Emergency Dental Care St. Louis

May 2, 2012 admin Archives, Dental Emergency

800-605-6471

Contact Us Today to Schedule your Appointment

You can feel confident that in the event of an accident, or dental emergency, you can rely upon our practice to act quickly to address your problem. Our dentist has the experience to treat a broken tooth, or severe pain from trauma and injury and we make ourselves available for patients to reach us after hours for these emergencies.

What To Do In the Meantime

In the event you have experienced a dental emergency take the following steps:

  1. Rinse the area with warm salt water to flush it out and make sure there is no debris causing discomfort.
  2. An over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as aspirin, Tylenol or ibuprofen may also help alleviate some pain.
  3. Get to the dentist as soon as possible.

If you have lost a dental filling:

  1. Keep the lost piece to show to Dr. Hill.
  2. Keep the tooth clean by brushing gently with toothpaste and lukewarm water. Avoid eating in this area.
  3. Temporary products that contain zinc oxide are sold OTC that can be used to plug up the hole until you get to our office. Look for Temparin or Dentemp OS.

Gum Pain

OTC products like Anbesol or Orajel can sometimes help with the pain as can over-the-counter pain relievers. If you have a more severe gum infection you may require antibiotics. If you are experiencing swelling and bleeding contact us as soon as possible. You may have an abscess that needs to be drained.

If you suspect that a damaged tissue near the tooth’s root is the issue, keep cold and sweets away from the area. If you have sensitivity to heats it may indicate that you have a nerve problem or the tooth is traumatized.

If you can’t reach us and your pain is too great to withstand or you feel you have a real emergency, go to the hospital or call 911.

Contact City Smiles

800-605-6471

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Traditional Dentures VS Facelift Dentures

April 6, 2012 admin Archives, Dentures
Facelift Dentures

Facelift Dentures VS Economy Dentures

City Smiles of St. Louis offers patients who have suffered from tooth loss one of the more recent breakthroughs in modern dentistry- Facelift Dentures. These dentures differ from traditional dentures in that they are designed for optimal neuromuscular stimulation meaning that they offer aesthetic and health benefits over traditional dentures. Facelift dentures cost more than traditional dentures but the difference in their function, appearance, and support greatly outweigh that of economy dentures.

What Traditional Dentures are Lacking

Traditional, or economy dentures are basically generic for everyone. They are designed to fit in your mouth but do not offer the customized fit that the Facelift Dentures do. You have probably heard of or experienced dentures that are constantly falling out of place or that have to be readjusted every couple of months. The reason this happens is because traditional dentures do not compensate for a natural phenomenon tooth loss patients experience in the form of jawbone resorption. When you lose your teeth, your jawbone that was once stimulated by now missing tooth roots, begins to deteriorate. When this happens the structure of your jawbone changes and the support that your traditional dentures once had has dwindled. This results in dentures that require constant repair, additional adhesive, or full on replacement.

The superior fit that Facelift Dentures offer combats jawbone resorption completely. They are designed to allow your jaw muscles to completely relax and function the way they were intended. Traditional dentures cannot boast the same privileges.

If you are interested in speaking normally, laughing without worry and eating whatever you want, Facelift Dentures are for you. Dr. Hill of City Smiles is one of the few Facelift Dentures dentists in the entire nation and can help you on your way to all the benefits Facelift Dentures have to offer. Contact us today for more information.

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Are You Eligible for Invisalign in St. Louis?

March 9, 2012 admin Archives, Featured Articles, Invisalign, Veneers

Invisalign is a highly sought after orthodontic treatment for a good reason. It yields exceptional results and allows users to straighten their teeth invisibly so that they don’t have to suffer through the embarrassment of traditional braces. Our St. Louis Invisalign dentist provides the treatment to teens and adults and has undergone specialized training that allows him to administer these popular orthodontic treatments for our thankful patients every day. As popular and effective as Invisalign is, it may not be the right choice for everyone. Invisalign is recommended for patients with teeth that have mild to moderate orthodontic issues.

