We use the abbreviated TMJ, short for temporomandibular joint, to describe conditions and disorders of the hinge-like joint that allows for chewing, yawning, and speaking. The joint is connected to your lower skull and located near the lower front portion of the ears.
Dr. Kevin Burgdorf, DDS, our TMJ specialist in Bridgeton, MO, can help combat TMJ jaw pain and other ...
Your emergency dentist in Missouri considers sudden tooth damage, pain, or breakage a dental emergency. Outside of the tooth, jaw and gum swelling and oral trauma are also considered emergencies.
Suppose you have a dental emergency or suspect you might. In that case, it’s always crucial to contact our dentist office as soon as possible for further instructions and ...
One of the greatest benefits of dental implants in St. Louis is that they offer exceptional longevity when you commit to excellent home care and regular checkups with your dentist. Dental implants also have a 95 percent success rate. But with that said, if a dental implant should fail, we can often successfully replace it and restore your tooth ...
If you're wondering what is considered cosmetic dentistry, the answer is treatments and solutions to enhance your smile aesthetically!
Feeling confident is essential when you're looking to reach your personal and professional goals. A healthy, beautiful smile contributes to your confidence, especially when meeting and connecting with new people.
The good news is that whether it's crooked, discolored, or broken teeth that ...
Some patients ask us if fluoride is safe and effective for promoting dental health.
The answer to both questions is yes. To better understand why we may recommend a fluoride treatment to a patient, it helps to understand what fluoride does for your teeth.
The enamel layer of your teeth can gain or lose minerals ...
Does your appearance suffer from one pesky missing tooth? Or do you experience difficulty while chewing some of your favorite foods because of that one tooth that would make things so much easier! Missing teeth can rain on a parade when it comes to enjoying basic things in everyday life, but luckily modern dentistry provides viable, long-term solutions for missing ...
That root canals are painful or complicated is just a myth. The reality is that root canal treatment in Bridgeton, MO relieves pain from the infection while saving your tooth!
If you have a signs of a root infection, you definitely need a root canal.
Infection and inflammation deep in your tooth’s canal require treatment from your ...
Several stages of gum disease exist, and each impacts your oral and overall health. Depending on the severity of the case and the patient's response to treatment, the dentist's options for treating advanced gum disease called periodontitis can vary depending on the situation. Every stage past the first stage of gum disease will do irreversible damage. Treatment beyond this point focuses on ...
When you have a beautiful set of teeth, you want them to last and remain fully functional for as long as possible. Caring for dentures is essential for prolonging the life of your prostheses. Custom full and partial dentures made by Dr. Kevin Burgdorf, DDS are strong and will remain so as long as they are cared for ...
At the dentist office of Dr. Kevin Burgdorf, DDS, we offer the best professional teeth whitening system for patients near Bridgeton. With Philips Zoom! teeth whitening, patients can enjoy excellent results in a short amount of time, sometimes achieving a smile that's up to eight shades whiter in just one session.
Zoom teeth whitening treatments ...
If you already have straight, healthy teeth but are still unhappy with the way your smile looks, it could be time to consider cosmetic dentistry as a way to boost your confidence in your smile.
Because cosmetic dentistry is accessible, affordable, and versatile, it’s more popular than ever before. As we enter the summer season and are more likely to spend ...
When people have smile flaws, such as chipped or discolored teeth, it can cause embarrassment, which means they may try to hide their teeth to avoid perceived judgment. That can lead to less laughing, talking, and socializing.
A recent study found some evidence for this, showing that various dental disorders can have a profound impact on the lives of ...
If you are missing teeth and have a gap in your smile, you might be interested in replacing your teeth. This is where restorative dentistry comes into play.
Restorative dentistry allows your Bridgeton, MO dentist to bring back the shape, feel, and function of your smile. This can be important if your diet, speech, and quality of life are impacted due ...
With the way COVID-19 has changed the world over the last six months, it’s understandable to feel a little nervous about scheduling healthcare appointments or visiting medical offices. Thankfully, however, dental offices are some of the safest, cleanest places you can be thanks to strict cleaning and sanitation protocols.
