Dr. West's Boulder Dental Blog

A cosmetic dental consultation is informative and enjoyable. As the patient, you’ll have the opportunity to describe your goals and expectations. If this is your first visit to the practice, you’ll discover how comfortable you feel  with our dentist and other members of the treatment team. Cosmetic dentistry consultations help us provide the highest level of Boulder area dental care.

This is the time to ask questions about possible procedures such as teeth whitening. You can look at pictures of actual porcelain veneer patients and  dental implant recipients. Our cosmetic dentistry patients really get excited when they see images of the possible results for their teeth.

By listening effectively and asking the right questions, Dr. Gordon West can fully assess the many variables unique to your needs.

Dr. Gordon West thoroughly examines teeth, gums and biting function. Complete x-rays are taken. Existing dental work, tooth color, tooth alignment, and gum condition are taken into consideration. Medical history and lifestyle are also important factors. Cosmetic dentistry costs are outlined.

Taking the first step by scheduling a cosmetic dental consultation is your key to understanding your options and preparing to make decisions. Learn about the possibilities for your smile at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry; give us a call at 720-862-3630.

A great smile is essential for putting your best face forward. At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we not only restore teeth to their original condition; we make many Boulder smiles better than they ever were before!

Some patients have only a few problems they wish to correct. Perhaps one or two teeth are misshapen and seem out of alignment. If the problem teeth are only superficially crooked—meaning they do not need to be moved into place with orthodontia—porcelain veneers are the answer. Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain shells that are attached to the front of one of more teeth. They are extremely versatile and can correct shape, color, or both.

Another plus: porcelain veneers are essentially non-invasive and do not affect healthy tooth structure.

Some of our dental patients were happy with their smile in years past but now want to bring up the whiteness a notch or two. Teeth whitening is a popular procedure for our cosmetic dentistry clients. We provide a variety of teeth whitening options for every type of smile. If you are ready to brighten your smile, call 720-862-3630; we’ll help you find the best tooth whitening system for your smile.

Dr. Gordon West, Cosmetic & General Dentistry

Put your best face forward with a brand new smile!

If you live in the Boulder area and are considering puncturing your lip or tongue, read this:

Infection
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Any opening in the tissue carries the risk of infection. The germs from your tongue and mouth can easily get into your bloodstream. Colorado dentists and doctors are continually treating serious infections caused by oral piercings. Oral infections can be a real problem, and should be a major consideration before getting an oral piercing.

Tooth Damage
It should come as no surprise that having a piece of metal bang around in your mouth can easily chip tooth enamel. Though tooth enamel is amazingly strong, once it’s chipped or cracked, it can only be restored with artificial material. Fortunately, Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Boulder offers many tooth restoration options such as crowns and fillings, but our advice is to avoid the problem if you can.

Prolonged Bleeding and Swelling
The blood vessels in the tongue are often damaged when the tongue is pierced, causing prolonged bleeding and possible build-up of scar tissue. In some cases, the tongue swells up enough to block the airway.

Gum Recession
A number of periodontal disease studies have shown that wearing oral jewelry is linked to periodontal disease which can result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease, or ‘gum disease’, can cause gum recession and exposes the root of your teeth, potentially causing hyper sensitivity and pain. Again, our advice is to avoid the problem right from the start.

These are just a few of the dangers. Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry can give you more information about the risks of oral piercings. If you already have damage, call 720-862-3630 to schedule a consultation.

To remain dense, your jaw bone requires the continual stimulation and pressure of chewing, biting and talking. Each of your teeth has a root structure attached to the surrounding bone material. As each tooth absorbs the forces of everyday mouth function, it stimulates the bone to which the root is attached.

When a tooth is extracted, the jaw bone that previously surrounded the root structure begins to recede. Though  tooth extraction is often the only possible treatment for our patients with tooth damage beyond repair, every effort should be made to preserve the root structure.

Fortunately, tooth implants provide a new root which keeps the surrounding bone healthy and strong. A dental implant consists of a titanium post which is placed in the jaw bone. It replaces the original root and eventually integrates into the surrounding bone. After the implant has been placed and the surrounding bone has healed and meshed with the implant, a post is inserted into the implant. The new artificial tooth, or crown, is then attached to the post. Implant restoration is a safe and effective treatment for tooth loss.

To learn more about dental implants, call Dr. Gordon West at 720-862-3630. The friendly professionals at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Boulder provide world-class dental treatment.

Center for Advanced Dental Care

I’m Dr. Gordon West of Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry. My office is located at 1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201 in Lafayette. One of the best things about being a Boulder area dentist is interacting with my patients. During initial dental consultations, I listen carefully to my patient’s short and long term dental goals.

I enjoy discussing options and developing effective treatment plans tailored specifically to each person. Some of my clients desire a total smile makeover. I explain in detail the treatments available including teeth whitening, dental veneers, orthodontia, crown restoration, and dental implants.

If a client is nervous about undergoing treatment, we discuss oral conscious sedation. Oral conscious sedation, sometimes called oral sedation dentistry, is a great option for anxious patients. Dental visits do not have to be painful!

After the treatment has been completed, it is very gratifying for me to see my patient’s reaction to their new smile.

I never get tired of creating dramatic smile transformations for the best clients in Colorado!

If you have been considering a smile makeover, let’s talk about your smile. Call Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry at 720-862-3630 to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation.