Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Complete Your Teeth Whitening Procedure Before Your Special Day

Teeth Whitening
There are many reasons to have a teeth whitening procedure. Whether you are planning your wedding, graduating from college, attending your high school reunion or taking a vacation of a lifetime, having a bright white smile will ensure that your teeth look beautiful for those picture perfect moments. There are times in life where something special happens that changes everything else. These experiences are what makes a full life and are worth preserving. Make sure that you are ready to smile with confidence so that your exterior appearance reflects the joy you are feeling inside.

The fastest way to improve your appearance is by whitening your teeth. Your smile is often the first thing people will notice when looking at you. Additionally, a recent study by Match.com found that a beautiful smile is the most attractive quality for both men and women. It is welcoming, speaks of good health, and directly impacts how people view you.

At Steele Dentistry of Stapleton, we provide a teeth whitening procedure that can fit within the busiest of schedules, making it easy for everyone to have a beautiful smile. We understand that our patients are on the go and may want to whiten their teeth at night, on vacation, or as needed. This is why we provide customized teeth whitening trays and professional whitening gels so that you can whiten your teeth when it is convenient for you. 
To get started all you have to do is schedule an appointment to have your custom whitening trays (mouth guard) created. This is done by taking a mold of your teeth and creating plastic trays that fit securely and snugly around your teeth. This way there is no risk of the bleach leaking into your mouth, which is a common problem with over-the-counter solutions. Once the trays are made you can use them long-term and simply need to replenish the whitening solution when you run out.

The benefit to using our professional grade solution is that your teeth can become up to eight shades whiter. Most patients need to wear their mouth guard and whitening solution for three to four hours each night for one to two weeks. During this timeframe you will start to see improvements to the appearance of your teeth and when you are finished your smile can look absolutely brilliant.

Adults of all ages can benefit from this procedure as it can remove years of staining from smoking, drinking coffee or tea, and eating foods that are artificially colored. Teeth can also become dull due to old age, and this procedure can brighten them.

There are times where a teeth whitening procedure is not enough to produce the dramatic effect that patients are looking for. When this is the case, dental veneers or crowns may be a better solution. Dr. Steele is a cosmetic dentist that offers both and can transform dull or stained teeth into something brilliant and beautiful. Dental veneers for example are a plastic shell that is placed directly on top of the tooth and can cover stains, correct chipped or cracked teeth, and even straighten a crooked tooth. This cosmetic dentistry solution is ideal for people that want a perfect Hollywood style smile. To learn more about your options or have your teeth whitening procedure completed, schedule an appointment to see Dr. Steele today.

Monday, August 4, 2014

A Cosmetic Dentist Does More Than Create Perfect Smiles

Cosmetic Dentist
Many people think of a cosmetic dentist as someone who creates Hollywood style smiles. Now you can have a perfect looking smile thanks to cosmetic dentistry. However, the reality is that Dr. Steele does far more than creating perfect smiles. Patients with oral health issues and damaged teeth can also benefit from her skills and expertise. 
In the past dentistry was rather rudimentary.  If your Grandma broke her tooth, there is a good chance that the dentist ended up pulling it.  This type of treatment manifested many of the fears people have about visiting the dentist today.  Fortunately, modern technology has revolutionized dentistry and now there are multiple options for treating and fixing damaged teeth that are comfortable and convenient. 
As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Steele specializes in correcting damaged teeth and providing patients with dental solutions that meet their needs and are perfect for an active lifestyle.  Every year millions of people are in a car accident or hurt on the job, which can lead to damaged teeth. However, it doesn’t mean that a tooth needs to be pulled or that a patient needs to have a metal restoration. There are many cosmetic dentistry solutions that can make the tooth look naturally beautiful again:
  • Dental veneers.  This is a common solution in restorative dentistry because they can correct so many dental issues.  A veneer is a thin shell that is placed on top of the tooth and can restore teeth that have been cracked or chipped.  The veneer looks completely natural and can also be used to cover dark stains or correct uneven teeth.  
  • Dental crowns.  A crown is used when a tooth needs to be restored and strengthened. Unlike a veneer that sits on top of your existing tooth, a dental crown surrounds the tooth like a cap.  They can be made in all-ceramic and ceramic-on-metal so that patients can have them placed on front teeth without anyone noticing.  
  • Dental implants.  Dr. Steele also provides patients with dental implants.  These can be used to replace teeth that have fallen out in an accident or due to poor oral health. An implant is a permanent solution to replacing a tooth that feels and looks completely natural.  This is an ideal solution for those with an active lifestyle that don’t want the inconvenience of wearing dentures. 
A cosmetic dentist can provide these solutions with expert precision.  Dental technology has made it possible to save damaged teeth.  The key is working with a dental professional that understands how to make restorations look completely natural.  This is one of the main benefits of working with Dr. Steele.  The restoration will blend in with your natural teeth so that you can’t tell the difference when looking in the mirror.  As a sedation dentist, she also ensures that patients are completely comfortable during the process. 
To learn more or to schedule a consultation with Steele Dentistry of Stapleton call (303) 278-3353.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Dental Implants
If you have lost a tooth, dental implants are an ideal way for replacing it.  This is a permanent solution that can make it easy to enjoy your favorite foods, speak clearly, and behave like you have a full set of natural teeth.  Unlike temporary solutions like dentures, once the implant is installed there are no additional maintenance requirements so you can enjoy an active lifestyle free from worrying about your teeth. 