Here at the dental office of Dr. Kevin Burgdorf, we have
If you have an infection in the root and pulp of your tooth, it can cause a lot of pain. If you’re fortunate, your dentist may discover the infection at the earliest stage during a routine exam—before it causes pain and prompts an emergency dental appointment.
Your dentist offers root canal therapy in Bridgeton, MO that is both gentle and ...
Are you living with the embarrassment or discomfort of one or more missing teeth? If so, you might find eating to be challenging or even painful, or interacting with others the cause for anxiety.
Replacing a tooth can feel daunting, but the good news is that dental implants in Bridgeton, MO offer a solution that both restores your smile and ...
Dr. Kevin Burgdorf, your general dentist in Bridgeton, MO cares about your oral health, and our dental team is dedicated to maintaining healthy teeth and gums for life. For these reasons, we follow best practices when it comes to recommending your oral health schedule.
The American Dental Association endorses twice-yearly exams and dental cleanings to lower your risks for cavities, ...
Tooth enamel, the white part of your tooth, is an important layer that protects and maintains your child’s oral health. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but even it can chip, fracture, or wear away. You can do your part to help teach your children how to protect this valuable layer of their teeth for the rest ...
You’re probably familiar with silver tooth fillings, but today’s preferred material is tooth-colored (composite) fillings. Not only are tooth-colored fillings more aesthetically pleasing, but they’re more durable and less likely to fall out. If your dentist recommends tooth-colored (composite) fillings in Hazelwood, MO, you know you’ll have long-lasting, natural-looking fillings.
Dentists find out if you need a ...
Did you know that dental hygiene can start before babies even have teeth? There are many benefits to starting young when it comes to teeth and gum health. Not only does good gum health begin in infancy, but early dental hygiene teaches kids to pay attention to their teeth. Around your child’s first birthday, it’s also time to see a ...
If you find yourself grocery shopping and picking up a tube of whitening toothpaste or strips, it is a good idea to adjust your expectations for your potential results. Because so many of our patients come to Dr. Kevin Burgdorf curious about teeth whitening in Maryland Heights and Hazelwood, MO areas, we wanted to give you some valuable information about ...
Root canals have suffered from a bad reputation in the dental world for years. This is most likely because they are associated with pain. The reason you experience pain when your tooth needs root canal therapy is usually because your tooth is infected. Here are the important facts to know about root canal therapy in Bridgeton.
Missing teeth can be a hassle on your day to day life.
Maybe you've been avoiding replacing your teeth because you're worried that it's expensive and complicated since you're missing more than one tooth; however, you should know that there are excellent solutions for replacing multiple teeth that won't break the bank.
If you are ...
It is natural for your teeth to lose a bit of their sparkle over time and appear dull or even discolored. This might cause you to lose confidence in your smile; however, there is a quick and effective solution: teeth whitening. At our Bridgeton MO dental office that offers teeth whitening in Maryland Heights, we are happy to ...
You were enjoying lunch with an old friend when the unthinkable happened! Your tooth cracked when you bit into your sandwich. While it's not sensitive, it's missing a piece and doesn't feel very comfortable in your mouth. Your dentist says you need a crown to restore your tooth back to optimum health and function. What can you expect from the ...
If you are dealing with a lost or failing tooth, you probably should know more about dental implants. Many people have heard of dental implants in Maryland Heights but don't know that much about them or how they work. You might be surprised to learn that dental implants have been in use for over 50 years!
Here are some more facts ...
Your partner complains of being tired all day but isn’t sure why. You mention that he or she is snoring quite a bit through the night or you have noticed that his or her breathing seems to stop. Snoring during the night and breathing that seems to stop while sleeping coupled with feeling drowsy all day could be signs of ...
Armed with your shopping list, you head to the grocery or drug store, intending to stock up on all the products your family needs to stay healthy. Everything is going great until you reach the aisle with the dental care products.
Feeling overwhelmed? We completely understand. So many products are out there competing for our attention and our money, it can ...
Did you wake up with throbbing pain in your mouth? Did you bite down on a surprise olive pit? Did your child catch a fly ball… with their teeth?
Dental emergencies are unpredictable and often quite painful. They also need to be dealt with promptly.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, St. Louis, MO dentist Dr. Kevin Burgdorf is here for ...
Bad habits.
Let’s be honest – we all have them!
Unfortunately, though, your habits might be doing damage to the health of your smile.
If you have any of these habits, talk to us here at the office of Maryland Heights dentist Dr. Kevin Burgdorf. We can work with you to create a plan to break these habits and restore your health.
Have you considered making an appointment with a "cosmetic dentist near me"?
Maybe your smile has lost its sparkle and it’s time to brighten it up again. Maybe you have chips or other damage. Or maybe your teeth are crooked or unusually shaped and it’s time for a complete makeover.
The first ...
Congratulations! You've chosen a dental implant to replace your missing tooth and restore your smile, and in doing so you've invested in the best replacement option that dentistry has to offer. Dental implants in Maryland Heights are an aesthetically pleasing and durable way to restore form and function to your smile. Implants are so successful because they replace both ...
Are you considering making some big changes to your teeth? Perhaps you’d like to fully transform the health and appearance of your smile.
If a smile makeover is in your future, make sure to call Dr. Kevin Burgdorf, your cosmetic dentist in Bridgeton, MO. Dr. Burgdorf will listen carefully to your needs and goals and then work with you to create ...
If you have a severely damaged tooth or one or more teeth that are missing, you probably have a lot of questions about your options. Your experience with restorative dentistry in the past may be less than ideal. It’s entirely possible that you have seen others with dentistry that looks obvious and unattractive. The color of the restoration may stand ...
Are you looking to improve the appearance of your smile? Your cosmetic dentist in St Charles, MO, Dr. Kevin Burgdorf, DDS has transformed countless smiles, creating results that make our patients thrilled about flashing their new smile to everyone they meet.
While we have a range of cosmetic options to offer our patients, and, ultimately, every treatment we perform is done ...
Do you wake up with jaw pain, sore teeth, and headaches? It may be because you suffer from night time clenching and grinding, also known as bruxism. Many people clench and grind their teeth at night and don’t realize it because the symptoms may be mild or associated with another condition.
With regular dental visits, your dentist should be able to ...
Finding a great dentist in your area is the first step towards great oral health, and this includes regular professional cleanings. You’ve probably heard that it’s important to visit the dentist for a professional teeth cleaning twice a year, but you may be wondering how a professional cleaning differs from your everyday, at-home cleanings.
Professional teeth cleanings help to prevent gum ...
There is a certain stigma around dentures and partials that makes people think that they are more worrisome than they are beneficial. Yet, as dental technology progresses, so does the comfort and efficiency of dentures. No longer do you have to worry about slipping, clacking, and painful dentures. Dr. Kevin Burgdorf offers his patients in the Hazelwood, MO area the ...
Dentists tell us when we’re first learning to care for our teeth that too much candy and sweets can cause dental problems such as cavities and tooth decay. Every year, Halloween starts a whole season of holidays packed with candy, cookies and other sweet treats that can reek havoc on our dental health if we don’t take the proper precautions. ...
We understand that most people do not look forward to their dentist appointments, but keeping up with your regular check-ups is more important than you think. Not only is it important to keep up your oral hygiene with routine cleanings, but regular visits to the dentist can also help you maintain your general health too.
You might think of dentistry in much the same way that you think of your doctor – just another thing you have to do occasionally to stay healthy. Dentistry is unique, however, because each procedure takes into account not only health and function, but also aesthetics. In fact, even the smallest procedures such as fillings have an artistic element to ...
This is the time of year when we want to gather with our friends and family to celebrate the holidays. Because so many others have the same idea, it is important to take precautions to stay healthy so that your festivities are not interrupted by illness. Following a few simple steps can protect your health so you can sing your ...
