‘Knocked’ is a relatively benign word for a jolt so violent it dislodges a tooth. Ouch! We hope this never happens to you. But… if it does, here is what you should do. 1. Find the Tooth If you’re in panic mode, ask for help. When you find the tooth, handle it carefully. Keep it…
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Understanding Dental Sedation Options

Visiting the dentist can be a stressful experience, but there are ways to make your appointment more comfortable. Sedation dentistry is an option available to those who need help managing anxiety during their dental visit. There are different types of sedation available, and it’s important to understand which one is right for you. Let’s break…
Advanced Dental Technology At Boulder County Smiles

Today’s article explains how behind-the-scenes dental technology helps us serve our patients. CAD/CAM CAD (computer-aided design) and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) are used for many restorative treatments. These include same-day inlays/onlays and crowns. Dentists who offer dental implants can use CAD/CAM technology in every phase of the dental implant procedure. CAD/CAM is also used in dental…
Missing Teeth? 5 Things You Need To Know About Dentures

1. Dentures are not the only replacement choice for missing teeth. Dental implants used alone or in combination with a partial denture is often a superior option for patients. Whereas a removable appliance replaces only the visible parts of teeth, an implant replaces both the root and crown of a tooth. This has critical implications.…
Children’s Dental Restorations

There is more than one way to fix a child’s tooth. Whether it’s decay or a crack, we have a restoration option. Today’s message looks at three pediatric tooth restoration procedures we provide to repair a damaged tooth: 1. Dental Bonding Bonding, officially called direct composite veneers, is used to correct chips, cracks, and stains,…
Less Is More At Boulder County Smiles In Lafayette

There are significant new developments in Colorado dentistry: stronger, natural-looking materials; improved techniques; more effective diagnostic methods; and more precise instruments. Combine these with the experience and expertise of Dr. Gordon West and you’re left with less of what used to make people dread going to the dentist. Less Pain Improved painkillers, lasers, and innovative…
Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

Overview Temporomandibular joint The temporomandibular joint (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) (TMJ) acts like a sliding ring, connecting your jaw to your skull. You have joints in every part of your jaw. TMJ disorders – a type of temporomandibular disorder, or TMD – can cause pain in the jaw joints and muscles that control jaw movement. The exact cause of a person’s TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination…
Is Grandpa Smiling?

How are Americans doing when it comes to the dental health of the 65+ population? The Good News: The rate of cavities in the elderly has decreased in the past thirty years.1 The Bad News: 25% of persons age 65+ have no remaining teeth2 Nearly 20% have untreated cavities3 10% of adults 65 and over…
Why Aren’t Dental Implant Prices Listed Anywhere?

You can’t buy teeth implants at Costco. You can’t compare price tags on Amazon. The rates aren’t listed on your dentist’s blog. There is a reason for this. A dental implant procedure isn’t one-size-fits-all. The price of a dental implant depends on many factors. First, let’s specify what we are talking about. A dental implant…
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Evolution isn’t always tidy and linear. For example, we have smaller jaws than our ancestors thousands of years ago, but most of our bodies haven’t adapted by generating fewer teeth. Two-thirds of us produce the same amount of teeth as early humans. These late-developing extra molars are called wisdom teeth and they pose unique oral…