Denver and Lakewood, Colorado
January 6th, 2012
If you have a missing tooth or if you are facing the loss of a tooth, it’s important to replace it to prevent damage or loss of other teeth. And if you are replacing a missing tooth, dental implants are your best option.
Dental implants can be permanent replacements unlike dentures that need to be replaced frequently, and dental bridges which will likely need to be replaced every ten years. Although the crown atop the dental implant may need to be replaced after about ten years, the implant itself is a lifetime restoration if properly cared for.
Dental implants are highly attractive, virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Dental implants do not slip or click when you talk or eat, like dentures. They also do not interfere with your speech as dentures sometimes can.
Dental implants allow you to eat all your favorite foods. There are no dietary restrictions with dental implants.
Dental implants require no special care, and unlike dental bridges they do not require modification of adjacent healthy teeth to support the replacement tooth.
To learn more about the advantages of dental implants, please schedule your consultation with Denver dentist Dr. Scott Greenhalgh today.
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December 23rd, 2011
Dental implants are being asked to do a very difficult job: take the place of your natural tooth root. Because of the numerous functions a dental implant has to perform in this job, there are few suitable materials. Titanium is one of these, for many reasons.
Most importantly, titanium is a biocompatible material. This means that your body will generally accept titanium as part of its structure, and not reject it. This allows the dental implant to become fully integrated into the bone, called osseointegration. Sometimes, the surface of the titanium is treated with acid or coated with a rough surface to further encourage osseointegration.
Titanium is very strong for its weight, which makes it an excellent choice for someplace where the implant must be small and must withstand tremendous forces. Titanium is also a good choice because it forms its own rust coat. Unlike iron, which powders and flakes away, when titanium rusts, the material becomes stronger and airtight.
As an added bonus, titanium is almost completely nonmagnetic, so your dental implant won’t set off the metal detectors at the airport!
To learn more about what makes dental implants durable, please contact Dr. Scott Greenhalgh to schedule an appointment at his Denver area office.
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December 19th, 2011
Start 2012 with a great smile
There is no better time to consider your smile than right now. Whether it’s a last minute gift of teeth whitening for someone, or just getting ready for the New Year, it’s time to consider how happy you are with your smile.
Right around the corner is the New Year. It’s a time to contemplate what went well in 2011, and what you want to accomplish in 2012. Study after study confirms that a great smile is one of the things people notice most about you. Take a couple of minutes, stare into your mirror, or ask someone who’s opinion you really value, and see what you think. Take a minute and write down what you think your smile says (or ask your friend).
Does your smile say:
- Attractive?
- Confident?
- Happy?
- Self-Assured?
- Sexy?
- Successful?
If you found other descriptions that you weren’t excited about, then now is the time to visit your Denver cosmetic dentist, Dr. Scott Greenhalgh, DDS and see how to get the smile you’re hoping for. Who knows? It may just open the doors to your best year ever!
Tags: cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist denver, denver cosmetic dentist, Dr Scott Greenhalgh DDS, New Year 2012, smile makeover, teeth whitening
Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening | No Comments »
December 15th, 2011
Dental implants are very long-lasting dental restorations, but just how long is long-lasting? Once a dental implant has been placed, it may last a lifetime, which means 20, 30 years, or more. However, the aesthetic ceramic crown on top of the implant may need replacing after about ten years, depending on the wear, your maintenance, and the quality of your bite.
However, it is possible that you will lose your dental implants to the same factor that led to the loss of your natural tooth. Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults, so it’s important to take care of your dental implants the way you should a natural tooth:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss daily
- Make regular dental visits
If you follow all these rules, you will be so happy with your replacement tooth, you may even forget it’s there.
To learn more about dental implants, please schedule a consultation with Denver dentist Dr. Scott Greenhalgh today.
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December 12th, 2011
Cosmetic dentistry makes you happy
Asking great questions is one of the best ways to make good decisions about cosmetic dentistry. As a Denver cosmetic dentist, I have practiced dentistry for over twenty years.
