Chesterfield Valley Dental Group

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

2011-03-01T10:53:00.000-06:00

Teeth whitening is perhaps the most popular cosmetic dental option today. With kits that can be purchased at a store and myriad options available from dentists, it’s no wonder more and more people are beautifying their smiles with this simple procedure.

At Chesterfield Valley Dental Group, we have extensively studied the teeth whitening products available to consumers and have concluded that the Sapphire treatment is by far the most effective.

The Sapphire Treatment

The bleaching agent in teeth whitening kits can be either hydrogen or carbamide dioxide. Hydrogen peroxide works faster, but can cause severe tooth and gum sensitivity. Carbamide dioxide, used in the Sapphire tooth whitening system, has a substantially reduced rate of sensitivity, and works just as well as hydrogen peroxide over a slightly longer period of time.

Teeth Whitening Process

The process for teeth whitening is very simple. One of our experienced St. Louis cosmetic dentists will create a customized mouthguard to ensure that the bleaching gel is evenly dispersed over all of your teeth.

This mouthguard offers superior distribution of the bleaching agent over store bought kits because it is molded specifically for your mouth, and extended to whiten all of your teeth. Once your mouth guard has been created, you will be given the solution to use twice daily over a two week period. After your whitening process is done, you can keep the mouth guard for future applications.

If you are interested in a painless way to whiten your teeth in or around St. Louis, Missouri, please contact experienced cosmetic dentists Dr. Goldman and Dr. Yenzer for an overview of your options.

Tooth Colored Filling and the Debate Over Amalgams

2011-02-04T10:02:00.000-06:00

Using what was available at the time, dentists of the past relied on some materials that can actually hurt the tooth or are unattractive. While metal fillings are still used, they can mar a smile with their dark appearance. However, these amalgam fillings are inexpensive and long lasting.

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings have been used since the 19th century and have only recently seen a decline in popularity. Amalgam fillings, which contain mercury, are long lasting, sturdy, and resistant to microorganisms. This is also a product that is less expensive than other options and remains a common choice for several patients.

Tooth Colored Fillings

Tooth colored fillings offer many benefits over amalgam fillings. They are:

• Made from non-toxic composite resin
• Able to expand with temperature fluctuations, ensuring they stay in place
• Colored to match your teeth, and therefore offering superior aesthetics

At Chesterfield Valley Dental Group, our dentists use tooth colored fillings and amalgam fillings for our patient’s cavities. If you have cavities that need to be filled in or around St. Louis, Missouri, please contact the experienced cosmetic dentists at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group to learn more about your options.

Porcelain Veneers Process

2011-01-03T09:38:00.000-06:00

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain placed over existing teeth to correct minor aesthetic issues. The use of porcelain veneers is increasing popular due not only to the superior quality and long lasting beauty of porcelain, but due also to the very simple process involved in the procedure.

First Office Visit

During your first visit, Dr. Goldman or Dr. Yenzer will:

• Gently reshape your teeth to prepare them for you customized veneers
• Make an impression of your teeth for your personalized veneers to be created from
• Fit you with temporary veneers to wear until your second visit

Between Visits

Between your first and second visit, while you are wearing your temporary veneers, the technicians at May Dental Arts will be busy creating a beautiful set of porcelain veneers based on the impression made by our dentists. Using advanced computer technology and high quality porcelain, your veneers will be created and sent back to our office for your final visit.

Second Office Visit

After your veneers have been created, you will return to our office for your second visit. During this visit, your temporary veneers will be removed, and you will be fitted with your new, customized porcelain veneers. As simple as that, in two short visits, your smile will be remarkably brighter, straighter, and free of imperfections.

If you are interested in learning more about how porcelain veneers can improve your smile in or around St. Louis, Missouri, please contact the experienced porcelain veneer doctors at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group for a free consultation.

Smile Makeover

2010-12-02T09:27:00.000-06:00

Having the perfect smile is essential for high self-esteem and personal confidence. Sadly, many people are ashamed of their smile, hiding it – tight lipped and awkward – for fear of cosmetic imperfections that leave them feeling less than self-assured.

At Chesterfield Valley Dental Group, we offer a wide range of services to correct aesthetic issues with your smile, and in cases where one procedure is not enough, we are pleased to offer smile makeovers to perfect even the most stubborn of cosmetic issues.

A Totally New Smile

Using a combination of cosmetic procedures, Dr. Goldman and Dr. Yenzer can create for you the smile you have always wanted. Some procedures that may be included in your smile transformation are:

Of course, we will work closely with you to ensure you receive only the procedures necessary to make your smile a thing of beauty.

Aesthetic Wax-up

During your first visit for a smile makeover, we will listen to your desires, and with those in mind, create an aesthetic wax-up of your new smile. This process allows our doctors to show you what your new smile will look like and make any adjustments you see fit prior to your undergoing any cosmetic dental procedures. In this way, you have a hand in creating your ideal smile from the very beginning.

If you live in the St. Louis, Missouri area and would like to see your options for an exceptional smile, please contact the smile makeover dentists at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group for a free consultation.

