From the Office

From teeth cleanings to fillings, dental crowns, and other dental restoration services, technology plays an important role in dentistry. If you are currently searching for a new dental team to supervise your dental health and foster a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, I encourage you to consider how the aspect of technology can make a big difference in the type of care you receive.

Benefits of Technology

At my state-of-the-art dental practice in Boulder, Colorado, our entire team is committed to the continual integration of new techniques, equipment, and treatments that will not only enhance the patient experience but also create a safer environment with optimal results. My staff members and I regularly attend continuing education sessions and new technology seminars in order to investigate recent advancements and decide which ones will benefit our practice and our patients. In many cases, the adoption of advanced technology is often more cost-effective for our patients, as well.

Examples of Technology

Laser dentistry is one of the most significant additions to our practice, and the dental industry in general. The use of high-tech soft-tissue lasers has led to quicker treatment times, faster healing, reduced discomfort, and more thorough final results. We currently have lasers in use for the purpose of cavity detection, plaque and tartar removal, bacterial reduction, gum tissue reshaping, benign tumor elimination, teeth whitening, and cold sore removal.

Invisalign® braces, the Pure Power Mouthguard, and state-of-the-art neuromuscular jaw tracking are just a few additional examples of technological innovations that have improved the environment here at our practice. An especially useful tool is the K7 Evaluation System, which helps us diagnose a wide variety of jaw joint problems. The K7 System utilizes electromyography, a testing procedure that measures the electrical activity of the jaw muscles, and a kinesograph to measure, record, and analyze the songography of the jaw joint, or the abnormal sound patterns. 

As a member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, you can trust that we have the safest technology for proper mercury filling removal.

Today we can do so much more for our patients than ever before, and I’m proud of the ever-expanding realm of services we are able to provide thanks to breakthrough research.

For more information, please visit our blog on Technological Advances in Dentistry or come in for a personal consultation and thorough explanation of how we use technology to improve your dental health. Please contact my Boulder, Colorado dental office to schedule your first visit with our exceptional team.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

How your upper and lower teeth come together is referred to as your dental “bite.” A healthy bite is one in which the teeth fit together precisely in a comfortable manner, with no excessive underbite or overbite.

Many things can cause a bad bite, including poorly placed fillings, dental crowns that are worn or misshapen, crooked or rotated teeth, and excessive wear and tear from tooth grinding and hard foods. At my Boulder dental practice, we diagnose and treat bite problems to avoid the long-term problems that can stem from a bad bite.

Neuromuscular Issues

Problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause a condition called temporomandibular disorder (TMD). TMD refers to a misalignment of the jaw joints, due to dysfunction of the muscles, ligaments, or tendons of the jaw.

Signs you may have a neuromuscular problem include:

• Headaches
• Jaw joint pain
• Clicking or popping in the jaw joints
• Clenching or grinding
• Neck pain
• Tooth sensitivity
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Ear congestion
• Limited jaw range of motion

Bad Bite Treatment

An experienced cosmetic dentist can turn your bad bite into a healthy one with advanced dental rehabilitation. The goal of TMJ therapy is to determine the ideal at-rest position of your jaw, and then make the necessary modifications to encourage your upper and lower jaws into this comfortable and functional spot. We are essentially applying the most conservative treatments possible to achieve harmony with your bite. Elements like body posture, oral habits, stress, past dental work, and fitness will be evaluated and tweaked to help you eliminate discomfort.

If after a thorough dental evaluation, we determine that there are neuromuscular problems behind the bad bite, there are a number of TMJ therapies we can apply to help restore the ideal jaw position.  Cosmetic dentistry procedures like dental implants and dental crowns are often the only thing standing between you and a healthy bite. Orthodontic treatments like the innovative Invisalign braces are another method of bite improvement that can have great results.

Pure Power Mouthguards also rehabilitate your bite by acting as a splint during times of stress and intensity. Invented by a neuromuscular dentist, the Pure Power Mouthguard encourages alignment of the jaw and facial muscles, helping patients to improve muscle efficiency and spinal alignment.

Personal Bite Evaluation

Your bite can be a factor in many types functional problems because of the inter-relationships of the overall musculoskeletal system. Through new technology, we can evaluate your bite and determine if it is a major contributing factor of your condition.

Book an appointment with us today to check in on the health of your bite and learn more about the benefits of TMJ treatment. Please contact my Boulder, Colorado dental office to schedule a thorough evaluation.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

How straight is your smile? Is there something missing that’s holding you back from having perfect pearly whites?

A crooked smile can be a distraction and a hindrance to your overall appearance. Even a few crooked teeth or a slight gap between your teeth can throw off the balance of your smile. If either of these issues is making you self-conscious, it may be time to see an experienced cosmetic dentist to discuss your smile enhancement options.

Tooth Misalignment

Uneven spacing can occur for many reasons, including genetics, physical injury, missing teeth, or neuromuscular problems. Even in patients who had braces as a kid, teeth can move out of their ideal position during the adult years. To improve the appearance of a crooked smile, my team and I offer these state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry treatments.

