Blog | Boulder Dentist | Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

5 Advantages of Dental Botox

botox

The cosmetic benefits of Botox are already well established, but dental botox uses are starting to gain serious momentum. This is because dentists are experts of the muscle and bone architecture of the face. Their training and experience is steeped in the facial muscles and structures. Their unique training and background equips them with the ability to achieve more precise and natural-looking results than other Botox providers. To properly correct lip lines, puckered chins, and upside down or gummy smiles, it’s important that only the right facial muscles are treated. Failure to do so can result in frozen, strange or awkward results.

What Is Botox?

Many people have heard of Botox before, and many know that it has something to do with removing fine lines or wrinkles. However, many people don’t actually know what Botox is. The name Botox is a registered trademark and name for botulinum toxin A. it is actually a substance that is related to botulism, which is a form of food poisoning. Although that’s surprising, botulinum toxin A has actually been found to help people, but aesthetically.

Botulinum toxin A is a neurotoxin (or neurotoxic protein) that is produced by a bacteria. To put it simply, scientists use that neurotoxin to improve looks, but in a way that will cause certain desired effects in those who use it. One of those effects is paralysis, but don’t let that worry you too much as this paralysis is planned. When someone receives an injection of Botox, the neurotoxins in this substance only temporarily paralyze muscles in that area. If you receive Botox injections on your forehead, then those muscles are temporarily paralyzed and won’t give you that line or wrinkle that you don’t want.

botox injection

What Is Dental Botox?

Each year, more than 6 million people receive Botox treatments. Many receive these from a plastic surgeon or similar professional. We mentioned that you don’t have to worry about the paralysis that Botox gives you because it is a planned paralysis. That is something that only a professional should be doing. Who is the best person to handle a service such as this? A Dentist!

Dentists are experts of the muscle and bone architecture of the face. Their training and experience is steeped in the facial muscles and structures. They have trained for many years and have a background that equips them with the ability to achieve more precise and natural-looking results than other Botox providers. There are many providers out there, but not all have had extensive training, which is something you definitely want with a substance as delicate as Botox.

To properly correct lip lines, puckered chins, and upside down or gummy smiles, it’s important that only the right facial muscles are treated. Failure to do so can result in frozen, strange or awkward results. Dental botox is basically a Botox treatment done in a dental office, where you are receiving your treatment from someone trained in oral and maxillofacial health. Dental botox is the best and safest way to receive a Botox treatment.

botox

Advantages of Dental Botox

With dental botox, we treat problems related to your oral health. Therapeutic dental botox offers relief for:

Headache pain resulting from muscle tension in the head, face, and neck and/or TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Syndrome
Persistent clenching and grinding of the teeth
“Gummy” smiles due to over-retracted upper lips
Upside-down smiles (as it takes more muscles to frown compared to smiling)
Lip lines and puckered chins

As we mentioned, lines and wrinkles are temporarily paralyzed with dental botox so that you can enjoy a smooth complexion. Dental botox has also been found to be very beneficial and effective for pain that originates from oral health problems. TMJ is a common oral health problem that causes patients pain. This encompasses pain in the jaw or facial muscles. With dental botox, we can paralyze the muscles that hurt so that you are not in constant pain. Bruxism is the name for grinding and clenching the teeth. Dental botox can improve your symptoms by reducing the contractions of the mouth muscles involved in clenching and grinding. If you have any of the issues we listed above, you should see if dental botox could help your symptoms.

Receiving Professional Services

No matter what procedure or service you are seeking to help improve your body, we can’t stress how important it is to receive your care from a professional. Too many people look for services that are the cheapest they can find. However, the adage, “you get what you pay for” is quite true. If something is incredibly cheap (especially when it involves your health), then it’s probably not worth it.

The higher the quality, the more likely it is that the cost will be higher as well. That being said, you don’t have to break the bank to receive quality care for your health. We provide quality services that won’t break the bank and that are solely focused on helping your oral health and overall health be the best that it can be.

See Your Dentist Often

Every single person should have a dentist and see that dentist often. Following the American Dental Association’s recommendation, you should come visit us at least twice a year or more if you have oral health issues. For services such as dental Botox, come see us when you are ready to receive this service. As a professional trained in oral health, Dr. Ania can provide you with quality care that is safe and will keep you healthy. If you want to know more about dental botox, call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998

Posted: December 5, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Help with Common Dental Emergencies

dental emergencies

Most patients try to be as careful as possible with their oral health. However, dental emergencies inevitably happen to many people. Those who do sports or other physical activities are especially prone to dental emergencies. Some of these include toothaches, broken braces and wires, a cut or broken lip, tongue, or cheek, a broken or fractured tooth, and more. We can help you with all of these dental emergencies, even if you have knocked out a tooth. Learn what you can do when a dental emergency happens and how we can restore your smile once more!

Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is a problem that must receive immediate attention in order to save a tooth. Some of the most common dental emergencies are broken or chipped teeth, or fractured teeth. A knocked-out tooth is also a common dental emergency, and not one that any patient ever wants to have, as they could lose their tooth for good. Other dental emergencies include toothaches, broken braces and wires, and a cut or bitten tongue, lip or cheek. Thankful, dental emergencies don’t happen to everyone often. However, they may happen to every patient once or more in their life. In fact, about 1 in 6 Americans experience a dental emergency every year.

It’s important to know what to do when a dental emergency happens. As always, call the dentist immediately if you have broken, chipped, fractured, or knocked out a tooth. The first hour is critical in saving a tooth. If it is a weekend and we are not in the office, there is always a way to reach us for emergencies. Call our office as soon as a dental emergency happens. If the emergency is severe (like a car accident where you knocked out teeth but also had other injuries), then seek medical attention.

What To Do

There are specific actions you can take with different dental emergencies. Here are some tips after you have called our office for help:

Broken tooth – The first hour is really important for saving a broken tooth. When you break a tooth, rinse the area with warm water. To help with pain and swelling, put a cold compress over the facial area where you lost your tooth. Try to recover broken tooth fragments if possible and keep the fragments in water.

Knocked-out tooth – For this emergency, it’s critical to keep the tooth wet so it doesn’t dry out. Make sure you only handle the tooth by the crown and not the tooth root. Don’t clean the tooth or handle it more than is necessary. If possible, reinsert the tooth into the socket where it was knocked out. Only do this for older patients and not children, as children can swallow a tooth. Hold the tooth in place in your mouth with cloth or a piece of gauze until you receive dental help. If you can’t put the tooth back in its socket, then keep it in a cup of water or milk to keep the tooth alive.

Toothache – Most toothaches are related to tooth decay. Avoid tooth decay with frequent brushing and flossing, as well as seeing your dentist. Toothaches are not something you want to ignore. Call your dentist right away, as you could have an infection that is causing you pain.

Cut or bitten tongue, lip or cheek – If you get a cut or bite one of these areas, apply pressure to the site. Keep doing this if the bleeding has not stopped. If bleeding is in large quantities or doesn’t stop after 15 or 20 minutes, consider going to an emergency room.

Reducing Your Risk

There are ways you can reduce your risk for a dental emergency. Many sudden dental emergencies happen from sports injuries or accidents. However, in many sports it is also required that players wear protective mouthguards to prevent the teeth from being broken or knocked out. Not all mouthguards are the same though. There are stock mouthguards that you can buy at the store. These are ready-to-wear and are one-size-fits-all. That means the guard won’t fit your teeth snug and you can still break teeth in sports. Boil and bite guards are better and can be molded to your teeth, but the fit won’t be as snug as you want.

We believe the Agility Guard is the best sports protection mouthguard you can get. Studies show that athletes can potentially improve their athletic performance by using a properly-designed mouthguard. Why? Because players can focus on the game instead of worrying about protecting their teeth. When accidents do happen, the injuries are not as severe with a mouthguard, or they are nonexistent. That would give any athlete an edge. You can prevent a major dental emergency by simply putting something in your mouth, so it’s worth the few minutes it takes to do so.

A Healthy Smile for Life

To prevent many dental emergencies from happening, you must take care of your teeth! You can do this each day through practicing great oral hygiene habits and wearing protective mouthguards for your teeth. We can help you to know what oral habits you need to make part of your day. We can also fit you for an Agility Guard if you want to improve your athletic performance and protect your smile. If you have lost or broken a tooth and it can’t be saved, we have services such as dental implants and porcelain veneers that are available for you to fix your smile. Simply call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998 and schedule your consultation!

Posted: November 20, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Prevent Stained Teeth

stained teeth

What you eat not only determines how healthy you are, but it may also determine how your smile looks. Many people eat and drink foods every day, not realizing that some of those foods are slowly turning their teeth gray or yellow over time. If you have noticed that your teeth are not as white as they used to be, it could be that you’re staining your teeth by what you’re eating. Around 80% of Americans start their day off with coffee. This is actually one of the worst culprits when it comes to stained teeth. Teas, sodas, wine, acidic juices, and more can all play a role in the color of your teeth. Let us help you know what foods and drinks to avoid to prevent stained teeth and how you can get a whiter smile today!

Foods and Drinks Cause Stained Teeth

For most people, food and drinks are the substances that cause stained teeth. Having poor oral health hygiene can also cause stained teeth, but this is usually more decay than staining. Some foods are bad for your teeth because they lead to tooth decay. Those foods include citrus fruits and drinks as well as sodas, carbonated drinks (including sparkling water), and sweet treats. Other foods that are considered healthy are major culprits of stained teeth. How do you know what foods will stain your teeth? You can generally know by the color they are. Blueberries, blackberries and pomegranates are all foods that can seriously stain your teeth. They naturally have rich dyes, which can dye your teeth as well.

A good tip for knowing if a food or drink will stain your teeth is how well you can remove it from clothing if you spill it. Reds, purples, blues, blacks and other dark colors will stain your teeth. This includes red wine and other beverages that use red, purple or dark dyes in them. However, white wine can also stain your teeth in a way. It’s acidic content makes small pockets and fissures in your teeth where other foods can then come in and stain your teeth even darker. Also watch out for foods such as beets, soy sauce, tomato sauce, and grape and cranberry juice. If you avoid many (or all) of the foods that lead to stained teeth, then your tooth discoloration is probably due to aging teeth or your oral health habits.

What About Coffee?

