Is Invisalign for You?

invisalign

When choosing an orthodontic treatment option, it’s important to have all the facts. One popular alternative to traditional braces is Invisalign, a tooth-straightening system that doesn’t rely on brackets or wires. Invisalign uses a series of removable custom-made, form-fitted trays made of clear plastic. These devices, known as aligners, exude a constant pressure to the teeth and are switched out regularly to gradually move your teeth to the desired position. This innovative system isn’t for everyone, though. A member of our dental team can help educate you on your options.

 

Orthodontic Care

Although Dr. Ania specializes in dentistry, she also knows the importance of orthodontic care for a healthier mouth. Studies show that those who receive orthodontic care and teeth straightening through braces have a reduced risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Why? Straighter teeth are much easier to clean than teeth that are crooked. They are easier to brush and floss and the teeth also have a lower risk for breaking.

When the teeth are crooked, it may be hard to get floss in between the teeth. When brushing, there could be areas where the brush can’t reach well, which could cause plaque to sit on the teeth and erode them over time. The uneven pressure placed on crooked teeth when chewing and biting can also lead to a tooth fracture or break. When it comes to the health of your teeth, straightening them is one of the ways to keep them healthy.

 

Benefits

When you invest your time in orthodontic care, you’ll not only come out of it with straighter teeth, but you’ll gain the benefits of:

  • Heathier teeth and gums
  • Easier cleaning (as mentioned)
  • Overall health

Believe it or not, but your oral health can affect your whole-body wellness. If you take care of your oral health, odds are that you’re taking care of other parts of your health as well. Oral infections play a big role in your risk for serious conditions or ailments such as stroke, heart disease, pneumonia and diabetes. This is due to bacteria buildup in the mouth that leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Decay and disease can also lead to infections that can get into your bloodstream and cause problems in other parts of the body. When it comes to your oral health, don’t take a chance on it! Keep it as healthy as possible.

 

Boost Your Confidence

Many studies have been done when it comes to straight teeth and if they help boost confidence. The answer is yes! We offer Invisalign transparent aligners at our office and coincidentally enough, Invisalign conducted a study comparing straight teeth to crooked teeth. In one study, over 1,000 people on the street were asked to comment on two photos placed side-by-side. One photo featured a person with crooked teeth and the other featured a person with straight teeth. Those surveyed were not aware that the study was about the teeth at all. However, the results of the study were quite amazing.

 

When the two photos were compared, they found that the person with straight teeth was perceived as more successful and more confident almost every time. They were also perceived as more attractive and up to 73% more trustworthy. Those with straighter teeth were also seen as:

  • 21% more likely to be happy
  • 47% more likely to be healthy
  • 38% more likely to be smart

All of these social benefits come from simply having straight teeth!

 

Traditional Braces

When most think of braces, they think of the traditional metal braces that are so popular with children and teens. We actually use traditional metal braces in our office for child orthodontics. We use a two-step treatment process where children receive orthodontic care to correct bite and alignment problems. The goal is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often show early signs of jaw problems as they grow. Early treatment with braces can correct those problems so that they can then receive another phase of orthodontic treatment as adolescents to straighten the teeth.

 

Invisalign Braces

When it comes to orthodontic care, traditional metal braces are not your only option. They are popular with all ages, but adults often go the route of braces that can be hidden easier. One of our amazing orthodontic options is Invisalign transparent aligners. Invisalign is a tooth-straightening system that doesn’t rely on brackets or wires. Invisalign uses a series of removable custom-made, form-fitted trays made of clear plastic. These devices, known as aligners, exude a constant pressure to the teeth and are switched out every 1-2 weeks to gradually move your teeth to the desired position. Using the Invisalign alignment system, Dr. Ania can straighten your smile in the same amount of time (or less) than those who wear metal braces.

 

We simply take digital impressions of your teeth using a special digital scanning system to create precise 3D images of your teeth. We will map out a treatment plan and what you can expect at the end of your treatment with your new smile. Your custom-made aligners will be made from Invisalign’s SmartTrack material that will stay strong while moving your teeth. Wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day and in no time your smile will be straighter!

 

Your Consultation

Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care and now you can too. Let us design a smile for you that is natural and beautiful and one that will bring you confidence. If you are interested in exploring your options for orthodontic treatment as an adult, please contact Dr. Ania’s office to schedule an appointment at 303-443-0998!