Invisalign® braces — Invisalign makes it easy and affordable to get straight teeth in about the same timeframe as metal braces. The aligners are made of clear plastic, so you don’t have to worry about people noticing your braces instead of your smile.

Porcelain veneers — Porcelain veneers are a beautiful cosmetic option that creates the illusion of straight teeth using wafer-thin shells of porcelain. The veneers are affixed to the front surfaces of teeth for a very uniform, natural appearance.

TMJ therapy — When misaligned teeth are causing neuromuscular problems, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) therapy can align the upper and lower jaws for a more comfortable and healthy bite. TMJ therapy encourages teeth to fit together better, which often remedies slight misalignment issues in the process.

Glaring Tooth Gaps

Both natural tooth gaps and missing teeth can be fixed with advanced cosmetic dentistry solutions. Dental implants are the best way to replace teeth that have been lost due to infection or physical injury. Porcelain veneers are often the treatment of choice for minor gaps that are not affecting the bite.

Dental implants — Through a dental implant procedure, you can have a brand new tooth that looks, feels, and functions just like your natural teeth. Implants restore bite imbalance, provide bone support, and prevent shifting of neighboring teeth for a permanent solution to missing teeth.

Porcelain veneers are also often used to close small gaps. Veneers can be placed in just two appointments and are usually recommended in situations where patients don’t require structural tooth repair.

If you have been considering filling in your tooth gaps or straightening your teeth, the social benefits of a smile enhancement can be extremely rewarding. For more information about our full array of dental fixes for common tooth problems, please contact my Boulder, Colorado dental office to set up a personal smile consultation.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

At my Boulder, Colorado dental practice, we strive to use metal-free materials whenever possible for optimal safety, comfort, and appearance.

Questionable Safety

Although extensive research on the effects of amalgam use is inconclusive to date, we feel it is best for our patients to avoid any mercury-containing materials. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), mercury is a toxic substance that has been linked to nervous system disruption, kidney damage, birth defects, and cancer.  In addition, metal used for tooth restoration stands out and lets the world know you have had dental work done. Also, metal restorations react to temperature changes, expanding and contracting with heat and cold. This movement often causes tooth cracks leading to additional dental work.

Here we practice ultimate safety in removing amalgam restorations. The process should be done with a rubber dam and high-speed suction, while patients wear an oxygen mask. 
Our Dental Materials

We prefer metal-free ceramics to create our fillings, crowns, and other restorations. These high-grade ceramics reflect light beautifully and produce very natural-looking results. Thanks to advances in dental materials research and development, non-metal ceramic composites are not only attractive, they are now designed to be extremely durable, strong, and long-lasting. Last but not least, ceramic restorations are completely biocompatible for optimal patient safety.

Metal-Free Smile Straightening

For patients who want to straighten teeth with braces, we now offer Invisalign braces, a clear braces system that creates a straight smile with plastic aligners instead of metal brackets. We invite you to take a look at some of our non-metal restorations in our smile gallery.

Learn More

Whether you are in need of tooth restoration or you’d like to replace old metal ones, we can help you choose the safest, most attractive smile solution. If you would like to read more on mercury and its toxicity, please visit the agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry Mercury page.

Our team is happy to provide you with more details on our metal-free dental materials and our commitment to patient safety. To schedule a personal appointment, please contact my Boulder comprehensive dental center.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

Crooked teeth can make you self-conscious about your smile — and misaligned teeth can also be bad for your dental health. At my Boulder, Colorado dental practice, our experienced team helps patients straighten their smiles daily with a revolutionary new method.

Why Smile Straightening is a Smart Idea

When your top and bottom teeth are properly aligned, they fit together comfortably when you chew, bite down, or simply rest your upper and lower jaws together. This at-rest position should ideally allow all of the muscles and tendons of the jaw to relax.

When teeth are out of line, however, the at-rest position can actually strain the muscles and tendons and cause a wide range of temporomandibular problems, including headaches, jaw pain, and tooth loss. Realigning teeth with Invisalign invisible braces may be able to restore proper balance and create a smile that is not only stress-free, but also more attractive.

What to Expect From Invisalign

Invisalign braces straighten teeth using clear, plastic aligners. Every two weeks, you will  receive a new set of custom-made aligners. The clear plastic is comfortable to wear and far less obvious than metal brackets. Best of all, they are removable so you don’t have to sacrifice eating your favorite foods.

If you’ve only got a few misaligned teeth that are not affecting your bite, you may benefit from cosmetic dentistry treatment like porcelain veneers or tooth bonding as an alternative to braces. You can see what kind of results are possible with Invisalign and other dental treatments in our before and after smile gallery.

Invisalign is not only an easy treatment to complete, it is highly affordable as well.  Contact my Boulder comprehensive dental center to get all the facts on Invisalign invisible braces and find out if they can help you get the smile of your dreams.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry