OverlandParkSmiles.com

Many people suffer from migraines brought on by teeth clenching while they sleep. Most of the times, people do not realise that they are grinding their teeth, and they wake up with severe headaches the following morning. The NTI-tss Dental Device was developed to help prevent these migraines, by stopping the grinding of the teeth. 

NTI-tss (NTI Tension Supression System) is a FDA-approved device that is worn over the two front teeth to prevent contact of the canines and molars. By creating this separation, the intensity of the night-time clenching is minimized and the chances of developing headaches and migraines are diminished.

NTI-tss is a very safe and effective method of treating headaches and migraines caused by teeth-clenching. There are no drugs involved, no surgery and no shots. There are also no side effects. 

Call your NTI Overland Dentist today and let us show you how the NTI-tss can help you!!

Spring is the season of new life, and it is time to bring "new life" to your smiles as well.  Your Overland Park Dentists,  Drs. Willits and Woltkamp, are among the top five percent general practice dentists in the four counties that make up the Kansas City area. and are dedicated to providing the highest quality dental care to their patients. 

Here at Overland Park Smiles, we are committed to providing the necessary services and cosmetic dentistry to help restore and maintain your healthy smiles.These include, among others:

 - Teeth Whitening

 - Veneers / Lumineers

 - Invisalign

 - Dental Implants

 - Metal-free Crowns 

Call the office today to make your appointment today. We will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.

As children, many of us looked forward to losing those baby teeth, as that was a sign of us getting older and becoming big kids. As adults, the thought of losing a tooth is a dreaded one, and one that most of us hope will not happen for many, many years. However, it does happen, and when it does, it affects a person’s ability to eat, hence affecting their nutrition. It also affects their appearance, speech, and overall self esteem. Fortunately, there are various options available for us to chose from to help restore those beautiful smiles.

Here at Overland Park Smiles, one of the options we focus on is the use of dental implants. In the past, dentures and fixed bridges were mainly use as the methods of tooth/teeth restoration. However, today dental implants have quickly become choice for most people for the replacement of missing teeth. The dental implant is made from a titanium rod which is anchored in the jaw to support restorations that resemble a tooth to replace missing ones. As a result of the the implant being anchored in the jawbone, it helps maintain the integrity of the bone. Another important advantage of the dental implant over a fixed bridge is that the health of the surrounding teeth is not sacrificed.

Your Overland Park Dentist is committed to restoring those healthy beautiful smiles, giving you back your confidence and the ability to smile and eat. Our wonderful staff is here to put you at ease and answer all questions. Please feel free to drop in for a consultation on the best treatment for you.

Most of us know that brushing and flossing arean important part of the regime to promoting  and maintaining healthy gums and teeth. However, there are a lot of people who are unaware that there are certain foods that play an important part also. At Overland Park Smiles, we are dedicated to educating our patients about the foods that we eat and vitamins that they contain which are essential for the growth of healthy bones and teeth, and the maintenance of healthy gums. 

Vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance of the structure of the tissues found in the oral cavity. These tissues serve as protective barriers against the microorganisms that cause diseases. Vitamin A can be found in eggs, liver, salmon, cheese and beef. We can also get it from orange-colored vegetables, like carrots and pumpkins, and dark leafy vegetables, like spinach.

Vitamin C is another vitamin that is important in the promotion of healthy gums. Vitamin C helps prevent tissue damage, therefore keeping the gums from breaking down. Some of the foods that Vitamin C can be found in includeciturs fruits, strawberries, apples and mangoes. It can also be found in onions, broccoli and radishes.

Another imprtant vitamin is Vitamin D. This is extremely important in preventing the inflammation of gums, which we know can lead to bleeding gums, and eventually periodontal disease. While we can get Vitamin D from the sun, we can also get it from fortified milk, salmon and sardines.

Making sure that we have healthy gums goes a long way in promoting good overall health. Eating well to help maintain good oral health should bedone by all. If you have any questions about that foods that are helpful, please feel to contact you Overland Park Dentists for more information.

Oral cancer can be a devastating, and even deadly, disease. It can go unnoticed until it has progresses to the later stages. However, if it is caught early, oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases, if detected and diagnosed early. That is why the ViziLite Plus exam was developed. It uses technology that has been proven successful in identifying soft tissue abnormalities in other areas of the body. This is the leading oral cancer screening system which helps in the identification, evalutation and monitoring of abnormal oral lesions which may be suspicious of being precancerous, or cancer.

Overland Park Smiles is one of only two Certified  dental practices in tthe State of Kansas to offer ViziLite Plus technology for early detection of oral cancer. An annual Vizilite Plus exam, in combination with the regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for cancer. 

With ViziLite Plus, Drs. Willits and Woltkamp are better able to detect early stages of cancer. Please call,email or come into the office to schedule your appointment.

Recently, your Overland Park dentists found out that a tooth belonging to John Lennon was sold at an auction for about $31,200. Now, this is a tooth that is over 40 years old, and has a sizable amount of decay to it!!! How much do you think your tooth, in perfect condition, is worth?

Well, unless you are someone famous, it may not be worth much at all. However, possessing healthy teeth is very invaluable! Not only do you get to have a beautiful smile, but you also look happy, and most of all, you will enjoy eating all the foods that are healthy for you, and improve your overall health.

So, while your perfect teeth are not worth the same as a decayed, 40 plus year old tooth, when it comes to your overall health, they are priceless!!!!

Many parents often wonder at what age should they first take their child to the dentist. Many are very surprised that pediatricians suggest that the first visit should be by the first birthday!! The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that the first dental visit should be scheduled between the eruption of the first tooth, and the first birthday.

Since national studies are showing that cavities are increasing in pre-school children, it is important, now more than ever to start early preventive methods to avoid cavities. The developing teeth of infants are affected by pacifiers, teething, bottles, feeding methods, thumb sucking, gum cleansing, and also flouride levels in the mouth. That first visit is important not only for the child but as an education session for parents to be more effective in promoting good dental health for thier child.

During the first dental visit, the child's teeth, jaw and gums are examined. Parents are shown proper positioning for child to do a thorough cleaning, and cleansing procedures are demonstrated. The dentist would look for any potential problems and the overall oral growth and development of the child will be checked and assessed. Also, the child's medical history will be reviewed and any preventative measures necessary wil be discussed with parents.

It is a good idea to have dental visits scheduled before problems develop. That way, they can be kept short and that will help with the child becoming more relaxed in the dental environment.

This video gives the basics of what to expect during the common procedures of fillings, crowns and root canals.

Found this simplified video about the dental implant procedure. Implants restore your smile by replacing your missing teeth, allowing you to talk, eat and smile. If you are considering dental implants, please feel free to come in for a consultation and we will help you decide on what's best for you.