Coffee is not only one of the worst drinks for your teeth, but is one of the most consumed beverages out there. About 83% of Americans start their day off with at least one cup of coffee, but a large percentage of those have multiple cups of coffee throughout their day. However, coffee leads to stained teeth, as it contains something called “tannins”. This is an acidic polyphenol that stains and discolors the teeth. Plus, because it’s acidic in nature, that acid can erode away your tooth enamel, especially if you drink it every day. If so, make sure to wait 20-30 minutes after drinking to brush your teeth, as you don’t want to brush your teeth while an acidic substance is still on the teeth. That would actually brush away more tooth enamel.

A close cousin to coffee, tea will cause stained teeth as well. Why? It also contains tannins that lead to discoloration. Studies show that the type of tea you drink will also determine what color discoloration your teeth have. Green tea can make your teeth appear gray over time and black tea will lead to stained teeth that are more yellow. Some studies also suggest that higher-quality teas and coffees will stain your teeth less than low-quality ones, so take that into consideration when choosing what you drink.

Teeth Whitening

Everyone is bound to have stained teeth eventually. In fact, even if you have invested in whitening services before, that whiteness starts to fade after about 7 years. Whitening your teeth is a great way to change their color to beautiful, brilliant white. Even severely stained teeth can improve their color with teeth whitening. This is a service best done when received in-office, as a dentist is the one giving you the treatment. Dentists are skilled to provide a uniform layer of whiteness, whereas over-the-counter treatments can sometimes yield undesirable results. Plus, teeth whitening can be done in just one appointment, which makes it a great option to brighten your smile before important events.

A White Smile that Lasts

There are several ways you can prevent stained teeth. One way is to cut out the foods and drinks that lead to stains in the first place. However, many people won’t want to cut out those foods forever or at all. Using a straw with your drinks can help reduce the beverage’s contact with your teeth. This will reduce your risk for stained teeth. When it comes to coffee, drinking from a straw is better than sipping from a cup. Also drinking from a to-go lid can help minimize coffee’s contact with your teeth without you having to suck the drink down. Avoid tobacco and alcohol use, as both of these substances stain your teeth very quickly.

There are only so many ways to prevent stained teeth. You may not even realize that your teeth are stained until they have significantly changed color. One of the best ways to prevent stains is to brush and floss your teeth several times a day, especially after ingesting foods and drinks that stain easily. We can help you to know the status of your oral health and if you have stained teeth at your biannual checkups and cleanings. To schedule yours, call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998!

Posted: November 15, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Why You Need an Oral Cancer Screening

oral cancer screening

The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that someone dies from oral cancer every single hour in the United States. Cancer comes in many forms and occurs in many areas of the body, but most people don’t think about their oral health when it comes to cancer. Thousands are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and 1 in 5 end up dying from it. However, the good news is that oral cancer is preventable if detected and diagnosed early. That’s why it’s so important to visit the dentist often for comprehensive examinations, dental cleanings, and an oral cancer screening. Protect your health today and have your screening!

Oral Cancer: What Is It?

Cancer can happen in any part of the body. In fact, the National Cancer Institute reports that there are over 100 different types of cancer. Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. The NIH reports that your salivary glands have many different types of cells that can become cancer. You are constantly producing saliva to aid you in digestion and keeping your teeth healthy and clean. However, cancer cells can form and turn into oral cancer. The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that there are almost 50,000 cases of oral cancer each year (about 49,750). Over the years, research shows that about 1 in 5 people will eventually die from oral cancer.

That comes out to about 1 person dying every hour of every day from oral cancer. Some patients will often have a sore or irritation that doesn’t go away. Others will develop red or white patches, or will have pain, tenderness, or numbness in the mouth or lips. Oral cancer sometimes develops lumps or thickening in the tissues in your head or neck, or they cause difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your tongue or jaw. The good news about all of this? Oral cancer is completely preventable if you keep up on your oral health and are screened often. In fact, an oral cancer screening could actually save your life and it takes less than 5 minutes of your time!

What Is an Oral Cancer Screening?

An oral cancer screening is usually part of your comprehensive exam when you come in to see the dentist. During this screening, we will look at all the hard and soft tissues of your mouth. These include the teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, throat and lips. We actually start this screening as soon as you begin talking with us, as speech abnormalities can be a sign of oral cancer starting to form. We listen for a hoarse or raspy voice that could indicate an abnormality in your throat.

Using a light, we’ll thoroughly examine every part of your mouth and the back of your throat. We do this to check for abnormal lesions that we are trained to see, but that you may not notice. You may think that you would feel an abnormal lesion, but these generally are not felt, and oral cancer is not painful in many people, especially in the beginning stages. We also check your head and neck to detect pain in any area where there shouldn’t be pain. If you use tobacco or drink alcohol, we recommend that you stop using these substances, as they significantly increase your risk for oral cancer. With your oral cancer screening, we can detect cancer when it starts and stop it’s progression. An oral cancer screening can literally save your life!

Services You Need Each Year

Besides an oral cancer screening, we recommend that our patients also receive biannual cleanings and comprehensive exams. This recommendation comes from the American Dental Association. Most patients can keep up on their oral health and avoid issues if they see their dentist at least twice a year. However, for patients that know that they have cavities often, or for those who have gum disease, they should see their dentist about every 3-4 months. Why is this? Most of the upkeep of your oral health must be done at home. You must be brushing and flossing every single day to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. However, only dentists are trained to notice cavities and where they are forming, if gums are receding, if the teeth have stuck-on tartar, and more.