You might not think it is that big of a deal to keep your regular dental appointments, especially if you are healthy and disease free. However, we believe that routine care is the most important and here is why.
You might think you know your stuff when it comes to your dental health, so you can test your knowledge with our pop quiz and see how many answers you get right. The answers will appear at the bottom of this post. No cheating!
A. Stroke
B. Heart Disease
C. Diabetes
Sometimes patients want to know if they can have a filling instead of a dental crown. While they are both restorative treatments, fillings and crowns fulfill two different needs. Here are some of the differences between the two:
Typically, we recommend a dental crown when your tooth has sustained damage from trauma or decay and the structure is ...
Did you know that most patients do not maximize their dental benefits from year-to-year? In fact, 50% of Americans with dental insurance never even use their preventive treatment completely before their benefits turn over. That means you are just throwing money out the window.
Most dental insurance allows for two preventive appointments including cleanings, exams, and ...
Did you know that most patients do not maximize their dental benefits from year-to-year? In fact, 50% of Americans with dental insurance never even use their preventive treatment completely before their benefits turn over. That means you are just throwing money out the window.
Most dental insurance allows for two preventive appointments including cleanings, exams, and x-rays ...
You may have heard some of the most recent research that links gum disease to other systemic conditions such as heart disease and stroke, but did you also know that many people who have gum disease have a more difficult time controlling their blood sugar? While the link between gum disease and diabetes is not yet completely understood, research shows ...
While we focus on health first at our Bridgeton, MO dental office, we completely understand that our patients want to look good, too. We don’t blame you. After all, your smile is your calling card and how it looks can leave a big impression on people.
Did you know that cosmetic dentistry does not have to be expensive or difficult? In ...
Do you wake up in the morning with a headache? You might think it is from not getting a good night’s sleep, or because of some other medical reason, but did you know that a major cause of morning headaches is nighttime teeth clenching and grinding? You might think you don’t grind your teeth because your partner has never reported ...
If you or your partner snores, you might wonder about the cause as you lie awake at night. Snoring can cause problems and put a strain on your relationship. If you have to sleep in separate rooms, it can cause resentment and intimacy problems. So, what causes this middle of the night disruption?
Snoring comes from the tissues at the back ...
You may have heard rumors about the safety of teeth whitening or the side effects it can cause. Some people experience sensitivity and tenderness when they whiten their teeth, especially using over-the-counter products.
The truth is that when you whiten your teeth under the supervision of a dentist, you achieve more comfortable, predictable, and exceptional results. For most people, teeth whitening ...
Are you missing teeth? Understand that missing teeth can look awkward, feel embarrassing, and make eating and speaking difficult. That is why we offer a wide variety of tooth replacement treatments at our Bridgeton, MO dental office. To find out which option will work best for you, we can perform a comprehensive evaluation.
Replacing your missing tooth as soon as possible ...
If you have missing teeth, you may have noticed a lot of talk about dental implants. Some of the talk might seem too good to be true, regardless, you may be wondering if dental implants are a reasonable solution for you to replace your missing teeth. First, let’s discuss some of the claims from the latest ads from radio and ...
Since most of us have had a cavity at one time or another, we simply accept that cavities (tooth decay) are a normal part of pediatric dentistry. While it is true that dental decay is the most common childhood disease, most cases of caries are actually preventable with the correct precautions.
At our Bridgeton, MO dental office, we offer a ...
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, affects over eighteen million Americans. Sleep apnea is a condition that restricts your airflow during sleep and creates a number of health complications.
That men are more than twice as likely as women to have sleep apnea? In fact, men over forty ...
Everyone knows of a child who caught a ball in the face instead of with their baseball glove. It happens all the time! Kids play rough; it’s just part of childhood. Sports teach kids the importance of exercise, teamwork, and commitment. They learn skills and develop habits they may possess for their entire lives. That is why we encourage kids ...
Bruxism is excessive grinding of your teeth. If you wake up with headaches, neck aches, facial tension, or sensitive teeth, you might be grinding your teeth while you sleep. Many people occasionally grind their teeth and usually it does not cause a problem, but if you grind your teeth on a nightly basis, you could be causing real, irreversible damage.
