At Modern Cosmetics and Dentistry, we believe that a healthy smile is the foundation for radiant confidence and overall well-being. Led by Dr. Jacob Hamby, our practice is dedicated to offering comprehensive dental care tailored to meet each patient's unique needs. We are your complete destination for oral health and aesthetic transformation in Joplin, MO.
Modern Dentistry and Cosmetics Means Confident Smile Care
Expert Invisalign Provider
Dr. Hamby is proud to be a member of the Molis Coaching group, led by Ryan Molis, the #1 Invisalign provider in the world. His expertise has been instrumental in developing advanced Invisalign training programs.
Dr. Hamby recently completed the prestigious Molis Mastermind training program. This exclusive program is limited to only about 200 dentists worldwide, making it a truly international and elite certification.
This advanced training ensures that Dr. Hamby can provide you with the highest quality Invisalign treatment, utilizing the latest techniques and best practices in orthodontic care.
Utilizing Modern Dental Care Technologies
From 3D printers to digital X-ray machines and beyond, Modern Dentistry and Cosmetics employs cutting-edge tech to deliver outstanding results for our patients.
We Accept Most Dental Insurance
We work with almost all dental health insurance providers. And for self-pay patients, discounts are available!
Smile Transformations
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Our Team’s Dental Resolutions for 2026: Building Healthier Smiles Together
Published on 01/15/2026
A new year always brings talk of fresh starts—and here at Modern Dentistry and Cosmetics, we're feeling inspired to make 2026 a year full of brighter, stronger smiles. Whether it's seeing your hygienist on time, improving your daily routine, or finally going for that whitening treatment you've been thinking about, small steps can add up to big changes.
We believe resolutions shouldn't be stressful or short-lived. Instead, resolutions work best when they're realistic, supported, and rooted in long-term wellness rather than quick fixes. That's where our team comes in. This year, we're focusing on tangible steps that make oral health habits stick—because true change happens when knowledge, encouragement, and follow-up care come together.
1. Make Those Dental Checkups a Regular Thing
If you only choose one dental resolution this year, make it this one. Seeing your dentist twice a year helps prevent small issues from becoming bigger ones. These visits aren’t just about cleaning—they also allow us to check for signs of gum disease, enamel wear, and other early concerns that are easiest to treat when caught early.
Life gets busy, and it's easy to fall behind, but our team helps patients stay consistent with friendly reminders, easy scheduling options, and flexible hours. We make prevention convenient—because the best dental problems are the ones that never develop.
2. Whiten Your Smile—The Healthy Dental Care Way
Everyone loves the confidence of a bright smile, but it's important to do it right. We see too many patients who try online whitening fads that end up causing sensitivity or uneven results. We guide patients toward safe, professional whitening solutions tailored to their enamel type. Our in-office and take-home options deliver predictable results without sensitivity or damage.
At Modern Dentistry and Cosmetics, we match your treatment to your enamel needs and goals—helping you achieve a natural, healthy shine instead of an overdone, short-term glow.
3. Strengthen Your At-Home Dental Routine
Flossing. Brushing. Rinsing. We've all promised ourselves to be more consistent—but the key is making it doable. Our hygienists love helping patients with personalized recommendations that make daily care easier, such as switching to an electric toothbrush, using fluoride rinses, or brushing before bed instead of skipping it when you’re tired.
Progress adds up. Small adjustments—like adding 30 extra seconds to your brushing, rinsing after coffee, adding a fluoride mouthwash, or flossing once a day can dramatically improve gum health. personalized recommendations Our hygienists work one-on-one with patients to set achievable, sustainable goals rather than perfection-based expectations.
4. Focus on Dental Prevention, Not Just Treatment
Modern dentistry is about staying a step ahead. Fluoride treatments, sealants, and night guards are simple, affordable ways to prevent future problems. We use digital imaging and thorough exams to identify early warning signs, so your plan can be proactive rather than reactive.
