General and Laser Dentistry – Dental Implants and More in the Belleville and St. Louis Area

In recent years, dental technology has improved to the point that Dr. Gary Drake can now offer comprehensive dentistry services with minimal discomfort and downtime. Whether turning to Dr. Drake for regular oral health care visits or restorative dental treatments like dentures, laser dentistry, or dental implants, Belleville and St. Louis patients can be sure that they are receiving top quality care.

Laser Dentistry
Dental Implants
Preventive Care
Painless Dentistry
Nitrous Oxide
Periodontics
Fillings
Crowns
Root Canals
Dentures
Extractions
Invisalign® Orthodontics
TMJ Treatment
Snoring Treatment

Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry, available at our Belleville office, is an exciting new way to help reduce the amount of pain and time spent in the dentist’s chair. Dr. Gary Drake uses the BIOLASE® system to perform many dental procedures that would otherwise require anesthesia and a noisy, uncomfortable drill.

The main advantage of laser dentistry over traditional techniques is the overall reduction of pain reported by our St. Louis area patients. Since removal of decayed tooth matter is achieved with laser-charged water droplets rather than a rotating drill, heat, noise, and vibration are virtually eliminated.

The precise nature of laser dentistry also allows Dr. Drake to treat more extensive cases in far less time than in the past. For example, a patient who needs multiple fillings might be able to have them all addressed in the same office visit, with minimal discomfort. The BIOLASE® system is accurate enough that Dr. Drake can target only the affected tooth or tissue, leaving healthy tissue untouched. This makes for smaller, stronger fillings and an overall healthier mouth.

The BIOLASE® system can also be used to perform root canals and soft tissue treatments more comfortably and effectively. Depending on your individual needs, Dr. Drake can determine if laser dentistry is an appropriate option for you. To learn more, please contact our practice today!

Dental Implants

Whether you are missing one, some, or all of your natural teeth, it is possible for Dr. Gary Drake to restore your smile and your self-confidence with dental implants. Since Dr. Drake is able to perform every step of the dental implants process, from post placement to tooth restoration, Belleville area patients can enjoy expert treatment and care in one convenient location. Click here to view Dr. Drake's dental implant work.

The Dental Implant Process

The first step of the dental implant procedure is the placement of support fixtures in the jawbone. With the patient under local anesthesia, Dr. Drake makes an incision in the gum to access the bone underneath. After inserting a metal post, the gum will be closed up; the site is given three to six months to heal and to allow the post to integrate with the surrounding bone.

Once the implant fixtures have been firmly established in the jaw, Dr. Drake can complete the restoration step of your dental implants treatment. Replacement teeth are carefully crafted to match the size, shape, and color of surrounding teeth. Our office works with top of the line labs to ensure beautiful and natural-looking results. In fact, some recipients of dental implants at our Belleville practice say that they sometimes forget the implants are even there!

In addition to replacing single missing teeth, dental implants can be used to replace multiple teeth, or even to support permanent dentures.

If you are missing one or more teeth and think that dental implants might be right for you, contact the Belleville office of Dr. Gary Drake, serving St. Louis and surrounding communities. During your examination and consultation, Dr. Drake can provide you with the information you need to make the best decision about your teeth and your health.

Preventive Care

The best way to have a healthy set of teeth and gums is to prevent them from becoming damaged and diseased in the first place by seeing the hygienist at least every six months for professional preventive care. Dr. Drake and his staff would much prefer to see you for routine cleanings than for emergency dental care.

To help maintain your oral health, our practice provides thorough cleanings, oral examinations, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and more to make sure that your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible and treat potential problems in their earliest stages. When applicable, we will also take digital x-rays to monitor the progress of any gum or bone disease.

Painless Dentistry with CompuDent™ Featuring The Wand Handpiece

For many people, the most stressful thing about a dental visit is the thought of a painful injection that causes numbness for hours after the treatment. In addition to reduced discomfort through laser dentistry, Dr. Drake is pleased to offer anesthesia with CompuDent™ featuring The Wand handpiece, a revolutionary new way of reducing pain during dental procedures.

Traditional injections of anesthesia cause pain due to the volume and pressure of fluid being introduced into the tissue. The Wand alleviates this pain by automatically sensing the density of the tissue to be treated, and adjusting the anesthetic delivery accordingly.