A comprehensive exam is the dentist’s chance to get a close-up view of all your teeth, gums, and mouth as a whole. We can evaluate your bite and alignment, signs of decay and gum problems, and problems with the jaw. We can remove stains from your teeth at this time. We’ll also examine all your tooth restorations and past work to make sure the structure of your dental work is still sound. Generally, a comprehensive exam goes hand-in-hand with a dental cleaning. We thoroughly clean your teeth with our special brushes and tools, removing plaque that is stuck in hard-to-reach places. We also polish the teeth, remove tartar, floss thoroughly, and provide you a fluoride treatment. This helps to reduce your risk for tooth decay. When patients come in several times a year, they can know what oral health issues they have and how to avoid problems in the future.

See Your Dentist Often!

If you want to have healthy teeth and a healthy mouth, you have to be diligent with healthy oral habits. Brush and floss your teeth each day. See your dentist several times a year and don’t put off seeing the dentist due to fears or a busy schedule. It’s easy to correct minor problems, but you don’t want to deal with severe oral health problems. If you have concerns with your teeth, or fears about seeing the dentist, we have ways to make your experience informative and also relaxing. Receiving an oral cancer screening is vitally important for your health and could even save your life in the long run. Schedule your oral cancer screening today by calling Dr. Ania’s office at 303-443-0998!

Posted: November 7, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

All About Your Permanent Teeth

permanent teeth

As a dental office, we see teeth all day long. Every person is unique, but a smile is something they all share. Infant teeth are different than adult teeth in size, shape, number and more. An adult will have around 32 teeth while a child will only have around 20 teeth. Those teeth fall into categories such as incisors, canines, premolars and molars. Each tooth has a specific function in the mouth, as do your tongue, gums, and even saliva. It’s important to know about your smile and why you need to have all your teeth for it to function properly. There are over 120 million people that have a missing tooth in the United States alone. Every tooth is vitally important for your oral health and overall wellness. Find out more about your baby and permanent teeth today and what you can do to keep them healthy for life.

Baby Teeth

People aren’t born with teeth immediately. That should be no shocker to most people. Much like everything else a baby must develop, their teeth also come in with time. Their smile is different than an adult smile with permanent teeth as well. Babies start to have teeth come into the mouth anywhere between 4-6 months of age. Those teeth continue to come in up until age 3, when all the teeth should be in the upper and lower jaws. First, the front teeth come in such as the incisors, then some of the molars will come into the mouth and the canines, and so on.

Babies should have a total of 20 teeth, or 10 teeth in the upper jaw and 10 teeth in the lower jaw. These teeth are not permanent teeth, so they will eventually fall out of the mouth. You might notice that a child’s teeth are not fit snugly together. The jaw is continually growing, so the teeth are spaced out to make room for the permanent teeth to come in.

Permanent Teeth

One a child loses their baby teeth, the permanent teeth will start to grow in. This whole process of losing baby teeth and receiving permanent teeth can begin around age 6 or 7 and go up until ages 12-14. It all depends on the child and their genetic makeup. The permanent teeth are called that for a reason: they are permanently in the mouth unless, trauma, tooth decay, gum disease, or age take them away from you.

The average adult has about 32 permanent teeth in the mouth. Some adults only have 28, which depends on how many wisdom teeth a person has. Some have all 4 (giving us the number of 32 teeth), while others have no wisdom teeth. Each mouth is made up of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Those are the teeth in order from the front teeth moving towards the back of your mouth on the upper and lower jaws. Adults have 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars on average.

Tooth Loss in the United States

As an adult, you may have many permanent teeth, but that doesn’t mean you have any to spare. You need every tooth in the mouth to have good oral health. Sadly, tooth loss is on the rise in the United States. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that adults have an average of only 25 remaining teeth out of the original 32. The American College of Prosthodontists also reports that over 120 million people are missing at least 1 tooth and that 36 million in the U.S. don’t have any teeth at all.

Missing even one tooth is incredibly damaging to your oral health! Once one tooth is lost, that part of the jawbone becomes weaker as do the gums. This causes even more teeth to lose support and fall out. Prevent tooth lost at all costs, and seek help right away if you do lose a permanent tooth.

Keep Your Smile Intact with Help

If you’ve lost a tooth recently, then one of your best options is to receive a dental implant. Dental implants are a restorative dentistry option that allows patients to replace their missing teeth with a custom-made one that looks like your natural teeth. This is a long-lasting option to keep the area of your mouth sturdy if tooth loss has occurred.

We prep for your dental implant by inserting a metal post into the jawbone where a tooth was lost. Once this post heals in the jaw, and when it is sturdy, we provide you a custom-made tooth secured to the top of the post. We match the tooth to the color and shape of your smile. Others won’t know you have a dental implant, but you will know because of the strength and support an implant gives you. For patients who take good care of their implants, they can expect to keep them anywhere between 10-20 years.

Good Oral Hygiene for Life

Remember, the best way to keep your smile healthy is to take care of it day and night through proper oral hygiene habits. Brush your teeth several times a day and floss them each day as well. Come in to the office at least twice a year to check up on your smile so we can detect if there are any oral health issues. If you are due for your comprehensive exam and dental cleaning, call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998!

