There are many components to creating a smile that allows a patient’s personality to shine. Dr. Hoffman’s greatest joy is seeing a patient’s true personality emerge when watching them smile.
To learn more about our services or to ask about a service not listed here, feel free to contact us.
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Restorative Care
- Dental Implants
- Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
- Periodontal Services
- Pediatric Services
- Geriatric Services
Cosmetic Dentistry
Working in conjunction with top orthodontists and periodontists in St. Louis, Dr. Hoffman will create a cosmetic dental treatment plan which will encompass both aesthetic and restorative needs. Trained in the most advanced technology, Dr. Hoffman offers many different althernatives and will work with the patient to carefully explain various options. Ladue West Dental offers Opalescence® for both office and home whitening. Great results can also be achieved with veneers, crowns and implants.
Restorative Care
Restorative dentistry is basic repair of the mouth. This may involve replacing broken or leaking silver fillings, detecting and treating active tooth decay, and designing crowns and bridges. Though silver (amalgam) fillings have been used for over 150 years, new technology allows our office to fill a decayed tooth with a bonded material that can be matched to the color of your tooth. Research has shown that these bonded fillings are almost 95% as strong as a non-decayed healthy tooth.
If a tooth is heavily filled or cracked, a crown may be required. A crown can strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and improve the appearance of your teeth. Dr. Hoffman works with state-of-the-art local laboratories. These dental labs follow stringent guidelines to ensure that each crown is fabricated from materials certified by the American Dental Association.
The loss of a single tooth can have a major impact on your dental health and appearance. When one or more teeth are missing, the entire mouth can fall out of alignment. These teeth become more susceptible to gum disease and become loose due to abnormal chewing forces. Stabilizing the dental arch by replacing missing teeth is critical to maintaining your mouth over the long term and also for overall quality of life. A non-removable bridge can restore teeth to normal function and help to maintain the structure of one’s face and jaw.
Dental Implants
When you need to replace missing teeth, you need something as close to natural teeth as possible. Dental implants represent the state-of-the-art in dental technology making it possible to restore your smile to its natural state. Dental implants are the only solution that replaces the entire missing tooth and preserves the supporting bone. Dr. Hoffman has provided implants to his patients for over twenty years. Working closely with top laboratories and well-respected specialists, Dr. Hoffman has succeeded in providing dental implants to his patients. As technology in the field advances, Dr. Hoffman continues to receive training at seminars throughout the country to assure that his patients can take advantage of the latest advances in the field.
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Nearly 30% of the population grinds their teeth to the point of destructiveness. This unconscious nighttime habit not only damages teeth and fillings, but can create headaches, jaw aches, and neck and shoulder pain. The force that is put upon teeth when grinding is seven times the norm. There is also an aesthetic compenent: teeth that are affected by grinding often appear shorter and worn. Dr. Hoffman’s office provides the latest technology in occlusal guards. Upper and lower arch impressions are taken and sent to a local lab to create a comfortable bite guard that will effectively protect teeth and alleviate many of the symptoms associated with bruxism. Nightguards should be brought to each visit where they will be professionally cleaned by the staff.
Periodontal Services
If plaque and tartar is left on the teeth it provides the right conditions for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria irritates the gums causing them to bleed. A patient may notice this when brushing or eating. This is the beginning of gingivitis and might require more than a standard check up. Dr. Hoffman’s staff is trained in developing a periodontal plan that will allow the patient to alleviate gum disease and maintain healthy teeth. Scaling and root planing is the most effective way of treating periodontal disease (gum disease). Scaling is used to remove plaque and tartar beneath the gumline. A local anesthetic may be given to reduce any discomfort. Plaque and tartar is carefully removed to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. The tooth’s root surface is then smoothed or planed. This allows the gum tissue to heal and the infection to resolve. Dr. Hoffman will recommend or prescribe any necessary medications and will provide every patient with information and follow-up treatment.
Pediatric Services
As a father of three, Dr. Hoffman feels comfortable treating children and the office is truly a child-friendly environment. We believe that if a child’s introduction to dental care is a pleasant experience, that child is more likely to have a positive attitude towards lifelong oral health. A tour of the office from a child’s perspective is given so the patient feels at home. Books, toys and TV monitors are available in each operatory for the comfort of both parent and child. A routine appointment consists of cleaning by a registered dental hygienist, an exam by Dr. Hoffman, X-rays when appropriate and flouride treatment.
Geriatric Services
As a practitioner for over thirty years, Dr. Hoffman is accustomed to treating the elderly. He understands that their specific needs will differ from those of a younger population. An older patient may require additional time, care and explanation. With the patient’s permission, dental treatment plans can be discussed with family members. Dr. Hoffman will work with the patient in the preservation of healthy teeth.
As people live longer and retain more natural teeth, the complexity of treatment increases. This involves not only treating decay and periodontal concerns but addressing issues relevant to the elderly such as salivary dysfunction and impaired chewing, tasting and swallowing.