We are experts in cosmetic and restorative family dentistry. If you would like additional information, please give our office a call at (303) 364-4322 or request an appointment online and we will schedule a consultation with the doctor.
Composite fillings are now the treatment standard used by Aurora dentists for fillings, replacing the old amalgam. The composite material is closer to the natural color of teeth and is free of any potentially harmful ingredients like mercury. Like amalgam fillings, the decayed material is drilled out of the tooth and the hole filled with the composite material. Once the space is filled, a light device is applied to harden (set) the filling.
Cosmetic dentistry performed by both Aurora-area general and cosmetic dentists specifically addresses the challenge of creating a perfect smile. Even the most difficult cases can have good results with the advances in cosmetic dentistry methods. Inlays, onlays, composite bonding, tooth whitening, veneers, dental implant fixtures, porcelain crowns, bridges, dentures are only some of the alternatives available. Each patient’s needs are different and will require an individual treatment plan devised by their Aurora-area dentist.
Conscious sedation is a treatment methodology employed by many Aurora dentists to relax tense and nervous patients during dental procedures. Some patients will fall asleep with the sedative depending on the dosage prescribed. While asleep, the patient will still be able to breath on their own and respond to instructions from the dentist. There are three different types of sedation to consider: intravenous sedation, the administering of a sedative through an IV; oral sedation through ingesting anti-anxiety medication, such as valium; and inhalation sedation, which uses nitrous oxide or laughing gas. The type of treatment being performed and the patient’s tolerance for the procedure determine the type and dose of sedation required. It is prudent for each patient to ask their Aurora dentist or dental specialist any risks associated with any of these methods.
Aurora dentists and dental specialists use dental bonding to making two different materials adhere to each other. Filling material and crowns are two examples of where bonding may be utilized to ensure the two restorations work the way they’re supposed to. Bonding is also helpful in improving aesthetics of some restorations. How much bonding is required depends on the amount of decay or damage to the affect tooth or teeth.
Dental cleanings are routine procedures performed once or twice a year by Aurora-area dentist and dental hygienists. This visit is used to clean away tartar and plaque, evaluate the presence and extent of tooth decay and gum disease (gingivitis), and may require the taking of dental X-rays. This is a relatively simple way of ensuring that potentially more serious dental problems are remedied at a very early stage. This is the perfect time to discuss any questions or problems a patient may be experiencing with his/her dentist.
Implant placement has become the standard course of treatment for 
Aurora-area dentists and dental specialists when it comes to replacing teeth. Implant fixtures provide a more stable and long-lasting restoration than a conventional fixed bridge or conventional denture. Implants have two components: the implant fixture (screw) which integrates with the bone like a root, and the abutment to which the replacement tooth restoration is attached. Some patients may be able to have their implant fixture and abutment placed in a single appointment. Three to six months later, the permanent crown, denture or bridge will be placed on the abutment.
Aurora dentists use dental veneers to fix worn enamel or small chips and cracks. The porcelain or composite resin material used to make dental veneers provide a natural-looking restoration. Dental veneers are designed for each individual patient. Once the affected tooth has been ground down and prepared, the veneer is placed.
Aurora dentists and dental specialists use X-rays to look at the condition of the bone (hard tissue) and other interior structures of the mouth. There are a variety of different X-rays used by each dental specialist to help him/her diagnose and provide the proper treatment methodology. The traditional way of taking X-rays involves the use of films. Technological advances now make it possible to take digital X-rays. Digital X-rays do not require the use of films, and can be taken with a lesser amount of radiation. Any body piercings will need to be removed prior to the taking of the X-ray so they do not interfere with the assessment of the health of the mouth.
Aurora dentists may recommend replacement of several missing teeth with
a denture. Depending on how many teeth are being replaced in one location, a patient may have a complete denture, partial denture or overdenture fabricated. These restorations may be supported by remaining soft tissue (gum) or tooth material, or by implant fixtures. Dentures made out of plastic are not as durable or aesthetic as those made out of a polymer material. Dentures will need to be taken care of, like natural teeth, so as to avoid gum irritation and jawbone resorption.
Aurora-area dentists will consider inlay/onlay dental restoration when treating a tooth affected by mild tooth decay, or where old or damaged metal fillings may need to be replaced. Porcelain and gold are the materials used to manufacture inlays, which are applied to the indented surfaces on the crown of the tooth. Onlays, which are also made from porcelain or gold, are used where decay has affected the areas between the cusps of a tooth. Whether an inlay or an onlay restoration is pursued depends upon the tooth being restored, as does the material chosen for the restoration. Inlays and onlays provide a patient with an aesthetic and long-lasting restoration.
Adults looking to have orthodontic treatment can consider Invisalign. Made of plastic, this appliance system is nearly invisible. If your Aurora-area dentist or orthodontist determines that this would be an effective treatment, impressions and photographs of the patient’s mouth will be taken and sent to the Invisalign factory. The impressions and photographs will be used to construct enough appliances that the patient can change them every two weeks or so over the period of one year. The patient’s progress will be monitored by a dentist and a new appliance given the patient as the teeth move.