 

Posted: August 7, 2017 By: Comment: 0

Your New Smile with Porcelain Veneers

porcelain veneers

If you could receive a new, more perfect smile today would you do it? You can with porcelain veneers! Porcelain veneers are an amazing dental service sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics”. Why? The change in your smile from average to dazzling is almost instantaneous! With porcelain veneers, you can fix your crooked, chipped, stained, cracked or misshapen teeth quickly. We simply take molds of your teeth, make customized white veneers for you and adhere them right in our office. That means, a more beautiful, whiter smile can be yours before you leave our office. Skip the months of time orthodontic treatments take! Learn more about our porcelain veneers today and how they can transform your smile for a lifetime!

 

Benefits of a Straighter Smile

Did you know that people with straighter, more beautiful smiles tend to exude more confidence than those who don’t? In studies done by companies such as Invisalign, they found that those with straighter teeth were perceived as more confident, attractive, and even more trustworthy than those who had crooked teeth. Applicants that have straight teeth have a better chance at landing the jobs they apply for than those with crooked teeth. Plus, a more beautiful smile boosts confidence almost instantaneously.

 

Many choose the route of braces to achieve a better smile. However, there are many people that didn’t receive orthodontic care with braces as a child or teenager. Many adults find braces to be childish or unattractive. They also don’t have the time to take 1-2 years to straighten their teeth. Braces could even take longer if the teeth are severely crooked. If braces aren’t an option, what can you do to beautify your smile? Invest in porcelain veneers!

 

Porcelain Veneers: What Are They?

Sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics”, porcelain veneers can quickly change or enhance your smile. They can also be applied in just 2 office visits instead of waiting years for results. Dental veneers fall into our category of “cosmetic dentistry”. Cosmetic dentistry procedures are those that improve the appearance of the teeth, gums and/or your bite. In this case, porcelain veneers make your smile dazzling!

 

Dental veneers work to change the appearance of the outside of the teeth, or the part that others see. Have crooked teeth? Are your teeth stained? Veneers can fix that! Veneers consist of thin porcelain shells that cover the outside of the teeth. They are custom-made to fit your smile and give you pearly whites that are straight, just the right size and of course, white.

 

How Are They Applied?

You will meet with Dr. Ania for your consultation. He will discuss your goals and what you would like your smile to look like. We also have digital imaging available so you can see how your new smile will look. Dr. Ania will take impressions of your teeth so that we have an accurate measurement for each tooth. Each porcelain veneer must be special-made to fit your mouth perfectly, so this impression is essential to the procedure. That impression will then be sent to a lab where tooth shells of porcelain will be made. Those porcelain shells will be sent back to us, where they will be placed on your teeth during your second visit.

 

With the actual procedure, Dr. Ania will take off a very thin part of the front of your teeth. We have to take off a sliver of the natural tooth so that there is room for the porcelain shell to rest in a way that makes it look like a part of your natural tooth. Using a special bonding agent, Dr. Ania will apply each individual veneer so that it is flesh with your natural tooth. This cement bonding will ensure that your shells stay in place for many years to come. We have a special light to quickly harden and seal the bonding agent so that you can return back to your normal routine as soon as you leave our office. Once your appointment is over, you will have a beautiful new smile. You will also be able to eat and drink like you normally do.

 

Candidates

How do you know if porcelain veneers are right for you? Who can receive porcelain veneers?

You are a great candidate for porcelain veneers if you have the following:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Chipped or broken teeth
  • Tetracycline-stained teeth (or stained teeth in general)
  • Misshapen teeth
  • You dislike the shape and/or color of your teeth

 

A Better Smile

Not everyone is a good candidate for porcelain veneers. The teeth and gums have to be strong enough for cosmetic dentistry. Those with severe gum disease may not be able to receive porcelain veneers because the teeth and gums are in poor condition. Stronger teeth lead to better cosmetic dentistry treatment and will ensure that your veneers actually last. If you would love a better smile in as little as 2 office visits, call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998!