Think of preventive care as an investment. It's the difference between maintaining your smile with confidence now and addressing issues later. The result: less invasive procedures, lower long-term costs, and healthier smiles that last.
5. Remember: Oral Health = Whole-Body Health
This is one of the most important resolutions for 2026. Your mouth isn't separate from the rest of your body—research continues to link what's happening with your gums and teeth to heart health, blood sugar, and overall inflammation.
By keeping your mouth healthy, you're protecting your entire well-being. Our team’s approach to care includes education, monitoring, and collaboration—because we believe a confident smile starts with total health.
Let's Make 2026 the Year of Better Smiles
Whether you're tackling one resolution or all five, Modern Dentistry and Cosmetics is here to keep you motivated and supported. Our friendly team loves helping patients build healthy habits that fit real life—not just New Year's excitement.
So this year, let’s make your smile one of the things you're most proud of. Call our office or schedule online to book your 2026 checkup, and together, we'll make those dental goals a reality.
Common Fluoride Facts and Debunked Myths
Published on 12/18/2025
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent tooth decay, but it is often misunderstood. At Modern Dentistry and Cosmetics in Joplin, Missouri, many patients ask for clear, science-based fluoride facts and myths so they can make confident choices about their oral health.
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is the ionic form of the element fluorine, found naturally in soil, water, and many foods. In dentistry, it strengthens tooth enamel and helps reverse early stages of tooth decay, which is why it is added to toothpaste and some community water supplies. These fluoride facts support its use as a safe, effective tool in modern preventive care when used at recommended levels.
Proven Benefits of Fluoride
Building on that foundation, decades of research show that fluoride reduces cavities by helping teeth resist acid attacks from plaque and sugars. Community water fluoridation has been shown to lower tooth decay rates in children and adults by at least 25%, even for people who already use fluoride toothpaste. When reviewing fluoride facts and myths, this consistent reduction in cavities is one of the most essential fluoride safety facts supported by major health organizations.
Common Myths and Real Risks
Despite these proven benefits, some common fluoride myths continue to circulate. One of the most frequent claims is that fluoride is a “dangerous chemical,” but at recommended concentrations, fluoride in water is not toxic according to the best available scientific evidence. Like many nutrients, the dose matters: extremely high levels over long periods can cause dental or skeletal problems, but U.S. drinking water standards and product guidelines are designed to prevent that.
Another widespread myth is that fluoride causes significant health problems, such as systemic diseases. However, rigorous reviews have found no credible evidence of such harms at community fluoridation levels, a key point when debunking fluoride myths in patient education.
Fluoride in Water and Use in Children
Questions often focus on fluoride in water and its effects on families. Some people believe fluoride in water is unnecessary, but facts about fluoride in drinking water show that optimally fluoridated water protects entire communities, including those with limited access to dental care. The Environmental Protection Agency and public health agencies regulate fluoride levels, recommending a maximum to prevent fluorosis while still maintaining strong protection against cavities.
Concerns about children are another common fluoride myth vs fact moment. Expert groups recommend that children receive appropriate daily fluoride exposure, mainly from fluoridated water and toothpaste, with the dosage tailored to age and local water levels. For infants and young children, caregivers should:
- Use only a smear or pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, depending on age.
- Help with brushing to reduce swallowing and make fluoride safe and effective.
- Ask a dentist about supplements only if the local water has very low fluoride.
Using Fluoride Safely and Evaluating Claims
Understanding how fluoride is used in real life helps tie all these points together. High accidental doses from the misuse of supplements or ingestion of professional products can cause short-term symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, but such events are rare and preventable. Knowing these fluoride facts helps distinguish real, dose-related risks from exaggerated online claims about common fluoride myths. When reading about fluoride safety online, patients should look for reputable sources such as government, hospital, or professional organization websites rather than unverified blogs or social media posts.
At Modern Dentistry and Cosmetics, the team encourages patients to ask questions so fluoride facts can be discussed in the context of their personal and family needs. By re-centering the conversation on evidence, not fear, patients in Joplin can use fluoride confidently as part of a personalized prevention plan that keeps smiles healthy for years to come.
Reduced Dental Chair Anxiety: Patients & Offices Unite
Published on 11/26/2025
Dental Chair Anxiety is a common and significant barrier to dental care, affecting patients of all ages and backgrounds. At Modern Dentistry and Cosmetics in Joplin, Missouri, understanding and addressing this anxiety is key to helping patients receive the care they need comfortably and confidently. Both patients and dental offices play essential roles in reducing dental chair anxiety through effective communication, environmental adaptations, relaxation techniques, sedation options, and patient support.
Communication and Trust
One of the foremost ways to reduce dental chair anxiety is through open communication between patients and dental offices. When patients feel comfortable discussing their fears and concerns, dental professionals can provide reassurance, explain procedures clearly, and establish trust.
Building this rapport improves patients' sense of control and diminishes fear of the unknown. Studies show that incorporating cognitive-behavioral techniques into communication can help restructure negative thoughts and improve coping during dental visits.
Creating a Calming Environment
Dental offices can significantly reduce anxiety by fostering a calming atmosphere. A welcoming environment includes soft lighting, comfortable furniture, and soothing background music.
Some offices also use aromatherapy with scents like lavender, which research indicates lowers stress hormone levels during treatment. Distractions such as televisions or virtual reality experiences can help patients divert their attention from the dental procedure, aiding relaxation and reducing anxiety.
Relaxation Techniques for Patients
Patients themselves can take active steps to manage dental chair anxiety with relaxation techniques. Techniques to help patients physically and mentally relax before and during dental appointments include deep breathing, self-guided imagery, and muscle relaxation.
These methods counteract the stress response by promoting the opposite—a relaxation response—which can lower heart rate and ease muscle tension. Dental professionals can guide patients through these exercises as part of their care practice.
Last Resort: Sedation Options
When other approaches are insufficient, sedation options for dental anxiety provide an effective alternative. Options range from mild nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") to oral sedatives and intravenous sedation for more severe cases.
Sedation helps patients remain calm, reduces discomfort, and increases treatment acceptance. Research supports the safety and efficacy of these approaches, making them valuable tools for managing intense anxiety without sacrificing consciousness or responsiveness.
Patient Control and Support
Allowing patients to maintain a sense of control during dental visits also reduces anxiety. Simple measures include encouraging patients to use hand signals to request breaks, explaining each step of the procedure, and scheduling shorter appointment times to avoid prolonged stress. Providing continuous support throughout the treatment empowers patients, decreases fear, and promotes a more positive dental experience.
Bullet Points for Quick Reference:
- Open communication builds trust and reduces fear
- Calming office environments soothe patients' nerves
- Relaxation techniques help ease physical anxiety
- Sedation options offer relief when needed
- Patient empowerment improves overall comfort
By combining these patient-centered strategies with evidence-based practices, Modern Dentistry and Cosmetics aims to transform anxiety-filled dental visits into manageable and even positive experiences. Dental chair anxiety need no longer be a barrier to achieving optimal oral health, thanks to these collaborative efforts between patients and dental professionals.
This integrated approach ensures patients in Joplin, Missouri, receive not only expert dental care but compassionate, understanding support tailored to their emotional needs. Through patient-dental office communication, environment modifications, relaxation techniques for dental anxiety relief, thoughtful sedation options, and patient empowerment, dental chair anxiety becomes a challenge readily overcome.
Get to Know Dr. Jacob Hamby
Dr. Hamby performs all types of family, restorative, and root canal treatments and specializes in cosmetic dentistry and implants. Dr. Hamby enjoys the science behind dental restorations, and his engineering background enables him to approach dentistry with an excellent technical mind.
Read More About Dr. HambyBecome a Patient
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