How Do I Know If I Can Benefit From Invisalign?

So how would you know if you have a moderate orthodontic issue or a more serious one? The first step would be to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hill so that he can examine your bite, take x-rays, and evaluate your overall oral health. After this diagnosis he will be able to determine if you can benefit from Invisalign or recommend an alternative cosmetic or restorative procedure that meets your smile goals.

What Are My Options If Invisalign Is Not for Me?

Fortunately for St. Louis dental patients Dr. Hill and the staff at City Smiles are trained to administer dental treatments that can have you looking and feeling good. We also offer Six Month Smiles and Veneers, both cosmetic dentistry treatments that are designed to improve the appearance of your teeth with the added component of optimum oral health. Most patients will find that the treatments that we offer will satisfy whatever their smile goals are and allow them get on the path of perfect teeth and great dental health.

To learn more about Invisalign in St. Louis or to schedule a consultation please contact us today.

800.605.6471

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Smile Makeover Cost St Louis, MO

February 17, 2012 admin Archives, Featured Articles, Invisalign
Smile Makeover Cost

Smile Makeover Cost

Many of our St. Louis smile makeover patients ask us what the smile makeover procedure will cost. The truth about a smile makeover procedure is that there is no preset amount of cosmetic and restorative dentistry treatments that are needed to help the patient achieve their smile goals and thus putting a dollar amount on it is impossible. When a dentist tells you that the cost of a smile makeover ‘depends,’ they are not trying to side step the fact that the procedures involved may be expensive. They are letting the patient know that their individual needs will play into the cost and until those needs are determined the cost factor will be unanswered.

Determining Cost of Smile Makeover

Now that we have established that the smile makeover cost will be determined by the procedures that Dr. Hill and the patient determine are necessary to achieve their goals, we can discuss the process of evaluating the patient. If a patient comes into our office and says they want a complete smile makeover we then move on to a comprehensive dental examination of the state of the patient’s dental health and overall appearance factors. Often patients will have to undergo restorative treatments such as Invisalign, dental crowns or dental implants before they can have a full on aesthetic makeover. Restorative dentistry procedures also can have cosmetic advantages to them and Dr. Hill will take these into consideration during the treatment plan.

A patient should try to remember that a smile makeover will take into account dental health as well as their overall appearance. For example, Dr. Hill will incorporate techniques into a patients’ smile makeover that complement the eyes, lips, hair, and facial features of a patient. As the smile is generally the first thing a person notices about you, it is important that the process seeks to achieve facial harmony or balance with the rest of the patients overall appearance.

A smile makeover procedure can take into account budget restrictions. Dr. Hill can help patients work through any financial limitations they have to help them get the smile of their dreams. We also offer dental financing and extended payment plans.

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City Smiles of St. Louis to Offer Facelift Dentures

January 26, 2012 admin Archives, Dentures
Facelift Dentures

Facelift Dentures in St. Louis

Dr. Chris Hill is proud to introduce Facelift Dentures to the long list of treatments City Smiles already offers. Facelift Dentures are a modern approach on traditional dentures that allow the patient to have a younger, more confident appearance. Dr. Hill is one of the few dentists in the country to offer these remarkable restorations for patients who want to replace their existing dentures or for patients who are looking into tooth replacement for the first time.

Facelift Dentures are custom-designed for the patient so that stable and relaxed jaw muscles are the end result. By implementing his training in neuromuscular dentistry Dr. Hill is able to provide patients with dentures that are designed to provide optimum facial support and function. Traditional dentures are not able to deliver the same results because they don’t combat the resorption of the jaw bone that occurs when teeth are missing.

Facelift dentures give patients the optimal alignment of their bite by working together with the jaw joints and related soft tissue where the dentures lie. The result is dentures that are more comfortable, are easier to eat with, and provide patients with a younger and more youthful appearance.

Other reasons Facelift Dentures are becoming so popular are the benefits of:

  • Improved underlying facial support
  • Plump lips
  • Less wrinkles
  • Improved facial appearance
  • Better chewing
  • Better fit than all the other dentures

To learn more about Facelift Dentures contact our office today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Hill.

