Family Dental Services

Using CEREC 3D technology, Leawood Cosmetic & Family Dentistry offers all-ceramic crowns and veneers.

Porcelain crowns and veneers offer many benefits. In addition to their strength, porcelain allows light to pass through much like natural teeth, creating a lifelike appearance.

No more uncomfortable impressions or multiple appointments. With 3D scanning technology, your scan can be completed in minutes, and in many cases, you can leave the office the same day with your new crown.

A dental implant is a small titanium post that replaces the root of a missing tooth. It is placed into the jawbone, where it integrates with the bone to create a strong, secure foundation for a replacement tooth.

Dental implants can support a single tooth, a bridge, or a denture.

Many people with healthy gums and sufficient jawbone are candidates for dental implants. Before treatment, your oral surgeon and the Leawood Cosmetic team can use X-rays and 3D CBCT imaging to determine whether dental implants are an appropriate option for you.

Do you frequently experience headaches? Do your face, neck, shoulders, or jaw ache? Do your jaw joints pop or click, or do you have difficulty opening or closing your mouth?

These symptoms may be associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which can affect the jaw joints and the muscles involved in chewing.

Dr. Thomas studied neuromuscular dentistry at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. She can evaluate your symptoms and discuss whether neuromuscular dentistry may be appropriate for your individual needs.

Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the relationship between the temporomandibular joints, the muscles of the jaw, and your bite.

How Does Neuromuscular Dentistry Help?

Neuromuscular dentistry uses diagnostic techniques to evaluate jaw position, muscle activity, and your bite. We may use a TENS unit as part of the evaluation process to help relax the muscles and assess a comfortable jaw position.

Depending on your individual needs, treatment may include an oral appliance or dental restorations designed to address your bite.

Treatment recommendations vary from patient to patient and will be discussed following a comprehensive evaluation.

The Results: Look and Feel Better

Some patients report improvements in comfort and function following treatment for TMD-related symptoms. Changes in the bite and jaw position may also affect facial appearance in some patients.

Because every patient is different, treatment outcomes vary.

If you experience jaw pain, headaches, clicking or popping, difficulty chewing, or other symptoms associated with TMD, contact our office to schedule an evaluation.

Caring for your oral health includes regular dental and gum care. Neglecting your gums can eventually lead to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, which can negatively affect your oral and systemic health.

Because periodontal disease may have few noticeable symptoms in its early stages, regular dental examinations and professional cleanings are important.

Periodontal disease can be associated with factors such as plaque buildup, tobacco use, certain medications, hormonal changes, and other health conditions. Genetics may also play a role in an individual's susceptibility to gum disease.

How Does This Happen?

Periodontal disease can begin when plaque—a sticky substance made up of bacteria, saliva, and food particles—accumulates along the gumline and between the gums and teeth.

If plaque is not adequately removed through brushing and flossing, bacteria can contribute to inflammation and damage to the tissues supporting the teeth. Over time, plaque can harden into calculus, or tartar, which cannot be removed through regular brushing.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can contribute to gum inflammation, bone loss, gum recession, and tooth loss.

If your gums bleed consistently when you brush or floss, or if you notice tender, swollen, or receding gums, contact our office for an evaluation.

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Professional periodontal therapy focuses on removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria from around the teeth and beneath the gumline.

Your hygienist will work carefully to clean the affected areas and help you develop an appropriate home-care routine. Periodontal treatment may require multiple visits, followed by regular maintenance appointments to help keep your gums healthy.

Please call today to schedule an appointment if you have concerns about periodontal disease.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Dr. Thomas and Dr. Smith prefer to place composite resin fillings that are shaded to match your existing teeth.

They understand how to create healthy, functional, beautiful smiles, and tooth-colored fillings are one way to restore teeth while maintaining a natural-looking appearance.

Traditional amalgam fillings are silver-colored and contain mercury. If you have existing amalgam fillings and are interested in replacing them, our team can evaluate your teeth and discuss your options.

Amalgam Fillings — What You Should Know

There has been longstanding discussion regarding the advantages and disadvantages of dental amalgam fillings, which contain elemental mercury along with other metals.

At our office, we primarily use tooth-colored composite resin materials for appropriate restorations. These materials can provide a natural-looking appearance and can be bonded directly to the tooth.

If you are considering replacing existing amalgam fillings, we can evaluate your individual situation and discuss whether replacement is appropriate.

Tooth-Colored Alternatives

Our office offers bonded composite resin restorations as an alternative to amalgam fillings when clinically appropriate.

Composite restorations can provide a natural appearance and may be repaired or replaced as needed. For patients interested in improving the appearance of their smiles, replacing visible older restorations may also be part of a broader cosmetic treatment plan.

Please call our office to schedule an appointment if you would like to discuss your existing fillings or restorative options.

Over time, foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and other staining substances can discolor teeth.

Dental bleaching, also known as tooth whitening, is a common cosmetic dental procedure. Leawood Cosmetic & Family Dentistry offers professional whitening options designed to fit your needs and schedule.

Custom whitening trays are made specifically for you and can be used at home according to your dentist's instructions.

In-office whitening is also available using our GLO Pro whitening systems.

Professional, dentist-guided whitening can help you achieve a brighter smile while allowing our team to monitor your treatment.

Do you wake up with jaw pain, neck aches, or sensitive teeth? Clenching and grinding can contribute to jaw discomfort and tooth sensitivity.

A custom night guard may help protect your teeth and reduce the effects of nighttime grinding or clenching.

Leawood Cosmetic & Family Dentistry can fabricate a custom night guard in-house to fit your teeth comfortably. Our team will evaluate your symptoms and recommend the appropriate type of appliance for your individual needs.

Understanding the Temporomandibular Joint

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, connects the lower jaw to the skull. There are two TMJs, one on each side of the head, and they work together to allow the jaw to open, close, and move from side to side.

Each TMJ contains an articular disc made of fibrocartilaginous tissue that helps the joint move smoothly.

Problems involving the temporomandibular joints and the muscles used for chewing are commonly referred to as temporomandibular disorders, or TMD.

TMD can involve the jaw joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and surrounding tissues. Symptoms vary from person to person and may have multiple contributing factors.

Possible Signs and Symptoms of TMD Include:
Jaw pain or tenderness
Difficulty or discomfort when biting or chewing
Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing the mouth
Facial pain
Ear pain or discomfort
Headaches
Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
Neck or shoulder discomfort
Changes in the way the teeth fit together

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact our office for an evaluation.