Restorative vs. Cosmetic Dentistry

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At Smile Now STL, we offer a complete list of dentistry services, which includes both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. These two types of dental services are similar in many ways, but have some notable differences. When you’re scheduling an appointment with your dentist in St. Louis, MO, here’s how you can know which service you need.

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry focuses on improving the function of your teeth. When you have injuries, cavities, infections, or bone loss due to aging, you may have damage to your teeth or jaw that makes it difficult to chew correctly. You can also suffer damage to the tooth enamel, which can lead to pain.Restorative dentistry focuses on restoring these problems to improve the function of your teeth. It can also improve the health of your teeth to prevent problems in the future.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing the appearance of stained, chipped, cracked, or misshapen teeth. These teeth may function properly, but they don’t look the way the patient wants them to. The goal of cosmetic dentistry is less about restoring function and more about improving the look of your smile.

Which Service Do I Need?

The service that’s best for you will depend on what’s wrong with your teeth. If your dentist in St. Louis, MO, has determined there is a structural or enamel issue with your teeth, or if you have lost teeth, then you’ll need to focus on restorative dentistry. If the primary problem is cosmetic in nature, but the teeth function fine, then you need cosmetic dentistry.

At [practice name], we are pleased to offer both types of dental treatments. If you are in need of help with your teeth, reach out to our team to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today.

Hidden Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry

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More people are paying attention to the way their teeth look than ever before. Between social media postings, selfies and increased social interactions, people are noticing that having beautiful teeth can make a real, positive impact on how they’re viewed in the world. Of course, everyone wants to look nice in the mirror, and having cosmetic dentistry in St. Louis, MO is a way to achieve that. But there are lots of hidden benefits of cosmetic dentistry, too.

Renewed Interest in Self-care

One of the lesser-known advantages of cosmetic procedures like veneers, bonding, or teeth whitening is the improvement in oral hygiene habits. When patients invest in their smiles, they’re more likely to maintain proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits to protect their results.

Resolving Issues

Certain cosmetic treatments also address structural issues that affect functionality. For instance, straightening teeth with clear aligners or braces not only creates a more attractive smile but also improves bite alignment, reducing strain on the jaw and preventing problems like TMJ.

Boosting Self Esteem

Cosmetic dentistry can also have a profound psychological impact. A brighter, more aligned smile can boost self-esteem and encourage social interactions. People who feel confident about their teeth are often more willing to smile, which studies show can lead to better mood, reduced stress and even positive first impressions in professional or personal settings.

Increased Dental Strength

Another hidden benefit is the prevention of further damage. For example, dental bonding or veneers can protect weakened teeth from chips or cracks, while crowns used in cosmetic dentistry strengthen teeth that might otherwise deteriorate.

Cosmetic dentistry is more than just a beauty upgrade—it’s an investment in your oral health, confidence and quality of life. Contact your dentist in St. Louis, MO today to learn more.

How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Improve Your Life

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At Smile Now STL, we’re proud to offer a broad range of cosmetic dentistry treatments in St. Louis, MO for new and existing clients. If you have any questions about available cosmetic treatments, please contact us and we can discuss with you all your options. In the meantime, if you’re still on the fence about cosmetic dentistry, here are the many ways in which these kinds of treatments can improve your life.

Improving Professional Career

For better or worse, having an attractive smile is often perceived as being a sign of capability. In the workplace, having bad teeth can be detrimental, as a company or department may not wish to have a certain kind of profile attached to them. Of course, the condition of your teeth doesn’t reflect your professional abilities, but the misperception is still quite prevalent. For this reason, cosmetic dentistry has the power to improve your professional career. It can be just one aspect of your overall appearance that can make you look bright and capable.

Boosting Self-Confidence

You should feel good when you look in the mirror. But crooked, stained teeth can make you feel less than, when you should feel more than. The simple and effective cosmetic dentistry treatments that are available at Smile Now STL can help to boost your self-confidence when you look in the mirror. You may feel more comfortable smiling at others or reaching out to others in social settings.

Catalyzing Better Oral Health

When your teeth look crummy, you may feel hopeless and like it’s not worth it to even take care of your teeth. But when they look beautiful, you’ll feel more inclined to practice good oral hygiene so you can keep your teeth looking their best!

Contact your St. Louis, MO dentist today to discuss your cosmetic dentistry options. You’ll be glad you did!

Can Cosmetic Dentistry Fix Periodontal Disease?

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Cosmetic dentistry is a fantastic way to improve the appearance of your smile. But it’s just that: cosmetic. The various treatments available with cosmetic dentistry aren’t designed to treat oral health conditions. They are designed to make your teeth look whiter, brighter, and healthier. In short, cosmetic dentistry won’t fix periodontal disease or any other serious oral health condition. However, if you do have periodontal disease, cosmetic dentistry can play a later role in completing the overall treatment plan.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an end-stage gum disease where there is often significant bone loss and gum tissue regression and infection. The seriousness of this disease cannot be overstated. It frequently results in tooth loss.