Posted: October 13, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

What a Beautiful Smile Can Do for You

beautiful smile

Most people want a beautiful smile, but many patients have oral health issues that are preventing them from having that smile. The American Dental Association recommends following the basics every day such as brushing the teeth at least twice a day. Are you doing all you can to keep a healthy and beautiful smile? Healthy teeth are an investment not only now, but also for your future. Those with straighter, more beautiful smiles have a greater chance at excelling at life and are perceived as more confident and successful by others. Let us help you know how to achieve a better smile today and what we can do to fix oral health issues that may be preventing you from achieving that goal!

Are You Doing Enough for Your Oral Health?

When it comes to taking care of your teeth, are you doing enough? The American Dental Association is a great resource for knowing how to properly care for your teeth and how often you need to brush and floss them. We stand by their recommendation to brush the teeth at least twice a day and to floss the teeth daily. Many patients can also benefit from using fluoride treatments for their teeth. Many water sources in the United States already contain fluoride, so drink plenty of water to get this mineral. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and protects against decay-causing plaque.

Plaque sticks to your teeth after you eat. It is a mixture of mouth bacteria and sugars from the foods you eat. It also is the substance that causes the teeth to decay and the gums to be irritated, leading to gum disease. Both diseases cause tooth loss. Tooth decay is also known as dental caries or cavities. It is the most prevalent chronic disease in children and adults according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Gum disease as well affects more than 64.7 million Americans. Severe cases lead to tooth loss or extreme tooth loss. You can avoid both cavities and gum disease in their entirety if you brush and floss your teeth enough and visit your dentist often!

Brushing Properly

The ADA recommends brushing the teeth with a soft-bristled brush. Some patients like harder bristles, but soft-bristle brushes are more gentle on your tooth enamel, especially if you have soft enamel. They also recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3-4 months or even sooner if the bristles become frayed and are no longer straight. If your toothbrush bristles start turning a dull brown or gray, you should also get a new brush. The size, shape, and design of your toothbrush is up to you. When brushing, the ADA recommends placing your brush at a 45 degree angle to your gums. Move the brush back and forth on top of each tooth throughout your entire mouth, making sure to get the very back parts of your molars as well. Clean the tongue-side parts of your teeth as well as the cheek-side parts. Repeat this process daily, especially after consuming sugar.

Flossing Your Teeth

Floss is also an important part of your oral hygiene routine, as food can just as easily stick to parts between the teeth as it can the front of your teeth. When flossing, it’s important to also floss food out of the gumline, not just between the teeth. Make sure to take floss down between each tooth until it stops comfortably between the gums and the teeth. Also make sure to gently scrape the teeth with your floss to remove excess plaque that can still be on the teeth after you’ve brushed. This will help decrease your risk for tooth decay and gum disease even more.

Beautiful Smiles Benefit Each Patient

Not only does a better smile look appealing, but it can boost your confidence tremendously. Studies show that even school-aged children and teenagers benefit from added confidence when they improve their smiles. Invisalign conducted a study about straight teeth, how they were perceived, and how patients felt after giving themselves a more beautiful smile. 29% of people notice a person’s smile first and 24% remember a person’s smile the most. A straighter, more beautiful smile makes others see you as 58% more likely to be successful and wealthy. 47% viewed people as healthier and 73% more trustworthy when their smile was healthy and straight. The study also found that a more beautiful smile made people more attractive.

Overall, a better smile made patients more confident themselves and led to greater success in life. A straighter, more beautiful smile is also one that has a lower risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Patients who want a beautiful smile will practice proper oral hygiene more often because they will want to show off their smile. A straighter smile also helps you to avoid problems with the teeth, as straighter teeth are easier to clean and take care of.

Have a Smile Worth Showing Off

Your mouth is the window to the rest of your body, and an indication of how well you take care of your health. A healthier mouth is a better mouth and contributes to a more beautiful smile. Follow proper oral hygiene practices and you will be amazed at how long your teeth will last you and how strong they can be. If you would like our help to achieve a more beautiful smile today, we have many services such as dental cleanings, porcelain veneers, dental implants, and more to help get you to the smile you want. Simply call Dr. Ania’s office at 303-443-0998 to schedule your consultation! A healthier and more beautiful smile can be yours today!

Posted: October 5, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Dental Implants for Missing Teeth

dental implants

Do you have missing teeth? If so, you’re not alone! It’s estimated that about 178 million Americans have or have had a missing tooth. Millions of people are missing all of their teeth. However, you don’t have to live life without a full set of pearly whites! Dental implants are a restorative-dentistry option that allow patients to replace missing teeth with ones that look, feel and perform like natural teeth. If you are missing a tooth, restore your smile today with a long-lasting dental implant!

Missing Teeth Is Quite Common

If you’ve lost a tooth, you might think you are the only one. However, studies show that millions have lost teeth. Studies estimate that about 178 million Americans have or have had a missing tooth. There are also over 36 million people that are missing all of their teeth in the United States. The American Dental Association reports that the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has at least 3 or more decayed or missing teeth. Some people do not even realize that the decay is happening.

