In the past few decades, dental advancement has offered new and exciting options to brighten our smile, replace teeth, repair dental decay with tooth colored materials and improve our smile with less effort than ever before. But one process that has been around for many years and is still in use today is dental crowns.

When a tooth breaks a crown can save the tooth from being lost. Or when dental decay has ravaged a tooth beyond repair with a filling, a dental crown can save the tooth.

For teeth that are viable on the inside, but suffering from external problems, a dental crown allows the patient to save their tooth and the final restoration is virtually undetectable.

There are different types of crowns and different materials can be used to make a . For a tooth located in the smile line, a porcelain crown might be recommended. A porcelain crown is very natural in appearance, but might not be the best choice for a back tooth that sustains the most chewing pressure.

A gold or metal crown for a back tooth offers the strongest material. A metal crown can have a porcelain cover offering a more natural appearance than a gold crown.

Most dental crowns are fabricated at a dental lab. During the time it takes for the lab to complete your new crown, a temporary restoration is placed over the tooth that has been prepared. Remembering that this is just temporary is important. Be careful when flossing so as not to pop the temporary off and try to chew on the other side, if possible. If the temporary should be loose or come off, contact your dentist as soon as possible.

Whether your new crown is made of gold, metal or porcelain or is an onlay or inlay, the care of your dental crown is as simple as daily flossing and brushing teeth at least twice per day. Vigilant hygiene for dental crowns as well as the rest of our teeth is important to keep smile healthy and good looking for a lifetime.

For further assistance in caring for your dental crowns or to find out if this is an option for you, call our office, serving Highlands Ranch and surrounding areas, today at our office to schedule your consultation.

Most of us would like to change something about our smile. Perhaps teeth have become dull over time; a chipped tooth or discoloration can inhibit your ability to smile with confidence. There is a dental procedure available that can take an imperfect smile to a “wow” smile, and that is veneers. [pullquote]A dental veneer is a very thin, tooth colored shell that is permanently affixed to the front of your existing teeth.[/pullquote]

A dental veneer is a very thin, tooth colored shell that is permanently affixed to the front of your existing teeth. This procedure allows your cosmetic dentist to reshape your smile by repairing one or several teeth.

Dental veneers are a popular option for many reasons:

• Very little of your own tooth is impacted when placing a veneer. A small amount of enamel is removed and the tooth is prepared to allow the thin cover to adhere permanently to your natural tooth. Because very little of your natural tooth is removed, this makes this dental process the least invasive correction procedure very popular.
• A drab smile or discolored teeth due to medications or advanced age can be eliminated permanently without the uncomfortable and temporary fixes available through other methods.
• A chipped or cracked tooth can be enhanced with a veneer thanks to the added strength you can achieve through veneers.
• Wear and tear can result in uneven tooth structure. One or more veneers can even out your smile.
• Unwanted spaces or gaps between teeth can be eliminated.
• Your cosmetic dentist will match the shape and shade of your veneers to the surrounding teeth making them virtually undetectable.

Caring for your veneers requires nothing more than the excellent hygiene habits used for caring for your natural teeth. Flossing and brushing at least twice per day will help keep your treated teeth healthy. Once the tooth surface has been breached, the incidence of decay is increased so good oral hygiene is important.

For patients that have a tendency to grind or clench their teeth, a mouth guard worn at night might be recommended.

Modifying your smile has never been easier. Visits to your dental provider twice per year for a professional cleaning and exam will improve the health and appearance of your smile.

If you would like more information on what treatment options will best fit your smile, contact our team, serving Centennial and neighboring areas, today to schedule your consultation.

When primary teeth are replaced with permanent teeth, keeping them healthy is critical because the permanent teeth are needed for a lifetime. Unfortunately, accidents, disease and dental decay might occur that can result in tooth loss.

