From the Office

If you are in the process of looking for a Colorado dental center that is just right for you and your family’s needs, we have a few suggestions on how you can get acquainted with the dentists in your area that are up for consideration.

It is easy to get valuable insight into what a dental practice is like from the very first phone call. Notice how you are treated and how accommodating the patient coordinator comes across. Do they answer your questions thoroughly? Focused attention on the phone is a sign that the team truly cares about building patient relationships.

At my dental practice in Boulder, we make it effortless for our patients to get to know our staff upfront, before any actual dental work is performed. During your first visit, our patient coordinator will sit down with you and ask you a series of questions about what you are looking for in a dental practice. We also take this opportunity to get to know you as a person — your lifestyle, goals, hobbies, and motivations. At this time, you can feel free to ask us anything at all regarding our philosophy of care, experience, technology, insurance, financing, and anything else that may be on your mind.

If you are unsure about what to ask, here are a few suggestions:

Do you offer special amenities to make the dental visits more enjoyable?

What happens during the dental wellness checks?

Do you have photos of cosmetic dentistry results available to view?

What is your dental education and background?

How long have you been in practice?

How do you make visits fun for kids?

How important is technology in your practice?

This initial meet-and-greet is integral in understanding each patient’s unique needs so that we may provide exceptional personalized care.

If you are ready to find a dentist you can trust for years to come, please schedule an appointment to meet with our team and find out what we have to offer. 

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

If you are experiencing recurring headaches, jaw soreness, jaw clicking or popping, or neck and shoulder pain, it may be time to have your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) examined by a skilled Colorado neuromuscular dentist.

Temporomandibular disorder, or TMD, is a medical condition indicating dysfunction of the jaw joint. TMD sufferers experience a wide variety of symptoms when the jaw joint is out of alignment, usually the result of an accident, genetics, orthodontics, or arthritis. The symptoms mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg — there are a wide range of symptoms that may indicate TMD, including numbness in the hands and ringing in the ears. What we want to do as your diagnostic team is to evaluate the symptoms and examine the components of the jaw, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons, to uncover the cause of the misalignment.

Often we will use sophisticated jaw-tracking technology to evaluate the musculoskeletal system and identify the components of the jaw that are weak. Digital imaging allows us to see how the inner workings of your jaw operate and to spot areas of stress. Once the underlying cause is pinpointed, we can choose the TMJ therapy program to eliminate your symptoms and gently realign your bite. Treatment may include a combination of efforts, such as cosmetic dentistry, braces, orthotics, and jaw joint manipulation exercises.

If you experience issues with your jaw joint and would like to know more about TMD, please read our previous blog Do You Have a Bad Bite? and give us a call to set up a personalized evaluation.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

Tooth-colored fillings are a valuable dental procedure used to restore a tooth that has been damaged, either by decay or physical injury. Onlays and inlays are two types of deep fillings that protect natural teeth from further damage and prevent the need for extraction. Placed by a highly skilled cosmetic dentist, they can help increase tooth strength as much as 75%!

At my Boulder, Colorado dental office, all of our onlays and inlays are handcrafted from a safe ceramic, or glass-type material, in our dental laboratory. Unlike metal fillings, they will not expand and contract due to temperature changes so there’s no risk of internal cracking.

A dental inlay is recommended when a tooth’s decay or damage is confined to its indented top surface. A dental onlay is used when the damaged area encompasses one or more of the tooth cusps. Here’s a brief description of how they are placed.

1. We take an impression of the decayed or damaged tooth.
2. A temporary onlay or inlay is placed in position.
3. Your impression is sent to our state-of-the-art lab.
4. The onlay or inlay is created from ceramic material to match your exact specifications.
5. You return to our office for the placement of your permanent restoration.

Onlays and inlays require less tooth reduction than ceramic crowns, but more than regular fillings. My team and I often use them to restore a tooth that has carried a metal filling for too many years and is now in a weakened state because of it. (See our blog on When to Replace Old Fillings.)

If you have tooth issues that are minor or purely cosmetic in nature, you may want to consider dental bonding or porcelain veneers as an alternative to fillings.

If you’d like to learn about the benefits of dental onlays and inlays, please schedule an appointment with our experienced cosmetic dentistry team.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

A bright, white smile is a thing of beauty, a coveted trait that few adults possess naturally. But not to worry, there are a few tips, tricks, and treatments that you can use to combat discoloration and maintain an attractive shade of enamel no matter what your age.

Hygiene and Habits

At my cosmetic dentistry practice in Boulder, Colorado, we educate all patients on the importance of dental hygiene to both prevent bacterial damage and protect your natural smile attributes. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is the golden rule for maintaining a beautiful smile. As you may know, excellent dental health begins with good eating practices, and avoiding high sugar foods can prevent compromising your smile through decay. Scheduling regular dental wellness visits ensures any signs of decay are caught early, preventing the destruction of natural enamel.

Remember, also, that certain foods and beverages can cause staining and speed up the discoloration process. Enjoy coffee, tea, red wine, and berries in moderation and be sure to brush and floss after consuming them. 

Nicotine is perhaps the greatest preventable cause of discoloration and gum disease. If you’re a smoker, we would be happy to put you in touch with cessation programs in the area that can help you quit.

Professional Whitening

Laser tooth whitening is one method many of our patients turn to in an effort to revitalize teeth that appear dull and discolored. We also offer a take-home option by Opalescence, with customized mouth trays, that lets you whiten gradually in the comfort of your home. Keep in mind that professional tooth whitening offers a higher concentration of the active whitening ingredient carbamide peroxide, along with the peace of mind of professional supervision to ensure optimal results.

To learn more about smile whitening, please visit our previous blog post entitled “Professional Whitening Vs. Over-the-Counter Whitening.”

For more advice on keeping your smile bright and beautiful, please schedule an appointment with my team at your convenience.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry