Scott Greenhalgh DDS - Blog

Porcelain Veneers to Correct Peg Laterals

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:11:27 +0000

A peg lateral is a malformed tooth next to your top front tooth. It commonly occurs in children and adolescents. Fortunately, it is easily repaired using porcelain veneers.

The best time to correct a peg lateral is while your child is undergoing orthodontic treatment to fix spacing issues. Denver cosmetic dentist Dr. Scott Greenhalgh will work with your child’s orthodontist in order to ensure that ample space is left to restore your peg lateral to a normal shape and size.

Porcelain veneers provide you with the most effective option to correct this condition. Your veneer can be crafted to match the color and surface smoothness of your natural teeth, and Dr. Greenhalgh can achieve the ideal shape to fit the space left for your restoration. It is by far the most effective option when you have a severely malformed peg lateral.

For minor deformities on a peg lateral tooth, dental bonding may provide you with an effective alternative. However, in most cases where your peg lateral is significantly smaller than it should be, bonding will not result in long lasting, aesthetically pleasing results. Only porcelain veneers will provide you with the results you desire.

It is important to start planning your peg lateral treatment while you are still undergoing orthodontic care. If the proper space is not left for your porcelain veneer, it will be much more challenging for Dr. Greenhalgh to deliver the aesthetic results you desire.

Please contact our Denver cosmetic dentist today to schedule your free initial consultation. Dr. Greenhalgh serves patients in the Denver and Lakewood, Colorado areas.

Dental meets Medical

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:12:00 +0000

Modern dental care produces healing that extends to medical conditions as well.

Modern dentistry now goes far beyond just fixing cavities in teeth. I see people every day that by improving their dental conditions, we can find a tangible medical or other health benefit as well. I see people every week with some sort of headache issue, or ear pain, or ear stuffiness, or TMJ problem, that the origin is largely from their teeth and jaw habits.

I find that with a complete and thorough dental examination, and a full assessment of those symptoms the patient might mention, that there is often a very high correlation between the other allegedly minor aches and pains or dysfunctions the patient has, and the conditions of their teeth, jaws, muscles and face.

For example, I have seen a steady stream of patients tell me about some sort of ear problem. They describe to me that they have been to their ENT doctor for what seemed like it could have been an ear infection, and that after that examination their doctor told him that they have no ear problems or infection. They often described a stuffiness or a plugged sensation in the ear, pressure in the ear canal and sometimes tinnitus (or tinnitis) which is ringing of the ears. After a thorough discussion of all the issues related to those tear sensations, I find 90% of what shows up in my office is actually of a dental origin not ear origin.

I have found that many of these improved well with a night guard, splint or NTI appliance. it is sometimes amazing in a short period of a few days or even weeks to see the improvements that are made in even “ear” symptoms.

There are many other correlations where a so-called “medical” problem exists, but really has a dental origin. If you have an unusual problem “above the neck” that your physician cannot heal for you, you should contact us for an examination like you’ve never had before.

It’s entirely possible that relief is easy and nearby!

Durability of Porcelain Veneers

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:37:00 +0000

Like anything that you want to last a long time, you must take care of your porcelain veneers. They are a good way to mask many of the imperfections you may have with your teeth, but they are not above being damaged by using them to open letters, cut thread, or other tool-type uses. If you can damage your teeth, you can damage your porcelain veneers.

Having said that, porcelain veneers are extremely durable, even though they are less than a millimeter thick. This is because of the way they are bonded to the teeth. Dr. Greenhalgh will remove a small portion of your tooth enamel so the veneer fits right on the front of your teeth. The porcelain shell may be thin, but it is still surprisingly strong.

Ways to keep your porcelain veneers strong include:

Avoid chewing ice and biting down on other hard objects
Brush and floss regularly
Use a toothpaste that is not very abrasive
Wear a mouthguard if you play sports

By taking care of your porcelain veneers, you can be sure that your smile will be bright and straight for years to come.

For more information about the durability of porcelain veneers in the Denver and Lakewood, Colorado area, please contact experienced cosmetic dentist Dr. Scott Greenhalgh to set up an appointment today.

Bing and Cosmetic Dentistry

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:59:39 +0000

Professionalism, Bing and Cosmetic Dentistry. What I like about the internet, is that information goes all over the world, and often to places that, while I have no personal connection to, are actually pretty cool.

Yesterday one of the informational sites I have on the site “Naymz” (or click here to see my actual page) sent me a message that someone was looking at my information. I am always curious to see what sorts of things people are searching for, and try to understand how they wind up at my site.

Once I did a little detective work, I found someone had entered this search on Bing: “Who is the epitome of professionalism?”. Much to my surprise, I came up at the top of that search! (see the Bing search for yourself, click here)

Once I dug a little farther, I found that a colleague of mine had posted a comment about our practice using that phrase.

We have a good time here in this office, and frequently you can hear the laughing spilling out.