Most tooth decay happens because of poor dental hygiene habits. The ADA recommends brushing the teeth at least twice a day, if not more. Patients should floss the teeth every single day as well to keep the teeth free of decay-causing plaque. Plaque is a mixture of bacteria in the mouth and the sugars you eat. This substance sits on the teeth after every meal and works to erode the tooth enamel. When that plaque is not brushed away often, it decays the tooth. The best way to avoid tooth decay that can lead to tooth loss is to keep up on oral habits every single day. There are other ways that a patient can lose a tooth.

How Does a Missing Tooth Happen?

There are many unique cases for many patients. Sports accidents or injuries can cause a patient to lose a tooth. If this happens, always seek medical treatment as well as our office so that both your smile and your health is intact. For many patients, their tooth loss is often a consequence of tooth decay (as we mentioned) or periodontal disease. You may know periodontal disease as gum disease. You may also know tooth decay as cavities. Millions of patients have cavities and gum disease. In fact, tooth decay is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in both children and adults.

Tooth decay can severely damage a tooth if left unchecked. If there is too much damage, a root canal treatment to clean the decay will not be effective enough to save the tooth. Your dentist can help monitor the presence of cavities and help prevent them from becoming serious.

What About Gum Disease?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that around 64.7 million American adults have gum disease in either mild, moderate or severe forms. That figure only includes American adults and does not take into account children, who can also get the disease. 8.7% of patients with gum disease have mild periodontitis. 30% have moderate gum disease, and 8.5% have severe gum disease.

Gum disease is also a consequence of not practicing oral hygiene habits enough. Plaque erodes tooth enamel, but it also attacks and irritates the gums. When the gums are irritated, they become more red, swollen and start to recede. In severe stages of gum recession, the gums recede enough that the teeth begin to fall out due to weakened bone and gum support. Gum disease is one of the main reasons a patient will lose a tooth.

Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants

If you’re missing a tooth, your situation doesn’t have to stay that way. Modern technology allows us to restore your smile with dental implants. Dental implants are a restorative dentistry option that allows patients to replace missing teeth with ones that look, feel, and perform like natural teeth. If you’ve been faced with periodontal disease, dental implants are still an option to rehabilitate your smile when other options are not available. A dental implant is the closest option for a tooth that looks and feels like your natural teeth.

At your appointment, we prepare your mouth with a metal post. We install this metal post in your jaw and allow it proper time to heal. At your second appointment, we attach a custom-made tooth that we secure into place. Dental implants can last between 10-20 years depending on how well they are cared for. They are the perfect choice to replace a missing tooth and keep your smile for years.

A Better Smile

An implant is meant to restore one tooth that is missing. If there are more than one teeth missing, we would direct you towards a dental bridge, which is similar to dental implants, but restore several teeth in a row connected to one another. Whether you are missing one tooth or more, we recommend that you consider a dental implant for your smile. You don’t have to live with missing teeth. If you have one, call Dr. Ania’s office at 303-443-0998 to restore your smile today!

Posted: September 30, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Quick Same-Day Crowns for You

dental crowns

In the past, same-day crowns were not available to patients. However, today they are a reality. The integration of two major advances in technology makes same-day crowns possible: digital scanners and in-office milling machines. If you’ve got a tooth that has been seriously weakened or damaged, a strong dental crown can save your tooth and help retain your smile for years to come. Now you can receive that strong crown, customized in-office, during your visit. See what a dental crown can do to restore your smile and how you can receive one quicker than ever before!

Keeping Your Teeth Healthy

We recommend brushing and flossing the teeth every single day. You should follow the American Dental Association’s recommendation of brushing the teeth at least twice a day. Why? The more you brush your teeth, the lower the amount of plaque you will have in your mouth. Plaque is the sticky, acidic substance made from sugars in the foods you eat mixed with bacteria in the mouth. It loves to eat away at your hard tooth enamel, weakening it over time. If you allow this to happen (by not brushing and flossing the teeth enough), then that weakening will occur. Not only will your enamel become weak, but it will also form small openings that will allow the inside of your tooth to decay.

Nobody wants to have teeth that have tooth decay, or cavities. Cavities slowly decay all that they can and a lot of that decay happens under the surface of your tooth. With enough tooth decay, you could lose a tooth or need such extensive work that you need a new tooth. However, there are other times where we can remove the tooth decay and save your natural tooth. That natural tooth will need to somehow be strong, and we provide that strength through a dental crown.

Dental Crowns

You may have heard of a dental crown before, but might not be familiar with what it is. Just as a crown sits on top of your head, a dental crown sits on top of a tooth. A dental crown is used in several different ways: to cover a damaged tooth that has been weakened, or to cover a dental implant post. If you’ve got a tooth that has been seriously weakened or damaged, a strong dental crown is a highly effective and attractive cosmetic dentistry solution. A crown is also referred to as a “cap,” and serves as protective armor for a tooth. After a dental procedure to remove decay, we can’t leave you missing part of your tooth or with a tooth in a weakened state. So, we create a dental crown that can cover all the work we do.

You may need a ceramic crown if you have a tooth that has been affected by breakage or fractures, cracks, large cavities, or outdated fillings that require replacement. Whether a crown is needed on a front tooth or a molar, we can handcraft a crown to fit over the tooth that needs it. Plus, ceramic crowns won’t show that unappealing dark band at the gumline that happens with tooth recession and decay. Our dental crowns are handcrafted in our lab and we make sure to use metal-free ceramic materials. Ceramic is very strong and will allow you to use full biting force as if it was your natural tooth.