Treatment For Periodontal Disease

After an in-depth consultation, yourdentist in St. Louis, MO will come up with a treatment plan for periodontal disease that will include a number of steps that may include cleaning, deep root scaling, treatment with antibiotics and more. After that, some restorative dentistry may be needed to restore the health and function of damaged teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry and Periodontal Disease

In most cases involving periodontal disease, several teeth will have been damaged or lost. After the underlying condition has been treated and managed, then you and your dentist can discuss cosmetic dentistry. This may take several months of treatment beforehand. Cosmetic dentistry treatments such as teeth whitening, dental veneers, and others will help bring back that naturally beautiful smile that was lost to periodontal disease.

If you have periodontal disease, you need to see your dentist right away. Once you have that under control, you can enjoy the many benefits ofcosmetic dentistry in St. Louis, MO, knowing that your oral health is assured. Contact us today to book your appointment!

Woman Smiling

4 Best Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures to Enhance Your Smile

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It feels good to love the appearance of your smile. If you have stains on your tooth enamel, chips, or gaps in your teeth, you may feel self-conscious about how your smile looks. Cosmetic dentistry from your dentist in St. Louis, MO, can help.

1. Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening services can make your teeth several shades whiter in one efficient dentist visit. While many DIY teeth whitening products are available for sale at pharmacies, these products often take longer, aren’t always as effective, and may risk over-whitening your teeth. If you want whiter teeth, professional whitening is a preferred service by many dental patients.

2. Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a composite material that’s attached to the teeth to cover chips, small gaps, stains, and other cosmetic damage. Dental bonding doesn’t last forever, but when it chips off, your dentist can restore it easily.

3. Gum and Tooth Contouring
Do you have a “gummy” smile or an uneven gum line? Gum and tooth contouring services can refine your smile to meet your expectations for your smile. Gum and tooth contouring is an effective way to help shape your smile and give you confidence in your personal appearance.

4. Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are similar to dental bonding, but unlike dental bonding, dental veneers are intended to be permanent. Veneers are tooth-shaped covers that are attached to the teeth. They can only be attached when the teeth are shaved down to make space for them, so once dental veneers are installed, you should always have veneers in place. Damaged veneers must be replaced.

Are you interested in cosmetic dentistry in St. Louis, MO? Call the dental professionals at Smile Now STL. We’re here to help.

The Pros and Cons of Dental Partials

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Your dentist in St. Louis, MO, has presented the idea of partials. But what are dental partials anyway? Once you have your answer, you can determine if partials might work for you.

What Is a Dental Partial?
First, let’s start with what a dental partial is exactly. Another term for it is Removable Partial Denture (RPD). A dental partial is a type of dental restoration that can replace a missing tooth. If you have enough remaining teeth, you can always get dental partials in St. Louis, MO. A partial will have clasps that can grab onto your remaining teeth to hold them in place. It is a fake tooth with clasps and pink material that looks like your gum tissue.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Partial?
If you have a few stable teeth to support your partial, you’re a good candidate. However, if you have a very strong gag reflex, partials might not fit your comfort needs.

The Pros and Cons of Dental Partials
Are you ready for the run-down of dental partials? Here are your pros and cons.

Pros:

Safe and cost-effective way to replace missing teeth.
Easy and quick procedure.
Perfect for a temporary tooth replacement –as needed during further dental treatment.
Very minimal risk involved, and are very safe.
Cons:

Extra stress and wear from the clasps resting on remaining teeth.
Clasps can sometimes loosen, needing to be tightened to fit properly.
Not as natural-looking as other tooth replacement options.
People sometimes feel it’s bulky and uncomfortable.
In Search of a Dentist in St. Louis, MO?
If you think partials might be the answer to your tooth loss, you will need a dentist for that. Contact Smile Now STL today. We offer comprehensive general dentistry and can help fit you with partials. Dr. Thomas E. O’Connor (the dental practice dentist) has 45+ years of experience in dentistry. So, see what our office can do for you!

Which Cosmetic Dentistry Option Should You Choose?

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Cosmetic dentistry can do wonders for your smile. But which cosmetic procedure should you choose? Your dentist in St. Louis, MO, can help.

Which Cosmetic Dentistry Option Should You Choose?
Trying to decide which cosmetic dentistry option is right for you can be difficult. But fortunately, you don’t have to do this alone. Your dentist can help!

You have the following cosmetic dental options to choose from.

Teeth Whitening
This is probably the one you are most familiar with. You will get better results if you opt for professional teeth whitening, which can be done in your dentist’s office. It’s a special carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide combination used to whiten your teeth. At-home products use a smaller amount of these ingredients than professional whitening does.

Dental Veneers
These are made of a thin custom-made porcelain shell or composite material that is bonded to the front side of your teeth to improve their appearance.

Dental Implants
Dental implants in St. Louis, MO, use a titanium post implanted into your jawbone to replace your tooth’s root. After the implant, your natural bone will grow around it. Then your dentist can add an abutment and a crown to finish the dental implant process. Dental implants are most often used to replace missing teeth.

Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is used to correct hairline cracks, chips, and stains on your teeth. It also fixes misshapen teeth and other dental damage or abnormalities. Your dentist will use a composite resin material to apply several layers over the affected tooth or teeth to correct the problem. This is a great alternative to other cosmetic options because it’s affordable, reversible, and typically lasts five to seven years.

Do You Need a Dentist in St. Louis, MO?
If you want cosmetic work done on your teeth, you’ll need a dentist. Contact Smile Now STL today. We have been helping the people of St. Louis improve their smiles for the past 40 years. And we can do the same for you too!