Before your visit, you may have some questions about the dental treatments we offer. For your convenience, Dr. Luff has selected some of our most frequently asked questions regarding preventative, restorative, cosmetic dentistry, and dental emergencies, and listed their answers on this page.
If you like additional information or don’t see your question listed here, please call 816-875-3391 for more information.
A: Preventive dentistry provides services that are most important to maintaining your oral and overall health, and keeps you educated so you can be prepared to make good decisions about your dental care. Intraoral cameras, digital X-rays, and early oral cancer screenings are just some of the advanced technology we have invested in to maximize your preventive treatment.
A: When left untreated, periodontal disease (gum disease) can be significantly harmful to your health. Heart attacks, diabetes complications, respiratory conditions, stroke, low-weight births, and other serious health problems have all been linked to gum disease. Additionally, periodontal disease is the main cause of tooth loss, which causes other oral and overall health problems. Fortunately, periodontal disease is preventable and treatable. Regular dental cleanings and checkups are imperative to avoiding periodontal disease.
A: Oral cancer is devastating not only to your oral health, but also your overall health. It is imperative that oral cancer is detected and treated early. We take this concern very seriously, which is why we’ve invested in technology that offers more accurate and thorough diagnoses than visual oral cancer screenings. Dedicated to compassionate care, we will also help you understand the factors that contribute to risks of oral cancer so that you can take measures to avoid them.
If you have any more questions about your preventive dental care, feel free to call and speak to our team! To schedule an appointment, call Luff Dental today at 816-875-3391. We proudly serve the residents of Lee’s Summit, MO and the surrounding communities.
A: Everyday use and abuse can leave your smile worn out or your teeth damaged. Other factors, like decay, injury, or aging can also cause our teeth to become weak, affecting both oral health and overall health. Restorative dentistry describes the services we provide to repair the damage done to your teeth. Treatments like fillings, crowns, and root canal treatments, the decay of cavities and other damages to the structure of the tooth structure. Even if you have multiple restorative needs, we will assist you in creating a personal treatment plan that will restore your oral health.
A: A cavity is a dangerous infection that can cause more complicated and painful problems if it is not treated quickly. When you notice toothache or sensitivity, it is important to have the tooth checked immediately for decay. Regular preventive dental appointments and good daily oral hygiene are good ways to protect against a cavity. During your dental exam, we will detect any cavities in their earliest stages; however, once decay has started, a cavity is not reversible and must be treated, often with a tooth-colored filling, or in more severe cases, root canal treatment.
A: Sometimes decay, injury, disease, or other factors can cause a tooth to break, leaving you with a fractured smile, issues with talking or chewing, or oral health problems if the breakage is severe. Our comprehensive restorative dentistry services make it possible for you to have quality repairs to your broken teeth. A dental crown covers the entire exposed portion of the tooth with a porcelain material which is specifically molded to restore and protect a broken tooth. The porcelain is colored to match the surrounding teeth so that the crown is almost identical from a natural tooth.
A: If you are experiencing several issues with your overall oral health, let us help you restore your smile. Full-mouth rehabilitation can help you get started on the right track to good oral health. Also known as a complete dental restoration or rejuvenation, full-mouth rehabilitation is a phased treatment plan that helps you set a goal for oral health and target problem areas to repair over time.
A: If you have ever had a missing tooth, you have experienced the inconvenience of eating and speaking without the proper tools, and the embarrassment of an incomplete smile. Aside from these everyday dilemmas, missing teeth also contribute to jawbone deterioration and cause surrounding teeth to drift out of place. This deterioration occurs because the jawbone is missing the chewing stimulation it receives from a tooth. Dental implants replace the missing teeth by fusing directly to the jawbone and recreating a chewing sensation that keeps jawbone shrinkage at bay. Dental implants also create a spacer which keeps surrounding teeth from drifting to accommodate for the hole that is left from a missing tooth.
If you have more questions about how restorative dentistry can improve your smile and quality of life, schedule an appointment by calling Luff Dental today at 816-875-3391. We proudly serve the residents of Lee’s Summit, MO and the surrounding communities.
A: Cosmetic dentistry is for patients looking to improve their image by improving their smile. Porcelain veneers, tooth bonding, and teeth whitening are some of the procedures cosmetic dentistry offers to correct embarrassing gaps between teeth, annoying chips that cause uneven edges, and unsightly yellowing or discoloration. Not all cosmetic procedures affect just the appearance of a smile; some procedures may also improve your oral health and bite function, as well.
A: If you want a brighter smile quickly and effectively, professional teeth-whitening may be right for you. The procedure involves a professional-grade whitening technique that gives you highly lifelike results in minutes. If you are looking for a more affordable option you can perform yourself, at-home whitening trays are a great option. We can custom-design your set of whitening trays that fit the unique shape of your mouth.
A: Gaps, chipped teeth, and uneven smiles can be damaging to your self-confidence. We understand that when your smile is dissatisfying, it can hurt your social and professional life. Therefore, we offer a variety of options for improving your smile’s overall appearance. For instance, porcelain veneers are a popular service for patients who need to repair a chipped tooth, close a gap, or smooth edges of their teeth. Thin porcelain will be customized to the exact shape of your teeth according to your need, and bonded to the front of a problem tooth. The porcelain can cover any imperfections including stains on the original tooth.
If you have more questions about cosmetic dentistry and how it can significantly improve your smile, schedule an appointment by calling Luff Dental today at 816-875-3391. We proudly serve the residents of Lee’s Summit, MO and the surrounding communities.
A: A dental emergency can occur when all or part of a tooth breaks, cracks or is knocked out. For those who have dental crowns or bridges, these can potentially come off or chip and may cut the lips or cheeks and expose the underlying tooth. You may have a removable denture that may crack or break.To help prevent these emergencies from happening, some precautions can and should be taken. Avoid particularly hard food (frozen candy bars, hard crusty bread, unpopped popcorn or chewing ice). In addition, food that is sticky (candy) or chewy (bagels) can pull restorations off.
If you have any more questions about dental emergencies, please call and speak to our team! To schedule an appointment, call Luff Dental today at 816-875-3391. We proudly serve the residents of Lee’s Summit, MO and the surrounding communities.
“Made an appointment for a routine check up – Dr. Luff is thorough and personable. The dental hygienist did great, and the front desk receptionist is very friendly. Would highly recommend!”
— Ronlyn R.