I participate in some online forums where patients ask their questions to doctors. What I find interesting is that they ought to be asking these questions FIRST to their own dentist.
Candidly, I see a lot of issues that come up about cosmetic dentistry procedures that ought to have been addressed BEFORE a patient has undergone a treatment.
My staff and I make great efforts to discuss what will happen ahead of time. I don’t like surprises, I know they don’t either. If you find you have some doubts about an upcoming cosmetic dentistry procedure or if you have a number of unanswered questions, then I suggest STOP immediately and don’t do anything else, or take a next step until you get solid answers.
Much of the success of cosmetic dentistry starts with outstanding communication. By the way, feel free to ask me questions about common cosmetic dentistry procedures like: teeth whitening, smile makeovers or porcelain veneers-you’ll be glad you asked!
Tags: ask questions, cosmetic dentist, denver cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, questions for doctors, Scott Greenhalgh DDS, smile makeover
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November 28th, 2011
Do Porcelain Veneers Ever Come Off?
In this series I explain what to be concerned about and how to avoid problems with veneers. Sometimes, patients considering porcelain veneers wonder if it will be a good choice because they wonder if they will have problems with them. The reality is that veneers are a great service. Veneers can be life-changing.
Yesterday I discussed the first issue of why a veneer can come off. I’ll finish the series today.
Two. A veneer could come off as a result of a misaligned bite. The way the new veneers move across the other teeth has to be a finely tuned, delicate symphony. The long-term durability of the veneers has a lot to do with the precision of the bite. It’s conceivable that a small imbalance in the sliding of the new veneers could catch a pressure spot and pop it off. Again, in an experienced cosmetic dentist’s hands, this is highly unlikely. In fact- for this blog I am actually being generous that this is a second reason a veneer might come off. In my experience, if there is any sort of subtle bite imbalance it is more likely that a veneer may get a small chip, rather than just pop off. (so in reality, there is really only one reason veneers come off). An experienced cosmetic dentist will also be able to create the finesse that is necessary with the new veneers. It ought to feel natural, it ought to flow and slide without restriction. You ought to be able to move and slide your new porcelain veneers without thinking about it.
If you have had some sort of an issue with a porcelain veneer coming off, or are thinking that may be a reason why you wouldn’t want veneers, a candid discussion with an experienced cosmetic dentist ought to allay your fears.
Today’s modern cosmetic dentistry is predictable and can routinely give you that smile you’ve always dreamed of! If you want to discuss your concerns about the veneers you have now, or are considering some porcelain veneers, feel free to contact me today.
Tags: cosmetic dentist, Dr Scott Greenhalgh DDS, porcelain veneers, problems with veneers, veneers, veneers off
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November 27th, 2011
Do Porcelain Veneers Ever Come Off?
I’ve heard patients comment about veneers they have had “come off”. Frankly, there is no good reason why veneers ought to pop off. In fact, it’s a harbinger of other bad things to come.
Porcelain veneers, when they are crafted correctly, are extremely strong, durable and stay in place reliably.
There are two main reasons why porcelain veneers come off- neither of them good…
I’ll go over the first reason today, and then discuss the other reason tomorrow.
One. The veneer wasn’t adhered correctly. The process of cementing, or bonding or adhering the veneer to your tooth is very technically demanding. There are many steps, the process is unforgiving. It requires an uncompromising technique. It is possible that during the adhesion process something goes wrong. While this could be possible for a great cosmetic dentist, it is highly unlikely, because they would notice if something isn’t going right. While possible, a great cosmetic dentist may have this happen only once or twice in a career. IF the worst happened that your veneer somehow came off, an experienced cosmetic dentist would be mortified. They would fix it quickly, and permanently. They would feel bad, and it would be obvious to you. If on the other hand, in the most likely scenario, you veneers were adhered without this immaculate technique, it could come off. If a veneer pops off one day later-it simply wasn’t adhered correctly. In this practice a staff member or even the dentist might say, “oh it happens all the time, don’t worry about it”. If it happens all the time or is in some way routine, then politely get yourself out of that office and into one of a more experienced cosmetic dentist.