A consultation with our implant dentist will identify if you are a qualified candidate for dental implants:

• Overall health – A review of your physical health is conducted to make sure you are healthy enough to undergo the procedure.
• Dental health – A thorough dental exam is performed. Patients with periodontal disease might need further treatment before entering into the implant process.
• Age limit – Since dental implants are surgically placed in gum tissue with the specific intent of fusing to existing bone, that bone tissue must have reached maturity before the implant can be done. Consequently, implants are not appropriate for children. However, once bone maturity has been reached, one is never too old to achieve the freedom to eat, speak and smile with the confidence achieved through dental implants.
• Commitment – Your implant dentist will explain what is involved with the implant process. Understanding the importance of excellent dental hygiene and committing to the daily rituals of flossing and brushing to keep the implant area as clean as possible require vigilance and dedication. Infection is a primary cause of implant failure so patients unwilling or incapable of keeping the implant area clean are not good candidates for dental implants.
• Smoking – Tobacco use is another primary cause for implant failure. Discontinuing the use of tobacco is any form is strongly urged before implant surgery.

Once all requirements have been met, the patient will have the implant placed. are appropriate for the replacement of one or several teeth.

The healing process can take four to six months. During this time, the implant is fusing to the bone where it will act much like the root of the natural tooth providing strength and stability to the final restoration. A temporary restoration will protect the implant during the healing process.

When healed a permanent restoration will be placed over the implant. Our dentist will match the shape and shade of the surrounding natural teeth making your implant virtually undetectable.

Having an informative consultation with our dentist, serving Highlands Ranch and surrounding areas, can help you better determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. Call our office at our office today to schedule your appointment.

Most people do not consider the loss of a single tooth to be a serious situation. However, even one missing tooth can compromise the positioning and alignment of the rest of your teeth. If you have lost even one tooth, consult with our implant dentist to find out how replacing the tooth can ensure the long-term health of all your remaining teeth.

Effects of a Missing Tooth

When even one tooth is missing, space is created in the mouth. The rest of the teeth automatically move to fill that space. Unfortunately, this movement can cause the other teeth to become misaligned, crooked, or to overlap each other. Your smile, your self-confidence, and your oral health can be compromised.

When teeth move out of position in the mouth, some of the results include:

• Discomfort as the teeth move
• Uneven wear
• Premature wear
• Chipping or cracking
• Malocclusion
• Temporomandibular joint disorder

Tooth replacement options can help prevent these problems. One of the most effective forms of tooth replacement is the dental implant.

Replacing Your Teeth With Dental Implants

consist of a titanium screw that replaces the tooth root and a prosthetic tooth that replaces the visible portion of the tooth. Titanium bonds to bone, unlike other metals. This means the new root will remain very stable and will help stimulate the jawbone to grow. [pullquote]One of the most effective forms of tooth replacement is the dental implant.[/pullquote]

Replacing a single tooth with an implant is much easier than replacing it with a bridge or fixed denture. Bridges require that the adjacent teeth be altered to support the replacement tooth, either to make room for wires to hold the new tooth in place or to accept crowns on either side of the missing tooth. With implants, your dentist can place a single tooth root in the jawbone and add the visible portion, or the crown, without making any alterations to the adjacent teeth.

If you are missing one or more teeth, please contact our office, serving Highlands Ranch and the surrounding areas, to learn how dental implants can help you.

If your teeth are not properly aligned, your dentist might recommend orthodontic treatment. Traditionally, this has meant metal braces to move the teeth into position. Today, however, more and more patients are as an alternative to traditional braces.

Choosing Invisalign

If you are considering orthodontic treatment, you should consult with your dentist regarding your goals. In some cases, traditional braces will provide better results.

Invisalign can be used to treat a variety of orthodontic issues including:

• Gaps between the teeth
• Malocclusion
• Crooked teeth
• Crowding

For successful Invisalign treatment, you must also be prepared to take proper care of your aligner trays and wear them as your dentist recommends. As a general rule, you’ll be required to wear the trays at least twenty-two hours a day for the best possible long term results. Care of the trays includes keeping them clean and away from staining agents and hot liquids that could warp the plastic. Trays can be brushed when you brush your teeth or cleaned with a special solution.

Advantages to Invisalign

If your orthodontic issues make you a good candidate, Invisalign can offer you numerous advantages over traditional braces. Since many adults are self conscious about traditional metal braces, Invisalign provides an option that is virtually invisible. Many people won’t even realize you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. In addition, you can take the trays out for brief periods, including while you eat or for special occasions.

Invisalign trays are made of smooth plastic, which is less likely to cause irritation than traditional wires. Each tray moves your teeth a small amount, until, by the time you reach the final tray, your teeth have been moved to form a perfect smile.

