Archives for January 2016

The temporomandibular joint is more commonly referred to as the TMJ. It is constructed to work much like your hip or shoulder joint but it is located in front of your earlobe and allows for movement of the jaw as you open and close your mouth. The TMJ can become dislocated over time especially if you have been in the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, or it can be the result of trauma. A misalignment of the bite is a common cause of TMD – Temporal Joint Disorder.

When the TMJ disconnects the jaw becomes locked in the open position and the patient won’t be able to close his mouth until the joint is realigned. Obviously this can be a very scary situation particularly if it comes on unexpectedly. The stress that accompanies the symptoms adds to patient discomfort and can bring on other manifestations such as headaches and neck pain.

The first order of treatment is to move the ball of the joint back into its socket to relieve the immediate crises. Once this is done a dentist can conduct an extensive evaluation to determine if the dislocation is likely to recur. An orthodontic exam may be advised or surgery could be indicated.

Neuromuscular dentistry is a specialized field that deals with the correlation between the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. Dr. Looze of Southlands Dental in Aurora is trained in the specialty and welcomes patients who are suffering from a disorder of the TMJ. Call 303-805-8266 for an appointment.

When you look in the mirror do you like what you see smiling back at you or do you see room for improvement? With the technology of today’s cosmetic dentistry there’s no need to live with an imperfection that is affecting your self esteem.

If you do decide to consult with your dentist about a cosmetic procedure to improve your smile the first thing he will want to know is how you see yourself. What kind of new image do you want to promote? Maybe you just want to look younger or it may be that you are tired of putting up with your overbite or trying to hide the dingy color of your teeth. Whatever it is there is more than likely a cosmetic dental strategy that can be applied to it.

After consulting with your dentist he can show you a kind of catalog of the various smiles that might interest you. You can see a portfolio of the work he has created for previous patients complete with personal reviews. Or, you may already have an idea in mind. Bring a picture of a smile that you have admired so that your dentist can tell if it will actually fit your facial structure.

Dr. Looze of Southlands Dental in Aurora is available to consult with you about any kind of cosmetic procedure you may be considering. Call his office @ 720-886-0606 and start planning today for your brand new smile.

We all try to put our best foot forward to insure that the people we meet and greet come away with a good opinion of us. Whether we’re meeting new people in a social setting or when we are trying to impress a business contact, that first impression is important.

One of the first things that others may notice about you is your smile. A genuinely warm smile along with a firm handshake shows that you are truly happy to see the other person and that he has your undivided attention. But a healthy smile can be compromised by unsightly tooth stains.

Extrinsic stains are caused by the foods and drinks that we expose our teeth to. Some of the worst culprits are coffee, tea and red wine. These kinds of stains can best be prevented by brushing every day and having regular professional cleanings. Your dental hygienist may suggest that you rinse with water after drinking that morning cup of java or the glass of wine that you enjoy with dinner.

Intrinsic stains originate beneath the surface in the dentin of the tooth. This type of staining is not as preventable since it is usually the result of an overexposure to fluoride during our childhood years or trauma to the tooth from a previous injury, things beyond our control. If you’re concerned about the discoloration of your teeth see your dentist for a complete evaluation.

Southlands Dental in Aurora offers options for stain removal or professional whitening. Call 720-886-0606 for an appointment.

A porcelain veneer can be made to successfully simulate the look of natural tooth enamel. Porcelain is often associated with fine china and so may be thought of as something so delicate that it must be protected from breakage. The fact is that porcelain can be quite resilient and it is stain resistant as well, making it excellent veneer material.

If a preliminary consultation with your dentist determines that a veneer is the best solution for your issue the next step will be to describe the procedure and discuss your expectations. Your dentist may use “cosmetic imaging” to actually show you a picture of what your veneer will look like.

A dental veneer is composed of several thin layers of porcelain that are fitted over the tooth. In order to make room for the layers and make them look more natural, a small part of the tooth’s enamel will need to be removed. The porcelain is then bonded to the tooth with a coat of resin which is set with a finishing light.

A porcelain veneer can be used in many ways. It can improve the shape or situation of a tooth. It can also close the gap between your two front teeth or cover up a cracked one. A typical whitening solution may not work on some teeth. A veneer can be a successful alternative.

If you can identify with the situations described on the “patient transformations” page of the Southlands Dental website, call the office @ 720-886-0606 to consult with Dr. Looze.