In addition to this computer-controlled assistance, further discomfort is eliminated with the Wand’s unique anesthesia delivery system. A small amount of profound topical anesthetic gel is applied to the area of tissue just ahead the needle, so that even the “prick” of the needle is not felt.

Whether you require anesthesia for extractions, fillings, or dental implants, Belleville dentist Dr. Drake can use The Wand to make your visit as painless and pleasant as possible.

Nitrous Oxide & Conscious Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is another option for minimizing discomfort and relieving dental anxiety. Used to produce a calm and relaxed state throughout your treatment, nitrous oxide is administered through a nose mask, so no injections are needed. Most patients respond to nitrous oxide in as little as 5 minutes, with an equally fast recovery time. Additionally, this popular and convenient technique allows patients to remain alert and in control throughout their treatment. Nitrous oxide is an extremely safe and effective option that can help patients enjoy a relaxing and rewarding dental experience. Our practice also offers Xanax, Valium, and other oral sedation medications. For more information on these options, please contact our office today.

Periodontics

Cavity-free teeth are only one component of a healthy mouth. Most people don’t realize that gum health is also essential to maintaining strong, natural teeth for a lifetime. Unfortunately, gum disease is one of the most common dental problems in America and can frequently lead to other health concerns.

The biggest threat to gum health is residual food matter and bacteria, both of which collect along the gum line and between the teeth. The best way to prevent this from happening is to adopt good oral hygiene habits, and to visit Dr. Drake for cleanings. However, when bacteria multiply to the point of causing gum disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis, advanced treatments may be needed to stop tissue and bone loss.

Gingivitis, the mildest for of gum disease, may be characterized by bleeding, swollen, or irritated gums. Left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, causing tooth loss and other serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, lung disease, and osteoporosis. Dr. Drake and his hygienist incorporate laser treatment into their conventional periodontal treatment to obtain excellent results.

Depending on your level of gum disease, Dr. Drake may recommend one of several treatments, including:

Full mouth debridement – This is a deep cleaning for patients who have so much buildup on their teeth, both above and below the gum line, that Dr. Drake cannot accurately diagnose the amount of periodontal disease. It is usually followed by a deep cleaning or scaling.
Scaling – Scaling involves the removal of buildup from below the gum line. This can usually be done with little to no anesthesia.
Root planning – Root planning is done for patients who have more advanced periodontitis and require cleaning as far down as the sensitive tooth root. Local anesthesia can be used for this procedure.

To learn more about gum disease and how to effectively treat it with both traditional and laser dentistry, contact the office of Dr. Gary Drake to schedule a consultation.

Fillings

After removing diseased or fractured tooth structure with traditional drilling techniques or painless laser dentistry, St. Louis area dentist Gary Drake can create a custom-fitted, tooth-colored filling using the convenient in-office CEREC® system.

Unlike traditional mercury fillings, which can expand over time and cause further damage to the tooth, modern resin or porcelain restorations created with CEREC® technology are extremely strong and safe. Additionally, the newer filling material is incredibly functional and can be carefully matched to the color of surrounding teeth for the most natural-looking result possible.

Crowns

If a tooth has sustained so much damage that a filling is impractical, a crown may be the best solution. Crowns not only serve to repair cracked or damaged teeth but also protect the tooth against future decay and trauma.

Using advanced CEREC® technology, Dr. Drake can create a custom crown from porcelain that has been matched to the color of your surrounding teeth, rendering it an unnoticeable but integral element of your healthy, beautiful smile.

In addition to creating natural-looking restorations, the CEREC® system is also incredibly efficient. Because the crown is created in the office, patients do not need to wait for the lab to complete their restoration before returning for a second visit to have the crown placed. This exciting technology makes it possible to enjoy rewarding, comprehensive dental care in a single office visit. Larger, more complex cases may require the use of a laboratory for optimum results.

Root Canals

If decay or trauma damages the nerve inside the tooth a root canal may be required to save the tooth and eliminate discomfort. When performed properly, root canals can be painless, quick, and extremely effective.

After anesthesia is administered, Dr. Drake will create a canal in the tooth through which the tooth’s nerve is removed and the infected pulp/nerve chamber will be cleaned and sterilized with chemicals and a laser. A medicated substance is then used to fill the canal and protect the tooth. Later, a permanent filler will be placed and the tooth will be sealed with a strong, natural-looking porcelain crown. Dr. Drake utilizes the newest technology, combining the Root ZX and V-Taper instrumentation system with digital x-rays to perform his fast and painless root canals.

