As a Denver Dentist We Are Providing Information on Oral Health

At a Denver dentist, we believe in a holistic approach to dental medicine, which means a large amount of our focus is on preventing problems from every happening. Naturally when you come in with a specific issue, we will want to deal with that and make sure that you are taken care of. Much of the time we prefer if your visits are more routine because we have learned that it is easier for you if we can prevent problems rather than having to treat them. This requires a level of collaboration between us so that you can have a degree of knowledge about how some dental problems occur, how to prevent them, and how to best care for your teeth.

We have also learned that for many people their source of information on oral health comes from the Internet. Googling something has become the way many of our patients find information. While this has definite advantages, like patients who understand aspects of what we do, there are also disadvantages. The information you get online may not be from a dentist and may be presented in a way that is convoluted and confusing. For that reason, we have this blog, to provide you with information so that you can get your knowledge directly from our Denver dentist office.  We hope that you will use what you learn here as a conversation starter in our clinic. At the end of the day, dentistry is a medical science, and there is no better way to learn about your dental issues than face to face with a dentist who knows your history.

As a Denver dentist we see our share of rare conditions, however, for the vast majority of the time, most people come in for pretty routine issues. Checkups, cleanings, and cavities make up the bulk of what we deal with on a day to day basis. Cavities, in fact, make up the second most common occurring medical problem that people have across the country. The only thing that causes people to miss more work or school is the common cold. A cavity is essentially a buildup of bacterial acids that bore a small hole in your tooth. Every mouth contains bacteria, typically several strains. This bacteria is natural and harmless. Unfortunately, it also tends to colonize on the teeth, which is where an accumulation of bacteria becomes plaque. Plaque is that thin yellowish film you see on your teeth when they are dirty The challenge is that bacteria, especially when it is built up in plaque form, tends to feed on sugary and starchy foods. When it does this, the bacteria release acid onto the tooth. For a while, this has no impact because the tooth can repair the damaged enamel, but after a while the minerals in the enamel starts to wear out, and a small white spot will appear. Eventually, the enamel will get soft, and then a tiny hole will appear which we call a cavity. We can treat the cavity and return you to excellent oral health in our dental office.

To learn more about this or other conditions, read our blog and visit our office today.

Visit a Restorative Dentist in Denver After Being in an Accident

As a restorative dentist in Denver, we treat a lot of people that have damaged their teeth in an accident. While we focus on preventative care in our dental office, we know that accidents do happen.  Even if you are focused on your oral health, brush and floss twice a day, and visit our dental office regularly, there is no real way to prevent something like a car wreck and when accidents happen, your teeth can be damaged.

If you think it won’t happen to you, consider this –

Over 5 million youths suffer sports-related injuries every year.  Many of these are dental injuries so wear a mouth guard if you want to protect you and your children.

Around 9 million people visit the emergency room on an annual basis due to slip and fall accidents.  Both men and women are impacted, and once you reach the age of 65, there is a one in three chance that you will fall every year.  That is an alarming statistic and a problem that frequently leads to the need for a restorative dentist in Denver.

Car accidents also claim a lot of victims every year with around 5.4 million people in car wrecks annually.  If you are in a car wreck and hit your face on the dash, you might suffer a dental injury.

Looking at these statistics, it is not particularly if you will ever be in an accident but when will you be in one and will your teeth be damaged in the process? Keeping that in mind, it is important to know who you can all if you damage a tooth.  It is important to note that visiting the emergency room is not a wise solution. ER doctors are fantastic for fixing your broken arm or any physical problems that you have.  However, they are not trained in dentistry which means that they can provide you with medication and help to triage the problem, but they cannot identify the root of the issue or provide you with a dental restoration. This means that you will need a secondary appointment anyway. You can save time by calling us first.

As a restoration dentist in Denver, there are several ways that we can correct a tooth that has been damaged, including:

• Dental crowns.  This is perhaps one of the most common solutions because a crown is a cap that surrounds the tooth entirely.  It is made of porcelain or ceramic and designed to be a tight fit so that your tooth looks natural and not overly large.  Simultaneously, since it caps the tooth, nothing can touch it directly, allowing you to bite down with force, without the fear of discomfort. A crown can restore a tooth that has been severely cracked or chipped. 
• Dental veneers.  A veneer is a thin shell that sits on top of your natural tooth.  It is often used to correct a slight crack or chip and will blend in with your surrounding teeth.

