When Should You Consider Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized branch of dental care comprised of numerous procedures. Often people will seek cosmetic dental solutions even when their teeth are healthy simply because they aren’t happy with their appearance. If the condition of your teeth makes you reluctant to interact with people in the workplace or in a social setting, this can quickly begin to erode your self confidence. Lack of good self esteem can have a huge impact on everything from personal relationships to professional success Many people seeking cosmetic dental assistance have suffered an accident, injury or medical condition leaving them with teeth which are not aesthetically pleasing. Or perhaps they grew up in a household where dental hygiene was never a priority and as a result now have decayed misshaped teeth. Others are finally driven to consult a dentist because these oral traumas have made it painful to eat or drink. Obviously if rotten teeth and physical discomfort are present, these concerns need to be addressed as soon as possible. There are so many options, both long and short term, which can reduce a person’s pain making it much easier to take in nourishment as well as improve their physical appearance. Plus we now know tooth decay and periodontal disease have serious health ramifications and need to be addressed in a timely manner.

Ellis Dental is concerned with all your dental needs. We believe no one should ever experience dental pain and we also understand completely the correlation between a beautiful healthy smile and good self esteem. If you experience pain when chewing, drinking a cold or hot beverage, have a chipped tooth, are missing a tooth or have those old unattractive metal fillings please call us today at 314.965.1334 and let’s discuss how we can give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

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Does My Child Need Braces?

Those baby teeth are falling like leaves off trees and you really don’t like what you’re seeing now that your child’s permanent teeth are developing.  Malocclusion or “bad bite” occurs when the teeth are not properly aligned. Often heredity, if you had braces because of malocclusion, probably your child will need them, too. Listed below are some additional reasons why your dentist may suggest it’s time to consult an orthodontist:

• Overcrowding of teeth. The average adult has between 28 and 32 teeth depending on when and if their wisdom teeth come in. But many people don’t have the required mouth space to accommodate all those teeth. Generally when this occurs a specific number of teeth are removed and braces added to straighten the remaining teeth.
• Ill-fitting teeth. When the upper jaw overlaps the lower, you have an overbite. Then when the lower jaw is larger, you have an underbite. Malocclusion can cause discomfort when biting or chewing, mouth breathing and speech impediments. Using braces to correct the bite can eliminate strain on the teeth, jaws and surrounding muscles and reduce the symptoms of TMJ as the patient ages.
• If a child is allowed to suck their thumb or has yet been weaned off a bottle after the age of three chances are braces will be in their future. The American Dental Association has determined thumb sucking is generally acceptable until a child reaches the age when their permanent teeth begin to come in. By continuing this habit, often the front teeth will protrude, resulting in “buck teeth.”
• Less common reasons for braces, especially in children, can be misaligned teeth caused by mouth tumors or because of a broken jaw.

Concerned about your child’s teeth? Please call 314.965.1334 and schedule an appointment today with Dr. Ellis to determine the next step.

Get the Smile You’ve Always Deserved with Invisalign

You do all the right things when it comes to taking care of your teeth. Bi-annual dental visits, daily brushing and flossing and periodic whitening are all part of your dental regimen. But you still aren’t comfortable when you smile due to crooked or misaligned teeth. And if you’re over a certain age, more than likely a full set of metal braces isn’t the best way to accessorize that professional business attire. Invisalign comfortably straightens your teeth without interfering with your daily activities. So discreet; they are virtually invisible! Designed to be worn almost 24 hours a day, Invisalign can easily be removed for cleaning or special occasions. And speaking of cleaning-it’s so simple with the Invisalign system. Unique cleaning crystals gently soak off stains and plaque, while at the same time keeping them odor and germ free. Then while the aligners are removed, brush and floss as normal.

Ellis Dental is a certified Invisalign provider and we have a long list of happy and satisfied adult and teen clients who have greatly benefited from this alignment system. The entire process is designed so fewer dental visits are required and another great benefit is the absence of gum, mouth and tooth pain. There are no sharp metal wires to cause mouth sores and all foods can be enjoyed since you simply remove the aligners when things like corn on the cob, nuts, apples and crusty breads are being served.

Interested in learning more about how you can easily create a smile you’re proud of? Call us today at 314.965.1334 and schedule your complementary Invisalign consultation. Have a health savings account through your company? This is a great way to help pay for your beautiful new smile!