Dr. West's Boulder Dental Blog

Many people will experience at least one tooth emergency in their life. You could break a tooth playing a sport, accidentally dislodge a crown, experience sudden pain caused by an abscess or break a wire on your braces. In the case of a dental emergency, see your Lafayette dentist as soon as possible!

Following are some immediate treatments:
Broken Tooth: Save any tooth fragments. Rinse mouth with warm water. If the area is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze. A cold compress held on the cheek can reduce swelling and lessen pain. Visit your Boulder dentist as soon as you can.

Lost Filling: Save the filling if you can. It can help your dentist determine why it came out. Do not let food get stuck in the hole left by the filling. Do not chew on the tooth. Brush it gently. Call your dentist’s office to schedule an emergency appointment right away.

Displaced Crowns: If there is pain, you may apply a dab of clove oil with a Q-tip to the affected tooth (a common home remedy that may reduce pain). Save the crown. If you can’t see your dentist immediately, you can apply dental cement (available at drugstores) or denture adhesive to temporarily re-attach the crown until you can get to your dentist. Do not use other types of glue or adhesive.

By visiting your Lafayette dentist as soon as possible, you avoid pain, infection and possible further tooth damage. If you delay treatment, even for a few days, you risk needing more extensive treatment later.

For dental emergencies in and around Boulder, call Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry. Our phone number is 720-862-3630

Center for Advanced Dental Care

Wisdom teeth are the last of the molars (grinding teeth) to erupt from the gum. They usually appear in the late teens and early twenties. Not all people develop these teeth while others have from one to four.

Though some people never experience any problems with these extra molars, many times Wisdom teeth can create serious dental complications. If the wisdom teeth do not have the room to develop and erupt normally, they are referred to as impacted wisdom teeth. An impacted tooth may never emerge from the bone and gum, emerge only partially, or come in sideways.

Impacted teeth can damage the adjacent molar, cause infection or trigger gum disease. Sometimes these problems cause no noticeable symptoms for a period of time. To prevent these serious complications, wisdom teeth are often removed.

Wisdom teeth symptoms include pain when opening mouth, gum swelling, bad breath, and pain when chewing. These indicators can be constant or intermittent.

To learn more about wisdom teeth extraction, call 720-862-3630 to schedule an exam at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry. We provide state-of-the-art dental care in a comfortable environment.  Our dental team can recommend the best course of treatment.

Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry

Providing comprehensive dental care for Lafayette and Boulder area families since 1998.

When the upper part of the jaw and the lower part of the jaw are not the same size, bite problems can occur. When the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw, it is called an overbite. When the reverse is true, it is called an underbite. Another related alignment disorder is called a crossbite. Crossbites occur when lower teeth are in the wrong position. They may be incorrectly positioned sideways, forward or backward.

Malocclusion (literally ‘bad bite’) is the term used for all types of bite problems including overbites, underbites and crossbites. Jaw alignment disorders can cause a range of problems and often prohibit proper chewing and/or swallowing. Teeth can shift around in the mouth, causing even more discomfort or difficulty. Gum disease and tooth decay are also harder to prevent because proper oral hygiene can be difficult with a malocclusion. TMJ disorder can develop over time. Distorted facial shape and unattractive teeth are often the most noticeable and troubling issues for those affected.

Fortunately, there are a variety of effective treatments for bite problems. If you suspect your child has a bite misalignment, it is especially important to have them examined as early as possible. By starting early, you can make sure they avoid years of pain and self-consciousness.

Call Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry at 720-862-3630. Dentist Dr. Gordon West, DDS is experienced in diagnosing bite disorders in patients of all ages. We can create a successful treatment plan for you. We also perform porcelain veneers and dental implants for Boulder area dental clients.

Some people experience severe anxiety when undergoing dental treatment. With oral conscious sedation, it is possible to relax during dental procedures instead of being tense and fearful. Oral sedation dentistry, relaxation dentistry, conscious sedation and anxiety-free dentistry are all terms used to describe this type of treatment. In addition to alleviating anxiety, oral conscious sedation can help patients with a variety of conditions.

You may want to consider oral conscious sedation if you have any of the following issues:

• Strong gag reflex
• Fear of needles
• Sensitive teeth
• Fear and anxiety associated with dental treatment
• Difficulty getting numb
• A history of negative dental experiences
• Trouble controlling body movement due to Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy or related condition
• Need extensive dental treatment requiring lengthy dental visits

If you have avoided dental treatment due to any of these factors, give us a call at 720-862-3630. We can give you more information about sedation options and help you determine which one is right for you. At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry we do all we can to make your visit as comfortable as possible. We look forward to discussing your oral health and dental goals.

Serving Lafayette dental patients since 1998. Center for Advanced Dental Care.

With porcelain veneers, you can revamp your smile without significant restorative dental work.

Porcelain veneers are glass-like, wafer-thin covers that are attached to the front of your teeth. Porcelain has been used in dentistry for many years because no other restorative material is such an excellent match for natural tooth enamel. Porcelain is translucent and can be matched to the color of any tooth. It is stronger than enamel and resists stains. Dental ceramists who fabricate porcelain veneers are both artists and technicians. They create beautiful paper-thin wafers that adhere to teeth, correcting chips and stains. Porcelain veneers can also straighten crooked teeth for patients who don’t need orthodontic work.

Patients who receive porcelain veneers appreciate the less-invasive process of enhancing their smile. Newer techniques require no removal of healthy tooth enamel.

We would be happy to show you what dental veneers can do for your smile at our Lafayette dental office. We provide skilled dental care for patients in the greater Boulder area. Our phone number is 720-862-3630.

Smile – sunshine is good for your teeth!

A brilliant smile leaves a lasting impression. Professional teeth whitening in our Lafayette office can dramatically improve your overall appearance and give you a boost in self-confidence.

Our teeth often turn yellow or gray as we age. The things we eat and drink continually such as colored sodas, coffee and red wine contribute to the staining. Most of us are aware that smoking is not only bad for your lungs; it is an enemy to beautiful teeth. If you are considering having your teeth whitened, you must first decide which method to use. At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we enjoy discussing treatment options with our clients. To schedule a consultation to talk about teeth whitening or any other dental procedure, call 720-862-3630.

At-home tooth whitening treatments usually consist of trays filled with whitening solution. It takes 7-14 days to achieve 3-6 shades lighter. Brush-on teeth gels and whitening strips take up to 30 days to achieve barely noticeable results. Whitening toothpaste may lighten superficial stains but often provides no change in appearance of teeth.

Professional teeth whitening procedures performed by a dental professional achieve dramatic results that last far longer than other treatments.

All of the whitening methods may cause tooth pain or sensitivity, but this usually goes away in a few days. If you have dental crowns, porcelain veneers or bonding, it is important to talk to your dentist before choosing a whitening method.

We do smile makeovers!