Given the number of solutions that we offer, if you have damaged a tooth, call our office to meet with a restoration dentist in Denver. 

Learn How a Veneers Dentist in Denver Can Transform Your Smile

As a veneers dentist in Denver, many patients ask us questions about how veneers can help them.  Dental veneers are what we use to repair a number of minor problems and challenges with your teeth. Sometimes teeth get cracked, chipped, or discolored to the point where they require repair. We complete the repair by using a tiny, ultra-thin piece of porcelain specially formulated for this purpose. Known as dental veneers, or porcelain veneers, these devices literally take on some of the qualities of the enamel they are replacing. Enamel is one of the body's hardest substances, making it extremely durable. As such the porcelain veneers are also extremely hard and can last a very long time. The best feature of these dental veneers is how closely they resemble enamel, which means that the teeth we repair with will look exactly like the teeth surrounding it. Naturally we can also use the veneers to make all of your teeth look a lot better esthetically.

What can dental veneers be used to fix?
There are very few tools that we have in our tool belt that is as versatile as dental veneers. These are so handy that they have actually managed to bridge the age-old gap in the two schools of thought between the importance of appearance and functional dentistry. As a veneers dentist in Denver, we can fix problems on both sides of the equation at the same time. Their malleability makes dental veneers ideal for fixing problems without having to remove large amounts of enamel or having to remove the entire tooth. This has led to them being used to repair minor cracks, breaks, and chips in teeth. The challenge with damaged teeth, usually caused by some kind of trauma, is that the damage typically spreads. The tooth will get more broken or even worse will become infected. To avoid such an eventuality, a dental veneer can be used. The veneer would not only repair the damaged tooth, but would also make it look great. On the purely cosmetic side, dental veneers are used when traditional methods of whitening have not worked. Since porcelain veneers do not stain, this is a semi-permanent solution for obtaining white teeth. Veneers are also used to help a patient achieve a better bite, to straighten some degrees of malocclusion (also known as crooked teeth), and to ensure that you have the right amount of space between your teeth.

Can everyone get veneers?
In a word, yes. Most people make excellent candidates for dental veneers. There are a few minor conditions, in a very small segment of the population, which could exclude someone from getting them. The vast majority of people can while a small percentage of people do require that we correct minor issues before proceeding with placing the dental veneer. To make sure that you are an excellent candidate for dental veneers we will have you come in for a complete evaluation and examination. As a veneers dentist in Denver, we will discuss your options, the process, and what results you can expect when you visit our office.

Teeth Whitening  >  Cosmetic Dentist

Here is What You Can Expect from an Invisalign® Dentist in Denver

As an Invisalign® dentist in Denver, we know that it is important to know what to expect during your treatment. We have all the answers to your important questions. Visit us to approach your Invisalign® treatment with confidence, and embrace the possibility of more beautiful and straighter teeth. Follow along as we discuss what you should expect during your Invisalign® treatment.
How does Invisalign® work?

Your custom-made aligners are created with a smooth, virtually invisible plastic. You will receive a series of aligners during your treatment, normally every two weeks. Each aligner is the next step of the process and they will make slight adjustments to your misaligned teeth, gradually creating an overall straight smile. One of the most popular aspects of Invisalign® is that no one will know you are wearing your aligners so you will look completely natural. You should strive to wear your aligner for at least 20 hours a day for the best results.

Will the aligners affect my speech?
As expected, you may notice a slight lisp when you put in your first aligner. Your mouth will get used to its presence, and your lisp will disappear in a short period of time— normally a day or two. As an Invisalign® dentist in Denver, we receive very few complaints regarding this.

Are there restrictions that I should be aware of during treatment?
Your aligners will be removable. This is convenient and necessary. You should always remove your aligner to eat and to brush your teeth. Not removing your aligner during these times could cause bacteria growth and tooth decay. You should also remove your aligner to clean it. As an Invisalign® dentist in Denver, we suggest cleaning your aligner with warm water and a toothbrush. Never use an abrasive substance like toothpaste.
You should also remove your aligner to chew gum. You should avoid smoking while wearing your aligner as well. Smoking while wearing your aligner can cause discoloration and warping.