But, more than anything, or even more important than the fun is professionalism. When you are in our office, and under our care, we will make sure that you are treated carefully, in a manner that produces good results, and professionally.

So, Thanks to everyone out there who has been a supporter, and “Bing it on!”

Robotic Blog

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:31:00 +0000

Robotic Block

I just want to let you know that the future is here, now. I’m using one of my latest, greatest technology findings. I am using MacSpeech Dictate. I’m using a microphone to dictate my thoughts and blog today, My laptop is transcribing printed asked. Pretty cool! (except there are still typos…).

Here’s why I see this as an advantage: many of my blogs are written in my head, and frankly, take way too long to sit down, type them all out, and edit them. I know for me, I can dictate the thoughts and concepts that are in my head WAY Faster than how fast I can type.

So the benefit for you, is that I can get more complicated information down more quickly. It will also let me add more pages and entries, more rapidly.

And along the way I’ll probably mess with it by adding some words like “particle bladder” just to see what it comes out with.

So I encourage you to sit back, get a cold drink, and get ready for more blogs, more information, and really, more helpful tools to help you understand cosmetic dentistry.

So, I have to figure out whether the computer is an idiot or my dictation is a little peculiar, but for now I have decided to sit back talk to myself and have a good time!

So enjoy this first blog, “type O.’s and all. Knowing I’d never touched the keys in creating this!

Why Replace a Missing Tooth?

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:25:00 +0000

A missing tooth may result in a shifting of other teeth, causing a variety of issues affecting your ability to chew properly, the alignment of your jaw, and your ability to avoid future tooth and gum decay. It is not uncommon to develop TMD (TMJ) symptoms after losing a tooth.

Whether you realize it or not, a missing tooth can set off a series of events that lead to serious oral health problems. As a result, it is important to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible.

There are other serious problems that may arise if you do not replace a missing tooth. Your remaining teeth will be forced to shoulder more of the load with daily chewing and this can lead to increased tooth sensitivity. The gums may recede more quickly on these remaining teeth and ultimately, you may have a tooth fracture and loss of additional teeth.

Denver cosmetic dentist Dr. Scott Greenhalgh will perform a thorough examination to evaluate the cause of your missing teeth. He will then recommend a treatment regimen that will help reduce the risk of future tooth loss. If your teeth have shifted, Dr. Greenhalgh may recommend a procedure to return them to their proper alignment.

In general, the two most common methods of replacing missing teeth are dental implants and dental bridges. Dr. Greenhalgh will generally recommend dental implants if you have enough healthy bone structure to support the implant. However, if you are not a candidate for dental implants, dental bridges can provide you with a highly effective alternative. What is important is that you have a personalized exam to find out which option is more suitable for you.

If you have missing teeth that need replacement, please contact our Denver cosmetic dentist today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Greenhalgh.

Are No Prep Veneers or Lumineers for Everyone?

admin — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 23:06:00 +0000

Veneers are great, they change smiles and lives. Over twenty years as a cosmetic dentist in Denver, I have placed MANY veneers. In fact I have fixed veneers from other offices as well.

One of my partnering services SmileVision sent me this nice summary about the current trends with veneers. The following are some advantages & disadvantages of minimal-prep or no-prep veneer cases, which dentists must be ready to deal with:

Advantages:
- Patients like the idea of not prepping making cases are easier
- Temporaries are often unnecessary, lowering the cost of treatment
- Restorations bond strongly to enamel, so these stay put
- Procedures are reversible if the results are not satisfactory
- There is minimal damage to the dental pulp

Disadvantages:
- Esthetic changes are limited
- Limited potential for color changes due to thin material
- Difficulties manufacturing, inserting and bonding the restorations
- Patient complaints about excessive bulk
- Flat esthetics due lack of room to create deep embrasures

These are the challenges each dentist must manage when making decisions about how to proceed with cosmetic cases. Success will never bee 100%, no matter which techniques are selected. Everything works in the right situation and nothing works in the wrong one.

So… the science of cosmetic dentistry really has to do with interpreting which type of veneers will work best for which patients. Some patients just want a simple improvement-these patients CAN be candidates for the no-prep veneers or Lumineers.

But… the longer I practice dentistry in Denver, I have found that largely the patients that come to see me want beautiful, close to perfect smiles, with a really natural look (visit our before and after photo gallery).

Have you ever met someone who just had teeth that were bigger than life? Or some sort of dental work that just jumped right off of their face? I think these cases are mistakes for both the patient and for cosmetic dentistry in general.

So, like a lot of things in life, one size does NOT fit all. If you are considering veneers, then first you need to find the right the right cosmetic dentist that understands the differences, and can give YOU a great explanation for what would work best for you. Contact us today, and let us help you make the right choice and get he smile you’ve been waiting for!

Goodwill and Dentistry

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:20:00 +0000

I wrote a training module for my staff last week. In summary, the concluding thoughts were: “We are here To Protect and To Serve”. No we don’t carry guns. No we don’t have cool badges. But other than that, the goal is the same for us as for our uniformed respected counterparts. We have your goodwill at the front of all that we do.

We are here to Protect. We are here to keep our patients far away from the ravages of unmanaged dental problems. We are here to try to keep them away from that jaw-grabbing middle of the night toothache. We are here to keep them away from that broken tooth Monday morning before the meeting with the boss in from out of town.

We are also here to Serve our clients. This means, we constantly keep their best interest and outcomes at the forefront of all that we do. We offer clear communication, we offer a calm manner to how we deliver our care. We make efforts on our part, to deal with and to calm their dental anxiety.

I have the highest regard for those who live the credo To Protect and to Serve every day. I say it as often as I can-THANKS for your efforts and putting your life on the line for the rest of us. It is a noble calling and noble service.

While my staff and I don’t take our lives in our hands everyday, we too take seriously that credo and want you to know your smile is safe with us!

If you’d like to have comfortable care, be respected or need some outstanding cosmetic dentistry, then please contact us today.

Rabid about Cosmetic Dentistry

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:14:00 +0000

When was the last time you saw “rabid” anything? I mean, look at this dog-he exemplifies it: tongue hanging way out, ears peaked, eyes focused in on something in the distance. He’s ready to go.

I guess that one of my passions in life is cosmetic dentistry. Over the years, I have learned to keep my tongue from hanging out, or drool on anyone, and especially to not bite anyone, but other than that, it’s the same for me as that dog in the photo. I’m ready to go!

There are times when it seems that everything I am thinking about has to do with advancing cosmetic dentistry in Denver. I am really looking forward to attending the premier event in cosmetic dentistry next week. The AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) will be having their 26th annual session in Dallas, TX.

It will be an inspirational week with great speakers, great tips on advancing my skills as a cosmetic dentist, and great people who love what they do. I am also enjoying having more involvement in this organization. I will be serving as a New Member Concierge. Like any big meeting, there are a few ins and outs, and my role is to help some new members get the best stuff out of the meeting.

I have also been invited to serve as an Internal Scout for the meeting. Cool, they have asked me to give my unedited, candid assessment of certain portions of the meeting. I CAN do that.

I was speaking with one of my business partners last week. He commented on how it seemed that my practice had really taken to heart the whole concept of “experience engineering“. I take that concept to mean: that we understand what our clients want, and we have changed how things work internally in order to create the best possible experience for them.

So serving as a Scout, I think I understand what the experience OUGHT to look like. (And I’ll give my two cents about how it actually goes). Beyond that, I look forward to the opportunity to add constructive comments about how to keep making this meeting better and better.

This group has already set the bar for dental photography, beautiful cosmetic dentistry, including: veneers, smile makeovers, even cosmetic dentistry on dental implants.

I am glad to be part of this group, and I am already looking forward to stretching my mind, and contributing as well. (And I am fairly certain, that no one will get hurt!)

If you are looking for some rabid cosmetic dentistry, or need an experience engineered just for YOU, then please contact us today!

Everyone is NOT a Cosmetic Dentist

admin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Simply put: Everyone is not a cosmetic dentist.

I appreciate the opportunity to invade your thoughts for a few moments with my blogs. After practicing for over twenty years as a cosmetic dentist in Denver, I find I have a lot of opinions about how cosmetic dentistry is done.

I think there is a lot to the adage: “If you can’t say something nice about someone, then don’t say anything at all”. I have had some great mentors in cosmetic dentistry along the way. The GREAT ones, were not only outstanding clinical dentists, but beyond that they were a class act: in how they spoke, in how they handled “dumb” questions, and in how they taught. Those are the characteristics that I aspire to.

I rarely make negative comments about other dentists. I don’t think that serves the profession of dentistry very well, and also, it puts patients to the side of the conversation, rather than in the middle where they should be.

Simply put: Everyone is not a cosmetic dentist. Many WANT

to be, many TRY to be, but few actually produce amazing smiles, or perform profound services. I saw a gentlemen for a consultation recently. he had BIG spaces between many of his teeth. When he grew up, some of the teeth moved into the wrong spots. MANY difficult alignment problems. A very difficult plan.

A real cosmetic dentist has the goal to create a REAL result. A smile that will fit that person’s personality and lifestyle. When the veneers are done, our patient ought to feel like WOW, that’s amazing. I can’t believe I waited this long to have this done!

And off they go, smiling at everyone and anyone they meet (stop by and visit our smile gallery with before and after photos to see some of these transformations!).

For this gentleman, his care starts with the right smile design. It’s my job to listen to him, find out what he REALLY wants, and find the easiest route to deliver it to him. The smile design process has to include: his preferences, comfort options during his care, and clear communication about what the results are predicted to look like (by using a smile simulation).

Many dentists can fix teeth, many can make veneers, or a smile makeover. But unfortunately, not all dentists can perform the whole of cosmetic dentistry. I invite you to come see the difference a cosmetic dentist can make (contact us today!).