This is a relatively new procedure in dentistry and has only been widely performed for the past couple decades. Previously, if someone lost a tooth the standard solution was to provide them with a partial set of dentures or to use a dental bridge to replace it.  Both of these solutions are effective but come with their own set of challenges.  For example, dentures do not feel like natural teeth and have to be taken out at night to clean and soak. They can also become loose when speaking or eating.  A dental bridge will feel like a natural tooth but in order to have it installed the teeth surrounding your missing tooth need to be strong enough to support the procedure.  

Dr. Steele provides dental implants to patients who want to have a permanent and carefree solution for their missing tooth or teeth.  Implants can also be used to replace crooked teeth and to give someone a smile makeover.  They are incredibly durable and should last a lifetime.  Here is how the process works:

Step One: Dr. Steele will conduct an examination to determine if your gums and jawbone are healthy and strong enough to support a dental implant.  If not, there are additional procedures that can be done to get them in better shape.
Step Two: A mold will be taken of your mouth and existing teeth so that the dental lab can create a new synthetic tooth.  The tooth will be made to match your existing teeth in size, shape, and color.  They will look completely natural once finished.  Since they are made of ceramic, it is stain resistant but also resistant to bleaching.  If you want to whiten your teeth you should do so before having the implant created.  
Step Three: Dr. Steele will implant a metal rod underneath the gums and secure it to the jawbone.  This serves as a synthetic root system that is as durable as a natural one.  The metal rod will eventually fuse with the jawbone and allow the tooth to stand on its own without depending on the surrounding teeth for strength.  This process can take several months but is the key to the long-term durability of the tooth. 
Step Four: The new tooth (or teeth) will be attached to a second metal piece that fits between the metal rod and the tooth to secure it in place.  Dr. Steele will position the tooth perfectly so that it is straight, beautiful, and natural looking.  The result is a stunning smile. 

Dental implants are an ideal way to restore both the appearance and functionality of your smile.  To learn more, schedule an appointment with Steele Dentistry of Stapleton today.

Monday, July 7, 2014

A Sedation Dentist Can Make Your Dental Visit Comfortable and Pain-Free

Sedation Dentistry
If you want a comfortable experience, visit a sedation dentist.  This is the latest trend in dentistry that makes having dental work done pain-free and relaxing.  Millions of adults suffer from some form of dental anxiety.  This is often due to an unpleasant experience as a child or a fear that dental work will hurt, even though modern dental procedures rarely do. Dr. Steele understands that many patients have these concerns and offers solutions to make their experience more comfortable. 
Sedation dentistry can be used when having a cavity treated or a cosmetic procedure like dental veneers or dental implants.  The level of sedation is dependent upon the type of procedure being performed, your concerns, and any anxiety that you may have.  Dr. Steele is sensitive to her patient’s needs and meets with each patient to determine the best course of treatment so that everyone can be comfortable when visiting Steele Dentistry of Stapleton.
As a sedation dentist, Dr. Steele customizes her approach to dental treatments and pain relief.  Some of the most common forms of sedation are:
  • Laughing gas.  Many people don’t need pain relief but need to relax so that they are not anxious during dental treatments.  This can apply to everything including teeth whitening.  The worry or fear that some people have makes their experience unpleasant when it doesn’t have to be. Breathing in laughing gas can take away those anxieties or fears. 
  • Mild sedation.  This can include a pill or a shot of numbing medication to the area that is being treated.  This is commonly used when treating a small cavity.  This localized anesthesia is targeted to a specific area and doesn’t impact the rest of the mouth. This way you can feel normal fairly quickly after the procedure has been completed.  You will also be completely aware during the procedure and able to respond to commands. 
  • Moderate sedation.  This is used for pain relief, often in conjunction with laughing gas to relieve anxiety.  With moderate sedation, you might need help responding to commands and some people feel very sleepy.  This is an ideal solution for people getting dental veneers or a procedure that may take more time to complete. 
  • Complete sedation.  When having a procedure performed like dental implants, complete sedation is more common.  This is generally administered by an IV and will put you completely asleep and unable to respond to commands.  The main benefit is that you won’t remember anything about the procedure.   People getting oral surgery will benefit the most from this type of sedation but will need to be monitored afterwards to ensure that they wake up comfortably.  
As a sedation dentist, Dr. Steele can provide you with the pain relief you need to calm any fears and feel comfortable during your dental procedures.  She uses the latest in modern dental technology to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. To learn more, schedule an appointment with Steele Dentistry of Stapleton today.