Schedule a Consultation

 

Posted: August 3, 2017 By: Comment: 0

Does Your Child Need Early Orthodontic Treatment?

early orthodontic treatment

Many adults invest in orthodontic care, but what about when it comes to a child? How do you know if your child needs orthodontic treatment? At our office, we provide early orthodontic treatment to our young patients to help prevent problems later on in life such as the removal of permanent teeth or the need for corrective surgical procedures to realign the jaws. Dr. Ania’s team is highly skilled to provide you excellent orthodontic care for your child while also making sure their smile stays healthy for years to come. Learn more about early orthodontic care and see how it could benefit your child today!

 

Early Orthodontic Treatment

Early orthodontic treatment is becoming more and more common because of how beneficial it can be for a child’s oral health. The American Dental Association tells us that orthodontic treatment and braces are used to correct bad bites. Your child’s teeth may appear straight, but the upper and lower jaws may not line up correctly, which could create problems. Your child may need early orthodontic treatment if they have difficulty chewing, speech impediments, protruding or crowded front teeth, shifting of the jaw or more. If your child shows any of these signs, early orthodontic treatment can benefit them.

 

Types of bites that need to be corrected include:

  • Openbite – The upper and lower teeth (or the jaws) do not touch when the mouth is closed. There is a gap or opening between the rows of teeth that shouldn’t be there.
  • Overbite – The upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth instead of lining up straight.
  • Underbite – The lower front teeth overlap the upper front teeth.
  • Crossbite – The front teeth or back teeth (or both) are misaligned. Some of the teeth point more outward towards the cheek, while others point inwards towards the tongue.
  • Malocclusion – Teeth that are crooked or crowded.

 

Phase One Treatment

The goal of Phase One treatment is to help the jaw develop so that it will accommodate all of the permanent teeth when they grow in. Phase One will also help improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together as this phase corrects bite problems before they become severe. Baby teeth start erupting in the mouth around 6 months of age.

Children will generally have around 20 baby teeth and will have them for years before they begin to fall out. These baby teeth will be more spaced out than adult teeth, but this is so that there is room for more permanent teeth to grow in during the adolescent years. Phase One treatment generally occurs around age 8 or 9. The time period for this care will vary depending on the severity of bite or alignment problems. It’s very common for children to receive early orthodontic treatment that is part of a two-phase treatment.

 

Two-Phase Treatment

The purpose of a two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal aesthetic and functional results that will remain stable throughout your entire life. The second phase of orthodontic treatment will occur around age 11 or after. This phase begins when all the permanent teeth have erupted and usually requires wearing braces for an average of two years. The goal of this treatment is to ensure that all the teeth have an exact location in the mouth and that all the teeth fit correctly. When proper tooth positioning is established, the teeth will function together properly, allowing for a perfect smile.  

 

The Benefits of Braces

The American Dental Association recommends that children receive orthodontic screening by age 7. Because the bones are still growing, it is a perfect time to see if both the jaw and bite are aligned correctly. The teeth are still developing at this age and the jaw is continuing to grow and can be guided so your teeth and jaw grow correctly. Braces in general can help decrease your risk for tooth decay and gum disease.

 

Crooked teeth are harder to keep clean, as it’s harder to get in between the teeth. Straighter teeth are easy to keep clean, which helps keep your gums cleaner as well. Tooth decay and gum disease happen from not brushing and flossing the teeth enough. When teeth are straighter and the jaw is aligned correctly, cleaning is easier and patients tend to do it more. Braces can also straighten out a crooked smile. Studies show that a straighter smile leads to greater confidence in both children and adults. Confidence is always a great gift to give a child and you can do that through proper orthodontic care.

 

Plan for Early Care

Planning for early orthodontic treatment now can save your child time, money and unnecessary pain later on in life. Early caer can also prevent the removal of permanent teeth as an adult when the jaw is more set. Receiving jaw surgery is much more intense as an adult. Early orthodontic treatment is ideal for avoiding painful surgical procedures later on. If your child has any of the signs we mentioned that require early orthodontic care, don’t hesitate to seek treatment. Call Dr. Ania’s office today at 303-443-0998 for your free consultation!

