It is estimated that over 5 million teeth are knocked out every year. Many of these dental traumas take place on the playing field or court. Each dislodged tooth involves several trips to the dentist and hundreds of dollars in restoration costs. Not to mention pain! At Boulder County Smiles, in Lafayette, CO, we want to…
Orthodontics
Oral Health In Childhood Has A Lifelong Impact

Keeping your child’s teeth healthy is important while they are young. Tooth decay and gum disease can restrict speech development. It can make it more difficult for the child to eat healthy food. Unhealthy teeth reduce a child’s self-confidence. This, in turn, puts mental health at risk. Mouth pain can also impact school performance. Maintaining…
Suspect A Bite Problem?

Hello! I’m Gordon West, DDS, of Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette. Thanks for visiting my dental blog. The topic of today’s post is malocclusion – literally – “bad bite”. Edward Angle, a pioneer in modern orthodontics invented the term malocclusion. Malocclusion is fairly common in the population as a whole but, fortunately, in most cases…
Innovative Orthodontic Treatment For Confident Smiles

Many dental patients have experienced a boost in self-confidence with orthodontic treatment at Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette. Nothing gives us more satisfaction than helping individuals dramatically improve their smile and overall self-assurance. We Offer The Latest Orthodontic Treatments We offer the latest orthodontic treatments to correct dental problems and imperfections. sedation dentistry prepless veneers…
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…
Are All Clear Aligners Alike?

If you are researching orthodontics, you have probably heard about clear aligners. They offer several advantages over traditional metal braces. The most popular benefit is the fact that they are nearly invisible. Millions of people have corrected their teeth with aligners in the past twenty years since they were invented. We’re here to help with…
Don’t Underestimate The Importance of Retainers

The retention phase is a critical milestone. When you’re ready for an orthodontic retainer, the slow, difficult work of moving teeth is over. Your smile looks extraordinary, but stay with the program. There is still a lot going on behind the scenes—under the gums. Your jawbone, muscles, and soft tissues are adapting. This takes a…
Overlapping Teeth Can Be Corrected for a Beautiful Smile

At Boulder County Smiles, we provide cutting-edge cosmetic dentistry. That means we fix all types of smile shortcomings. Overlapping teeth are fairly common. And while many men and women don’t mind a slight overlap, others feel self-conscious and would like it fixed. What causes teeth to overlap? Genetics or thumbsucking as a toddler can lead…
Boulder County Smiles Provides Quality, Compassionate Dental Care

Hello, and welcome to our dental blog. My name is Dr. Gordon West and I want to tell you about Boulder County Smiles. Meet Our Compassionate Team of Dental Professionals The first thing to know is that we work hard to keep our patients comfortable. Our team is compassionate and empathetic. For some people, the…
A Beautiful Smile is Timeless

Every stage of life has its benefits and drawbacks. For example, in our golden years, we may enjoy traveling, more free time and grandchildren. However, most Lafayette retirees do not welcome wrinkles, limited mobility or dental dilemmas. Fortunately, your smile can be healthy and attractive throughout your life. With cosmetic and restorative dentistry, you can…