Dental anxiety is a problem for patients of all ages. The fear of the unknown can play a significant factor, but previous experiences, fear of pain, and unexplained anxiety all factor into how comfortable you are at your dental appointment.
Children are no exception to dental phobias. In fact, because children ...
Oral cancer is a particularly deadly form of cancer because most times, detection occurs at a late stage. Oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat, and lips.
When detected early, oral cancer has an 80-90% survival rate and treatment tends to be less disfiguring. Though considered a relatively rare cancer, doctors diagnose 115 new cases of oral cancer each ...
Most people have heard of dental crowns, have a pretty good idea of what they are used for. However, a good number of people aren’t sure what they look like or how they are placed.
This is your chance to test your own knowledge about dental crowns and maybe learn something that you didn’t know before!
Do you have oral piercings?
For many people, piercings are a way to express their own individuality, and we respect that. The problem, though, is that oral piercings can be detrimental to your dental health in a number of ways.
Before you decide to get a piercing (or even if you already have one!), we hope that you’ll consider these concerns carefully:
At our Bridgeton dental office, we sometimes recommend sealants for children who are prone to cavities or who need a little extra protection for their back teeth. These noninvasive coatings “seal” the deep grooves that are on the surface of molars and prevent cavities from forming in the grooves.
Once your child’s permanent molars come in, we’ll discuss ...
During your dental exam with Dr. Kevin Burgdorf, DDS, he will measure your gum pockets. This is the part of your examination where you lean back and our dentist in Bridgeton, MO uses a small probe on your gums and calls out numbers. But what is actually happening during this time and why is it necessary?
It’s ...
Are you pregnant? Congratulations!
Have you considered your dental care during pregnancy? We know you have a lot on your mind right now and lots of exciting plans to make. Even though dental care isn’t as exciting as a baby shower, we hope that you’ll take a few minutes to find out how important dental care during pregnancy is to your ...
So much action takes place during the summer months! Graduations, class reunions, family reunions, weddings…
One common feature at all of these special events is that plenty of pictures will be taken (and probably plastered across various Facebook and Instagram pages!). Are you comfortable smiling big for the camera, or are you embarrassed by your yellow or discolored teeth?
If you want ...
Premedication with antibiotics is recommended before dental procedures for people with specific medical conditions. If you’re healthy and have never been told that you need to take medication before having dental work done, chances are good that you will not need premedication.
When you start seeing Dr. Kevin Burgdorf, DDS, we’ll ask you to fill out some ...
Patients near Bridgeton, MO ask us about the radiation in dental x-rays all the time. We completely understand why – the idea of radiation is scary and people are concerned about both their own health and their family’s health.
Fortunately, the radiation from dental x-rays is so minimal that it barely registers in the total amount of radiation that you are ...
Do you grind your teeth? Clench them? Have migraines?
Does the jaw joint just below your ear (your temporomandibular joint) pop, click, or grate? Do you deal with shooting pains in your neck and shoulder? Does your jaw constantly ache?
These are all examples of conditions and symptoms that can be treated using an occlusal guard, or a night guard in ...
Many patients are taken completely off guard by a dental emergency. Whether it is because the pain has gradually increased over time or because you suddenly broke a tooth or lost a filling, your dental emergency can be frightening, make you feel helpless, and cause alarm. We are here to help.
Here are some of our most common dental emergencies ...
Your teeth have more to do with how old you look than you might imagine. Did you know that as you age, your teeth begin to darken and become stained due to the foods and beverages you eat? If you have a tobacco habit, it can happen even more quickly, making you look five or even ten years older than ...
Did you know that when you lose teeth, you may begin losing bone? Because your teeth act as anchors, tooth loss means that part of that anchor system is gone. If you lose bone, it can complicate your dental heath by causing your teeth to tip, tilt, or shift. Bone loss may also jeopardize your remaining teeth by destabilizing their ...