 

Posted: July 27, 2017 By: Comment: 0

Restore Your Smile with a Dental Implant

dental implant
Tooth human implant (done in 3d graphics)

Have missing teeth? If so, you’re not alone. Studies have found that more than 178 million Americans are missing one or more tooth. Up to 35 million Americans don’t have any teeth at all. If you are missing one or more tooth, what can you do? Invest in dental implants! Dental implants are a restorative dentistry option that allows you to replace your missing teeth with customized teeth that look and feel real. In many cases, these implants are actually stronger than your natural teeth. The benefits of dental implants are far-reaching as well. You will be able to add functionality back to your smile with a tooth that’s present and works. You will also help strengthen the area of the gums where your tooth was lost and prevent other teeth from becoming weak (as can happen when a tooth is missing). Learn more about what Dr. Ania can do to restore your smile today!

 

The Effects of Missing Teeth

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry reports that more than 35 million Americans are missing all their teeth in one or both of their jaws. That’s 35 million Americans with extreme cases of tooth loss. An estimated 178 million Americans are missing one or more teeth in the mouth. Missing one or more tooth is fairly common, but it is not something that you have to live with. A missing tooth can make quite the impact on your smile and on your oral health. It can affect the way you speak and could cause you to have a lisp or other speech impediment. A missing tooth can also weaken the strength of your jaw in the area where the tooth was lost. This can cause other teeth to weaken and loosen up.

 

Gum Disease

Teeth fall out due to sports injuries, accidents, and problems such as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is also known as gum disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 64.7 million American adults have gum disease. That’s roughly 47% of all American adults, or almost 1 in 2 adults. 8.7% of those adults have mild periodontitis in the form of gingivitis. This is a treatable and reversible form of gum disease where the gums begin to become red, inflamed, and bleed easily when flossing. With proper oral health habits and dental care, gingivitis can be corrected.

 

30% of American adults have moderate periodontitis, which is the stage between gingivitis and severe gum disease. This group is at great risk for losing their teeth if proper oral health habits aren’t established and followed. The final group that falls under severe periodontitis consists of 8.5% of American adults. With severe periodontitis, the gums recede from the teeth and those teeth begin to fall out. Once one tooth falls out, it becomes easier for the surrounding teeth to fall out, as the jawbone starts to weaken. One of the best ways to avoid tooth loss is to keep up on proper oral health practices. These include brushing and flossing your teeth several times a day and seeing your dentist often.

 

Dental Implants: What Are They?

If you lose a tooth due to periodontal disease, it is possible to receive a dental implant. However, your gums and jawbone have to be strong enough to receive this treatment. What is a dental implant though? Dental implants are a form of restorative dentistry that allow our patients to replace their missing teeth. A dental implant will take the place of a tooth that is missing. During this procedure, we install a metal post into the jawbone and allow the post to heal. We will custom-make a tooth for you that blends with the rest of your smile. Once the metal post has securely healed in your jaw, we will install your new tooth into the post. Once installed, your dental implant will look, feel and perform like a natural tooth. In some cases, your dental implant may even be much stronger than your natural teeth. With proper care, your implant can last 10-20 years.

 

A Great Option

A dental implant is one of the most effective and long-lasting solutions to replace one or more missing teeth. Unlike a bridge, a dental implant can stand strong on its own. It needs no other tooth to keep it strong and in place. When it comes to gum disease, a dental implant is a great option to rehabilitate your mouth. You can even add an implant or two to a set of dentures if you want to improve the comfort of your dentures.

 

Restore Your Smile with a Dental Implant

Having a full set of teeth with help make your smile strong and sturdy. Keeping that smile healthy through proper oral hygiene practices will ensure that you keep the teeth you have and the implants you receive. You don’t have to live without teeth or the damaging effects a missing tooth can do to your smile. If you are missing one or more teeth, call Dr. Ania’s office at 303-443-0998 today!

 

Posted: July 19, 2017 By: Comment: 0
Laser Dentistry

Better Oral Health with Laser Dentistry

 

Did you know that laser dentistry can help you enhance your gum strength and improve your oral health? Laser dentistry is making quite the mark when it comes to deep cleaning the mouth. We utilize soft-tissue lasers to remove gum tissue that has been diseased by bacteria. How? Through pulsed beams of concentrated energy that work right on your gums to combat periodontal disease. Gum disease can lead to red and bleeding gums, receding gums and eventually tooth loss.  Avoid unnecessary tooth loss and gum disease with laser dentistry treatment. Healthy patients benefit from laser dentistry’s ability to reduce oral bacteria. Patients with gum disease benefit from targeted treatment that improves gum health.  Come discover what Dr. Ania’s laser dentistry can do to clean and heal your mouth today!