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Sleep Apnea Treatment in St. Louis

January 11, 2012 admin Archives, Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea is a fairly common medical condition in which your breathing passage is restricted at long periods during your sleep. It has been associated with a number of other serious health problems including increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, reduced quality of sleep, erectile dysfunction, and memory and concentration impairment. Many people who have sleep apnea also are loud snorers and their symptoms are most always noticed by family members first. City Smiles of St. Louis is able to conservatively treat sleep apnea without the use of CPAP machines.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Dr. Hill must first diagnose you for sleep apnea before sending you to a sleep lab for more thorough analysis. Sleep apnea patients are prevented from sleeping because the blockage of their airways causes a lack of breath which causes a reduction in oxygen levels. When the brain is signaled that it is not getting adequate oxygen it tells the person to wake up and breathe. These episodes occur periodically throughout the night and the person never gets deep, restorative sleep that they need to feel rested.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

  • Gasping for air during sleep
  • Choking during sleep
  • Being tired during the day
  • Frequent waking during the night
  • Waking with a sore throat
  • Having headaches in the morning
  • Poor memory
  • Moodiness

How Do We Treat Sleep Apnea?

After you are evaluated at our office we will be able to determine if you suffer from sleep apnea and refer you to a sleep lab. The sleep lab will be able to determine if you have sleep apnea or snoring. In the event you have sleep apnea there is a good chance we can treat it with a simple dental appliance that allows you to breathe clearly. This device repositions the jaw and tongue, opens the airways, and allows you to get a full night’s rest.

Contact our office today for more information on St. Louis sleep apnea treatment.

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St. Louis Dentist Explains Veneers Procedure

December 1, 2011 admin Archives, Veneers
Veneers

Veneers Procedure Explained

Veneers are a popular treatment that our patients use to both improve the appearance of one or many teeth. Because they are attached to existing teeth there is some confusion as to how exactly the procedure is performed and how cosmetic dentists manage to shape and adhere them to the teeth. As each veneer has to be carefully constructed and meticulously placed there is a great deal of science and artistic ability that is combined to get the look, function, and feel that is both aesthetically pleasing and natural in appearance.

Veneers are bonded to the front of the teeth thus altering the color, shape, size, or length. Before the teeth are improved with the veneers, Dr. Hill must first diagnosis and evaluate existing teeth for eligibility and any limitations of the procedure. Dental x-rays and impressions of teeth may also be taken to determine the condition of the teeth and to formulate a plan for their placement. After this initial visit the patient will return to the office where the preparation of the veneers will begin. Because the veneers are placed on the front of your teeth, a portion of enamel equivalent to the thickness of the veneer must be removed to get a proper look.

After a model is taken of your tooth the model is then used to aid in the fabrication of your veneer. Next the veneer is checked for fit and appearance before it is permanently adhered to the tooth. Any alterations will be performed to ensure the veneer looks and feels as it should. The tooth is then prepared again for the final placement of the veneer by cleaning, polishing, and etching so that it is ready for the bonding process. Once the veneers are placed and bonded to the teeth all necessary adjustments will be made to ensure a comfortable fit and proper bite.

To learn more about the veneer procedure or to schedule an appointment contact us today.

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City Smiles Dentist Dr. Chris Hill Helps Our Veterans

November 10, 2011 admin Archives, Events, Featured Articles
veterans day

Happy Veterans Day from City Smiles

Dr. Chris Hill is proud to help our troops by providing them free dental care as part of the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE) “A Soldiers Smile” charity events. These events are designed to help soldiers who may not be eligible for dental health care treatments get the care they deserve. The event kicked off this past weekend in Scottsdale, AZ and marks the first of many ACE happenings in which they will be giving back to the community. The A Soldiers Smile event was created after the association found out that there were troops who were being denied dental care due to restrictions that are in place within government health care laws.

