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Keene Dental Care
811 N. Keene St.
Columbia, MO. 65201
573.874.2433
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Fillings | Crowns | Bridges | Root Canal | Extractions | Headache Relief | Dentures | Gum Disease |
Pain Management | Invisalign® | Anti-Snoring/Sleep Apnea | MDI(Mini Dental Implant) | Nitrous Oxide | Lumineers | Teeth Whitening
Initial Visit
If you are experiencing dental pain, we will make that our primary concern. Under non-emergency conditions, we will schedule a complete examination including:
- Necessary X-rays
Periodontal condition assessment
Oral cancer screening
TMJ and bite evaluation
If further periodontal treatment is not indicated, a thorough dental cleaning will often be done at this appointment. Following the examination, the doctor will discuss any needed treatment and recommendations. If extensive care is indicated, a special appointment may be made to discuss the treatment plan at a greater length. Your questions are always important to us, so never hesitate to ask about anything that you don't understand or any special concerns you may have regarding your dental care. We are here to serve you!
To save time, download and fill out our New Patient Welcome Form prior to your visit!
Due to a lack of patient interest we no longer offer silver amalgam fillings. The tooth-colored fillings we use are made from composite resins. Similar in color and texture to natural teeth, the fillings are less noticeable, and much more attractive, than traditional silver amalgam fillings. Another advantage is that composite restorations are bonded to the tooth which helps strengthen the remaining tooth structure. Modern composite resins can be used to restore teeth in any area of the mouth. The biggest limitation is that these fillings do not hold up well for large fillings where crowns, inlays, or onlays would be the restoration of choice.
Studies have shown that approximately 90 percent of the decay in children’s teeth occurs on tooth surfaces with pits and fissures, and almost two-thirds are found on the chewing surfaces alone. Sealants provide a physical barrier so that cavity-causing bacteria cannot invade the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth. Children and individuals with deep and narrow grooves in their teeth are the best candidates for dental sealants. While sealants are bonded to the tooth they may need to be replaced after 3-5 years due to the wear of normal eating.
A dental crown, also known as a cap, covers the outer surface of a tooth. Crowns may be used to restore the shape of a tooth, provide strength to a tooth that has been cracked or damaged or create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Crowns may be made from porcelain, ceramic, gold or a combination of materials.
Inlays/Onlays
Some teeth require restorations that are too large for a filling, but there is not enough decay to warrant a crown. Inlays and Onlays allow us to restore these teeth while conserving more of your natural tooth. They can be made from composite resin, porcelain, or gold. The composite resin and porcelain Inlays/Onlays are tooth colored and bonded to the tooth.
A dental bridge is an artificial tooth held in place by a crown on either side. Bridges are used to fill the gap left by a missing tooth or teeth. They prevent the remaining teeth from drifting out of position and help properly distribute the biting forces. Bridges are an excellent way to restore proper function and appearance when you are missing one or more teeth. They may be made from porcelain, ceramic, gold or a combination of materials.
Root canal therapy is performed to remove an infection that develops at the center of a tooth as a result of decay. The infected area, known as the pulp chamber, contains the tooth’s nerve tissue. When this area becomes infected, the bacteria and infected nerve tissue must be removed. The tooth is then hermetically sealed and filled with a sterile material to prevent a recurring infection. Most of the time teeth requiring root canal therapy also need a crown in order to properly restore the tooth’s function and protect it from further breakdown. If you are experiencing pain to hot or cold, pain on biting or spontaneous unprovoked pain you may be in need of root canal therapy. Please call our office so we can help alleviate your discomfort.
Teeth may need to be removed for one of several reasons, including severe decay, periodontal disease, and overcrowding. At Keene Dental Care, we have the experience to safely extract teeth when necessary. If you need to have a tooth removed, or to learn more about the extraction process, contact us today.
The NTI-Tension Suppression System is the only FDA approved device that treats and prevents pain from migraines, tension headaches, and Temperomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). The NTI-TSS is a custom made device that snaps into place and fits comfortably on either the upper or lower front teeth. In clinical trials, 82% of medically diagnosed migraine patients had a 77% reduction in migraine episodes within the first eight weeks of use. If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines call our office to find out how the NTI-TSS can reduce your pain.