Same-Day Dental Crown

Receiving a dental crown requires that we reduce part of your tooth enamel in some cases. This is to ensure that the crown fits over your natural tooth and blends in with the rest of your teeth. If we don’t reduce the enamel, then the tooth will stick out, which is something no patient wants. That’s why we take such care to carefully mold and craft a custom-made crown for you. In the past, there were several steps to receiving a crown. Usually, decay was removed from the tooth and a temporary crown provided until the following appointment. Then, our labs created a crown that you would receive during a second appointment.

Technology has allowed us the option to provide same-day crowns to our patients. How? Digital scanners and in-office milling machines that work together to create a crown during your time in-office. First, we scan the patient’s teeth to create an exact impression of the existing bite. (This digital scanner replaces the old impression molds that we used to create in a first appointment.) Then, the digital images sends information to the milling machine that makes a crown. This crown then goes into an oven to crystallize and set as the patient waits. Instead of taking days or weeks, the entire process from seeing your tooth to receiving your crown takes about 2 hours only.

Save Time at Your Dental Appointment

Sometimes, patients may wait to have work done on their teeth because they don’t have time for several appointments. You can skip coming into the office multiple times for one procedure by receiving a same-day crown. We can correct your tooth decay and give you a dental crown to protect your tooth for years to come. If you want to know more about our same-day crown option available to our patients, call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998!

Posted: September 20, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

Teeth Whitening Do’s and Don’ts

teeth whitening

Teeth whitening remains one of the most economical ways to enhance your smile. There are various ways to whiten your teeth, but the two most common are in-office treatments and the do-it-yourself approach, with over-the-counter products. It’s important to talk to your dentist before deciding to whiten your teeth, as whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration and involve bleaching agents that, if not used correctly, can damage the enamel of your teeth. Learn the do’s and don’ts of teeth whitening to ensure you have success with whitening your smile.

All About Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure meant to enhance the look of your teeth. Over time, the teeth can become discolored, especially if you drink liquids such as coffee and tea. Smoking and chewing tobacco can also lead to discolored teeth. Whitening the teeth is one of the easiest and most economical ways to enhance your smile and bring your teeth back to that white shade you want. The outer layer of the teeth is called the enamel. This is the part of the tooth that whitening products enhance.

Some teeth whitening treatments use bleaching chemicals to get the teeth white. Other treatments use light therapy with whitening gel. Combining the two triggers a chemical reaction that whitens the teeth. There are also many over-the-counter treatments that can make your teeth whiter. Many toothpastes have whitening agents in them, but don’t necessarily whiten the teeth so much as they remove stains, which makes the teeth appear whiter.

Toothpastes

There are many ways to get your teeth whiter, and not all the ways work the same. Over-the-counter treatments are not always guaranteed to work, especially if you are using a whitening toothpaste. Many studies show that whitening toothpastes have a minimal amount of whitening agents in them. All teeth-whitening agents contain hydrogen peroxide to whiten. Toothpastes only have 1-1.5% of this agent, which isn’t enough to whiten the teeth. They can remove surface stains, but so can regular brushing. Your best option for whitening is to look for a product that works stronger than a toothpaste.

At-Home Treatments

Many people use over-the-counter gels or strips to get their smile brighter. These contain about 6-10% of hydrogen peroxide to whiten. They can be effective at removing surface stains and can make the teeth white for a time. They don’t work as well as an in-office treatment, but can be effective at creating a whiter smile for you. You will have to do the treatments yourself, so always make sure to read directions and follow them exactly.

In-Office Treatments

This is the best option when it comes to teeth whitening. It’s also the fastest. When you receive a professional whitening, you can be sure that you have an experienced dentist working on your teeth. The dentist has performed the whitening countless times for many patients and knows what they’re doing. Many in-office treatments take an hour or less from start to finish and can be done in just one appointment.

Your teeth are more likely to come out evenly white with in-office treatments than with other methods or at-home treatments from the store. The dentist also can use much more powerful whitening gels than can be purchased over-the-counter. They also have equipment such as special lighting tools that can speed up the process immensely. When it comes to whitening the teeth, this is your best option for a even, white smile that is sure to dazzle.

After Your Whitening

There are some tips you should consider after you’ve had your teeth whitened. The point of whitening your teeth is to keep them bright. However, foods, drinks and substances can stain teeth once more. Consider avoiding foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, wine, berries, tomato sauce and even some sports drinks and hard candies. Not all of these will stain every person’s teeth, but they are all known to cause stains. If you do drink some of these, make sure to use a straw to limit contact with the teeth.

Tobacco is also a major culprit when it comes to teeth discoloration. Smoking is one of the quickest ways to diminish teeth whiteness, so eliminate it from your lifestyle if you truly wish to have a better smile. Eliminating tobacco will also significantly diminish your risk for oral cancer.

Other Factors

You may have discolored teeth that have nothing to do with food. Not taking care of your teeth can lead to tooth discoloration as well as unhealthy teeth. The tooth enamel naturally becomes thinner as you age. The dentin (part of what makes up your teeth) becomes thinner with age as well. This can make your teeth appear more yellow.