If your teeth are misaligned, crooked, or have gaps between them, ask our dentists at the doctor Family Dentistry about Invisalign. We’ll evaluate your teeth and determine if this is the best treatment option for you. Call our office serving the Highlands Ranch area at our office to schedule your visit.

Healthy gums are an important factor in ensuring the success of dental implants. Gums help protect the roots of the teeth and support the biting and chewing surfaces. If you have thin or receding gums, your dentist will evaluate your condition to determine if dental implants are a good option.

Healthy Gums and Implant Success

A number of factors can affect the success of dental implants. These include:

• The patient’s overall health
• Bone mass in the jaw
• Gum disease
• Thin or receding gums

If you are in good general health, have a strong jawbone and healthy gums, little preparation is needed before you can undergo implant treatment. However, if the jawbone is not strong enough to support the implants, bone grafting might be necessary. If the gums are thin or have receded from gum disease or other issues, a gum graft or other preparation can increase the likelihood that your implant procedure will be successful. [pullquote]Healthy gums are an important factor in ensuring the success of dental implants.[/pullquote]

Healthy gum tissue is important because it covers the roots of the teeth. Likewise, it covers the root portion of your implant. If gums have receded, the titanium screw that serves as the artificial root will be exposed, increasing the possibility that your implant will fail.

Treating Receding Gums

Receding gums can be treated before your implant procedure, although your implant dentist might choose to treat the issues during or even after the placement of the implants. Your individual situation and your dentist’s preference will determine the approach used.

In some cases, your implant dentist can reposition existing gum tissue to augment the tissue that supports your implant. In other cases, the dentist might prefer to perform a gum grafting procedure. Repositioning tissue is usually accomplished during the placement of the implant. Gum grafts can be performed before or after implant placement.

If, before your implant procedure, you are suffering from gingivitis or more serious gum disease, your dentist will probably recommend treatment for your gum disease to remove the inflammation, infection and bacteria, which can severely compromise your implants.

To find out if you are a in Centennial or the surrounding areas, contact the doctor Family Dentistry at our office to schedule your consultation.

Teeth whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments. It is simple, relatively inexpensive, and provides dramatic results. In a single office visit, your teeth can be transformed from dingy yellow or light brown to brilliant white. However, you must be sure to care for your teeth properly to keep them white over the long term.

Making Sure Your Teeth Stay White

The best way to prevent discoloration is also the best way to keep your newly whitened teeth from once again becoming stained and unattractive. In addition to regular brushing and flossing and visits to the dentist, you can keep your teeth white by avoiding substances that can cause staining. These include:

• Coffee and tea
• Nicotine
• Dark colored foods or juices
• Red wine

Although teeth whitening can give your teeth a beautiful new look, these staining agents can reverse the treatment’s effects. Keep your teeth clean, healthy, and away from staining agents, and your whitened teeth can remain white for a long time.

What to Do If Your Teeth Become Discolored Again

If you notice discoloration creeping back on the surface of your teeth, you can return to your dentist for a touch up whitening session. Often, even when teeth do become discolored again, it is easier to touch them up than it was to whiten them initially. Your session will probably be shorter than it was the first time, and afterwards your teeth will be bright and white again. You might also be able to use an at-home touch up whitening kit that your dentist provides. With an at-home kit, you can apply whitening gel with special trays and wear them at your convenience, usually twice a day for about fifteen minutes at a time.

If you are concerned about keeping your teeth white in the long term, call our Littleton CO office for a consultation to find out how teeth whitening can help you maintain a beautiful smile.

Dental crowns are a commonly used treatment for various dental issues. In the past, they were used both for restorations and for cosmetic reasons. Now, they are less commonly used for cosmetic reasons, but are still important for restoration work. [pullquote]Dental crowns allow the tooth to remain in place and functional even when it is damaged.[/pullquote]

Reasons For a Dental Crown

A dental crown completely covers an existing tooth. The tooth must be prepared before the crown is placed—a process that removes part of the substance of the tooth to provide enough room for the crown to sit over the tooth without disrupting alignment or interfering with adjacent teeth. Crowns are often used in situations where:

• A tooth is severely damaged
• A tooth is cracked
• A tooth has undergone a root canal

Dental crowns allow the tooth to remain in place and functional even when it is damaged. Using a dental crown often helps you keep your tooth in cases when it might otherwise have to be removed. This is especially true in cases when a crown is used in conjunction with a root canal.