 

Keep Your Oral Health in Check

Brushing and flossing the teeth every single day is vital to keeping your oral health in check. We recommend brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Brushing after every meal is optimal for preventing the buildup of plaque on your teeth. Keeping on top of your oral health also involves seeing the dentist often. Schedule your biannual checkups to receive your deep cleanings and comprehensive exams. These exams can help detect the presence of tooth decay (cavities) that can harm your teeth.  According to the American Dental Association, cavities continue to be the most prevalent chronic disease in childhood. They also report that an estimated 100 million Americans fail to visit the dentist each year.  Preventing gum disease goes hand-in-hand with preventing cavities. Your proactive role in your oral health is key for success.

 

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Brushing and flossing the teeth often is the best way to fight the effects of plaque on your oral health. When plaque sits on the teeth for long periods of time, it can erode the tooth enamel. From there, it will seep into the fleshy pulp inside of the tooth and begin to cause decay. This is how a cavity forms. When left untreated, tooth decay becomes severe and you can start to lose teeth. Plaque also affects the gums of the teeth.

If plaque is not removed by proper brushing and flossing, it will begin to irritate the gums. Gum disease begins with gingivitis. This is when the gums become red and inflamed and begin to bleed more when you floss. Gingivitis can turn into more severe gum disease if proper oral health habits aren’t followed. Over 64.7 million Americans suffer from the effects of gum disease. Another name for gum disease is periodontal disease.

The initial stage of gum disease is gingivitis. This is the stage that can be treated and corrected. The severe stage of gum disease is periodontitis. 8.7% of Americans have mild periodontitis. 30% have moderate periodontitis and 8.5% have severe cases of periodontitis. Severe periodontitis is not easily treated. During this stage, the gums recede from the teeth and the teeth begin to fall out. This is the stage you want to avoid. The good news? Gum disease is completely and 100% avoidable with proper oral hygiene. When gum disease still plagues you, we can help your oral health with laser dentistry.

 

Better Oral Health with Laser Dentistry

We specialize in many dental services for our patients. One of these is laser dentistry. How is this different than regular dentistry? Handheld instruments are less effective for providing your mouth the power of a deep-clean. Deep cleaning dramatically reduces bacteria in your mouth. Our soft tissue lasers treat your teeth with the power of laser technology. Laser stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” We use diode laser energy to deep clean and remove gum tissue that has been diseased by bacteria. Our soft tissue lasers use pulsed beams of concentrated energy to clean up your gums. These high-tech lasers allow Dr. Ania to decontaminate your gums by reducing the bacteria that leads to plaque and inflammation. We also use laser therapy to vaporize diseased tissue safely and gently without effecting the surrounding delicate tissues of the mouth.

Our lasers have the ability to detect cavities in your mouth so they can be treated. In some cases, our lasers detect cavities much better than handheld tools. This means a small cavity can be found before it is able to grow larger.  Catching cavities while they are small equates to quick, painless treatment for our patients.  Laser dentistry offers you preventive care that will save you both time and money while also providing you a more comfortable in-office experience. 

 

Laser Dentistry Does Even More

Laser dentistry is extremely beneficial to all of our patients because of how many services it allows us to offer our them. Our soft tissue lasers can do all of the following:

  • Reshape a patient’s gum to enhance a smile
  • Detect and treat cavities
  • Treat cold sores quicker with low intensity dental lasers to reduce irritation and healing time
  • Sterilize root canals
  • Deep clean gingival pockets through laser decontamination
  • Brighten teeth with Laser tooth whitening
  • Provide crown lengthening
  • Minimize bacterial infections
  • Speed wound healing
  • Help with dental implant exposure
  • Eliminate benign tumors
  • Reduce gum irritation
  • Recontour gums for cosmetic purposes

 

Schedule Your Appointment Today

If you seek precision with your dental work, you don’t want to miss out on the benefits of laser dentistry. Laser technology allows Dr. Ania to work quickly yet efficiently to remove diseased tissue and reshape the gums to provide you with healthier gums and teeth. We know you can achieve better oral health through laser dentistry. To make your appointment, call the office of Dr. Ania today at 303-443-0998!

Posted: July 12, 2017 By: Comment: 0

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