One of the best ways to keep your teeth brighter and healthier is to brush and floss them often. This can help you avoid problems such as gum disease and tooth decay that cause discolored teeth. Brushing and flossing everyday can also remove surface stains on a daily basis, which instantly leads to a better smile. Some tips you should consider:

Avoid acidic and sugary foods that can erode tooth enamel.
Don’t consume foods and drinks that stain the teeth.
Practice good oral hygiene before and after teeth whitening to keep your smile white.
Don’t buy generic products and always check labels to know what’s in a whitening product.
The more professional your teeth whitening treatment is, the longer it will last.

Your Consultation

In-office whitening only takes one appointment! Many people wish their smiles were brighter and whiter and they can be. For a teeth whitening treatment that’s quicker and lasts longer than all the other methods out there, all you have to do is contact our office. For your free consultation, call Dr. Ania’s office at 303-443-0998. A brighter, whiter smile can be yours today!

Posted: August 25, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

What Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment Can You Benefit From?

cosmetic dentistry

Are you aware of what medical science and technology are able to offer you today to improve your smile and oral health? Is there something about your smile that you have always wanted to correct, but didn’t feel you could? Today, like never before, you have many options to help you achieve your dream smile. Our dental team is equipped to get you there with several cosmetic dentistry treatments our patients love. Come see how our cosmetic dentistry treatments can benefit you today!

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

There are several forms of dentistry. Preventative care involves treatments such as comprehensive exams, professional dental cleanings and diagnostic x-rays. Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing and healing your oral health. Some of these include services such as orthodontic care, root canal therapy, teeth whitening, tooth-colored fillings and crowns. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, we seek to improve the appearance of your teeth so that you look better and feel better.

Some of our cosmetic dentistry services include porcelain veneers and crowns, dental implants, dental bridges and cosmetic bonding. Our most popular treatments patients love are the porcelain veneers and dental implants.

Porcelain Veneers

When you see celebrity smiles, do you ever wonder how they got such beautiful, straight and white teeth? It may come as no shock to you, but many celebrities have received professional cosmetic services such as porcelain veneers. Veneers are one of the best ways to achieve a more beautiful smile in just 2 office visits! Porcelain veneers are sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics”. Why? Because they can remove and cover up certain dental problems such as:

Cracked or chipped teeth
Stains and discoloration
Crooked teeth
Undesirable blemishes

How Veneers Work

Porcelain veneers are an amazing technological advance for thousands of people seeking a better smile. At your first appointment, we will discuss your goals and how you want your smile to look, including the whiteness. We want the veneers to fit in with the rest of your natural teeth so they too look natural. A veneer is basically a thin porcelain shell that goes over the front of each tooth. In your first consultation, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth so we get an accurate model of each individual tooth. These impressions will then be sent to a lab, where each veneer will be custom-made to fit your smile.

At your second appointment, your teeth are prepared for the veneers. The dentist will remove a tiny sliver from the front part of each tooth. This is to ensure the veneer sits flush with your tooth and does not stick out unnaturally This sounds painful, but it’s really not. You can opt for a local anesthetic during your treatment if you so desire. Once that sliver is removed, each porcelain veneer is attached to each individual tooth with a special bonding cement. We will use a curing laser to speed up the bonding process and ensure the veneer stays put. Excess cement is removed and your teeth are cleaned and polished. You’ll leave our office with a beautiful new smile that you can use right away!

Missing Teeth Have Damaging Effects

Implants are another wonderful invention in dentistry, especially for patients who are missing one or more teeth. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 36 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. More than 120 million are missing one or more teeth. That’s a lot of missing teeth! No patient needs to live without even a single tooth. Missing just one tooth can have damaging effects on the health of your smile and your oral health overall.

When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth and jawbone become weaker. This is due to the missing structural support the teeth had, as all the teeth help sustain and strengthen one another. A missing tooth can damage your self-esteem and self-confidence, which can start to affect your social and emotional life. The best way to avoid problems such as these is to repair and heal your smile through a dental implant.

Dental Implants Can Save Your Smile

A dental implant is another form of restorative dentistry that can improve your smile immensely. An implant allows you to replace your missing teeth with ones that look, feel and perform just like your natural tooth. The best part is that we can provide you an implant for any tooth that is lost, whether it be a front tooth or a molar. A dental implant is one of the most effective, predictable and longest-lasting options for replacing missing teeth. It can also stand alone and needs no other supporting teeth to function properly. In many cases, a dental implant might also be stronger than your natural tooth.

We make a dental implant with a titanium post. In one appointment, you will receive this post where you are missing your tooth. After a sufficient amount of time has past and the post has healed in your jawbone, we will then install a crown on top of the titanium post. This will be screwed into place to ensure it can never simply come out. This prosthetic tooth looks natural and blends right in with your teeth. It will allow you to eat and chew (even hard foods) like you used to. With proper care, a dental implant can last anywhere from 10-20 years. Pretty great, right?

A Better Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry

So what are you waiting for? Cosmetic dentistry treatments can do wonders for your smile. Come learn more about our other cosmetic treatments (bonding, teeth-whitening, crowns, etc.) and see how you can benefit today! For your free consultation, simply call Dr. Ania’s office at 303-443-0998.

Posted: August 15, 2017 By: content.team Comment: 0

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