Is Invisalign® affordable?
The cost of Invisalign® is comparable to getting wire braces; however, the cost will depend largely on how extensive your treatment will need to be. As an Invisalign® dentist in Denver, we can help you to determine the exact costs and a payment plan as needed. Your insurance company may also help you pay for your Invisalign® treatment.

Will I need to wear a retainer after treatment?
In most cases, we recommend that you wear a retainer after treatment. This will ensure the longevity of your straightened teeth. In some cases, you may not need a retainer, depending on whether or not we think your teeth will be inclined to gradually move back to their original position.

As you consider receiving an Invisalign® treatment, visit our dentist office for the most all-inclusive information regarding the process. We know you will be pleased with your straightening plan, your aligners, and your amazing results. Straighter teeth are just right around the corner with Invisalign®. You never have to feel self-conscious again with your newly aligned teeth.

Teeth Whitening  >  Cosmetic Dentist

An Emergency Dentist Provides Inclusive Care, Beyond What the ER Can Do

If having an emergency dentist has never crossed your mind, you would be in very good company. Most people do not believe, or consciously think about, the fact that they might someday find themselves in need of urgent medical care. This is not unique to dentistry, as most people do not consider themselves vulnerable to situations where they would need any kind of emergency medical attention. Even fewer people think that they will ever have the need of emergency dental care. This is because we live in a fast-paced world, where worrying about potential problems takes away from a busy schedule and so we ignore what might be. In the case of your teeth, chances are you do not think about them very much. The vast majority of people only think about their teeth when they are brushing, if they have need of a dentist, or if they cannot get a piece of steak out from a gap. Over 40% of American’s do not even visit the dentist on a regular basis. So when an emergency happens, typically sometime in the wee hours of the morning, most people have no idea who to call. Adding our office line to your emergency contact list is a good place to start. Otherwise, you could find yourself having to go to the emergency room within a tremendous amount of pain.

Emergency rooms and emergency dentist serve an entirely separate set of patients. Unfortunately, there is a growing trend to visit the emergency room when people need urgent dental care. Fundamentally needing a dentist, but not having access to one in off hours, patients are migrating to emergency rooms in record numbers. A study, which took the data from 24 states over 3 years, conducted by the Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, found that over that three year period, the number of patients seeking dental care in an emergency room increased by 16%. The challenge with this is that the physicians in emergency rooms are not trained to provide the same services as an emergency dentist. They are able to treat you for the symptoms of whatever is causing you discomfort. They will, for example, be able to give you pain medication if you are in pain, but will not be able to diagnose or treat the underlying cause. The study also found that of the people waiting for services in emergency rooms, 20% were returning to treat the same dental issues they had before. Getting treatment is important, but it is also important to get the right kind of care from a trained dentist.

A toothache is the most frequent cause for someone to seek out urgent medical care for their teeth. A toothache is one of the world’s most serious discomforts since it can be extremely debilitating. It is also, potentially, a symptom of a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately.  As a local emergency dentist, this is an example of an issue that we can address and do so more effectively than an ER doctor.  We can get to the bottom of what your issue is so that you can feel better quickly.

How a Clear Correct® Dentist Can Straighten Your Teeth

A Clear Correct® dentist can be a boon to thousands of adults who have misaligned or crooked teeth, but have not had them straightened because they do not wish to wear traditional metal braces. Clear Correct® aligners are a transparent tray that is custom molded to fit snugly over your upper or lower set of teeth. These aligners gradually and incrementally move your teeth to their ideal position.

Clear Correct® Vs Traditional Metal Braces

While it is true that braces are a lot less cumbersome than they used to be, they are still quite unsightly and uncomfortable. As a Clear Correct® dentist, we will fit the aligners to your teeth. Transparent thermoplastic aligners, which gradually and gently move your teeth, have several distinct advantages. Made of clear stain resistant material, they are barely visible, take less time to achieve the desired result, and are usually quite comfortable.

However, one of the most important advantages of Clear Correct® aligners is that the three-dimensional computer imaging technology used enables you to see an image of the planned result... even before you begin treatment.

