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.