Preventative Dentistry

2010-11-08T18:10:00.000-06:00

The dentists at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group have years of experience in practicing both cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry, but the most effective way to ensure long lasting oral health is through the use of preventative dentistry.

Brushing and Flossing

Preventative dentistry begins with your at-home oral hygiene routine. Brushing after every meal, or at least twice a day, and flossing at least once a day are crucial to proper oral health. Doing this, you help remove food and plaque buildup that can lead to periodontal disease and cavities.

Dental Visits

Just as important as your daily at-home routine are twice yearly visits to our office for thorough cleanings and checkups. Our dentists can get your teeth much whiter and cleaner than you can at home, and are specially trained and experienced in identifying potential problems that can become serious if not treated. While we are able to treat any disease or disorder that may occur, it is best to discover them before they become serious and require extensive procedures.

Overall Health

Oral health has been conclusively liked to overall, systemic health. Diseases in the mouth can have infectious results on the rest of your body, which makes maintaining your oral health all the more important. Proper oral hygiene and twice yearly visits to our office not only ensure your teeth are strong and healthy for years to come, they help keep your entire body healthy and disease free.

If you live in or around St. Louis, Missouri and are looking for a way to keep your teeth and mouth healthy, please contact the experienced preventative dentists at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group to discuss the ways we can help you maintain optimal health.

Tooth Whitening and Porcelain Veneers

2010-10-29T15:33:00.002-05:00

Porcelain veneers offer a multitude of cosmetic benefits. At Chesterfield Valley Dental Group, we have experience in using porcelain veneers to correct problems like:

Chips and cracks
Gaps
Unevenly sized teeth
Crooked teeth

But one of the most amazing advantages of porcelain veneers is their ability to completely correct discolored or heavily stained teeth.

Tooth Whitening

When it comes to whiter teeth, you have several options to choose from. By far the longest lasting and most effective is the use of porcelain veneers. Teeth affected by fluoride staining, or discoloration from prescription medications cannot be whitened with topical solutions. Porcelain veneers are placed over the front of your teeth, providing a brilliantly white cover for teeth that cannot be whitened by other means.

Porcelain Advantage

Porcelain enjoys several advantages over topical treatments. Porcelain is:

· Stain resistant

· Long lasting

· Able to reflect light in the exact manner as your natural tooth enamel

· Able to be shaded to match your existing teeth

Dr. Goldman and Dr. Yenzer are able to use veneers to cover as few or as many teeth as you would like to ensure your smile is as white and beautiful as you have ever dreamed.

If you live in or around St. Louis, Missouri and are looking for a long lasting solution to whiten your teeth, please contact the porcelain veneer specialists at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group for an overview of your options.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Crowns

2010-09-14T12:21:00.001-05:00

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain placed over your existing teeth to correct minor cosmetic issues like:

Gaps and unevenly sized teeth
Discoloration and staining
Chips and minor cracks

A cosmetic procedure, porcelain veneers can be used to beautify a smile affected by minor aesthetic issues.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are porcelain caps placed over existing teeth or dental implants to correct both structural and cosmetic issues like:

Broken or severely cracked teeth
Missing teeth
Protection for teeth affected by decay

A cosmetic procedure with additional functional benefits, dental crowns can be used to solve a number of aesthetic and general dental issues.

The Difference

Porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns can both be used to improve the aesthetic features of your smile, but porcelain veneers offer no additional structural support, where porcelain crowns can be used to protect and strengthen teeth.

If you live in the St. Louis, Missouri area, and would like to know more about porcelain veneers and dental crowns, please contact the experienced dentists at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group for a free consultation to evaluate your needs.

Advantages of Dental Implants

2010-08-27T09:12:00.001-05:00

Implanted directly into your jaw bone, dental implants are intended to provide a permanent solution for tooth loss. Made out of commercially pure titanium, a rust proof and exceedingly strong metal, dental implants are designed to last for a lifetime.

At Chesterfield Valley Dental Group, our implants are generally used to secure porcelain crowns. These tooth colored crowns offer the benefit of a completely natural look and feel, while minimizing damage to adjacent teeth. Your smile will not only look completely natural, it will help ensure your natural teeth remain sturdy and functional.

Dentures require enormous amounts of upkeep, and are secured into place with adhesives. These adhesives are expensive, unreliable, and incredibly messy. With dental implants, you never have to worry about slippage, and because your denture is screwed onto the implant, the hassle of affixing your teeth is eliminated.

At Chesterfield Valley Dental Group, we are so devoted to offering the highest quality dental implants available, we have dedicated an entire division of care to implant surgery and technology. Our dentists are devoted to providing you with a smile that is strong, beautiful, and functional for years to come.

If you live in or around St. Louis, Missouri and are looking for a permanent solution to tooth loss, please contact the dental implant professionals at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group for a free consultation today.

Family Dentistry Questions

2010-07-29T13:45:00.001-05:00

What procedures are included in family dentistry?