Being Fitted For Clear Correct®

At your first appointment, as a Correct Dentist, we will first determine if this type of straightening is right for you. Unfortunately, there are a few situations when traditional braces are called for. If you are determined to be a good candidate, we will take impressions of your teeth and x-rays, from which a digital 3-D image is made. Once we map out an exact treatment plan, this image will be sent to the Clear Correct® manufacturing center in Texas, where your first aligners will be made.

When you return for your first fitting, you will probably notice that the aligners do not seem to quite fit your teeth. This is both true and perfectly normal. Because your teeth will be shifted in a series of gradual movements, every set of aligners is designed to fit a new position, that is one step closer to the final desired result. Once your teeth have moved into this position, which will happen very gradually, the aligner will feel loose. After a short period, during which the teeth stabilize, you will be given a new retainer, and the process will be repeated.

How Long Will It Take

The precise length of time, it will take to straighten your teeth will, obviously, depend on how far the tooth (or teeth) have to be moved. Although every situation is unique, most adults have to use Clear Correct® for about six months to a year. However, you will find that this time goes by fairly quickly for several reasons. As wearers of traditional braces often have to do, you will not have to restrict your diet and eliminate foods that get could get stuck in the wires and bands. Should you, for instance, decide to tuck into corn on the cob, you simply have to pop your Clear Correct® aligners out first. You can also remove your aligners before brushing and flossing, which ensures that you do a better job cleaning your teeth. Additionally, plaque, which causes tooth decay, will not build up behind the aligner. Just remember that since you can take them out, they must be put back in quickly to avoid a treatment delay.

As a professional and experienced Clear Correct® dentist, we can set you on the very short path to having the smile you have always wanted.

Your Jawbone Needs Dental Implants to Remain Strong

Dental implants are the safest and most permanent way for you to replace teeth that you have lost. Implants have between a 92% and 98% success ratio, and that is just the first in a long list of reasons why they are preferable to other methods of tooth replacement. For example, if you have lost a tooth and are using dentures you are familiar with the adhesives and chemical glues that you need to use to keep them in place. These can be messy and are never quite comfortable. With an implant, you can wave goodbye to this mess since the implant is a permanent fixture which is surgically installed into your mouth. Since the implant is a permanent fixture, you never have to worry about forgetting to put it as you are leaving or, worse, losing the denture during dinner. Maintaining a dental implant is as easy as maintaining your natural teeth and exactly the same process.
Dental implants save their most impressive feature for under the surface. While there is nothing quite like the feeling of having a replacement tooth that doesn't look or feel like it is a fake tooth, dental implants have taken syncing with the body to an entirely new level. The implants you are going to have installed are all made of titanium. This is because a few decades ago, scientists and dentists discovered that titanium has an amazing quality. Through a process known as osseointegration, titanium can achieve a complete melding with the organic bone matter in your jaw. This convinces the body, through the jawbone itself, that the tiny metal implants are actually part of the body and, therefore, need to be given the support of a normal tooth. This bodes very well for your implant, hence the high success rate, but it also does wonders for the actual jawbone itself.
Your jawbone is an amazing device that is designed for two purposes. First, and foremost from a survival standpoint, the jaw is designed to support the teeth. By giving the teeth a secure anchor, the jaw provides security, strength, and stability to the teeth. Since the teeth are the first step in the digestive process, the body supports the jawbone as long as it continues to fulfill this part of its mission. The teeth have a symbiotic relationship with the jaw, providing it with stimulation for growth and sustainability in exchange for the stability. Tooth loss, however, leads to the jaw no longer needing to provide this stability and no longer receiving the stimulation. When this happens, the body gets a signal that the jawbone is no longer required for survival and starts to dissolve it as a way to resorb the vital minerals, like calcium, in the bone. This, unfortunately, creates a conflict with the second function that the jawbone performs. Maintaining the structural integrity and bite alignment of the face and mouth.
As the jawbone starts to dissolve, you will start to experience a change in your face. The chin will start to shrivel, often giving people the appearance of “witches chin” while thick wrinkles can also appear making a person look years older than they are. The good news is that with dental implants, the body is convinced to continue supporting the jawbone and more often than not will restore the lost bone density.

Cosmetic Dentist  >  Restorative Dentist Denver