After the root canal is completed, our patients are overjoyed to be relieved of the pain that the infected tooth was causing. If you have a tooth that is giving you discomfort or pain, come see Dr. Drake for an evaluation. The sooner you have it treated, the sooner your pain will be alleviated.

Dentures

More than almost any other dental treatment available, denture technology has been transformed by advances in tooth replacement and dental implants. Our Belleville practice, serving St. Louis and surrounding communities, has helped to restore beautiful, natural-looking smiles to countless patients, using combinations of partial and full dentures supported by implants and bridges.

If you are missing several teeth but are not a good candidate for individual implants, implant-based dentures may be an excellent alternative. Rather than placing a post in the jaw for each tooth, Dr. Drake can anchor a full set of dentures on just a few posts. The result is the convenience of dentures combined with the stability of dental implants.

Sometimes bone loss in the jaw means that dental implants, even one or two, are not a suitable option. In this case, Dr. Drake can fit you with comfortable, strong dentures that are far superior to those available in the past. Thanks to improved materials and personalized fitting techniques, dentures look and feel more natural than ever before.

Extractions

There are many reasons that a tooth might have to be extracted. For example, impacted, infected, or badly damaged teeth may cause more harm than good if left in the mouth. Similarly, if a tooth is causing bite problems or crowding other teeth, extraction may be an appropriate treatment option.

If one of your teeth needs to be extracted, find reassurance in the knowledge that Dr. Drake and his excellently trained staff have your comfort and well being as their foremost concern. Using nitrous oxide and conscious sedation, extraction procedures are as painless as all of Dr. Drake's dentistry. After healing takes place, Dr. Drake can proceed with further treatment if needed.

Invisalign® Orthodontics

To help patients achieve a straighter smile without the hassle or discomfort of traditional orthodontic treatment, our practice offers Invisalign® clear braces. The Invisalign® system uses a series of removable, clear plastic aligners similar to bleaching trays to gradually straighten teeth. About every two weeks throughout treatment, patients receive a new set of aligners. The Invisalign® system makes speaking, chewing, and overall orthodontic care much easier than congenial braces. The advanced technology is extremely effective as well as discreet, making them an ideal option for adults and older teens.

TMJ Treatment

Over 10 million Americans suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Symptoms of the disorder can include: pain when the jaw is opened, limited range of opening, clenching or grinding teeth, facial pain, ear pain, occasional locking of the jaw, ringing in the ears, and frequent headaches. Because TMJ can develop for a number of reasons, there are many treatment options available.

Bite Guards – If unconscious teeth grinding or clenching is to blame for your TMJ disorder, bite guards can be an effective treatment. An orthotic, or "splint" is custom fitted to separate the upper and lower teeth and align the bite. Bite guards may be worn throughout the day or only when sleeping, depending on your doctor's recommendation.
NTI-TSS plus™ – As an alternative to full-coverage bite guards, our practice also offers the NTI-TSS plus™. Developed by a dentist, this device's unique design effectively relieves migraines and chronic pain associated with TMJ disorder.
Malocclusion Correction – If your teeth fit together poorly (malocclusion), dental restoration procedures can be used to realign your bite. Crowns or recontouring of tooth surfaces are effective options, and your dentist can help determine which treatment is appropriate for you.
Surgery – In rare instances, surgery may be necessary to relieve the pain of TMJ disorder. Various surgical procedures can be used depending on your specific symptoms and needs.

Snoring Treatment

Caused by a decrease in airway space during sleep, vibrations of the soft tissues in the mouth and throat result in snoring. Snoring can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to fatigue, decreased ability to concentrate, and headaches, as well as other, more serious health concerns. To prevent snoring, our office utilizes a unique device called SILENT NITE®. A simple and effective way to prevent snoring, the SILENT NITE® device is custom fit to comfortably maintain proper jaw alignment and improve breathing while you sleep. To learn more, please contact our office today.

With tooth replacement options such as dental implants, and painless dentistry technology such as The Wand and laser dentistry, our Belleville practice serving the St. Louis area is the premier choice for patients seeking the very best in dental care. Contact the office of Gary Drake today to schedule a consultation.