Family dentistry includes cleanings and examinations for your entire family along with general dentistry procedures like:

Fillings
Root canals
Treatments for gum disease

Is family dentistry the same as preventative dentistry?

Family dentistry is included under the umbrella of preventative dentistry. With twice yearly checkups and examinations, we can help your family prevent and treat any potential issue with their teeth.

Are the doctors at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group pediatric dentists?

Both of our doctors, Dr. Goldman, and Dr. Yenzer have received training in pediatric dentistry. We pride ourselves on our ability to patiently and gently treat the unique oral needs of children.

What if my child is afraid of the dentist?

At Chesterfield Valley Dental Group, we work with parents and children to help alleviate dental phobias. Getting your child in for regular checkups and examinations will help ensure they are comfortable with dentists for the rest of their lives.

If you live in or around St. Louis, Missouri and are looking for a dentist for your family, please contact the experienced family dentists at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group for a free consultation.

History of Dentistry

2010-06-14T15:12:00.001-05:00

Evidence of dental practice has been found in cultures dating back to at least 7000 BC. Practiced by barbers and doctors, small holes were drilled into teeth with a bow saw to relieve oral pain.

During the next few thousand years, tooth pain was attributed to spirits, "tooth worms," and a host of other mystical and magical beings, and new methods were developed for the treatment and extraction of problem teeth.

Important Dates in Dentistry

7000 BC - bow drills are used to relieve tooth pain
700 BC - Bridges are invented by the ancient Egyptians
13th Century AD - Advanced tools are invented for extraction
16th Century AD - Dentistry becomes its own practice
1723 - French physician, Pierre Fauchard, publishes his research into several dental advancements including fillings and dentures
1840 - The first dental school is founded
1844 - Nitrous oxide comes into common use
1903 - Porcelain crowns are invented
1938 - Nylon toothbrushes are invents
1950 - Fluoride toothpaste hits the market
1957 - Electric dental drills are invented
1990 - Cosmetic procedures become commonplace

American Dentistry

American dentistry has grown to include both preventative and restorative procedures. No longer afraid of tooth worms and spirits, advancements in dental technology now allow dentists to prevent, diagnose, and treat any issue that may interfere with your oral health.

If you are interested in learning more about how modern dental procedures can benefit you and your family in or around St. Louis, Missouri, please contact the experienced and knowledgeable doctors at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group for a free consultation.

Tooth Bonding Questions

2010-05-17T17:11:00.001-05:00

I have small cracks in my teeth. Can dental bonding fix those?

Dental bonding, also known as tooth bonding, is an effective, safe way to fill minor cracks and chips in your teeth.

Is tooth bonding obvious?

As a cosmetic procedure, tooth bonding is intended to correct minor imperfections in the most natural looking way possible. Tooth bonding is tooth colored, and with general oral maintenance, will look and feel natural for years to come.

Does tooth bonding offer structural support?

Tooth bonding can be used to correct issues that are both cosmetic and structural, such as:

Cracks
Uneven teeth
Small cavities

What's the difference between tooth bonding and porcelain veneers?

Tooth bonding is done with a composite resin, filling in small imperfections on your existing teeth. While porcelain veneers, which can be used to correct some of the same issues, cover your existing teeth entirely.

Is tooth bonding safe?

Tooth bonding is a safe, nontoxic, and quick way to correct minor aesthetic and functional issues with your teeth.

If you live in the St. Louis, Missouri area, and have questions about tooth bonding, please contact the professional staff at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group for a free consultation to have all your questions answered.

Questions about Porcelain Veneers

2010-04-14T09:32:00.001-05:00

Can porcelain veneers be used as an alternative to tooth whitening?

Yes. There are several options for patients who have teeth that are stained or not as white as they could be. One of the most effective options is porcelain veneers. A thin porcelain shell placed over the tooth, porcelain veneers look and feel just like your natural teeth, without some of the drawbacks of other whitening treatments.

What other imperfections can porcelain veneers fix?

Porcelain veneers can fix a wide range of aesthetic issues. In addition to whitening, they are used for teeth that are:

Chipped
Uneven
Gapped
Misshapen

Are the veneers made at your office?

We send the impression of your teeth to May Dental Arts where superior quality porcelain and technology are used to ensure your veneers are long lasting and beautiful. The process for creating your new veneers can take a few weeks, but during that time you will be fitted with temporary veneers from our office.

Is the porcelain veneers process painful?

The procedure for fitting you with porcelain veneers is minimally invasive. There will be no interruption of the normal function of your teeth, and no long-term numbing or painful reminders after your new veneers have been placed.

If you live in or around St. Louis, Missouri and are interested in learning more about how porcelain veneers can give you the smile you've always dreamed of, please contact the experienced cosmetic dentists at Chesterfield Valley Dental Group for a free, no obligation consultation.

Welcome...

2010-02-15T11:28:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the Chesterfield Valley Dental Group's Cosmetic Dentistry Blog. Our first blog entry is coming soon. Please check back, and thanks for visiting.