You really shouldn’t lose any sleep worrying about your veneers coming off. In my experience, veneers work well, and they work well for a long time.
Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for Part Two of this series.
(or if you’ve had a veneer come off, you may want to schedule a visit with us so we can check your veneers and make sure you won’t have more problems-contact us today).
Tags: cosmetic dentistry, denver cosmetic dentist, Dr Scott Greenhalgh DDS, porcelain veneers, veneers
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November 26th, 2011
Porcelain Veneers
For patients, I think there is a lot of confusion about porcelain veneers.
I participate in some web forums where patients ask questions about cosmetic dentistry and other dental procedures. The advertisers for veneers (brands like: Lumineers, Vivaneers, DuraThin veneers, No Prep veneers and others) do a great job about creating a lot of buzz. There is no doubt that porcelain veneers can produce amazing results. But…there is no brand that fits everyone, all the time.
My advice to patients thinking about veneers: don’t get too focused in on a certain brand of veneers. Focus more on researching a great cosmetic dentist. Look at the before and after photos in their smile gallery. Frankly, you can tell a lot about that cosmetic dentistry practice by the quality and quantity of beautiful cosmetic dentistry photos. Look for clear, crisp photos. Look for an example that looks like you. Then look at the after results. Do the results look great, and do they look natural?
A great cosmetic dentist can help you find the right veneer option for you. After that evaluation, THEN your cosmetic dentist can recommend the right type of veneers.
Tags: before and after, cosmetic dentist, denver cosmetic dentist, patient questions, porcelain veneers, smile gallery, veneers
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October 28th, 2011
With a 98% success rate, dental implants are the most reliable and durable tooth replacement method currently available. The bone fusion process – called osseointegration – is what makes dental implants so strong and long-lasting. However, it is also the reason why dental implants require a more involved installation process than other tooth replacement methods.
At the beginning of the dental implant process, Dr. Greenhalgh will measure your jawbone’s density and dimensions at the site of your missing tooth, ensuring there is adequate support for the implant root. If you do not have enough bone to support a dental implant, Dr. Greenhalgh may recommend a bone grafting procedure.
Once sufficient bone has been established, Dr. Greenhalgh will create an impression of the area that needs the dental implant, guiding the specialist to the exact location where the implant will be placed. The specialist will then surgically insert the artificial root into your jawbone.
For a period of three to six months, you will need to wait as your gums and jawbone heal around the root, anchoring it into place. After the implant root has fused, you will return to Dr. Greenhalgh’s offices to have your custom-made dental crown created and placed on top of the root. The end result is a fully-functional artificial tooth that seamlessly blends with the rest of your smile, restoring your bite and protecting the future health of your teeth.
If you have further questions about dental implants, please contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with experienced implant dentist Dr. Scott Greenhalgh, DDS. We serve patients in Denver and Lakewood, Colorado.
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September 22nd, 2011
Porcelain veneers are long-lasting dental restorations and are unlikely to break or fall off under normal conditions. But it does happen, either as a freak occurrence, due to injury, or at the end of the veneer’s useful life, which can be up to 30 years.
If you lose a porcelain veneer, make sure you keep it. In most cases, it can be re-attached. Call us at 800-757-6680 and we’ll get you in for an appointment as soon as possible. We’ll re-evaluate the fit of the veneer and check the underlying tooth for any signs of decay or damage before re-attaching the veneer.
Chipping a porcelain veneer may be less of an emergency, depending on your personal sense of your appearance and the severity of the chip. If you feel it’s an emergency, call us and we will certainly get you in as soon as possible. If you are less concerned, communicate that and we will get you in at a convenient time. If you chip a veneer, you don’t have to keep the broken piece–just don’t swallow it!
If you have more questions about the care and longevity of porcelain veneers, please contact Denver cosmetic dentist Dr. Scott Greenhalgh today to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Porcelain Veneers | No Comments »
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