especially among older adults. However, individuals of all ages experience the symptoms of dry mouth at one time or another. These symptoms include a dry, red tongue, difficulty swallowing, and persistent sore throat.

Sometimes dry mouth is caused by a disease or infection, but it is also a common side effect of prescription medications.

Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers are just some of the drugs that can cause dry mouth. It is common for allergy-prone people to complain of dry mouth when they start taking antihistamines during the hay fever season.

Aside from being an uncomfortable nuisance, untreated dry mouth can cause tooth damage. Adequate saliva is needed to keep the mouth lubricated, wash the food from teeth, and neutralize the acidic environment caused by plaque. Extensive dental caries can arise in the absence of saliva for dental patients with chronic dry mouth.

If dry mouth is a problem for you, don’t put your dental health at risk. Call us at Koch Park Dental in Florissant. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 3085

Bad Breath Q & A

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

Florissant bad breath exam

This post from Koch Park Dental in Florissant MO offers some answers to common questions about bad breath.

Q. I brush twice a day, but my wife says my breath is still repulsive. Shouldn’t twice be enough?
A. Time to start flossing. Bacteria can propagate and stink in hidden crevices that can only floss can reach. If your breath hasn’t improved in a few months, make an appointment so we can review other possible causes of your halitosis.

Also keep in mind that brushing just the teeth may not remove food particles between the teeth and up in the gums. Gently brushing the gums, sides of the mouth and the tongue in addition to the teeth may make the difference.

Q. My breath seems to get worse during hay fever season. What’s up with that?
A. Allergies can change mouth odor in a couple of ways. First, anything that stimulates post-nasal drip can be a trigger because bacteria at the back of the throat mixes with the mucous and gives off a smelly odor as it breaks down. Second, hay fever medications often cause dry mouth which can cause noxious breath. Antihistamines can reduce post-nasal drip so this is a catch-22. If you take antihistamines, drink water frequently throughout the day to keep your mouth wet, suck on sugar-free mints to stimulate saliva production and rinse with a non-alcohol mouth rinse.

Q. What health conditions can cause bad breath?
A. As addressed before, any condition that reduces saliva production can cause halitosis. It is also a common side effect of diabetes, kidney failure, and liver failure. Of course, if your kidneys or liver is failing, you have bigger problems.

Q. Why did my breath become intolerable when I went on a strict low-carb diet?
A. Ketones are probably the culprit. Ketones are generated when the body digests fat—which is usually the goal of a low-carb plan. On the flip side, sounds like you weren’t cheating!

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant MO, we provide general dentistry and specialties like dental implants. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 7192

Do You Have The Most Common Dental Problem?

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

St. Louis Teeth WhiteningAt Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we repair decayed teeth with fillings and other restorations to create smiles that are both healthy and beautiful. Recent advances in techniques and materials have made the impossible not only possible, but affordable for as well.

Decay is the most common dental problem and the second most common disease in the nation (number one is the common cold). If you have one or more teeth with decay, it’s time to take care of them.

Fillings, inlays, onlays and crowns are used to restore teeth for our St. Louis cosmetic dental patients. Even the most basic procedure – filling a cavity – has evolved. There are several types of new materials available including porcelain and composite resin. Each has specific strengths and aesthetic considerations. Patients who replace silver amalgam with tooth-colored fillings love getting the metal out of their smile.

Inlays and onlays are more extensive restorations. There are two types: direct or indirect. Direct inlays and onlays are applied in one visit. Indirect inlays and onlays are fabricated in a dental lab. They usually require a second visit but the results are well worth the extra trip.

When a patient has a tooth that cannot be restored with an inlay or an onlay, a natural-looking crown is the answer. At Koch Park Dental we create crowns that blend in perfectly with the rest of your teeth. Let us show you some photos of patients who have received smile makeovers – you will not see any “Chiclet” crowns that stick out like a sore thumb.

Koch Park Dental in Florissant provides dental fillings and all other general dentistry services. We also offer cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 1371