Archives for December 2015

If you are interested in having one or more dental implants installed to replace lost teeth and improve your smile one of the first things your cosmetic dentist will want to evaluate is the structure of your jawbone.

The foundation of a dental implant is surgically placed directly into the bone. If the bone matter has deteriorated to the point that there is not enough left to receive the titanium base of the implant you may need to have a bone graft.

The first step in the grafting process will be to take a scan of your jawbone to see the extent of the structural decline and exactly where reconstruction is needed.

The ideal grafting method involves using a portion of the patient’s own bone mass but only if it can be harvested from another part of the jaw so that the entire procedure involves the one site. If the bone has to be taken from a different part of the body it will necessitate a second surgery that the patient will have to undergo.

If an autograft is not possible the necessary bone matter may come from a donor bank. This type of graft is known as an allograft. Xenografts are taken from animal bone and alloplastic grafts are manufactured.

Southlands Dental provides extensive information to all their patients about any kind of cosmetic procedure they may have questions on. Call 720-886-0606 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Looze.

The more accurate term for tooth sensitivity is “dentin hypersensitivity,” but whatever we choose to call it the condition can interfere with an everyday lifestyle. A lot of adults for instance, like to start their day with a hot cup of tea or coffee but for those with sensitive teeth this morning routine may have to be sacrificed.

The most common complaints heard by dentists who have patients dealing with sensitivity include the pain that they experience when their teeth come in contact with an extremely hot or cold drink. Some people are also susceptible to sweet or acidic foods. Even a sudden intake of cold air can have an effect on highly sensitive teeth.

Years of exposure to the acids in some foods and drinks will take a toll on the protective coating of enamel around the teeth. When the hard enamel is compromised the softer inner layers of the tooth are exposed to pain producing stimuli.

One of the repercussions of gum disease is that the gum tissue will start to pull away from the teeth leaving them susceptible to infection causing bacteria and leading to an increased level of tooth sensitivity.

There are in-office dental treatments that can be used to seal off the areas of the teeth that have been opened to exposure and relieve the symptoms of sensitivity. At home treatment can include a prescription fluoride varnish to be applied directly onto the teeth.

Treat yourself to the personalized patient care that Southlands Dental in Aurora provides. Call the office @ 720-886-0606.

You don’t make an appointment specifically to see your dental hygienist, she doesn’t have her own office or a staff of assistants, but don’t underestimate her capabilities. She does a lot more than clean your teeth.

A dental hygienist is trained to assess the condition of your teeth and gums so that your dentist will have a starting off place from which to make his diagnosis. The hygienist is the one who will take the x-rays that are so important to see underlying problems in the bone structure or identify tooth decay that can’t be seen by the naked eye.

Most people experience some degree of nervousness about seeing the dentist. The hygienist acts as a kind of buffer. She’s the one who eases the patient into the environment so that by the time he sees the dentist he is relaxed and ready for the exam.

Your dentist is on a tight schedule. He relies on his hygienist to gather the necessary preliminary information form the patients and listen to the symptoms that they may have. It may take some prodding to get a patient to concede that he has been feeling any discomfort for fear that he will need treatment. That may sound unusual but it is often the case. A dental hygienist will know how to draw this patient out and get to the heart of the matter.

The hygienists at Southlands Dental in Aurora have had years of experience and are dedicated to making their patients feel at ease in the dental environment. Call the office @ 720-886-0606.

A PRR, short for Preventive Resin Restoration is the application of a pasty adhesive, or resin onto the surface of the back molars. These are the teeth that we use mostly to chew our food. They are full of little crater type fissures that make them susceptible to decay. A PPR placed over the teeth can smooth out the surface and seal off the fissures.

Older children and adults are both good candidates for a PPR. Adolescents because they are naturally prone to decay and older people because their fissures may have become larger and deeper over time. Younger children who have been diagnosed as being predisposed to cavities may also benefit from the treatment. PPR is advised for use on teeth that have not yet been infected with decay.

The procedure is simple and quick. Once the dentist has thoroughly cleaned the teeth he will protect the area and keep it dry. A preliminary coating is then directed over the teeth in readiness for the resin compound. Then the compound is applied and left to harden. Some resins will require the use of a laser type light to complete the bonding process.

If you or your child does receive PPR therapy be sure to follow recommended home care procedures and see your dentist regularly so that he can check for any chips or cracks in the sealant.

Southlands Dental has been designed for the care and comfort of the patients who come here for counsel and treatment. Call the offices @ 720-886-0606.

When the salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva we are said to have “dry mouth.” The more professional term for this condition is xerostomia and even though the word sounds ominous, the condition is actually a common one that dentists see every day, but the it can have a detrimental effect on the patient’s lifestyle.

Saliva is important for the prevention of cavities. It rinses away left behind food particles which can mix with the natural bacteria that lives in our mouths to create destructive acids.

When you’re hungry you get the sensation that your mouth is “watering.” That is your saliva whetting your appetite for the food that you are about to eat. Not only does your saliva help you enjoy the taste of your food but it also assists the digestive system in processing it.

You may notice some other symptoms along with a conspicuous feeling of dryness in your mouth that may signal dry mouth. Eating certain foods may cause bad breath, but if you notice it more frequently with no apparent trigger it may be a sign of dry mouth. As the condition progresses you may find it hard to swallow or to speak as clearly as you normally do.

If xerostomia persists it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, so make sure to mention any change in the way your food tastes or any suspicion that you may have dry mouth to your dentist.

Get the personalized service that you deserve at Southlands Dental in Aurora. Call the office @ 720-886-0606.