Full dentures may be ideal for patients who have lost most or all their upper or lower teeth, due to a serious disease or injury. A full set of dentures can restore both functionality and self-confidence, allowing patients to eat, speak and smile with ease. Dentures are created and adjusted over several appointments to obtain the best possible results.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are available to patients who have lost some teeth, but still have a few teeth remaining. These remaining teeth can help to anchor the dentures in place, increasing the strength and stability of the denture. Partials not only serve an aesthetic purpose, but also allow patients to speak and chew with comfort, while providing support to surrounding teeth and minimizing periodontal problems by maintaining proper occlusion.
Periodontal or gum disease affects the gums and bones supporting the teeth. While the disease is rarely painful, it will continue to progress and, without treatment, may ultimately result in tooth loss. In the initial stages, known more commonly as gingivitis, the disease is reversible and easily treated. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen or bleeding gums. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important that you schedule an appointment today.
As the disease advances, bacteria spread between the teeth and gums, causing pockets to form. These pockets soon become infected and gradually deteriorate both the gums and supporting bone, loosening teeth in the process. This advanced stage of gum disease is more commonly known as periodontitis. Unfortunately, at this point, while the disease can still be treated, the damage caused is mostly irreversible.
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms of periodontal disease, please contact us. It is important that you schedule an appointment so that we can provide effective treatment and restore your oral health.
Our first priority is your comfort and safety. For this reason, we offer pain management using various medications to ensure that you do not feel pain or discomfort during or after treatment. It is extremely important that you provide our dental staff with information about any allergies or negative reactions you have had to medications in the past, so we can provide you with the best possible care. Contact our office for more specific information about pain management options.
Invisalign®, an alternative to traditional braces, repositions teeth using a series of clear, removable trays. These trays are specifically designed to fit your teeth which makes them comfortable and virtually undetectable. If you would like to have a beautiful smile without the hassles of braces, please call our office to schedule a free Invisalign consultation.
An estimated 80 Million people in North America snore. Taking into account the snorer’s spouse and children, as many as 160 million people are negatively affected by snoring. Snoring not only interrupts your sleep cycle, it can also be a symptom of a condition called Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea has been indicated in chronic sleepiness, strokes, heart attacks, heartburn, morning headaches, depression, high blood pressure, and impotence. Fortunately, there are comfortable, effective snore prevention and sleep apnea devices available from your dentist. Sleep Apnea can only be diagnosed by a sleep study. If you think you may suffer from this condition please talk to your medical doctor or call our office for more information.
The MDI System consists of a miniature titanium implant that acts like the root of a tooth and a retaining fixture that is incorporated into the base of your denture, The head of the implant is shaped like a ball and the retaining fixture acts like a socket that contains a rubber O-ring. The O-ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated and provides stability and retention. If you have loose or ill fitting dentures call our office to find out how the MDI System can benefit you.
Under room conditions, Nitrous Oxide is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a pleasant, slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anaesthetic, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects, where it is commonly known as "laughing gas." Nitrous Oxide is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is mild, easily taken, and quickly eliminated by the body. You remain fully conscious, keep all your natural reflexes, and when used properly is nonaddictive. We offer Nitrous Oxide as a service to fearful patients in order to manage their anxiety and improve their dental experience.
White teeth are associated with a more youthful vibrant appearance. The process to whiten teeth utilizes oxidizing agents, such as carbamide peroxide, to change the internal color of the tooth. The oxidizing agent penetrates into the teeth and bleaches the internal stains and lightens the natural color. At Keene Dental Care, we offer In-Office and At-Home tooth whitening. The At-Home procedure is recommended for most situations because the results are better and last longer. The In-Office procedure is recommended if you need immediate results. A combination therapy is also available. Teeth whitening is included in our Invisalign and Lumineers treatments at no charge.
LUMINEERS® BY CERINATE® are porcelain veneers that offer the painless way to a permanently whiter and perfectly aligned smile. These contact lens-thin veneers can be applied to teeth with little to no grinding and no shots, transforming teeth into a naturally beautiful smile. LUMINEERS can even be placed over existing crown or bridgework without having to replace them. LUMINEERS are a painless, permanent cosmetic solution for stained, chipped, discolored or misaligned teeth. In just 2-3 visits, you can have a custom-made smile with 20 years of clinically proven reliability - and it is completely reversible since your natural tooth structure is still intact. Call our office to schedule your free Lumineers consultation today.
A family dental practice and not a specialist in Orthodontist