Types of Dental Crowns

There are various . Each kind provides different advantages and disadvantages. Your dentist can help you decide which is best for your individual needs.

The three main types of crowns are:

• Metal crowns
• Porcelain crowns
• Porcelain bonded metal crowns

In the past, metal crowns, generally made of gold, were the only option available. Now, porcelain crowns provide a more natural-looking substitute, since porcelain can be color matched to the shade of your other teeth. However, porcelain does not hold up as well to biting and chewing pressures. If your crown is to be placed on a molar, a metal crown might be better and longer lasting.

Another option is metal crowns that are covered with porcelain. These provide the natural look of a porcelain crown combined with the strength of a metal crown. To find out what type of crown is best for you, please contact the doctor Family Dentistry, serving Highlands Ranch and the surrounding areas, at our office for a consultation.

The prospect of a root canal is upsetting to many people. Although it is an important procedure in dentistry, it has gained a bad reputation. In truth, that might otherwise have to be removed.

When Is a Root Canal Necessary?

Root canals are most commonly used to restore teeth that have suffered severe injury, extensive decay or pervasive infection. Often these teeth cause extreme discomfort, which is also eliminated by the root canal procedure.

Some issues that can lead to root canal therapy include:

• A tooth with a crown that has become inflamed or infected
• Decay severe enough that most of the tooth must be removed
• Severely cracked or broken teeth that cannot be restored with a crown alone

The root canal removes the infected tissue as well as the nerve serving the tooth. In this way, the infected and damaged areas are completely cleared, and the tooth no longer experiences sensation. Using a crown to maintain the original shape of the tooth, your dentist can also preserve your bite and the relationship between the tooth being treated and teeth adjacent to it.

What Can I Expect From the Procedure?

Although root canals have a bad reputation, in many ways they are not very different from a crown, a filling, or other restoration procedures. The dentist uses local anesthetic and might use nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or another form of sedation if you prefer. With special tools, the tooth pulp and nerve are removed. The interior of the tooth is thoroughly disinfected, and the removed tissue is replaced with a special gel. After the root canal procedure is completed, the tooth is ofteb fitted with a temporary crown to protect it. Within a few days, your dentist will be able to replace the temporary crown with a custom made permanent crown.

If you have any questions or concerns about the root canal procedure, or believe you might need to have a root canal, please contact the Littleton office of the doctor Family Dentistry to make an appointment.

We’ve all heard the admonishment not to put your child to bed with a baby bottle. There are many reasons why this habit can have a negative impact on your child, with tooth decay being a primary factor to consider. Your dentist can give you all the reasons why a baby bottle and tooth decay are so closely related. [pullquote]Prevention is the key to battling tooth decay in the very young. [/pullquote]

If we filled our baby bottles with water, we would be encouraged to provide those bottles from morning to night. But the milk, baby formula and juices we put in those bottles are generally loaded with sugar. And what happens? The baby or toddler goes to sleep right after consuming the contents of the bottle quite often storing some of the bottle contents in the mouth throughout the night.

The sugar in the beverages will stay on the teeth of the child. Dental decay is attributed to bacteria that live on teeth, and this bacterium thrives on sugar allowing plaque to grow. Eventually dental plaque can result in decay even in very young children. Many people believe that since those baby teeth are eventually replaced with permanent teeth that what the child consumes at an early age doesn’t matter.

But they couldn’t be more wrong. Those baby teeth are what prepare the child’s mouth for their permanent teeth. If baby teeth are riddled with dental caries, the permanent teeth are likely to suffer. In addition, that forms on those primary teeth can cause much discomfort for your child and result in a traumatic first visit to the dentist.

Prevention is the key to battling tooth decay in the very young. Unfortunately, we can’t rely on our children to do what is best for them. That responsibility falls to parents, caregivers, older siblings, grandparents and those in charge of caring for our children.

We must start at home to make sure we are doing everything we can to make sure our children’s teeth are protected. It is never too early to get in the habit of brushing those baby teeth with age appropriate toothpaste.

Raising children to be cavity free is certainly not easy, but not impossible. Knowing the negative impact of the contents of the baby bottle and dental decay is a good first step in prevention of dental decay.

Contact the doctor Family Dentistry at our office to learn more and to schedule your child’s first visit.