The restrictions limit our troop’s access to certain types of dental care that is necessary for them to maintain their dental health and live pain free. The truth is the law has restrictions on providing health care for veterans based on their condition in or out of service and their income level. This is sad to hear as these servicemen and women endanger their lives by spending time in violent countries and away from their families only to return and be denied access to appropriate health care.

Instead of waiting for our government to implement changes to these laws Dr. Hill and other ACE dentists have decided to take a proactive stance and provide restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments to select soldiers who are in need of a reason to smile. These treatments are designed to help the soldiers improve their oral health and give them beautiful smiles that they can be confident with.

Celebrity talk show host and esteemed Navy veteran Montel Williams is endorsing the events and has already discussed the ACE dentists and the event on national TV. Stayed tuned for more information on these events and remember to thank our troops for Veteran’s Day this Friday November 11th.

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Wisdom Teeth Removal in St. Louis

October 12, 2011 admin Archives, Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom tooth extraction

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

At City Smiles of St. Louis we offer wisdom teeth extractions as this is a common procedure needed to prevent the onset of additional oral health problems. The wisdom teeth are known as our third molars and are located in the back of our mouths. These teeth are prone to problems upon eruption which is why dentists recommend their removal before they become painful or problematic. The reason wisdom teeth create problems is because they are the last teeth in our mouths to erupt and basically there is no additional room on the dental arch to support them. Often the wisdom teeth entering the mouth will cause an impacted tooth. An impacted tooth occurs when the lack of space in the dental arch causes the tooth’s growth and eruption to be prevented by the overlying gum, bone and another tooth.

Allowing a tooth to become impacted can result in several different problems. For one, the wisdom tooth may erupt partially through the gum which causes a flap of your gums to grow over them. This flap can trap food and bacteria thus causing painful swelling and infection. Additionally your other teeth may become damaged as can your bone or you may develop a cyst.

When City Smiles extracts your wisdom teeth we are preventing the above from happening and preventing the crowding of your back teeth. The procedure is quite painless and can be administered under dental sedation for anxious patients who fear dental surgery. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area where the teeth will be removed to help prevent any pain from the extraction. Next the dentist will remove the tooth or teeth and you will be free to go home after the procedure. Generally the recovery from wisdom tooth removal only lasts a few days and basic first aid is required to help you get through the swelling process.

 

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The Other Health Risks of Gum Disease

October 12, 2011 admin Archives, Gum Disease
Periodontal Disease

Risks of Gum Disease

You may have heard of the risks gum disease poses on your oral health but are you aware of the risks it has on your overall health? Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease is most known for bleeding gums, sensitive gums, bad breath, loose teeth and for the loss of teeth. Did you know that gum disease is also related to other serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, pre-term pregnancy and even Alzheimer’s? Gum disease is a serious problem that should be immediately treated by a dental professional.

Gum disease affects nearly 75% of all Americans and can eventually lead to the following:

Heart Disease- Studies have shown that the bacteria in the mouth can enter the blood stream and attach to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries and lead to clot formation. Over time the blood clots can obstruct blood flow and restrict the amount of oxygen required for the heart to work efficiently, thus leading to heart attacks.

Diabetes- Diabetic patients are more likely to develop periodontal issues which result in blood sugar or other diabetic complications. Many diabetics that have been treated for gum disease find that their blood sugar becomes much easier to regulate.

Respiratory Disease- Scientists believe that respiratory bacteria can travel from the oral cavity into the lungs and cause respiratory diseases. Bacteria that grow in the mouth can be aspirated into the lungs causing disease such as pneumonia.

Pre-term pregnancy- Women who are pregnant or who are thinking about becoming pregnant should have a dental examination as pregnant women with gum disease are seven times more likely to have a premature and low-birth-weight child than those without. It has been shown that the bacteria ad toxins in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation which can induce pregnancy.

If you have not visited your dentist recently consider the risks of gum disease. Good at-home oral health care alone cannot prevent the effects of gum disease. Patients also need professional cleaning to maintain optimum oral health. For more information contact us today.

 

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