Overdentures are a conventional treatment alternative Aurora dentists, denturists and prosthodontists use to replace a missing tooth or teeth. This restorative device attaches to neighboring teeth that have been root canaled. If there are no teeth to attach the overdenture to, a dentist may elect to place dental implants as supports. Overdentures are available in polymer or plastic.
If only a couple of teeth need to be replaced in a particular area, your Aurora-area dentist may recommend a partial denture. Partial dentures can be removed from the mouth and are made to clip onto a metal or plastic bar attached to the teeth adjacent the edentulous (toothless) region. Dentures can be manufactured from polymer or plastic, but polymer dentures are more durable and natural looking. It is usually recommended that the dentures be removed at night and soaked in a disinfecting solution while allowing the supporting tissues a chance to recover from the pressure of daily use.
Periodontal disease is gingivitis (gum disease)in a more advanced stage. Periodontal disease can destroy bone and tooth material as well as gum tissue if not diagnosed and treated by an Aurora-area dentist. Periodontal disease is usually manifested in red and tender areas with bleeding during brushing. Gum disease and periodontal disease can be attributed to poor oral hygiene. Periodontal disease may require implementation of an extensive oral hygiene regimen, root planing and scaling, hard (bone) and soft (gum) tissue grafting, extraction of affected and failed teeth, and administration of antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatories.
Crowns can take the form of all-porcelain or porcelain surrounding a metal core. Which material an Aurora dentist will recommend depends on the area being restored. Molars will generally need a porcelain-to-metal-based crown, whereas teeth along the smile line would do well with all-porcelain. The tooth being treated will be root canaled and the old natural crown removed to provide space for the new man-made crown. Crown placement in its entirety usually takes two visits.
If a tooth or teeth is decayed or fractured, root canal treatment might be a possible course of treatment. Sometimes Aurora dentists or endodontists will require two visits to complete the treatment if the damage to the tooth is more serious. Patients may be referred to an endodontist (root canal specialist) for this treatment. Technological advances mean that endodontists can use a microscope to better visualize the area and identify all the infected canals requiring treatment. There are cases where a tooth cannot be salvaged and is recommended for extraction.
Root planing and scaling are techniques used by Aurora dentists or hygienists during a regular dental check up if there are low to moderate amounts of gum disease or gingivitis found. After application of a topical and/or local anaesthetic, small tools are used to scrape away infected material from the tooth down to the root. Follow-up examinations will be set up so the dentist can monitor healing and any residual resurgence of infection. A proper oral hygiene regimen is important to maintain tooth and gum health following root planning and scaling treatment.
Because some people are terrified of dental procedures, many Aurora dentists have added the option of sedation to their patients. Sedation allows patients to be relaxed during any type of dental procedure. Sedation can take the form of: intravenous sedation, where a sedative is administered through an IV; inhalation sedation, where nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask; and oral sedation, where the patient swallows a sedative or anti-anxiety medication. Each patient will need to discuss with their Aurora dentist their specific needs and decide on the appropriate sedation option for them.
It is possible to rid your teeth of the discoloration from eating and drinking. Over-the-counter tooth whitening kits and dental professional-level bleaching are both useful treatments. The dental professional procedures performed by most Aurora-area dentists and dental specialists take fifteen to twenty minutes, while the at-home tooth cleaning kits may take up to fourteen days or more. It may be necessary to combine both types of treatment to address some staining and produce the optimum result.
It has almost become a rite of passage for young people to have their wisdom teeth extracted. Developing and present wisdom teeth can affect the position of adjacent teeth and result in temporomandibular joint problems and headaches. Upper wisdom teeth are usually easier to extract than lower wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth extraction is carried out in the dental office under IV sedation. In some cases, Aurora dentists may refer patients to have their wisdom teeth extracted under general anaesthetic in the hospital.
As it pursues ways of providing better patient care, Aurora-area dentists have found a way to take advantage of CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing). CAD/CAM technology is particularly useful for fabricating crowns, inlays, onlays, bridges and other restorations. It is the ceramic material used with CAD/CAM techniques that provides the patient with a natural-looking, long-lasting restoration. With CAD/CAM technology, the final restoration for a tooth can be fabricated in a matter of minutes and placed at the same appointment as the cleaning and preparation of the affected tooth for restoration. Naturally, the more advanced the technology involved in treatment, the higher the price tag for the treatment.
Intravenous sedation (IV sedation) is provided as a treatment option by Aurora dentists and dental specialists for many of their patients. Therapy involving minor dental cleanings or extractions can be carried out while the patient is under IV sedation. IV sedation addresses the associated fear and anxiety that prevents some patients from seeking timely treatment for their dental issues. A sedative is administered through an IV usually placed in the back of the hand. The amount of sedative administered is constantly monitored throughout the procedure and adjusted when necessary. Only those Aurora-area dental practitioners who are specifically trained to administer IV sedation should use it and it is up to the patient to find out whether their dentist has those credentials or not. IV sedation patients will require a ride home and be supervised by an adult for the rest of the day. Pregnancy, advanced age and certain medical conditions are usually contraindications to the use of IV sedation.